Murrell belts memorable 96 not out

20 January 2010

Casterton News

EDENHOPE played Merino in the first game of the tournament and when Theo Zaxos (E) won the toss and decided to bat no-one predicted the fireworks to follow when Merino batted.

Openers Aaron Lloyd (52) and Allan McIntyre (50) got their team away to a good start with a rapid-fire 81-run partnership for the first wicket.

Chris Oliver (36), Chris Carter (11) and Toby Sloan (10) maintained the momentum as Edenhope recorded the day’s highest team total with 8-188cc. Best with the ball for Merino were Josh Searle (2-23) and Tim Holmes (2-29).

At 4-14, the Wombats were in serious trouble early. However, Darren Murrell had other ideas and smashed his way to a fine 96 not out at the compulsory closure. Sixes and fours flowed from his bat with great abundance in a team total of 8-134cc.

Good contributions with ball for Edenhope came from Chris Hateley (3-26), Toby Sloane (2-24) and Chris Carter (2-11). Edenhope won by 54 runs.

Game 2: Pigeon Ponds v Dergholm

IN a low scoring match, Pigeon Ponds struggled to make an impression against some tight Dergholm bowling and only Michael Craig (20), Robert Close (20n.o.) and John Austin (12) reached double figures as the Ponds were bowled out for 87.

Multiple wicket takers for Dergholm were Brett Vaughan (3-11), David Humphries (2-7) and Shaun Robinson (2-20). John Austin then sprang a surprise when he chose slow spinners Peter Staude and Sam Roberts as an opening pair.

The strategy worked when Staude grabbed three quick wickets to see Dergholm in trouble at 3-25. However, Daniel Hackwill and David Humphries got the scoreboard moving again for the Scrubbers and at 3-81, victory seemed a formality for Dergholm.

It was then that the wheels fell off for Dergholm. Hackwill (24) and Humphries (24) both went with the score at 81. Three run outs did not help the Dergholm cause as the Scrubbers lost 7-5 to be all out for 86, one run shy of victory.

Peter Staude (3-26) and Will Staude (2-6) were the main wicket takers for Pigeon Ponds.

Game 3 Wando Vale v Edenhope

EDENHOPE won the toss and batted and, despite five Edenhope batsmen getting a start, none was able to build on their early promise.

Tight bowling from the Vale’s Gary Carlin (3-10), Lionel Balzan (3 -23) and Liam Geary (2-20) restricted the scoring opportunities and Edenhope was all out for 105.

Best with the bat were Ben Geary (20), Chris Oliver (18), Chris Carter (17) and Theo Zaxos (15). In the Wando Vale innings, Ashley Murrell (0) fell to the first ball of the innings, and the Vales never recovered. Profligate batting then saw just Sam Brody (19) and Troy O’Connell (16) reach double figures in a Wando Vale total of 63.

Toby Sloan (3-11) and Chris Carter (3-13) were the leading wicket takers for Edenhope, which won the game by 42 runs.

Game 4 Pigeon Ponds v Edenhope

PIGEON Ponds batted first and after an opening partnership of 33 between John Austin (15) and Joel Staude (25), the Casterton bowlers asserted their superiority to restrict Pigeon Ponds to 8-86 cc.

Best with the ball for Casterton were Matt Killey (3-10) and Callum Currie (2-4). The Casterton batsmen were also on fire with a match-winning 2-91 from 12 overs.

Good contributors with the bat for Casterton were Peter Larkins (26), Callum Currie (24 not out) and Brad Talbot (22 not out). Casterton won by eight wickets.

Game 5 Casterton v Edenhope

CASTERTON batted first and after Callum Currie (4) was well caught in the deep by Allan McIntyre, Matt Murphy and Brad Talbot took control.

A second wicket partnership of 59 came to an end with another catch to McIntyre, this time from the bowling of Ben Geary. Murphy (55 not out), Rick Killey (15) and Glen Widdicombe (13 not out) all did well as the Casterton innings hurried along to a very competitive 5-152cc.

Ben Geary (2-18) was the only multiple wicket taker for Edenhope. In the Edenhope innings, the Casterton bowlers were always in the ascendancy, aided by six fine catches and a run-out.

Only Theo Zaxos (25) and Chris Oliver (11) offered much resistance as Peter Larkins (3-17), Brad Talbot (2-8) and Matt Killey (2-15) restricted the runs and took wickets. Edenhope was all out for 78 and Casterton won the title by 74 runs.