Veteran Gator Ben Boyd's knock a real 'game changer' against depleted North Warrnambool Eels

Boyd whacked 36 from just 20 balls late on to help the Gators to a 131-run total against a depleted North Warrnambool Eels in Saturday's Warrnambool and District Cricket Association Twenty20 semi-final.

The veteran bowler's knock was surpassed only by skipper Chris Bant, who hit 52 from 45 balls to give his side a platform early on.

Bant said Boyd's batting prowess gave Allansford-Panmure flexibility and hailed his output.

"It was super. He's too valuable to have not batting," Bant said.

"He probably bats nine or 10 in two-day cricket but we're just going to shuffle him up and down the order as we feel like we need to for the rest of the season.

"His score just takes your total from 100 or 110 to 130 which is a big difference in Twenty20 cricket. It was a really good knock and to be able to hit boundaries late is pretty hard to do. Not a lot can but he was able to get a few away.

"He was probably as close to the difference (in the game) as anyone."

Bant also reserved praise for youngsters Pat Hewson and Ethan Boyd, who opened the bowling and were able to constrict the Eels at 6-22 early in the piece.

Bant, who also coaches Warrnambool and District league club Panmure's senior football side, said the prospect of playing a home Sungold Cup finals series was exciting.

"We've obviously still got to win that game beforehand to get to (Uebergang Oval) but it'd be a good recognition for the club," he said.

The win also pushed the Gators into the league's Twenty20 final. The final was scheduled for Sunday but postponed on the back of surging COVID-19 cases in the south-west.

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