Billy Ford’s unbeaten 88 was the centrepiece of St Peter’s’ 4-257 against Highton

A St Peter’s top order batter is on the cusp of a third century this season, but his fate ultimately lies in the hands of his brother.

Connor Hangan hit 72 for North Geelong. Picture: Wes Cusworth

Billy Ford sits on the cusp of a third century this summer, although the hard-hitting left-hander concedes he’ll be waiting until next week to learn if older brother Luke opts to take the further 10 overs allowed for St Peter’s to build on its imposing 4-257 against Highton.

 “I’ve got no idea what Luke’s going to do, he (Luke) said after the game that no one will know that decision until Saturday because as soon as one person knows, then everyone knows; it’s part of the tactics in the league at the moment,” Ford said, mindful of the danger of his side batting too long and having a drawn game where neither team takes result points from the contest.

“You don’t want to give your opposition the edge, we don’t want them walking in knowing what they’ve got to do, so we’ll be waiting around as much as the opposition as to what Luke decides come Saturday.”

Billy Ford is closing in on a third century this season. Picture: Wes Cusworth

While Luke Ford struck a patient 44 and youngest brother Mitch a blazing 31-ball 35, Billy Ford was the mainstay of the St Peter’s innings, his unbeaten 88 crucial to the Saints’ mid-table battle with the Heat.

Highton currently sits fourth on 29.3 points, half a point ahead of fifth positioned St Peter’s on 28.8.

Capitalising on an 84-run platform provided by the consistent Matt Sorgiovanni (51) and elegant Brad McMaster (31), Billy Ford’s 144-ball innings took his season’s tally to 545 runs at an outstanding average of 60.6.

Ford’s innings follows last round’s 51 against reigning premier North Geelong and puts behind him a minor former slump that saw him dismissed for 0 and 1 in the two matches before Christmas.

Luke Ford made 44 against Highton. Picture: Wes Cusworth.

“I think I might’ve been a bit fatigued, work’s busy in the back end of the year and I was training for footy,” Ford said.

“I felt like the week leading into the North Geelong game that I didn’t even know how to hold a bat anymore, which is hard to fathom.

“That’s how interesting the game of cricket is, but it’s good to be able to get on the end of a few again and put us in a good position.”

Towering seamer Errol Burns was the Heat’s sole multiple wicket-taker with 2-70, although Ford acknowledged the challenge presented by Highton’s spin triumvirate of Fionn Neeson (1-43), Brady Somers (1-49) and Tejas Gupta (0-24).

“ We’re pretty happy with the way it went as it was a tricky wicket, a bit slow and dry, and their spinners bowled really well,” Ford said.

“So, to get through that and have wickets in hand at the end of the day is really pleasing.

“I’ve come off a pretty lean season last season, so I put it on myself to be hungrier and smarter with my shot selections and really work through and understand that you do get bad balls; there’s nothing worse than seeing that when you’re sitting on the sidelines after you’re already out.”

East Belmont 2-4 in reply to North Geelong 321

North Geelong enjoyed a day out against arch rival East Belmont, the reigning premier smashing 321 before Dale Kerr (2-2) reduced the hosts to 2-4 in a testing three overs before stumps were drawn.

The Magpies’ tally could have been even more imposing were it not for some late-order, high-risk swashbuckling that saw the visitors to Winter Reserve lose their last five wickets for just five runs.

The Magpies’ dominance was established earlier in the day as Layton McCann (93) and Phil Visser (72) paired for a brisk third wicket stand that yielded 126 runs, before both fell victim to Lions’ firebrand Dylan Moroney.

North Geelong's Dale Kerr celebrates a late East Belmont wicket. Picture: Wes Cusworth.

Despite his teammates grassing a number of vital chances, including three from his bowling, Moroney performed superbly to collect 6-62 from his big-hearted 18-over spell.

Just as East looked back in the game at 5-226, Connor Hangan (72) and Alistair McCann (31 not out) fended off the challenge to push their side to 316 with a brutal 90-run partnership. Matt Miller benefited from a tight, late spell to claim 3-0 from his final six deliveries, finishing with 3-43.

Forced to the crease for three overs, East Belmont’s innings started disastrously losing both James Lidgett (1) and James McMahon (0) to the pace of Dale Kerr.

Grovedale 9-200 versus Newtown & Chilwell

Half-centuries to Jordan Moran and Jack Wrigglesworth ensured Grovedale is in the game against ladder-leader Newtown and Chilwell, although the Burdoo Reserve tenants will be far from satisfied with their 9-200.

Good early work from seamers Nick Burke (2-24) and Noah Guida (2-43) set the Tigers on the back foot before Moran crafted a typically stylish 78-ball even 50.

Wrigglesworth picked up where Moran left off, working with the latter order to compile a patient 136-ball 58.

Jordan Moran made a half century for Grovedale. Picture: Wes Cusworth

While finger spinner Lachie Sperling chimed in with 2-50, Pat McKenna proved the pick of the bowlers with 3-22 from 12 overs including the scalps of Moran, Rob Smith (nine) and Nathan Berry (two).

The Tigers have the capacity to bat-on for a further six overs with Clinton Ford (24) and Rohan Smith (two), the unbeaten batsmen.

St Joseph’s 8-268 versus South Barwon

An unbroken 87-run union for the ninth wicket between Andy Vine (73) and Tom Smith (39) has St Joseph’s in a position of strength against South Barwon, particularly with a further 10 overs available to the Joeys next week.

The contest was evenly poised when Jack Hodgson (39) fell at 8-181, before Vine and Smith both struck season-high scores with the potential for more to come.

St Joseph's batter Andy Vine strokes a ball through the covers. Picture: Wes Cusworth

Earlier, Andrew Casey grafted a patient 97-ball 32, while Hodgson anchored the middle order with an innings that soaked up 128 balls, and Oliver Metcalfe struck 24.

Jed Hanneysee generated good movement with the new ball to claim 2-58, while veteran Brad Hauenstein (2-51) and debutant spinner Jack Flynn-French (2-37) were others to impress with multiple wickets.

Originally published as Billy Ford’s unbeaten 88 was the centrepiece of St Peter’s’ 4-257 against Highton