Cats win a thriller against Cougars

The Cougars lost a thriller on Saturday. Picture: GARY SISSONS

By Nick Creely

WGCA SUB-DISTRICT DIVISION
REVIEW – ROUND 11 (ONE DAY)
It’s now entering that time of the season where the top four begins to shape, and Catani are virtually set in stone as this year’s minor premiers.
The Cats won a thriller over Clyde at Catani Reserve, taking until the very last overs to get the job done over their rivals.
With the Cougars electing to bat, it was imperative they put runs on the board immediately.
And if not for an excellent 30 not out by Matthew Bayliss lifting his side to 8/136, the Cougars stood no chance of being competitive.
Cats bowlers Dustin Peebles (2/13), Mitchell Gregson (2/30) and Tyler Molloy (3/27) all combined in a strong effort.
And it was tough going for the Cats batsman, with the Cougars bowlers putting in a brave effort despite skipper Ben Ahern (32) playing a vital hand.
Bayliss (2/6) was the pick of the bowlers in the narrow defeat.
Bottom sides Gembrook and Pakenham battled it out, with the Brookers getting the chocolates.
It was close throughout the day, with the Brookers, through Kyle O’Reilly (2/16) bowled out the Lions for just 132, with Darcy Jones (38) top-scoring.
Andrew Hilder (27 not out) then broke the game open for the Brookers, after it looked like they would fall short, but saw his side home with four wickets and four overs left.
Lang Lang has prevailed in a low-scoring contest with Nyora, as the Swamp Tigers hold second-spot on the ladder.
It was a truly disciplined bowling effort by the premiership fancy, dismissing the Maroons for just 86 in 35.5 overs.
Ricky Caddell (6/14) put in one of the performances of the season, shredding the Maroons apart in a destructive spell of bowling.
Caddell was well supported by Clint Fulton (3/7) and Ron Bright Jr (1/7), who shared the new ball and toyed with the batsman.
It took until the last eight overs, but the Swamp Tigers tasted victory, chasing the meagre total down with six wickets in hand, as Ross Douglas (25) top-scored.
And finally, Cardinia have virtually ended the season of Aura Vale, after the Bulls proved too strong for a competitive Lakers outfit.
Winning the toss and batting, the Lakers posted 8/168, with Brad Richards (49) continuing his rich vein of form, while Robert Scott (32) made more valuable middle-order runs.
Brayden Browne (3/37) was the pick of the bowlers, while Ryan Little chimed in with two wickets himself.
But Brad Remy (81) made his sixth score over 50 for the season, guiding the Bulls home with ten overs to spare.
Daniel Swinburne (2/19) tried hard and was tidy, while Baheerathan Ganesharatnam (2/49) was expensive but still took a few wickets.
With just three rounds remaining until the finals, the top-four is now becoming clearer, with Catani, Lang Lang and Cardinia almost certainties to make the finals.
But the fourth spot is well and truly up for grabs, with Nyora breathing down the neck of Clyde and Aura Vale still with a slight hope despite their loss.