HITTING OUT: Bendigo Senior SC opening batsman Jake Klemm struck 78 in the win against Mildura SC. Picture: PETER WEAVING
BENDIGO Senior Secondary College has won through to the quarter-finals in the School Sport Victoria boys’ cricket championships.
The BSSC Lions batsmen and bowlers were in hot form as they won both of yesterday’s Twenty20 matches in the Loddon Mallee finals at Strathfieldsaye’s Club Court ovals.
BSSC’s run started with a 161-run victory against Goldfields winners, Maryborough Education Centre.
Batting first, the Lions reached 2-203 off 20 overs.
Jake Klemm and Mitch Blackman teamed for an opening stand of 60 runs.
Scott Woodman hit top-score of 79 not out and co-captain Nathan Newlan was unbeaten on 25.
Wicket-takers for MEC were Trent Mortlock and Damon Firman.
After being 2-9 in the chase, Maryborough fought back to be on 33, but then lost 5-9 as Steve Kairn, 3-8, and Josh Cruse, 2-9, did most of the damage.
Opening bowlers Jake Higgins and Alex Pearson took a wicket each.
The champion decider was between Bendigo Senior and Sunraysia champions, Mildura which beat Kerang SC earlier in the day at Strathfieldsaye.
After being sent in, Blackman and Klemm combined for a 73-run stand which was broken in the 10th over.
The 13th over provided plenty of highs for the Lions as Woodman hit six, four, six, two and four.
A blazing knock of 33 by Woodman was ended in the next over with the score on 130.
Klemm’s innings of 78 ended in the 18th over as the Duane Anderson-coached Lions went on to reach 4-190.
Lions’ opening bowlers Jake Higgins, who is also co-captain, and Alex Pearson kept a tight line as Mildura was 4-23 after eight overs.
Woodman capped a great match by taking 3-21.
Josh Blencowe took a hat-trick as Mildura was dimissed for 82.
The Bendigo Senior Secondary College boys’ and girls’ cricket teams will contest the quarter-finals on March 26 in Melbourne.
– NATHAN DOLE