McCabe’s performance propels Lakers

The Lakers A Grade made another road trip in search of six points, this time it would be a bus-less journey up into the Beechworth hills.

Skipper Reid Clarke claimed the first win of the day calling correctly at the toss and electing to bat first, a strategy that’s so far worked through the first three games this season. Clarke as usual kicked off proceedings and was joined by Pigeons teammate Zac Fraser.

Some loose bowling saw the Lakers start well before Clarke lost his leg stump and departed for 6 which brought the in form Brock McCabe to the crease and along with Fraser put the Beechworth bowling attack to the sword.

The pair displayed damaging ball striking as well as playing with poise and accuracy to pick apart holes in the field and build a strong partnership of 91. In an attempt to keep the pressure on, Fraser swiped and missed at a straight one to be bowled for a near run a ball 48.

Webb and McCabe combined once again for a solid partnership as the pair often do, Webb got off the a fast start before holing out to a fielder for just 27.

Brock McCabe took it upon himself from this point on to keep the pressure on the hosts and remain dangerous out in the middle.

The versatile all-rounder continued to dismantle the bowling attack on his way to a brilliant hundred, the first for the Lakers this year, and would remain unbeaten on 110* to set his side a monster score of 258 to defend.

After another brilliant afternoon tea spread the Lakers struck a blow immediately as Heslin removed the hosts opener on the first ball of the innings, Matt McCabe taking an easy catch in short cover, one of three he would have for the day.

Webb opening up alongside was reliable as ever, bowling tight lines and keeping the run flow down, returning figures of 2/23 from his 9 overs.

Matt McCabe once again showed of his catching ability only this time off his own bowling, a magnificent one handed dive to his left in his follow through removed Beechworth’s captain and left onlookers stunned.

A brilliant throw in from the boundary from Matt De Roos caused confusion for the Wanderers batsmen and created a run out to leave the hosts in real trouble at 5/65.

Brock McCabe was injected into the attack to see if his marvellous batting performance wasn’t all he had to offer for the day and made an immediate impact, forcing the batter to hit an easy catch to his older brother Matt for his first.

The wickets kept coming for the Lakers all-round superstar, picking up wickets two and three in his following two overs. De Roos joined the party late to pick up his one and only wicket, perhaps costing McCabe of a rare hundred and fifer, but regardless the day belonged to Brock McCabe who claimed the final wicket to end the match and return figures of 4/14 to go along with his unbeaten 110*.

B Grade Bulls

Jyda House was thrown the new ball, figured running up the hill and bowling into the wind was a good choice, it was not. House bowling out his overs with a minimal reward of 1/8. Xavier Mitchell, who turns out has a very nice smile after all was rewarded for pitching the ball up in the batsmen’s half of the wicket taking a beautiful 5/18 with most of the 18 coming from extras

Oliver Connell and Andrew Dishot bowled pure line and length boring the opposition into heading back to the sheds. Dishot and Connell both took a scalp of 2 and that was Wangaratta all wrapped for 54. Lachie Craig also bowled.

Alex Kealy and Ethan Thorpe were sent into see out the new ball, Kealy off the back of a great session behind the pegs with the gloves was able to generate 20% of the required score before he was given out helping the ball too finely down leg to the wicket keeper, Thorpe unfortunately just got a good ball and was sent back in for 0% of the required score.

A trifecta of 8s were made by, Lachie Craig, Lucas Eales, and finally a red ink 8 from Oliver Cope, paired with a match winning 15 not out from our earlier hero, Xave Mitchell was enough to get the chase done and have an early finish for all involved.

B Grade Rams

No game as Beechworth Forfeited

C Grade

Had the bye this week.