Lara is poised to go through the GCA2 first grade regular season undefeated
A local cricket club is poised to equal a record set 30 years ago with just one round to play in the regular season.
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Lara’s first grade is poised to produce the first unbeaten top tier season in many years as it takes on Torquay on Saturday at home.
While the exact GCA records are unclear, Leopold celebrated its 1994-95 first grade premiership last weekend — a campaign which the Lions went through undefeated.
It came amid a golden period for Leopold, winning 16 games straight, back-to-back flags and three grand finals in as many years, between 1994 and 96.
In fact, Leopold would win 23 out of 24 matches from March 5, 1994 onwards.
Meanwhile, Geelong City produced back-to-back regular seasons in GCA2 first grade where they dropped just one game, across 10-11 and 11-12, with Newcomb & District and Murgheboluc spoiling the party.
However, its all about the 10-0 Cats who have done it relatively comfortably in 24-25, although there have been 16-run and one-wicket wins after the Christmas break.
Top order batter Andrew Hughes has led the way for the Cats with 505 runs at 84.17.
Mitchell Heyward is fourth on the bowling aggregate with 24 poles at 15.29.
Club stalwart and co-coach Dan Weigl said achieving a spotless regular season was not something the club was putting much energy into, with the second grade also going through the season undefeated to this point with 11 wins from 13 games.
“It’s not something we’ve looked into, and I can hand on heart say it’s honestly the first time I’ve consciously thought about it,” Weigl said.
“It would be pretty cool but there’s a long way to go yet.
“Coincidently, our twos haven’t lost a game yet.
“No injuries touch wood (coming into Round 14), we should have three come back in, Andy (Hughes), ‘Sods’ (Robert Sodomaco) and Casey Young, he got a teaching job in Tasmania (in Launceston) so he’ll be back for the last round and finals.”
Meanwhile, Bell Park are set to cap off a fine reintroduction to GCA2 with a finals place and have only lost to the Cats since Round 6.
New recruit Nikhil Deep Pottabathini has been a genuine run machine for the Dragons, with Bell Park currently second on the GCA2 club championship table.
After starting the season with back-to-back ducks, Pottabathini has posted 533 runs at an average of 66.6 with a ton and five half centuries from eight digs.
He has stolen the mantle from Leopold’s Tom Treble for the leading batter with a round to go.
Eagles impress in first season in GCA3
Beset by unavailabilities in recent rounds, ladder leaders Thomson has gone the past two matches without a win after being 9-0 at one stage, and will look to take some momentum into another GCA3 finals campaign against Corio.
All three of the Dews were in Sri Lanka in Round 13, which saw Thomson draft in former captain Adam Bliss for the match against Manifold Heights.
Meanwhile, the Devils have slipped a bit in 24-25 after a semi-final appearance last year against the Tigers.
Gun opener Anthony Grace has not quite hit the heights of previous seasons, without a big score since his Round 1 even century against Modewarre.
Overall, the club has dropped from fourth on the club championship in 23-24 to second last with a round to go.
However, the Eagles, who were promoted from GCA4 this season, will face third-placed Marshall on Saturday and have won their past three games after being beaten by the Bears in Round 10.
Leading GCA3 bowler Ethan Rogers appears to have put a quad strain behind him and has taken nine wickets at 6.2 over the past two fixtures.
But bulk runs remains an issue for Waurn Ponds with just one score above 215 this year, as finals action looms.
Redbacks and Rosellas push for higher honours
Meredith has claimed top spot in GCA4 from Little River with just two rounds to play.
New recruit Harli Givvens produced his fifth 50+ score with 83 against Guild St Mary’s, with the Rams suffering just one loss from its seven games in 2025.
Last year’s semi finalists have gone off the boil, dropping their past three games and sliding to fifth on the ladder.
However, the Rams, who won the T20 championship on Australia Day, boast the leading batter in Givvens (627 runs at 48.2) and bowler in Chesney Milne (32 wickets at 12.5).
Meanwhile, the reigning first grade premiers in the Rosellas have given themselves a shot at promotion, currently in second position on the club championship table after finishing number one in 23-24.
And the Supersaints continue to fight hard after demotion to GCA4 and the stripping of key personnel, banking their second win of the year in first grade in Round 17 against Guild St Mary’s after being rolled for just 95.
Its seconds are a chance of finals and currently sit in fourth place, keeping the club nine points clear of Teesdale on the club championship.
Originally published as Lara is poised to go through the GCA2 first grade regular season undefeated
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