Ian Ferguson
AN encouraging bowling performance from Nar Nar GoonMaryknoll speedster Brendan McGrath was unfortunately negated when West Gippsland Cricket Association’s batting lineup failed against Ferntree Gully’s attack at the Cranbourne Racecourse ground on Sunday.
The visitors scored 8/211 from their allocated overs and it was McGrath who troubled their batsmen most and who returned the best figures.
West Gippsland’s fastest bowler captured 2/32 from ten overs in an encouraging display and he was best supported by Beaconsfield’s Jason Dodd and Catani’s Lionel Sexton who both collected two wickets.
Kooweerup captain Matt Davey then performed well with the bat, scoring an excellent 55 in the unaccustomed opener’s role.
WGCA captain Luke Sibley added an aggressive 35, young Kooweerup allrounder Chris O’Hara contributed 22 in his debut association game and Devon Meadows captain Travis Canavan added a patient 11.
However West Gippsland’s batting was disappointing and it was dismissed in the 38th over for 164.
The WGCA squad will play other important practice games before the 2007 regional country week and more details will be known about this new form of the carnival shortly after the Christmas break.