By ONE SHORT

The talking point in Grampians Cricket Association is the huge score Swifts-Great Western made against Chalambar at the weekend.

The Combine amassed 4-306 in a match that moved from Alexandra Oval to Gordon Street reserve in Ararat.

The Combine batted first with skipper Sam Cocks reaching a personal best of 172 and hitting 13 fours and 16 sixes.

Along the way he featured in a 165-run opening partnership with Tom Eckel, 68, and then a 124-run partnership with Jessie Eckel, 46.

Chalambar, faced with the daunting task of scoring at nearly eight runs an over, succumbed for 112 in 23 overs. 

Of note in this game was the return of premiership bowler Jay Moody, who took 2-14 from five overs.

At Stawell’s Central Park, Youth Club’s batting again let the side down, dismissed for just 62 runs when attempting to chase down Buangor-Tatyoon’s modest 146.

This was the fifth time Clubbers batsmen had failed to register three figures.

Batting first, Buangor-Tatyoon openers Riley Wood and Jacob Bates put on 76, which turned out to be better than half the score.

Clinton Slorach and Nic Baird each took three wickets for the Clubbers and David Brady and James Phillips also captured three each for the winners.

A win to the Clubbers would have established their position in the four, but they now slip back to the other hopefuls. A match between Halls Gap and Pomonal, along with a B Grade game, has shifted to February 5 due to COVID-19 restrictions. 

The association’s pennant committee had wisely left this date free for such a contingency.

The main game this weekend is between the top two teams, Buangor-Tatyoon and Swifts-Great Western and both teams will be looking to cement their position at the top of the ladder. 

At the moment the Combine’s batsmen are on fire with the last three scores reading 272, 210 and 306. 

This means the Hawks attack of Callum Baker, James Phillips and Jacob Bates will have to be on its mettle to contain the Combine’s Sam Cocks, the Eckel brothers, Matt Heffer and others to a reasonable score that the Cronin brothers, Riley Wood and James Phillips can run down. 

Jarrod Blandford has not played much this season, but still could be a factor in this game.

Both Youth Club and Chalambar have an opportunity for redemption when they take on Halls Gap and Pomonal respectively

This week: Buangor-Tatyoon v Swifts-Great Western, Youth Club v Halls Gap at Central Park, Stawell, Chalambar v Pomonal at Alexandra Oval, Ararat.

Last week: Buangor-Tatyoon 146 (R. Wood 51, J. Bates 25; C. Slorach 3-14, N. Baird 3-30) d Youth Club 62 (J. Phillips 3-6, D Brady 3-19), Swifts-Great Western 4-306 (S. Cocks 172, T. Eckel 68, J. Eckel 46) d Chalambar 112 (S. Pilgrim 74).

Ladder: Buangor-Tatyoon 39 points, 1.7 percent; Swifts-Great Western 36, 2.88; Youth Club 18, 1.10; Halls Gap 12, 0.55; Chalambar 12, 0.51; Pomonal 12, 0.40.

The entire January 19, 2022 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!