A BATTING blitz by perennial finals contender Allansford has the side perfectly poised to score a vital win against fellow premiership chance Merrivale.
Allansford captain Josh Parkinson said opening batsmen Tim McDonald and Bill Primmer gave his side an outstanding launching pad on Saturday in their Warrnambool and District Cricket Association clash at Allansford.
The openers added 127 runs before Primmer departed for 36. Then followed a mini-collapse with Parkinson (0) and McDonald (79) exiting as the Gators lost 3-4.
No. 4 Ryan McCluggage made 24 and at 4-159 the game was in the balance.
But in stepped middle-order duo Gault McCluggage and Brad Sheen. They added 90 before McCluggage was dismissed for 57 and Sheen made 38 to get their side to 276.
Parkinson said the opening partnership set up the imposing total.
“The opening stand was well over 100. We were travelling very well at the first drinks break and they put on 127 for the first wicket,” he said.
“At the start of the day I would have taken 276, but at one stage we looked like we could get 320. If we bowl good line and length and field well we’ll have a chance next week.”
Parkinson saved praise for veteran Merrivale bowler Simon Fleming, who claimed 5-69 off 21.4 overs.
“I suppose you would describe him as right-arm slow. He doesn’t spin it, but he’s consistent, hard to get away and he always bowls good spots,” he said.
Allansford sits fourth on the ladder just ahead of Woodford while Merrivale holds down second spot behind ladder leader Nestles.
Third-placed West Warrnambool also had a day out on the Jetty Flat pitch, which was described as a “road” by Russells Creek skipper Nathan Divall.
“They made 7-280 on what was one of the best batting wickets this region has seen. It was an absolute belter. It was a really good wicket, a fast outfield and they batted well. We look forward to batting on it next week,” he said.
“This is only our second season at Jetty Flat and curators Gary Divall and Glen Kelson are producing very good cricket wickets.
“Decent batsmen are making runs and we hope to see a similar wicket next week and then it’s up to the batsmen. It’s hard work for bowlers,” he said.
West No. 3 Ben Dobson made 89, No. 4 Leigh Johnson 76 and opener Alistair Templeton 60. The total was lifted by a second-wicket partnership of 131 and a fourth-wicket stand of 103.
Rejuvenated paceman Ben Boyd bowled exceptionally well to take 5-72 off 25 overs.
In the remaining games Port Fairy No. 4 Kalon Wilkie made 79 as the backbone of his side’s 182. No. 9 Mark Jones also chipped in with 43 which lifted the Pirates from 7-101 to the final tally.
Brierly is 1-37 in reply at Avery’s Paddock.
Wesley CBC will also fancy its chance of causing an upset against Dennington being 2-56 chasing 100.
The Dogs won the toss and elected to bat but struggled as Leigh Billington (3-17), Tom Bowman (2-17) and Joe Higgins (2-17) chipped in with multiple wickets.
athomson@standard.fair fax.com.au
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