CONTINUED grit from Wesley-CBC’s in-form bowling unit is looming as a danger point for the rest of the top four as the Beavers look to all but sew-up a finals berth.
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The Sam McCosh-coached outfit rolled Allansford for just 79 runs on Saturday, posting 7-96 in response to claim a first innings victory.
Co-coach Joe Higgins (38) remains unbeaten at the crease while paceman Tom Bowman (8) will join him when play resumes on Saturday.
The Beavers’ first innings win means the dream of playing finals is all but dashed for West Warrnambool and Dennington, who were banking on a Wesley-CBC loss to keep their chances alive.
McCosh said his side was prepared for a raging Gators outfit and managed to take its chances.
“We had a good day. We knew with our bowling, we’d have to take our chances and we did that. We were able to keep them to a smallish total and then get the job done with the bat,” he said.
“We’ll keep batting at this stage. Joe Higgins is still in with Tommy Bowman so hopefully we’ll set a good total to see how it plays out.”
Off-spin king Ben Evans produced his best figures of the season to tear through the Allansford batting order, snaring 5-17 off 8.4 overs to move his season tally to 34 wickets.
McCosh lauded Evans’ efforts but shifted praise to his entire bowling unit.
“He’s had a fantastic season to date. He’s getting rewards for simply consistent bowling,” he said.
“Credit also has to go to our pace bowlers. Tom and Mitch Bowman and Joe Higgins have been great for us all season.
“I think we’ve been great in the field as well. We’re always looking to build pressure and we’re not letting many runs through.
“It builds pressure mentally for batsmen too, because they can play a good shot and still not get reward for it. You want to keep them on strike.”
Elsewhere, Russells Creek moved to assert its dominance atop the Warrnambool and District Cricket Association through a commanding score of 186 from just 56.2 overs against Port Fairy.
The second-placed Pirates suffered an early collapse, and will resume on 6-45 next week.
Woodford also stunned Dennington’s finals chances with a score of 277 from 80 overs of play.