TALLAROOK still has ground to make up if it wishes to challenge Eastern Hill’s dominance of the Seymour District Cricket Association after losing to the Eagles by 11 runs at the weekend.
The ‘Rook were made to bowl first after losing the toss at Tallarook Recreation Reserve, and struggled to break through against Eastern Hill’s opening tandem of Dallas Bergowicz and Ben Bryant.
The pair reached 38 without loss before Tallarook keeper Josh Rudge managed to stump Bergowicz off the bowling of captain Lachie Watts.
Eastern Hill hardly missed a beat however, with Brayden Speechley joining Bryant at the crease to put on a 37-run partnership.
Bryant, 16 runs, and Speechley, run out for 33, fell in quick succession, as did number four batsman Seamus Feery for a duck, but Oliver Bryant, 34, and Brayden Avola, 20, struck up a 51-run partnership of their own to set up an eventual total of 6/156, as the Eagles batted out their 45 overs.
The Tallarook bowling attack shared the spoils, with Kalon Winnell the only multiple wicket-taker at an expensive 2/40 from eight overs, while Xavier Arandt, Leigh Irving, Ben Tarran and Watts claimed one wicket each.
The home side were under immediate pressure during their run chase when Rudge fell for a duck at the top of the order, bringing Watts to the crease.
Watts and Tarran stabilised, putting together a 73-run stand that was finally brought undone when Tarran, 27, fell to Tim Rudd-Schmidt, followed almost immediately afterwards by Watts, 38, whose wicket was claimed by Jake Sutherland.
Sutherland went on to pick up the wickets of Andrew Dundon, 18, and Kalon Winnell, 3, later in the innings to finish with team-best figures of 3/17.
The Tallarook batsmen gave everything they had but were unable to withstand the Eastern Hill attack, as Shane Topham, 23, was the only other to reach double figures.
Madison Albers, who made her debut for Victoria’s women’s team last month, batted at the tail of Tallarook’s order and was the final wicket to fall, caught for four off the bowling of Bryant as the ‘Rook were all out for 145.
In addition to Sutherland’s three wickets, Rudd-Schmidt and Dan O’Sullivan took two apiece for Eastern Hill, which still tops the ladder with a solitary loss from nine games this season.
Tallarook is second with a 6-2 record, while Seymour looks likely to finish in last place after its loss to Yea Tigers on Saturday.
The Tigers notched an imposing 7/209 after winning the toss and batting, and Seymour struggled to reach half that score, bowled out for 104 with Lachlan Drummond, 22, Regan Kirby, 11, Brayden Finn, 20 not out, and Daniel McLarty, 10, the only batsmen to reach double figures.
Marc Steiner was the primary wicket-taker for Yea, finishing with 4/8 and five maidens in a brilliant nine-over spell.
Tallarook has a bye in round 17 this weekend, while Eastern Hill will host Yea Tigers and Broadford returns from its bye to play Seymour at Harley Hammond Reserve.
Broadford’s committee will host a special meeting on Wednesday from 6.30pm at Harley Hammond Reserve, inviting all life members, past and present players, along with junior parents to discuss the club’s future in the Seymour District Cricket Association. See next week’s edition of the North Central Review for more.
