GCA1 Round 3: Full results, news and updates

Grovedale has opened its GCA1 campaign with three consecutive wins following a brilliant 95-ball 98 from batting artisan Mick McNeel.

Grovedale stamped itself as GCA1’s early pacesetter, with a brilliant 95-ball 98 from batting artisan Mick McNeel steering the Tigers to a third straight success in a 50-run triumph over Highton.

McNeel’s innings took his tally to 198 from the opening three rounds; the enterprising knock ending with a sharp catch at cover from Heat skipper Nathan McCoach.

“Every year you put in a big pre-season and to get some runs at the start of the season is something you hope for, but don’t always get,” McNeel said.

Michael McNeel made 98 against Highton. Picture: Wes Cusworth.

“The challenge for me is to keep heading into Christmas like this and set up a big second half for the team.

“The games you lock away before Christmas insulate you when you have your run of bad form because the comp’s so even.”

The Tigers were emboldened by a brisk 38-ball 34 from South African import Rob Smith, while Brayden Engelen-Baker’s 41 spoke to the depth of the home side’s line-up.

“Rob’s come in and looked fantastic with a few starts; he’s really taken it to the opposition and that’s kind of set the platform for the guys behind me,” McNeel said.

“Hopefully we’re starting to build a strength where we know, batsmen one to seven can consistently put those big scores on the board and help our bowlers.”

New-ball spinner Nash Viney (2-35) was the pick of the Heat’s bowlers, although the visitors to Burdoo Reserve were limited in their options when swing-king Hayden Murrell sustained a shoulder injury diving on the boundary.

The Heat’s answer began positively with import Greg Willows stroking a brilliant 104-ball 99, falling one short of a century when Rob Smith clung to a thin edge keeping up to seamer Clinton Ford.

Nathan Harper claims his first GCA1 first grade wicket. Picture: Wes Cusworth.

“They were travelling beautifully, Willows batted superbly, but it was really the overwhelming scoreboard pressure,” McNeel said.

“We dropped Willows when he was about 60 and that made us nervous as he was batting really well.

“But we knew if we could get him out and lift our intensity in the field, then we could get a few quick wickets and then it was only going to get harder.

“Once you get them up to seven and eight and over, and you have more guys out on the fence, it’s pretty hard to get that run rate in the latter stages of the innings.”

Paceman Sam Coutts was the best rewarded Tiger with 3-40, while Clinton Ford and debutant Nathan Harper claimed 2-27 and 2-30 respectively.

“Nathan’s first-up effort with the ball was fantastic,” McNeel said.

“He’s very promising for a guy who’s just turned 17, he’s already quite nippy for his age and even rushed a few today.”

Lara 3-117 def East Belmont 115

A top-shelf all-round contribution from coach Casey Young spearheaded Lara’s emphatic defeat of perennial contender East Belmont, with the visitors to Winter Reserve winning by seven wickets with 21 overs spare.

Young’s 3-17 with the ball played a pivotal role in dismissing the Lions for just 115, before anchoring the innings with a patient 94-ball unbeaten 43 to carry his side to victory.

“I really value being able to contribute with both bat and ball,” Young said.

Casey Young made 43 not out against East Belmont. Picture: Wes Cusworth.

“I guess I’m lucky enough that Weigs (captain Daniel Weigl) backs me in to bat a little bit higher in the order and I certainly appreciate a change in roles with the ball.”

East Belmont suffered for a lack of contributors as Daniel Blatherwick (2-33), Mitch Heyward (2-25) and Jaymee Guy (2-17) joined Young in applying the clamps and forcing a steady procession of wickets.

It was left to newcomer Danny Hegarty to head the Lions’ innings with a 93-ball 41, falling as the seventh wicket at 77.

Despite the early loss of Jhiah Baxter (0), Lara’s innings quickly gained momentum as Andy Hughes took centre stage with a rollicking 36-ball 46 comprised of eight boundaries and a six.

“Andy’s record speaks for itself,” Young said.

“Whenever those really good batters like your Sean O’Neills and Jordan Morans, come to the crease, they have that aura and bowlers do tense up a little bit.

“So, when Andy is at the crease and dictating terms against what’s a really good bowling attack in East Belmont’s, it certainly makes that total a little bit easier to chase down.

“I think he’s blessed with a special talent with the bat in hand, so I don’t think it really matters how much cricket he has missed.”

Young is confident the win reflects the Cats’ capacity to challenge the competition’s best teams.

“The zero and two start prior to this game doesn’t really reflect how we feel the start of the season’s gone,” Young said.

“I think we’ve had control for the most part in games, and we’ve certainly been working on things that we’ve wanted to work on.

“Today was definitely a case of all those different components starting to come together, it was a really solid performance from every single player on the pitch.”

North Geelong 1-141 def South Barwon 6-138

North Geelong showed last week’s loss was a mere aberration with a return to the form that has seen Osborne Park become a fortress for the reigning premier over the past four seasons. The Magpies’ suffocatingly tight bowling prevented South Barwon from posting a competitive score with firebrand Dale Kerr (3-25) and all-rounder Andrew Fergusson (2-15) the best rewarded of the hosts.

Ned Cooper made 73 not out against South Barwon. Picture: Wes Cusworth.

Youngsters Bryson Nicholls (28) and Will Breuer (27) headed the scoring, before Englishman Sam Ellis whipped up a rapid-fire, 27-ball unbeaten 28.

Despite the loss of Sam Hall (two), North Geelong was untroubled in chasing down the target as Ned Cooper (73 not out) and Curtly Balshaw (45 not out) struck the winning runs with 18 overs in hand.

St Joseph’s 2-186 def Newtown & Chilwell 185

St Joseph’s inflicted a heavy eight-wicket defeat on Newtown & Chilwell thanks in the main to a terrific 103-run second-wicket stand between opener Andrew Casey (65 not out) and skipper Andrew Hodgson (55).

The Joeys faced 181 for victory after Sam Mitchell spearheaded the Two Blues with an 83-ball 63 that comprised three sixes and seven fours.

St Joseph's batter Andrew Casey made an unbeaten 65 against Newtown & Chilwell. Picture: Wes Cusworth.

However, the visitors to Zampatti Oval suffered from a lack of supporters for Mitchell’s innings as Brandon Purcell (3-28), Tom Smith (2-32) and Callum Leese (2-36) ensured wickets fell at regular intervals.

The Joeys welcomed a positive 30 from Jack Riding and a quickfire unbeaten 26 from Jackson Bye.

Originally published as GCA1 Round 3: Full results, news and updates