BPCA Round 6 wrap: Aaron Toole double ton leads Portarlington to unlikely win, Barrabool duo skittles Hawks

This batter went to the crease with his side in trouble and produced the knock of a lifetime. Plus, two bowlers by the name of James wreaked havoc and the Suns pulled off an upset.

Aaron Toole hit a blistering double century. Picture: Portarlington CC

A second-day substitute in BPCA B grade, Aaron Toole arrived at the crease with Portarlington in serious strife at 4-23 chasing an ominous total of 349.

He left it with a blistering double century – his first score over 100 in senior cricket – and a win against the odds.

Tool clubbed an unbeaten 203 off just 137 deliveries, almost single-handedly leading the Demons to an unlikely over Barrabool by two wickets.

In the searing heat, the 25-year-old put on 181 runs for the fifth wicket with Solomon Harvey (79) before guiding them to the monster target with more than 20 overs to spare.

“We lost a few quick ones and I was like, ‘you know what, I want to dig in’. I wanted it to be me there at the end. So that’s what I did and it all went to plan,” Toole said.

“That was my first time making a 100 in the seniors, never got anywhere near close to it and it was pretty special.”

With a double century in sight, Portarlington batted on and Toole brought up his 200 with his 27th boundary of the day.

“I knew I was close, I’d been getting told by the boys to dig in and bat patiently and I was a bit frustrated because I’d been digging in all day,” he said with a laugh.

“Hit a clean one down the ground and everyone went mental and ‘Coops’ came and gave me a big cuddle and I just knew.”

Hailing from Heatherdale in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, Toole played most of last season in Portarlington’s A grade side last season.

He played one game in the firsts this season which certainly paled in comparison to his knock on Saturday, managing a golden duck against Wallington.

However, he couldn’t do much more to earn a recall.

“I think it would be pretty stiff if I’m not selected,” Toole chuckled.

JAMES DUO SKITTLES HAWKS

A James duo wreaked havoc for Barrabool, taking nine of Drysdale’s wickets to secure third spot in BPCA A1 and a comfortable 133-run win.

Drysdale had no answer for James Fisher (4-44) and James ‘Jim’ Jirik (5-24) chasing 285, with the Hawks bowled out for 151 after 48 overs

Barrabool captain Michael Kelson’s 111 on day one was also pivotal in the victory.

It was a particularly strong effort from Jirik, who had been under the weather coming into the clash.

James Fisher claimed four wickets. Picture: Mark Wilson

James Fisher celebrates after dismissing Drysdale batter Charlie Chlode. Picture: Mark Wilson

“He’d been unwell during the week but we sort of had to ask him to go a bit further than he would normally do after being crook because Lachlan Brown had dislocated his shoulder a week earlier while batting,”

“It probably didn’t go James Fisher’s way at the start… His second spell was a lot better and his third and fourth he continued it on.”

The Bulls’ bowling attack has been depleted this season after the loss of overseas player Ed Morrison and Brad Greenwood over the off-season.

Kelson praised his pair of James’ for standing up, along with youngster Archer Jaques – the cousin of Western Bulldogs draftee Lachie

Jaques took the wicket of opener Ronnie Peillon caught behind and the Hawk swung his bat in frustration.

Ronnie Peillon was not happy after his being dismissed caught behind. Picture: Mark Wilson

Picture: Mark Wilson

“We’ve lost 40-45 overs a game and haven’t been able to replace that,” Jaques said.

“But I think it has been good that Archer Jaques has been able to step into Brad’s shoes and bowling some quality overs for us. At the same time he is learning his craft, his average isn’t as good as what he would want, but I think that will certainly come down the further we go into the year.

“That’s just meant other people like Jim Jurik have had to bowl a few more overs, which he is more than capable of.

“It was good to see he got a reward with five-fer.”

Armstrong Creek secured a tight two-wicket win over reigning premiers Barwon Heads thanks to an unbeaten 127 from opener Clay Mulgrew.

Mark Zahra’s 6/27 allowed Jan Juc to cruise to a seven wicket win, while Anglesea thumped Queenscliff by 213 runs as Ben Harcombe and Tom Beasley each took four wickets.

SUNS SHINE IN A2 UPSET

Surf Coast underlined its dramatic improvement this season by upsetting grand finalist Collendina by three wickets in BPCA A2.

Openers Will Liddle (84) and Richard Dawes (38) built a strong platform but Collendina’s bowlers led by Corey Walter (4/37) kept them right in the contest.

The Suns lost 4-18 at one stage but managed to hang on, passing the target seven wickets down in the 54th over.

The Suns won just one game for the 2023/24 season but already have three on the board from six games, leapfrogging Collendina into the top four.

Wallington flexed its muscles by rolling Inverleigh for 58, with Billy Gravett (5/25) and Adam Southorn (4-7) dominating.

Ladder leaders Portarlington were made to earn it against last-placed St Leonards in its four-wicket win, while Matthew Patridge’s 4-21 saw Winchelsea knock off Newcomb.

Originally published as BPCA Round 6 wrap: Aaron Toole double ton leads Portarlington to unlikely win, Barrabool duo skittles Hawks