GCA1 Round 7 wrap: Spinner Rohan Smith announces himself as St Peter’s in strong position against ladder-leaders
This spinner has showed his worth, but he made an emphatic statement over the weekend. Plus, St Peter’s is in a strong position off the back of a century to their captain. See Wes Cusworth’s full wrap.
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A miserly spell of off-spin bowling from Albury-product Rohan Smith was pivotal to Grovedale limiting South Barwon to just 172, before the Tigers shaved 21 runs from the chase in the shadows of stumps.
Landing at Burdoo Reserve in time for the season-opener, Smith has showcased his worth to the Tigers over the opening six rounds but emphatically announced himself to the competition against the Swans with a dominant 5-49 from a memorable 24-over spell.
“When I started bowling today, I was thinking, ‘oh, it’s going to be a long day’, but then just kept going and going and was feeling good,” Smith said following the day’s play.
“It was really pleasing to bowl that many overs and actually get the reward, as there’s been times where I’ve bowled that many overs and have walked off and haven’t taken any wickets.”
Englishman Sam Ellis headed the Swans’ effort with an 11-boundary 61, while Brad Hauenstein continued on from last week’s stellar unbeaten 95 with a further 29.
Grovedale’s field placements were a critical complement to the frugal performance of the bowling collective with 81 percent of deliveries dot balls.
“We recognised early that it was pretty flat, there wasn’t a lot of lateral movement, so we thought to bowl straight and set straight fields, we challenged them to take us on,” Smith said.
“Putting a couple of fielders out, I bowled with the wind which meant that if they hit it, they’d be going against the wind, it was a good strategy which seemed to work.
“They didn’t work the singles, and they weren’t really willing to take me on, so that was what I wanted, dotting them up and having them leave balls alone.”
While new-ball bowler Sam Coutts claimed 2-50, Smith applauded debutant seamer Matthew Cogger.
“He was a bit nervous his first spell, but he came back from that southern end and was patient, we bowled a few maidens there together,” Smith said.
“That really put the pressure on them, and I think that’s probably what got Sam Ellis out in the end, there was a period of time where the scoreboard went nowhere, and he had to try to take me on.”
Jake Alsop (13) and Corey Paull (4) negotiated a testing five-over period to see the Tigers to 0-21 at stumps.
“I think they went out there with the right intention, when the ball was there, they still went through with their shots,” Smith said.
– Grovedale 0-21 v South Barwon 172
Newtown and Chilwell v St Peter’s 7-306
St Peter’s has taken it up to ladder-leader Newtown and Chilwell, with a commanding 178-ball 110 from skipper Luke Ford proving instrumental in the Saints’ highly competitive 7-306.
The oldest Ford benefited from a platform provided by Matthew Sorgiovanni (72) and Brad McMaster (34), before leaning on younger brother Billy (41) to ease the tension through the more challenging stages of his century.
“It’s becoming a trend that we’re making good scores, and while in a perfect world we would have liked more, we’re really pleased to be in the position we’re in,” Ford said on stumps.
“It’s always good to see teammates get runs, especially a brother.
“He was a big part of it for me as he was out there for a fair chunk of it, and just the way he bats makes it a lot easier for me as well; he got the run rate going, which just allowed me to knock it around.”
Ford’s innings started cautiously before the elegant left-hander moved through the gears striking nine fours and three sixes, as he elevated his strike rate to 62.
“We knew that if we could stick it out for as long as possible, we’d be in a much better position to go a little bit harder late, and even though some shot selections probably weren’t ideal for my game, they paid off today,” Ford said.
“It’s a lot easier when I’ve got Bill there as he helps me with the numbers side of it, overs, balls, you know what the run rate is.
“He went a long way to assist me getting the century today.”
Ford also paid credit to Sorgiovanni’s 142-ball knock, along with McMaster’s typically textbook 34.
“It’s really nice to come in when the ball’s not nipping around, Brad worked really hard for the first hour and a half, and won’t get the credit he deserves, while Matty is in really good form right now,” Ford said.
“The day he goes on and gets a hundred will be a massive day for everyone because he’s getting close, he deserves one.”
Two Blues spinner Sam Allen was the best rewarded bowler with 4-66, although Ford was quick to praise youthful seamer Nick Burke.
“He had a good spell of some short stuff where he toiled hard there for about five or six overs and set a good field for it,” Ford said.
“He looks like a good young bowler who gets them through alright, he kept us guessing for sure, he was actually really pleasing to watch.”
The Saints can choose to bat a further four overs next week.
East Belmont v St Joseph’s 7-192
East Belmont holds the upper hand in its contest with St Joseph’s as the Lions contained the visitors to Winter Reserve to 7-192 from 80 overs.
The Joeys’ innings featured a string of positive beginnings but suffered for a lack of anyone to turn their start into a match-shaping contribution.
Oliver Metcalfe led the way with 35, while Brandon Purcell (32), Jack Hodgson (26), Jackson Bye (25), Ollie King (23) and Ryan Simmonds (20) all looked promising before getting out.
Recently elevated paceman Brendan Klein-Boonschate headed the bowling with 2-25 from his 13 overs.
The Joeys do have the option of a further 10 overs next week, with Jono Casey (16) and Austin Humphrey (9) at the crease.
Highton 248 v North Geelong
Highton’s battle with North Geelong is evenly poised after James Gillard battled bravely to steer the Heat to 248 on stumps.
Gillard struck nine fours and a six in his team-high 83, with Jack Cook continuing his recent rich vein of form with 51 against the reigning premier.
All-rounder Errol Burns contributed a handy rearguard 27 to elevate the tally in the latter overs.
Skipper Tom Mathieson (2-47) and spinner Bailey Sykes (2-61) captured key wickets for the visitors to McDonald Reserve, although the Magpies’ bowling effort was spearheaded by returning paceman Lachlan Hayes.
Leading the attack in the absence of injured firebrand Dale Kerr, Hayes snared 5-62 in a brilliant display of new-ball bowling.
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