MORTLAKE should be grateful that South West Cricket (SWC) is community minded. A fortnight ago the association allowed the side to play its match on Sunday so it could attend the Mortlake Cup the day before. This weekend, the players won't have to wear their whites, instead having the option of throwing on their racing attire again to be trackside at Dunkeld. Rather than playing Saturday, the Cats and Noorat fit their two-day match into last weekend. SWC secretary Grant Myers said clubs were able to put in requests. "We try to accommodate them because we want them to play cricket rather than forfeit," he said. "We also do it with shows and things like that to try and help the smaller communities." Noorat was able to knock off Mortlake last weekend, giving both sides a record of 3-2.

TO tell or not to tell? Wesley CBC skipper David Tucker was philosophical about his dismissal two runs shy of a maiden division one century against Merrivale. Tucker revealed he was unaware of his score - 98 - when he went the aerial route in search of another boundary against the Tigers. The ball was snaffled at long on by James Hussey, which Tucker viewed with a karmic outlook. He said Hussey dropped him earlier in the innings, so the catch evened things up. Should Tucker's teammates have got a message out to the batting crease alerting him of the impending milestone? Thinking about the three figures may have brought on a fatal attack of nerves anyway.

ANOTHER team leader showing the way last weekend was Brierly Christ Church captain-coach Nathan Murphy. With the prospect of a slow wicket at home to Russells Creek, Murphy chose to share the new ball with Tim Cain and the gamble paid off with a tidy spell of 4-20 off 12.5 overs. The Bulls skipper revealed it was at least five years since he last opened the bowling in division one.

WANT to knock a double ton? Tucking into McDonald's could be the answer. Liam Buchanan, originally of Colac, smacked 245 - which included 31 fours and six sixes - for Geelong on Saturday. It was a new record for Geelong first X1. The 28-year-old former Victorian Bushranger told the Geelong Advertiser he probably still had the talent to represent his state. "But I think I enjoy life and Macca's a bit too much," he said. "I know that I don't work hard enough and I would have to get a lot fitter if they were going to look at me again."