Iona vs. Koo Wee Rup veterans.
The battle for the “Bunyip River Cup” between Iona and Koo Wee Rup was played for the 5th time in a row.
Graham Davey won the toss and sent Iona in to bat, this appeared to be a good decision when Iona were 3 for 25 in the 9th over. Mark McLaughlan was bowled out without scoring, second ball by Brett Carey, Barry Cain 4 (21) was brilliantly caught by Ron Wernke off David Leach’s bowling and Russell Ferguson 5 (6) was caught behind by Wayne Dozzi off David Leach.
It was another 15 overs and 104 runs later before KWR took their 4th wicket, when Peter Falstead 15 (20) was caught by Ross Farmer off David Leach’s bowling. In the mean time Craig Russell 20 (31), Ron Lovell 40 (31) and Alex Miller 41 (27) had retired. In the next 13 overs, Iona scored at a rate of 7 runs an over, Mick Scully 40 (31) and Peter Heywood 25 (27) retiring before Alan Coutts 19 (24) was bowled by Graham Davey.
Jim Rowley lasted 4 balls in making 6 before he was LBW to Bob Phillips. After 40 overs, Iona were 6 for 234 with Jeff Phillips 3 (5) and Jon Martindale 11 (11) both not out.
All Koo Wee Rup bowlers tried hard in the heat. David Leach took 3 wickets for 27 off his 5 overs, Bob Phillips 8-1/43, Graham Davey 8-1/48, Brett Carey 5-1/28. Dallas Wyatt 6-0/28, Andrew Thomas 2-0/18, Ron Milnes 3-0/17, Ron Wernke 2-0/14, Ross Farmer 1-0/7.
Needing almost 6 runs an over, Koo Wee Rup started off disastrously losing 4 wickets for 15 runs in 4 overs. Two wickets to Peter Heywood, Dallas Wyatt 6 (4) caught by Mark McLaughlan and Andrew Thomas 6 (9) LBW and two wickets to Jim Rowley, Graham Davey 3 (6) caught by Jeff Phillips and David Leach 0 (3) caught by Alex Miller.
A 36-run partnership between Wayne Dozzi and Bob Phillips ended when Dozzi 22 (13) was bowled by Mick Scully. Steven Nadj made 5 runs in 4 balls before he was bowled by Peter Heywood. The score was 7 for 61 when Jeff Ramage, who was playing his first game for KWR, was caught by Russell Ferguson off the bowling of Mick Scully for a 5th ball duck.
Bob Phillips 15 (32) retired before Brett Carey 2 (10) was caught by Alex Miller off the bowling of Ron Lovel, Ron Milnes 13 (24) retired hurt. The ball after Ron Wernke 40 (50) retired saw John Moore bowled by Mark McLaughlan for a golden duck. The score was 10 for 129 in the 34th over when Russell Ferguson caught Ross Farmer 3 (14) off the bowling of Peter Heywood.
Iona bowling Peter Heywood 7.4 overs, 4 wickets for 21 runs. Jim Rowley 3-2/13, Mick Scully 6-2/13, Ron Lovel 4-1/17, Mark McLaughlan 5-1/17, Craig Russell 5-0/16, Peter Falstead 2-0/8, Jon Martindale 1-0/11.
Iona won by 105 runs and are now responsible for keeping the Bunyip River Cup polished.
Over 50s - Gippsland Goannas v Outer Eastern at Sale
The Over 50s had a magnificent victory over Outer Eastern on Sunday, resulting in a finals appearance for the second year in a row.
The Goannas won the toss and batted first. Anthony Bloomfield retired on 41, Graeme Rankin 23, Patrick Spiteri 20, Geoff Wells 15 not out and Ian Freshwater 12 not out were the main contributors in a score of 7 for 155 from 40 overs.
Outer Eastern replied with 9 for 133, with Brenton Howe taking 2 for 6 off 4.3 overs, Ian Freshwater 2 for 28 and Steve Rogers 2 for 29 (and there were two run outs).
The team will travel to Geelong for the semi-final.