Tasmanian recruit Sam Elliston-Buckley makes 101 on first grade debut for Bell Park

After a 12-month spell from cricket, a Tasmanian recruit has returned to the field in super fashion with a fine hundred for Bell Park in GCA2.

Bell Park's Sam Elliston-Buckley made 101 on first grade debut. Picture: Wes Cusworth

A big shift from Tasmania to Geelong to chase a fresh start in life has paid off beautifully so far for Bell Park centurion, Sam Elliston Buckley.

Elliston-Buckley, who moved to the area from native Launceston last March to study cyber security at Deakin University, took last summer off.

However, he would get itchy feet and after a mate’s recommendation, he found himself at Hamlyn Park for the 2024-25 season.

“I just needed a change of scenery,” Elliston-Buckley said, who had been living around the corner from Bell Park CC.

“I came over for a change and it’s working out well.

“It was an in between Melbourne and Launceston, it wasn’t like a big city jump, a nice balance, still something bigger but not like massive where you feel out of your depth.

“I couldn’t have picked a better spot, really.”

Elliston-Buckley would peel off 101 off 111 rocks with 11 boundaries as the Dragons posted 8-276 against Leopold, with support from Nikhil Deep Pottabathini (52) and Ben Grinter (46) in Round 3 of Geelong’s second tier competition.

Elliston-Buckley made his way to Bell Park after a friend recommended he contact new coach, Anthony Jackson.

Bell Park's Sam Elliston-Buckley salutes with a century in GCA2. Picture: Wes Cusworth

“They’ve been a great bunch of blokes and easy to get along with,” he said.

Compiling his inaugural first grade century, Elliston-Buckley found himself in the ones after making four in second grade in Round 2 against Murgheboluc

“I don’t really know it all came together ... I’m very happy with how it’s worked out,” he said.

“I got (a century) in a T20 playing on astro which I don’t really count.”

In reply to Bell Park’s monster total, fellow new recruit Brad Apps claimed 4-24 off his full complement and Hayden Jamieson 3-35 as the Lions were dismissed for 174.

Meanwhile, the Frogs’ dreams of a spotless start to the 2024-25 season have come to a swift end after being dismantled for just 62 at the hands of a young Torquay bowler, Jack Sullivan.

Chasing their third win in a row, Murghe had restricted the Tigers to just 8-173 at King Lloyd Recreation Reserve, with Josh Grozdanovski returning the incredibly tight figures of 4-18 off 10 overs and Muhammad Khan chipping in with 3-24.

Jack Sullivan took 6-27 for Torquay against Murgheboluc in Round 3 of GCA2. Picture: Wes Cusworth.

However, Murghe never got out of first gear, slipping to 7-31 at one stage.

Sullivan, who was playing under-18s last summer, decimated the middle order with 6-27.

It was a big day for the Sullivan family with brother Patrick taking 5-19 in the twos and father Nigel compiling 90 not out in fourths.

The matches between Bell Post Hill and Lara, and Geelong City versus Geelong West, were abandoned due to wet weather.

Originally published as Tasmanian recruit Sam Elliston-Buckley makes 101 on first grade debut for Bell Park