THE Cougars failed to finish off the Officer batting early at the weekend and face a chase of almost 260 this week.
A GRADE
In a vital match, Officer won the toss and decided to bat. The Clyde bowlers got a solid start, Bryan Guthrie bowling a great opening spell and taking the first three wickets to have the Bullants struggling at 3/60. A steadying partnership got Officer back into the game before Steve Madin took a wicket caught behind just before tea. The game was evenly poised at 4/112 after 45 overs.
Madin continued to bowl after tea and a double-wicket maiden swung the game back to the Cougars at 6/128. Madin’s frugal spell had so far netted him 3/16 from 13 overs including seven maidens. The Bullants again steadied before Guthrie came back into the attack, taking the vital wicket of top scorer Sean Stanton for 80 at 7/175.
Captain Noel O’Brien, in an attempt to gain another breakthrough, then called on veteran Simon Rogers. Rogers responded by cleaning up the tail with the assistance of two great catches in the deep by A-grade debutant Brodie Yapp. But Clyde let Officer off the hook and the Bullants finished with the strong total of 258. Rogers’ final figures were an impressive 3/13 off four overs while Guthrie toiled hard for the excellent figures of 4/54 from 17 overs.
B GRADE
At Kilcunda-Bass the day was made tougher by the absence of two players. Captain Ian Knox won the toss and elected to bat first against the strong attack. After the loss of an early wicket opener Daniel Waite was joined by Knox and patiently they built a partnership. Knox was dismissed for 23 after seeing the new-ball bowlers off. Clyde then got to tea at 2/41 after 31 overs. After a wicket straight after tea Waite was joined by Nathan Lillee and slowly they built the total. Waite was dismissed for 38 in the 54th over after a true opener’s knock and sharing a vital partnership of 66. When Lillee was dismissed the next over for 40, Clyde was 5/108 after 54 overs. Youngster Ben Lackmann showed his usual confidence, knocking up a handy 21 before the innings was closed at 8/136 in the 68th over.
D GRADE
Playing Pakenham away, Clyde got a shaky start and lost regular wickets. Captain Chris Hymas got a start but fell for 15. Clyde then fell to 5/42 before Ali DeRozario (15) and Dean Jackson (28) knocked up runs quickly. Clyde was dismissed for just 98 in the 40th over. The Pakenham bats attacked early and, even though Clyde kept taking wickets, the Lions passed the first innings total, finishing the day 6/104. Nick Miles bowled well with 2/20 from six overs and Luke Moxey took wickets in his first two overs, finishing with 2/18 from six.
UNDER 16
Defending 116 against Kooweerup, Clyde got a good start with an early wicket by Shane Hook. The Demon bats then started to dominate and finished the day at 7/193. James Denton took 2/5, and single wickets went to Nick Miles, Nathan Henderson, Patrick Harmes and Zac Clarke.
UNDER 14
Defending 61 against Kooweerup, the Cubs struggled to take wickets early. Kooweerup passed the total without loss and ended the day 8/162. Riley Manks took 2/21.
UNDER 12
Playing a one-dayer against Nyora at home, Clyde batted first and made 52 with Jay Goldsack top-scoring with six. Goldsack continued his good form with a wicket, as did Michael Bremner and Cameron Brown. Nyora made a winning score of 85.
UNDER 12 COUGARS
Playing Tooradin in a one-dayer, the Cubs batted first and compiled 1/61. Best bats were Kane Avard (11 not out) and James Harmes (seven not out). Tooradin came out to bat and passed the score in the 12th over, ending the night at 0/78.
