Apollo Bay too strong for Tigers

SIMPSON had a six wicket loss to Apollo Bay in its round two match of the Colac-South West premier division one competition.

Tigers skipper Jackson Rock won the toss and elected to bat at the Simpson Recreation Reserve, with the home team dismissed for 127 in the 42nd over.

“Our top order gave us a good platform to start with, being 2/69 at drinks with the outfield being slow,” Rock said.

“Unfortunately, we fell away after that.”

Opener Tanner Fratantaro top scored with 44 from 87 balls, while import Ben Smith made 20 from 48 balls.

Smith’s dismissal triggered a collapse, Simpson losing its last seven wickets for 67 runs.

“Tanner batted sensibly, he really worked and didn’t look to go too hard.

“The rest of us were probably a bit undisciplined in our shot selection.”

Nick Harding made an early breakthrough in the first over of Apollo Bay’s innings before the visitors’ batsmen took control.

The Sharks batted solidly, passing Simpson’s score in the 40th over for the loss of four wickets.

“Full credit to Apollo Bay, they were very disciplined with their batting.”

Harding, with 1/22 from nine overs, and Rock, with 1/22 from 10, were the best of the Simpson bowlers.

Rock was pleased with his team’s effort in the bowling innings.

“Everyone bowled really well and our fielding was very good which was pleasing.

“Whopper (Harding) was fantastic with the ball, he bowled with really good pace without much reward.”

Despite the loss, Rock said his team would take plenty out of the game.

“The bowling and fielding effort will give us plenty of confidence.

“We’re on the right track if we can get a more disciplined effort with the bat.”

This week Simpson will play Ecklin at Ecklin in round three of the premier competition.

In division two, Simpson scored a 54 run win over Stoneyford to start their season.

Batting first at the Pirron Yallock Recreation Reserve, the Tigers scored 5/197 from their 40 overs.

Jay Bowman top scored with 57 from 62 balls, with Pete Kerr making an unbeaten 39.

In reply the home team made 9/143 from their 40 overs.

With the ball, Shae De Francesco led the way with 3/17 from seven overs, while Liam Ackerly took 2/13 from eight economical overs.

The rain on Sunday saw the Tigers’ scheduled division three game against Stoneyford at Pirron Yallock, and the Simpson women’s game against Pomborneit Maroon at Simpson, washed out.

The under 14 game on Friday night saw a tie between Simpson and Birregurra.

Harry Vogels top scored with 31 retired from 24 balls in Simpson’s score of 8/123.

With scores level, Cooper Beecher took the final wicket to ensure the points were shared.

Beecher, Archer Crole, Gabriel Capizzi and Joshua Vines all took two wickets each for the junior Tigers.

In this week’s other games, the division two Tigers play Alvie at Alvie, division three host Colac at Simpson, the Simpson women play Colac at CMTP Oval and the under 14 Tigers host Apollo Bay at Simpson on Friday night.