Sport
3 February, 2025
New Grampians rep side captain McMahon lays the smackdown in 110 run victory
Pomonal breaks St Andrews' undefeated streak in GCA round 13
A Max McMahon masterclass has helped Halls Gap secure fourth place on the Grampians Cricket Association A Grade ladder.
The skipper steered his side to a commanding 110 run win against Rhymney Moyston after an 11-boundary 94 off 102 deliveries.
Playing at the Moyston Recreation Reserve, conditions were testing for both sides as the temperature neared 40C in the middle.
While McMahon stood tall for 35 overs, his teammates struggled in the sweltering conditions, with only Cameron Wickham (36* off 49) the only batter to surpass 20 runs.
Tight bowling from Daniel Taylor (5/23) restricted Halls Gap to 196 from 39.4 overs.
In reply, the hosts started with their backs against the wall after Caleb Bretherton bowled Taylor for a first-ball duck.
Rhymney/Moyston were 4/16 after five overs before Shane Evison (25 off 28) and Glen Cosgriff (18 off 35) slowed the fall of wickets with a 44-run fifth wicket stand.
Once the duo were dismissed, the host lost its final six wickets for 23 runs, to be bowled out for 86.
Rikki McIntosh was unforgiving with the ball, taking 4/8 off five overs, while Bretherton finished with 3/18 off four overs.
Tigers break Saints' undefeated streak
Pomonal goes into its round 14 bye full of confidence after defeating ladder-leaders St Andrews by three wickets.
Playing on a green Gordon Street Recreation Reserve wicket, the Tigers won the toss and elected to bowl.
The decision paid dividends, with Matt Dean snaring a wicket in the second over.
St Andrews were on the ropes at 2/8 until Ned Bohner (20 of 37) and Tom Mills (19 off 34) with a 34-run partnership.
Their dismissals triggered a collapse, with the hosts going from 3/43 to 8/66.
Quick Lachie Green and spinner Tyler Cronin wreaked havoc on the lively green top, taking three wickets each during the 15-over spell.
The Saints' tail wagged with Josh Bibby (24 off 27) and Dileep Athmuri (13 off 23) pushing their total beyond 100.
Spinning the ball at right angles, Cronin (3/8) was the Tigers' best with the ball, while Green (3/21) and Harry Evans (2/25) restricted St Andrews to 108 off 38.1 overs.
Pomonal's run chase got off to its worst possible start, with Lynden Brewis out for a golden duck after he was trapped in front by Caleb Summers.
Lane Jackson (17 off 72) played a supporting role in two key partnerships with Cronin (25 off 35) and Matt Peel (23 off 16) before Green (24 off 42) and Glenn Keilar (11 off 41) steered the ship to victory.
Saints' bowlers Bohner (2/16), Summers (2/17) and Mills (2/17) shared the wickets.
Association takes on rivals in rep match
The GCA continues its rivalry with the Wimmera-Mallee Cricket Association with a one-off senior representative game on Sunday, February 9.
Leading run scorer Max McMahon will captain the side, while Matt Heffer will serve as deputy.
The one-dayer is scheduled to start at 11am in Donald, with the WMCA aiming to livestream the game on its Facebook page.
GCA full squad:
Max McMahon (Halls Gap)
Matt Heffer (Swifts/Great Western)
Ryan Skiller (St Andrews)
Aiden Graveson (Swifts/Great Western)
Zac Marrow (Swifts/Great Western)
Charlie McIntosh (Halls Gap)
Nicholas Pell (St Andrews)
James Hosking (St Andrews)
Glenn Cosgriff (Rhymney/Moyston)
Brad Carter (Swifts/Great Western)
Vincent Hammon (St Andrews)
Eddie Malpas (Pomonal)