Premier Cricket 2018-19: Fitzroy Doncaster suffers consecutive defeats for first time in two years

Carlton has dislodged Fitzroy Doncaster from the top of the Premier Cricket table after the Lions suffered consecutive losses for the first time in nearly two years.

Noah Korkolis hit his maiden First XI half-century against Carlton. Picture: Sarah Matray

Carlton has dislodged Fitzroy Doncaster from the top of the Premier Cricket table after the Lions suffered consecutive losses for the first time in nearly two years on Saturday.

The 18-run defeat was further compounded by a second calf injury this season to veteran Peter Dickson, who retired hurt on 11 but returned and was dismissed for 14.

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It was the opposite calf Dickson injured in Round 5 against Melbourne.

Set 6-210 after Harry Smyth and Donovan Pell both made half-centuries, Fitzroy Doncaster was bowled out for 192 with four balls remaining after losing its last seven wickets for just 40 runs.

Fitzroy Doncaster captain Ejaaz Alavi said his side played “40 really good overs with the ball” but “just let it slip at the back end, that allowed them to get 80 or so runs in the last 10 overs”.

Eddy O'Sullivan at the bowling crease. Picture: Valeriu Campan

“Pell and Harry Smyth batted really well through the middle and didn’t take too many risks, didn’t give us many chances and set themselves up for the last 10 overs,” Alavi said.

“They were able to score really quickly and they didn’t lose wickets in the last 10 overs, which was probably the big difference in the game.”

Smyth and Pell shared a 139-run partnership after paceman Chris Moore grabbed three top-order wickets, including the scalp of hard-hitting opener Brayden Stepien, to reduce the Blues to 4-63.

Smyth finished on 70 not out, hitting 5 fours and 2 sixes from 100 deliveries, while Pell was dismissed in the final over after an entertaining 72 from 88 balls, including 5 fours and 2 sixes.

Noah Korkolis anchored the Lions’ response with his maiden First XI half-century, posting 68 off 113 deliveries, stroking 4 fours and a six.

A typically hard-hitting display from Trent Lawford, who blasted 2 fours and 2 sixes in his knock of 36 off 26 balls, helped the visitors reach 3-152 before the collapsed to be all out in the final over.

Matt Bremner in action for Fitzroy Doncaster. Picture: Steve Tanner

“We didn’t nail it for the 50 overs in both innings and you have to be on your game to be able to win against the best sides in the comp,” Alavi said.

“They bowled really well, they bowled to their fields and that’s what good sides do and it was just disappointing we couldn’t find a way to get over the line.”

It was the first time Fitzroy Doncaster has lost two games in a row since rounds 16 and 17 in 2016-17.

“Obviously it’s not ideal to lose a bit of momentum but we’ll be backing ourselves to fight back hard,” Alavi said.

“We’ve got the group among us that will always be fighting hard and finding a way to get back in the contest and competing really hard.”