MAIDEN Gully’s batsmen have given it a strong chance of climbing into the Emu Valley Cricket Association top four.
Maiden Gully made 266 against West Bendigo on Saturday at Ken Wust Oval in what was a clash of fourth versus fifth on the ladder.
The side was superbly led by skipper Mark Smith, who made 102 opening the batting.
Smith almost batted through the entire innings, before he was the last wicket to fall.
Smith – who now has 410 runs for the season at an average of 51.2 – also had strong support from Paul Martin, who made 57.
Maiden Gully got off to a solid start, with Smith and Leigh Draper (30) putting on 62 for the first wicket.
West Bendigo used nine different bowlers, with Dion Prange claiming 3-49 off 12 overs.
● Spring Gully has set arch-rivals United a challenging run-chase after the Crows belted 9-271 at home.
The innings was highlighted by a century to Ricky Mannix, whose fine first season for the Crows continued.
Starting his innings with the Crows 2-73, Mannix made 106 to lift his tally of runs to a competition-best 583 at an average of 63.7.
It was Mannix’s fifth score above 70 in 10 innings.
Crows skipper Shaun Makepeace made 50 opening the innings – the fifth time in his past six innings he has raised his bat.
Tim Gleeson took 5-69 off 21 overs for United, including the key wickets of Makepeace and Mannix.
● Top side Mandurang is well on track to beat Golden Gully.
After being sent into bat at California Gully, Golden Gully batted aggressively in making 204 before it was bowled out in the 46th over.
Golden Gully passed the 200-mark having been 6-96 during its innings.
The mainstay was Geoff Maggs, who top-scored with 80, while Darren De Marchi compiled 51 opening the innings and was out with the score on just 54.
Mandurang captain and Cricketer of the Year favourite Leigh Haw had another good day, capturing 4-40 off 11.1 overs, while Cain Ladiges took 3-42.
At stumps Mandurang was 3-118, having faced just 21 overs.
Michael Healy (56) batted well, but was dismissed just before the close of play by Brendon Lummis, who has 2-7 off four overs.
● Axe Creek recovered from a poor start to post 224 against Sedgwick at Longlea.
Axe Creek had been 3-22, with Jason Carbone (4), James O’Bryen (12) and Bradley Sjaardema (5) all dismissed.
However, the middle-order rallied, with Charles Ready (42), Travis Nolan (38), Jamie Morgan (34 n.o.), Ben Harris (32), Ben Hunter (29) and Ash Dixon (19) all helping the side post a total that, based on Sedgwick’s batting effort last round, is going to be tough to chase down.
David Forde was the best of the bowlers for Sedgwick, taking 3-44 off 16 overs.
● Marong’s good form continued as it made 283 against Emu Creek at J.G. Edwards Oval.
Opener Scott Ross (54) and Richard Murphy (53) both made half-centuries for the Panthers as their good form continued, while Daniel Plowright made 44.
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