APS cricket Round 8: Premiership race heats up

From a statement win to a brilliant display of bowling, Round 8 of the APS cricket campaign had some special moments. See them here.

Round 8 of the APS cricket season had storylines left, right and centre.

Geelong Grammar defeated Caulfield in a nail biter to hold top spot on the ladder while Brighton knocked off Xavier to insert itself into the premiership race.

The win for Brighton puts them equal with Xavier in second position and one win behind top-placed Geelong Grammar.

With three games remaining in the campaign, it is set to be an exciting finish with no team assured of taking the title yet with 10 points always on offer through outright victory.

Here are the top moments from Round 8.

Geelong Grammar bowling cohort produce performance of the season

If it wasn’t for an outstanding bowling performance from Geelong Grammar to defend 156, it could be a different story in the APS cricket title race.

With Caulfield needing 55 runs with six wickets in hand, Geelong Grammar amazingly took all six Caulfield wickets for 50 runs to win the game by four runs.

Ollie Peake got the winning wicket and finished the innings with figures of 2-54 from 29 overs.

Geelong Grammar’s Josh Lindsay was the star of the show, however, taking 4-40 off 18 overs while teammate Jack Robinson stepped up and took 3-32 from 17 overs.

Marly McCombe picked up Geelong Grammar’s other wicket in their emphatic victory to remain one game clear on top of the APS cricket ladder.

GGS 156 def Cau 152

Lalor takes another late catch from the bowling of Peake, this time at mid wicket, to give GGS the hard fought win. What a performance from what was an undermanned bowling attack for the boys in blue, backed up by a solid display in the field@APS_Sport

— GGS_Cricket (@CricketGGS) February 25, 2023

Brighton make a statement

It was a big clash that either team would have been eager to win, but when it came down to it, Brighton proved far too good over Xavier playing away from home.

After being sent in to bat, Brighton posted 7-264 with Cooper Rojko (68), Charlie Wood (54) and Moe Spencer (56) stepping up with half centuries.

@XavierCollege have won the toss and elected to field vs @BGSCricket@APS_Sportpic.twitter.com/DRJosjsSzP

— Matt Healy (@quasii73) February 24, 2023

In the run chase, the Brighton bowlers tore through Xavier, bowling them out for 144 with Jeremy Murray and Gus White leading the charge with four wickets each.

The win for Brighton is a big feat for their premiership title hopes with the win putting them one game behind ladder leaders Geelong Geelong.

In the meantime, it’s a costly loss for Xavier who will need to produce some special wins to take home the title as the side only have two matches remaining in the season with the bye coming up.

Geelong College get on a roll

After losing the first six games of the season, the Geelong College boys have find their groove, picking up points for the second week in a row.

It began with a thrilling Geelong derby win last week which was followed by a solid showing against reigning premiers Melbourne Grammar this week where they defended a total of 9-259 for the draw.

Geelong College’s Tom Patterson was the man of the match with a spectacular century of 127 not out, opening the batting.

In reply, College restricted the visitors to 5-248, gathering three points from the draw.

Some strong captaincy from Ted Bain and two wickets each from Will Rodda and Charlie Cox helped College to gather the result.

Other highlights

Caulfield opening bowlers Harry Sullivan and Oliver Warburton take four wickets each against Geelong Grammar.

Melbourne Grammar’s Oliver Will scores back-to-back centuries. The skipper notched 105 from 71 deliveries on Saturday, featuring 13 boundaries, including two maximums against Geelong College.

Scotch’s Patrick Burchard falls agonisingly short of a ton against neighbouring school St Kevin’s, scoring 99 off 166 balls before being trapped leg before wicket.

St Kevin’s bowler Daniel Adams took 4-52 off 17 overs, featuring four maidens against Scotch.

Melbourne Grammar’s Freddie Newing scores 90, featuring 11 boundaries, including three sixes against Geelong College.

Haileybury’s Nicholas Tindall takes 4-70 off 21 overs against Carey.