Sport
21 November, 2023
Daniel Polack masterclass guide Bulls to first win
A massive century and three wickets to Daniel Polack has guided Blackheath Dimboola to their first win of the season, a 106 run win over Laharum at Cameron Oval on Saturday. After winning the toss and electing to bat, Polack had the innings of his...
A massive century and three wickets to Daniel Polack has guided Blackheath Dimboola to their first win of the season, a 106 run win over Laharum at Cameron Oval on Saturday.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, Polack had the innings of his life, scoring 167 from 136 balls. It was his first ever century and it guided the Bulls to a total of 261 off 45 overs. Joel Pymer was the pick of the bowlers for Laharum with figures of 4/53.
In the chase Laharum battled well and whilst a few players got starts, they couldn't captilise on them, getting bowled out in the 39th over for 155. Brodie Foster top scored with 23. Daniel Polack was the best bowler for the Bulls taking 3/9 off 6 overs whilst Jake McLean also picked up three wickets, finishing with 3/26 off his 9.
In what was also a momentous occasion for the Bulls, 13 year old Albert Schorbach took his first A-Grade wicket, finishing with figures of 1/12 off 4 overs.
But the game belonged to Polack, with the best individual performance in a one day match this season and the second highest score behind Nathan Alexander's 168 for the Warriors in a two day match back in round two.
Bulls captain Sam Leith said it was a special individual performance.
"It was an awesome effort from him. He was the difference maker on the weekend and batted really well. He gave them one chance early and one late but the day belonged to him," he said.
"Everyone was really happy for him and the buzz was brought into the fielding with everyone up and about. I was also happy to be involved in Albert Schorbach's first wicket.
"After the game we just hung around with Laharum and had fun. They are good people to play against and thankfully it was our day."
Laharum spinner Josh Mahoney said Polack was sensational and admitted they played poorly.
"We had our chances early, but once Daniel got settled, he was sensational," Mahoney said.
"A few of our young guys admitted they rolled up thinking they would win. We were ordinary in the field and were bowling two line and lengths which was hard to set fields to.
"We did a lot of things right last week and a lot wrong this week. The positive we can take out is it couldn't get any worse, it can only get better."
The Homers continued their winning run with a 26 run win over the Horsham Saints at Coughlin Park.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, they lost in-form batsmen Patrick Mills and Logan Millar early for 4 and 9 respectively. They proved they can score without them, with Adam Atwood and Luke Millar both making half centuries with 58 and 56 respectively to guide the Homers to a total of 176.
Saxon Sounness was the pick of the Saints bowlers with figures of 3/34 off his 9 overs.
In response, youngster Dezi Carter continued his solid season with another high score, scoring 53. It wasn't enough, however, with them being bowled out for 150. Gibson Perry finished with figures of 4/32 which continues his good season with the ball. Homers captain Adam Atwood took 3/31 in a man of the match performance.
Saints captain Gary Davidson said they were right in the game but losing a cluster of wickets cost them in the end. He was pleased with the teenagers doing well again.
"We were in the game but just couldn't get there unforunately," he said.
"It was pleasing to see Dezi Carter again getting runs. For a 15 year old kid batting at number 3 in A-Grade cricket, he is doing an excellent job with a very nice technique and is improving his batting every week.
"Saxon coming through our juniors, as a 17 year old is a very talented opening bowler. It was his second game of the year as he is just finishing year 12 in Ballarat.
West Wimmera Warriors bounced back with a 7 wicket win over Lubeck Murtoa at the Murtoa Recreation Reserve.
After losing the toss and being sent in to bowl they restricted the home side to 150. Xavier Bone took 3/33 off his 9 overs whilst Blake Turner top scored for the Mudlarks with 43.
In the chase, an unbeaten 65 from Nathan Alexander guided them to the total in the 30th over. Jobe Dickinson also chipped in with 61. Xavier Shevlin was the Mudlarks only wicket taker with the ball with figures of 1/30 with the other dismissals being run-outs.
Mudlarks captain Shannon Reddie said they were happy with how they played against one of the premier teams in the competition.
"We played pretty well yesterday. We had a few partnerships which kept us in it," he said.
"We had a few top order fails so we will look at that again.
"The new pitch played really well. We thought it was going to do some weird things but it played true."
At Horsham City Oval the Bullants bounced back to easily defeat the Tigers by 78 runs. After winning the toss and electing to bowl, they restricted the Bullants to 211. Captain Matthew Combe led the way with the bat scoring 84 runs whilst Angus Adams continues his brilliant season with 3/30.
The Tigers chase never got momentum, finishing with 133. Adams top scored with 42 whilst for the Bullants Garrett Liston took 3/11 off 8 overs.