Tough conditions for bowlers

FOR the second consecutive week, Heytesbury-Princetown’s division one team has narrowly fallen short in a run chase against a quality opponent.

The Storm hosted Bookaar in the round two Colac-South West premier match at the Timboon Recreation Reserve, with the visitors making 7/202 after being sent in by Heytesbury-Princetown skipper Matthew Love.

Pelicans openers Eddie Lucas and Simon Baker took the score to 107 in the 31st over before Storm paceman Matt Price broke through, claiming the wicket of Lucas for 45.

“The outfield was wet early and it hampered our bowlers run ups, but we were happy with how we restricted them,” Love said.

“We were happy to have them at 0/80 at drinks.”

Bookaar reached 7/202 from their 50 overs, Love happy with a better fielding effort.

“We improved in the field, we were better at cutting off singles and twos.

“It was a lush, big outfield, 200 was always going to be difficult to chase, par was probably around 170 to 180.”

Price took two wickets but went for 53 from his 10 overs, with Chris Vogels and Paul Vogels the most economical of the Storm bowlers.

“Chris and Paul were the best in the conditions and bowled well, most of our bowlers struggled in the run ups.”

After Hamish Huffadine was dismissed early, Love and Simon Harkness batted brightly for the home team, putting on 75 for the second wicket.

Harkness was dismissed for 27 from 64 balls, with the skipper out caught with the score on 139 in the 38th over.

Love top scored with 74 from 114 balls, including four fours and two sixes.

The Storm’s middle and lower order pushed hard as the rain fell, but ultimately fell five runs short, finishing on 8/197.

“The rain made it hard in chasing, unfortunately we couldn’t quite get there.”

Despite being none and two, the Storm leader is still upbeat ahead of the round three clash against Birregurra at Timboon.

“We’re still positive and looking forward to playing Birregurra.

“They’ve got strong batting led by Alex Inglis (who made 102 on Saturday), we’ll target him and look to play our best cricket.”

In division two, the two Storm teams had very differing results.

Storm Blue had a 155 run win over Ecklin at Princetown.

Veteran opener Ashley Price scored 104 from 125 balls including nine boundaries, while Bevan Castles, returning after a season at WMDCA club the Northern Raiders, smashed 106 from 60 balls with four fours and an incredible 11 sixes.

The pair put on 162 for the third wicket as the Storm piled on 5/273 from their 40 overs.

In reply, Ecklin could only manage 7/118.

John Smith, with 2/11 from four overs, and Isaac Holland with 2/23 from six were the best bowlers for Storm Blue.

At the Timboon High School Oval, Storm Purple were well beaten by Pomborneit.

Purple batted first, making 5/139 from 40 overs.

Matt Whitehead top scored with 60 not out from 60 balls, including four fours on a slow outfield.

Openers Ash Hunt (15 from 48 balls) and Brendan Hickey (26 from 79 runs) worked hard for their runs against some tight early Pomborneit bowling.

The Bulls comfortably reached the target in the 34th over for the loss of three wickets.

The scheduled division three game against Ecklin did not go ahead due to the Ecklin ground being unplayable.

The Storm’s under 16 team was due to start its season on Sunday with a home game against Cobden but that match was washed out.

This week, in division two Storm Blue play Cobden at Camperdown number two and Storm Purple play Bookaar at Frederick Street.

The division three Storm play Pomborneit Maroon at South Purrumbete, while on Sunday the Heytesbury-Princetown under 16s also play Pomborneit at South Purrumbete.