Round 3 of AIC cricket featured a derby between Marist and Lauries and two come-from-behind wins

St Laurence’s College all-rounder Connor McNeven lifted his side to a sensational AIC First XI cricket win today against arch rivals Marist College Ashgrove, while St Patrick’s College had a come-from-behind win.

ST LAURENCE’S College all-rounder Connor McNeven lifted his side to a sensational AIC First XI cricket win today against arch rivals Marist College Ashgrove, while St Patrick’s College had a come-from-behind win.

Defending 169, St Laurence’s dismissed Marist for 151, with McNeven capturing the prized scalp of Tom Collier (43) after Marist Ashgrove were well positioned at 1-78.

McNeven, bowling off a reduced run-up in his return from injury, claimed 3-29 after making what turned out to be a matchwinning 30.

But coach Cameron Wigan revealed he should not have been bowling because of a back injury.

“He was not supposed to bowl for us, but the way the game was going, he decided to give it a go,’’ Wigan said.

Batting first on a slow outfield, St Laurence’s were 7-140 but McNeven dominated a partnership with Lance Davies (six not out) to elevate Laurie’s to 169.

St Laurence's College First XI return to the field after lunch at Runcorn.

Before McNeven’s late rally, St Laurence’s batsmen Oliver Lunt (42). Sam Gorman (22) and Nick Parrott (22) had done their bit against a bowling line-up headed by Tomas Philp (0-21,10 overs) and Joshua Waite (2-28).

When Marist Ashgrove batted, Collier look a class above.

He middled almost everything – even in defence – and his lofted drive from Noah Vojinov was glorious.

Dan Matheson bowling for Padua/ (AAP Image/Richard Walker)

While McNeven claimed three wickets, the outstanding spin bowling of Vojinov and Gorman pinned Ashgrove down across the first 20 overs of the innings.

Marist’s Baxter White threatened to pull a rabbit out of the hat late with his unbeaten 25, but St Laurence’s finished the winners.

“It was a really good win. We had to play very well and fight until the end of the game,’’ Wigan said.

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A Bailey Reed-inspired St Patrick’s College recovered from 5-35 and 9-80 to have a 58 run win over a spirited St Edmund’s College.

The unlikely win came courtesy of a stunning last wicket stand between Reed (36) and Hayden Vickers (25 not out) who somehow lifted St Pat’s to 9-151.

Sam Batiste in the AIC Cricket game between Padua College and St Peters Lutheran College. (AAP Image/Richard Walker)

Such was St Pat’s plight, that coach Vic Williams would have been “almost happy’’ to make 80 or 90 which he believed could be defended.

But they made a lot more than that.

Reed’s innings was not jaw-dropping given his ability, but Vickers rose a notch in support of him.

William Pembroke bowling for Padua. (AAP Image/Richard Walker)

Williams said Vickers primary job was to “hang around’’ in support, but he did much more than that.

When it came time to bowl Reed starred with the ball as well, taking 3-19 from 10 overs with his seam up deliveries. “He had a good day,’’ Williams said.

Lachlan Hartshorn (2-11) also enjoyed a couple of wickets while Eddies pair Schmidt (11) and Callaghan (13) got starts in the St Edmunds’ innings.

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At Banyo, Padua College coach Chris Holding praised the discipline of his team’s bowling and field as Padua (1-70) accounted for St Peters Lutheran College.

Ben Robertson drives for St Peters. (AAP Image/Richard Walker)

Holding detected his side was a little rusty after a rain interrupted start to the season, but could see improvement as the overs ticked over.

“We built pressure outside off stumps and took our catches. Catches win matches,’’ he said.

“Then we chased them one (wicket) down

“The boys applied themselves and it was a pretty good win.’’

Padua celebrate a wicket in the AIC Cricket game between Padua College and St Peters Lutheran College in Banyo, Saturday, February 22, 2020 (AAP Image/Richard Walker)

After Mitchell Berndt scored 13 before being bowled by St Peters’ spinner Oscar Wright, Ruben Woollard (34 not out) and Ned Paddison (11 not out) pushed on

In St Peters innings, Ben Roberton (12) stood up best to the Padua attack of Kelsall (3-18), William Pembroke (3-24), Matheson (0-12), Ryan Pembroke (1-3) and Singh (3-7)

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At Tingalpa, Villanova (9-192) were driven onto the front foot by batsman Mueller (57) before the tail were also called upon to rescued their side.

Padua College bowlers Kelsall, William Pembroke, Matheson, Ryan Pembroke and Singh

Smith (24 not out) and Lee (23) carried their side from 9-143 to a match winning 8-192.

“It was a great partnership. It was really smart batting and it swung momentum back to us,’’ said Villanova coach Nathan Dufty.

Batting first, Villanova were 2-18 before Mueller and Henderson (24) got their team’s engines warm.

Ben Murdoch hits out. (AAP Image/Richard Walker)

Luke Furjes (3-30) and Daniel Linning (4-40) were outstanding for Iona, but when it came Iona’s turn to bat, the Villa attack of Smith (3-17), J D’souza (3-14) and Godwin (2-15) returned serve to dismiss their rivals for 96.

Coach Dufty was not pleased with the extras but “other than that we bowled really well’’.

Iona’s best batsman was Mitchell Yarrow (30).