APS cricket round 6: Billy Macmillan, Jordie McElhone lead St Kevin’s to thrilling win

It was one of the best rounds yet in APS cricket as a top-of-the-table clash seesawed while one match was decided in the final minutes of the day. Here’s the round 6 wrap.

Round 6 of the APS cricket season saw several tense moments in a top-of-the-table clash between Xavier and Geelong Grammar while two lower placed teams played out of their skin in a thriller.

Geelong Grammar, Melbourne Grammar, St Kevin’s and Haileybury all picked up big wins away from home with Scotch the only side to win on their home deck.

Here’s the full round 6 wrap.

GEELONG COLLEGE defeated by ST KEVINS

St Kevin’s picked up its second win of the season in a thrilling finish against Geelong College away from home.

Despite Geelong College’s efforts in setting the biggest total of the season with 10-311, St Kevin’s were up for the task with Jordie McElhone leading the charge with a match-winning century of 113 off 148 deliveries.

The St Kevin’s number six hit 17 boundaries including two sixes in his impressive knock.

A five-wicket haul from Billy Macmillan and 113 runs off the bat of Jordie McElhone see the 1st XI getting on the bus back home from Geelong College having successfully run down the target of 311 with one wicket, (and a small handful of minutes) to spare. pic.twitter.com/SEeDuORMQm

— SKC Cricket (@StKevinsCricket) February 11, 2023

The bowling of Geelong College captain Ted Bain (3-91 off 30 overs) was keeping his side in the game as St Kevin’s fell to 9-311 with scores tied.

In the final minutes of the day, St Kevin’s passed the total with no batters left in the sheds as Daniel Adams hit the winning runs in his unbeaten 12 run innings batting at nine.

Jack Morice (61) and Liam McCashin (40) were also handy contributors with the bat for St Kevin’s in the run chase.

In the first innings, Geelong College had just one batter dismissed under 10 runs but no batters could get going with a big scores as no one passed the half century mark.

Tom Patterson (48) and Joshua Nurnaitis (44) were the top scores with the bat for Geelong College.

Billy Macmillan was the star with the ball for St Kevin’s, taking 5-90 off 27.3 overs, featuring three maidens.

The win for St Kevin’s means they are set to jump up the ladder after they were in second last position before the round.

Geelong College remains in search for their first win this season.

XAVIER defeated by GEELONG GRAMMAR

Geelong Grammar has strengthened their premiership chances after defeating first placed Xavier in a nail biter to take top spot on the ladder.

It was a roller coaster of a first innings beginning with Xavier’s Benjamin Wickham (49) and Leo Agacy (43) sending a statement to Geelong Grammar as they put on a 93-run opening stand after being sent in.

Xav Army in great voice @APS_Sportpic.twitter.com/3gizpjQTAU

— Xavier College Sport (@XC_Sport) February 10, 2023

But once the home crowd support of the Xavier students in the grandstand returned to the classroom after lunchtime, visitors Geelong Grammar pounced back as Ollie Peake led the way with a five-wicket haul.

Xavier miraculously lost 10-51 and were bowled out for 144.

Peake bowled 27.5 overs taking 5-34 including 14 maidens, adding to his brilliant season where the youngster leads the competition for wickets taken with 13 and second for runs with 311.

Josh Lindsay was also another notable performer with the ball for Geelong Grammar, taking 3-18 off 17.1 overs.

Chasing an under-par total of 144 , Geelong Grammar were made to work when Xavier had the visitors 2-17, featuring the important wickets of Henry Melville (7) and Ollie Peake (1).

Geelong Grammar’s number four Samuel Lalor sparked a rebuild for his side, notching 41 featuring four boundaries including two emphatic sixes.

Xavier came back to life with standout bowlers Xavier Austin and Simon Greene, both taking two wickets each to keep their side in the game with Geelong Grammar at 6-95.

Gripping contest on the Roche Oval. Austin to Cole @APS_Sportpic.twitter.com/eXrgZkRoGj

— Xavier College Sport (@XC_Sport) February 11, 2023

Geelong Grammar’s Jack Headon entered the game batting at number eight and scored a match-winning 49 off 65 deliveries to steer his side over the line in a season-defining victory.

Geelong Grammar ended the day on 9-176, continuing their unbeaten run this season as they attempt to break an eight year premiership drought.

WESLEY defeated by MELBOURNE GRAMMAR

Melbourne Grammar proved too good for Wesley with a dominant display of middle order batting and clinical bowling leading them to their second victory of the season.

Jeremy A’Beckett led the charge with the ball for Melbourne Grammar as the opening bowler took 3-20 from 9.5 overs to help bowl Wesley out for 129.

Melbourne Grammar chased down the total, six wickets down, with mid order trio Charlie Edwards (36), Will Gilmore (44) and Tommy Marriner (75*) steering their side over the line in comforting fashion.

Wesley’s Ollie Entwisle and Nicholas Gribble impressed with the ball taking three wickets each.

CAULFIELD defeated by HAILEYBURY

Haileybury shocked Caulfield on their home deck as the visitors almost pulled off an outright victory against a side that was one spot above them in fourth before the game.

Freddie Arnhold (4-30 off 11 overs) and Lachlan Burfurd (4-11 off 7.3) were the standout bowlers for Haileybury as Caulfield were bowled out for 85 in the first innings.

Haileybury chased it down with ease as Mitchell Kirkwood-Scott notched a remarkable 166 off 107 balls, featuring 23 boundaries including three sixes.

100 for Kirkwood-Scott off 76 v Caulfield. What form this guy is in! pic.twitter.com/BkJGAeS4fY

— The Hazlitt Club (@TheHazlittClub) February 11, 2023

It was Kirkwood-Scott’s second century of the season after the youngster did it earlier in the season in round 2 against Brighton Grammar. 

Haileybury declared at 7-285 with a 210 run lead and managed to claim 4-116 before the game ended with George Brayshaw taking three second innings wickets for Haileybury.

The win has Haileybury with a 3-3 win-loss record.

SCOTCH defeated CAREY

A brilliant bowling display against Carey has handed Scotch their third win of the season.

Joseph Klotz was the lone soldier for Carey with the bat as Scotch bowled them out for 129 with skipper Lachlan Francis and Orlando Pender leading the way with four wickets each for Scotch.

Francis claimed 4-34 off 10.2 overs and Pender took 4-22 off 12 overs.

In the Scotch run chase, Michael Winneke opened the batting and scored a match-winning 75 off 150 deliveries.

Harry Jones scored a half century of 58 batting at number eight to set Scotch up for a chance of an outright triumph.

Scotch weren’t able to successfully gather the outright victory as Carey held on at 5-89 in the second innings.

Francis and Pender claimed another two wickets in the second innings.

BRIGHTON had the bye.