Skipper Noah Kane’s toss woes went on, losing another coin flip, but got the result he was after as Centrals sent Moe in to bat, in this all-Lion clash. The fixture was the first of the season at Centrals’ home, Apex Park, Traralgon.
Under 16’s player Jordan Shields made his A Grade debut
MOE INNING
Moe’s innings got off to a dreadful start with Noah Kane (0) caught off Hourigan with the score on 1. Riley Baldi (9) was next to fall to Webber. Corey Pollard took the next two wickets, dismissing power duo Andrew Philip (13) & Rob Phoenix (0), to have Moe 4/32. Joe Stuart dismissed Sean Spiteri (7) & Ash Savige (9) in his 2/10, Moe struggling at 6/51. Pollard then ran through the tail comfortably dismissing Colgrave 0, Shields 4, Blunt 0 and it was 9/56. Callum Grant (18) survived a couple of dropped chances before offering a small short term bit of resistance. He was last dismissed to Pollard and Moe all out for 69 in 30 overs. Pollard finished with 6/26 (10). Stuart took 2/10 (7) whilst Hourigan 1/11 (5) & Webber 1/19 (8.) took one each.
CENTRALS INNING
Robert Blunt & Rob Phoenix took the new ball for Moe. Blunt (1/9 off 6) got the first breakthrough of Webber (8.) in an economical spell. Wayne Henry (19) & Sam Gray (17*) saw Centrals through to 1/32 (16) at lunch. Moe’s bowlers rotated and were very economical as a collective. Bailey Wilson (1/7 off 2) picked up the wicket of Henry at 2/53 but a miracle comeback wasn’t to be on the cards. A shining light moment came with 4 runs to win as Jordan Shields (1/9 off 3) collected his first A Grade wicket, nabbing the scalp of Tye Hourigan (9), who had made 40 & 105 in his last 2 one day matches against Moe. Gray (17*) & Foley (3*) were at the crease when Centrals surpassed Moe’s total in 31.5 overs.
Moe Bowling
R.Blunt 1/9 (6) – R.Phoenix 0/13 (3) – R.Colgrave 0/3 (3) – Shields 1/9 (3) – C.Grant 0/6 (6) – A.Savige 0/9 (5) – S.Spiteri 0/13 (3.5) – B.Wilson 1/7 (2)
Moe had their colours lowered big time entering the Christmas break. The bowlers did well to make Centrals bat for 32 overs to get a low score, but just didn’t have a total to defend, a rare instance given the batting lineup prowess.
That’s gone now and despite the result, Moe enter the break 2nd on a very tight Premier A Grade ladder. Moe sit just one point behind Morwell and only half a two-day result above 5th.
A Grade will return on 7th & 14th January vs Latrobe at Ted Summerton for the first two-day game since March 2021.
