Portarlington teenager Riley Illingworth strokes maiden century against Collendina

A Roos premiership star has struck his second ton in four innings while a talented Demons teen has got the better of the Cobras for the second time this season.

Barwon Heads compiled 5-228 against Ocean Grove. Picture: Mark Wilson

An Anglesea veteran has struck his second century in four A1 innings, almost carrying his bat in a fine 142 against Barrabool.

However, Tyron Norman, who was run out off the final ball of the innings, said the 229-ball stay was a nice surprise after struggling to find the middle at training during the week.

“I wouldn’t say I had the best week in preparation for it, training-wise, I couldn’t hold the stick properly,” Norman said.

“I feel like the worse I train, sometimes it’s a blessing in disguise when I go out and bat on a Saturday.”

The Roos had wobbled early to be 3-12 at Ellimatta Reserve, with James Fisher taking all three, before Norman, one of A1’s leading batters of the past 10 seasons, teamed up with Michael Thornton (51) for a crucial 97-run stand.

Anglesea's Tyron Norman made 142 against Barrabool. Picture: Anglesea Cricket Club.

“It wasn’t looking pretty early, that’s for sure, it was probably Mick (Thornton) who changed a little bit of the momentum, getting us back into a reasonable position,” he said.

With further support from Tom Beasley (37), the Roos would post 268 off 75 overs.

“’Toolbox’, who batted 15-odd overs with me or more, that helped us get to at least 200,” he said.

“We had a few run outs before tea as well, which really put us on the back foot.

“I think we were seven down at the break, we weren’t in a good position at all.”

Barwon Heads batter Harry Melzer defends a steepling delivery. Picture: Mark Wilson

Fisher (3-49 off 26 overs) and Archer Jacques (3-65) were the multiple wicket takers while the Bulls also effected three runouts in the Round 8 clash.

It was Norman’s second ton of the year after hitting 107 against Armstrong Creek in Round 5.

Meanwhile, Titans opener Clay Mulgrew has continued his white-hot form of the past three matches, smashing 149 off just 142 balls with 11 boundaries and seven sixes against Jan Juc.

Posting 6-308 at Bob Pettitt Reserve, Mulgrew, who was the top batter in the BPCA’s top tier last year, and Chris Marsiglio (50) established a 151-run stand for the first wicket.

Mulgrew has now made 52 per cent of his team’s total runs over the past three matches.

Matthew Kennedy (36 not out) and Daniel Maclean (21 not out) put the icing on the cake for the Titans while Jordan Graham (3-81) did his best for the Sharks.

Grove Ocean Grove keeper David Bullock copped a nasty blow in the field. Picture: Mark Wilson

At RT Fuller Oval, Barwon Heads made 5-228 off their 75 overs with Max Melzer contributing an unbeaten 110 with support from Harry Melzer (39), Jacko Mallett (26) and Angus Ford (24) as Alex Mann took 3-65.

At Drysdale Recreation Reserve, Queenscliff’s Frank Mileto (4-37), Tony Hanafin (3-68) and Jordan Monahan (3-69) combined to roll the Hawks for just 179 off 72 overs with Charlie Code (46) top scoring.

Teen star signs off at the Port in style

Teen star Riley Illingworth will depart Portarlington on a major high after posting his maiden century and getting the better of Collendina for the second time this BPCA season.

The 16-year-old is moving with his family to Tasmania in January after his father and Demons teammate Stephen took a teaching position in the Apple Isle.

Coming in at number four on Saturday, the Geelong Lutheran College struck 105 off 127 balls with six boundaries and five sixes as the Demons put the majority of the Cobras bowlers to the sword.

Jacob Gasior (4-48 off 24 overs) and Jack Every (3-65) did their best to stem the Portarlington scoring, finishing the dayat 9-283 at Ocean Grove Memorial Recreation Reserve.

With two half centuries already this A2 campaign, Illingworth’s knock surpassed his previous best for the year of 86 not out against the Cobras in a 29-run win in Round 3.

Stephen and Riley Illingworth played B Grade together in the summer of 2022-23. Picture: Portarlington Cricket Club.

“I’ve been close (to a hundred) a couple of times, I’ve made a couple of good scores, but to finally get to three figures is pretty surreal,” Illingworth said.

“I came in in the 30th over so I had to kind of go from ball one ... I decided I was going to bat really positively and started connecting well from the start.

“I took some risks and they paid off. I think I was on 98 when I nearly run myself out but I got there.

“I haven’t really changed much, just lots of practice. I’ve had a couple of unlucky innings you could say, I ran myself out against Wallington.

“But finally I had an innings where things just clicked and worked for me.”

Meanwhile, Surf Coast is in with a shot of jumping into the top four after rolling St Leonards for just 131 at Polwarth Oval.

Riley Illingworth, bowling against Newcomb earlier this season, is moving to Tasmania in January. Picture: Mark Wilson

William Liddle (3-29), Grant Haidlinger (2-9 off five overs) and Blake Robinson (2-23) combined to dismantle the opposition with Lachlan Campbell’s 24 the best effort with the bat.

The Suns, who are currently in fifth position on the A2 table behind Collendina, were 2-53 at stumps (Rhys Healy 30 not out).

At Inverleigh Recreation Reserve, the Kookaburras steamrolled Newcomb for just 72 (Shane Healey 29) as Matthew Spiller (6-37)and Daniel Midolo (3-10) did the damage.

Inverleigh were 5-163 (Will Stoney 52, Henry Collins 52, Shane Healey 2-9, Stuart Keys 2-59) at stumps and in complete command.

And Dane Wise-Graham’s 5-28 helped skittle Winchelsea for just 129 (Baiden Luppino 47 not out, Shane Murdoch 29, Billy Gravett2-29, Matthew Sampson-Barnes 2-25) at Eastern Reserve.

The Wallabies were 0-8 at stumps.

Originally published as Portarlington teenager Riley Illingworth strokes maiden century against Collendina