Power surge to top

By Luke West
Updated November 7 2012 - 6:18am, first published November 13 2011 - 11:11am

HUNTLY-North Bendigo has surged to the top of the Bendigo District Cricket Association ladder following its 12-run win over Bendigo United in yesterday’s one-day round.Having finished on the bottom of the ladder for the past seven seasons, the Power’s superb start to 2011-12 is proving to be one of the great stories of the BDCA.Batting first at Harry Trott Oval in a game shortened to 41 overs per side because of a rain delay, the Power compiled 8-187.The Power had been 3-29 in the seventh over with Sam Johnston (15), captain Linc McRae (11) and Brodie McRae (1) all back in the pavilion.In the past such a start would have spelt trouble for the Power, but the middle order held firm.Innings from Josh Collinson (39 off 72), Isaac Hogan (46 off 73), Brannon Stanford (29 off 30) and Chris Guinane (22 n.o. off 21) helped the Power to the competitive total.Patrick Naughtin was the leading wicket-taker for the Redbacks as he finished with 3-26 off six overs.Marcus Smalley (2-38) and Miggy Podosky (2-45) took two wickets apiece for the Redbacks.In reply, Huntly-North Bendigo had Bendigo United on the back foot from the outset when the Redbacks crashed to 4-41 in the 13th over.The Redbacks got to 175 before they were bowled out in the 40th over.Coach Leigh McDermott was the standout batsman for the Redbacks.Starting his innings at 5-51, McDermott smashed 77 off 60 balls, belting four sixes and four boundaries before he was bowled by Johnston (2-25) with the score on 173.Power spinner Nick Roebuck – who dismissed Mark Di Fede (14) with the first ball he bowled – returned the figures of 1-14 off nine overs. Johnston and Todd Jacobs (2-48) took two wickets each.It was the Power’s first victory over Bendigo United since they won by 39 runs in round six of the 2002-03 season.● Like Huntly-North Bendigo, Golden Square is also shaping as the big improver of the competition.Square beat Eaglehawk by five wickets at Canterbury Park in a result that has the bottom-of-the-ladder Hawks’ season now teetering on the brink of disaster.Eaglehawk won the toss and batted, making 9-157.The Hawks had looked on the verge of being bowled out for under 100 when they slumped to 7-76 in the 35th over. However, some lusty hitting from No.9 Jonathan Andrea lifted the side to 157.Andrea was the only Hawks’ player to pass 20 as he made a quickfire 50 off 37 balls, hitting three boundaries and three sixes.Earlier, the Hawks’ top-four batsmen in Cameron King (12), Jason Abbott (10), Matt White (17) and captain Matt Fitt (12) all got starts, but didn’t go on.The quartet combined for 51 runs off 149 balls.White, in particular, got bogged down, with his 17 taking 74 balls.David Hickman (2-30), Scott Johnson (2-23) and captain Grant Connelly (2-26) took two wickets apiece for Golden Square.In reply, Golden Square answered with 5-162, winning with 10 balls to spare. Square sealed the win in emphatic style, with Aaron Sims smashing Richard Tibbett (1-32) for six over long-on.Sims finished 16 not out off just five balls, while Jason Johnson was unbeaten on 21 off 28 balls.Earlier, openers Hickman (43 off 86) and Scott Johnson (42 off 85) laid the foundation for the win with a 73-run opening stand.

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