GORAE-PORTLAND will head into day two of their Portland and District Cricket Association clash with South Portland at Cavalier Park with an imposing total to defend after fantastic knocks from two of their veteran batsmen.  

Nick Wills (96) fell agonisingly short of what would have been a maiden century for the experienced batsman, while Stephen O’Brien (84) was also not able to get to three figures, but nonetheless the pair ought to be proud of the performances they produced at a time when their club desperately needed them.

The match was evenly poised on day one on Saturday, as Go-Ports were on 3-62 in the 30th over when the pair met at the crease, with the Demons knowing that one or two more wickets could spell real trouble for their opposition.

But Wills and O’Brien were unperturbed, and over the course of the next 35 overs they put on 170 runs for the fourth wicket, pushing Go-Ports’ total well past 200.

Eventually, Mark Betteridge was able to get the best of Wills, having him caught in the outfield just short of his ton, and this wicket triggered a lower-order collapse for Go-Ports.

Betteridge went on to snag a further three wickets, including that of O’Brien, to finish with figures of 4-18 from 5.5 overs, as the Demons were able to claim the final six wickets for just a further 21 runs late in the day.

South skipper Mitch Arnold once again impressed with the ball, taking 3-39 from 16 overs, while Rory Barry produced a tidy 0-11 from his eight overs.

Regardless, the day belonged to Wills and O’Brien, with the two batsmen producing what could prove to be a match-winning partnership, as Go-Ports were eventually all-out for 253.

Wills belted 14 boundaries in 171-ball innings of 96, while O’Brien’s 84 from 116 deliveries included eight boundaries.

With both teams’ finals hopes well and truly on the line, expect an enthralling day of cricket next Saturday.

Darras on top against Colts

In another game which has potentially even greater finals implications, Tyrendarra managed to get themselves on top against Portland Colts at Henty Park thanks primarily to a magnificent bowling effort from Darren Killmister.

The game was on level terms early on, with the Darras able to get early wickets by way of Lachie Kirk and Ben Menzel, before Colts captain Luke Evans (27) and Daniel Chisholm (28) put on 51 for the third wicket to have their side at 2-75.

It was at this juncture that Killmister first struck, thanks in addition to some excellent glovework from Hamish Aitken to dismiss Evans via a stumping, before Jake Wilson removed Chisholm without Colts having added to their score.

From there Killmister was virtually a one-man wrecking crew, as he claimed five of the last six wickets of the innings to see Colts all-out for 143.

He finished with figures of 6-48 from his 23.2 overs, while all four of the other bowlers in Kirk (1-12), Sam Wilson (1-13), Menzel (1-14) and Jake Wilson (1-46) were able get in the wickets.

Colts were able to get solid counter-attacking efforts from Matthew Payne (21) and Mathew Belden (32), which helped ensure they posted a competitive total that they can realistically hope to defend.

In another plus for the Darras, opening batsmen Kirk and Menzel were able to get through the final nine overs of the day unscathed, and will resume next Saturday on 0-9 with a further 135 runs needed for victory in a pivotal match in determining the complexion of the upcoming finals.