Down, but not out

Beechworth A grade remain in a fight for a finals berth despite falling 61 runs short in a high-scoring pursuit against Yarrawonga-Mulwala at Baarmutha Park last weekend. The Lakers batted first and were clinical, bowled out for 243. A devastating 107-run opening partnership by Fraser Smart (82 off 73) and Ben Welsh (49 off 38) set the tone, with Harry Wheeler (51 off 54) also reaching his half-century in the middle order. Among some expensive bowling figures, captain Matt Ryan (2/34) and Cam Fendyk (2/34) were the pick of the bowlers, with Henry Scalzo and Jon Carson chiming in for two wickets each also. With a monster chase ahead of them, openers Fendyk (50 off 47) and Will Prebble (37 off 37) gave the home side a fighting chance putting on 93 runs for the first wicket. Despite some sturdy efforts, the rest of the batting order would be unable to carry on the momentum set at the top, bowled out for 182 within 33 overs. Welsh (3/20) continued his stellar overall performance while Devlin Webb (2/28) and Angus Heslin (2/32) were among the wickets. While they sit outside the top four, Beechworth (2-4, NRR -0.717) are still a chance to sneak into contention, but they’ll need to play out of their skin and make the most of the favourable run home. The Wanderers play bottom two sides Benalla Bushrangers (2-5, NRR -0.734) and City Colts (1-7, NRR -1.568) in the run home, as well as the ‘Pies. Factor in the points they’ll receive from their scheduled bye next weekend, plus their impressive recent form with bat and ball, and only a fool would count Beechworth out of it. In other senior grades it was an all Wanderers clash at Stanley as the Cutters claimed bragging rights over Beechworth by 57 runs. The Stanley side were sent in to bat first and it was Chris Nuck (40 off 61) and Brendon Thompson (34 off 75) who would do the damage at the top of the order and set a solid base for the home side. Cameos towards the end of the innings by Andrew Owens (11 off 16) and Dean Chambeyron (14 off 16) brought Stanley’s tally to 8/170. All Beechworth bowlers claimed a wicket each with Taylor Thomson (1/15 off six overs) the pick of the bunch. It was the Wanderers’ turn with the bat and the away side struggled to get going throughout the innings. Tim Cogger top-scored with 28 runs but it was slim pickings for the rest of the order, as Thompson (3/16) and Dean Fitzpatrick (2/21) tore through the lineup. Beechworth would be bowled out for 113 within 29 overs. The Cutters will face Ovens Valley next week while Beechworth will head to Merton.

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