General News
19 November, 2021
Young all-rounder spearheads Bulls victory
POMBORNEIT skipper Grant Place’s wish for some of his younger players to take more responsibility came to fruition last Saturday.
POMBORNEIT skipper Grant Place’s wish for some of his younger players to take more responsibility came to fruition last Saturday.
The Bulls were led to an 11 run opening round victory over Heytesbury Rebels by young all-rounder Josh Place, who produced one of his best performances in the top grade.
The right-handed batter, right-arm bowler produced a timely knock of 32 in the Bulls total of 141, but it was with the ball where the 19 year-old impressed most.
Josh finished with 3/26 from eight overs including the key scalps of Simon Harkness and Travis Brown (zero), with his contribution helping dismiss the Rebels for 130.
Grant Place was pleased with his younger cousin’s performance.
“It was really good to see,” he said.
“I’ve been thinking over the off-season with him, Sam and Tom Darcy and just hoping with extra responsibility, whether its batting up the order or bowling more, that they might start to take the next step which he has.
“Josh has picked up 25 to 30 k’s in pace over the off-season and I think it’s the first time he’s ever bowled in division one, if not the first time he’s taken a wicket.
“At training he’s been hitting guys in the helmet and in the ribs just being that extra yard quicker so it’s good to see him step up.”
Grant Place was also pleased with the efforts of Tom Place (54) and Tharaka Sendanayake in the victory.
But he conceded the Bulls would need to find improvement this weekend when it welcomes division newcomers Woorndoo.
He said many of the Bulls players would not have played the Tigers in recent seasons.
“They’ll be alright, I think we’ll need to perform at our best to beat them,” Grant Place said.
“We probably only performed at 60 to 70 per cent of what we’re capable of last week but we managed to scrape the win.
“We’re hoping for a better performance against them and to get another win and make a good start to the year.”
In other round one results, Tim Fitzgerald (58), Charlie Lucas (3/14) and Louis Darcy (3/14) spearheaded Bookaar to a comfortable win over Camperdown.
The Pelicans batted first and posted 7/153 from 44 overs, with Camperdown dismissed for 53 in reply.
Woorndoo recorded a 47 run win over Terang, with Grant Cameron (71), Tyler Schafer (40) and Issac Fowler (4/35) starring for the Tigers.
Sam Munro (4/22 and 28) was a shining light for the Goats, while Tyson Hay (41) and Tyson Royal (40).
Mortlake recorded a 73 run win in the final match against Cobden on the back of strong performances from Isaac Wareham (58), Neil Kelly (40), Jack Lehmann (36 not out), Jimmy Tarbolton (33), Clinton Baker (3/25), Todd Lamont (2/22) and Lachie Higginson (2/23).
Mortlake posted 7/233 from its 50 overs before restricting the Knights to 9/160, with Johno Benallack (61) and Paul Pekin (2/26) Cobden’s best performers.
In round two action this weekend, Mortlake hosts Camperdown, Pomborneit welcomes Woorndoo, Cobden faces Heytesbury Rebels and Terang clashes with Noorat.