By Charlene Gatt
GLADSTONE Park has made a solid start to its chase in the final of the North West Cricket Association’s George Luscombe Shield grand final against Taylors Lakes.
The final is evenl poised after the first two days which saw Taylors Lakes compile a dangerous 278 before Gladstone Park held its nerve to finish day two on 42 with all 10 wickets still remaining.
Taylors Lakes won the toss and immediately started making headway in the runs department, with Rob Morgan hitting 69 to get his side off to a good start. Paul Cutajar (39) also made an impressionable mark for the side.
Rohan Keats stepped up to the plate for Gladstone Park, picking up 3/32 off 22 overs in an strong bowing display while Heath Shephard was also on target with 2/36 off 16 overs.
But some of the weekend’s best play was left to the captain-coach of each respective side, with a batting and bowling battle erupting between Taylors Lakes’ Paul Thomas and Gladstone Park’s Danny Viani.
On the batting front, Thomas (54 not out) finished off his side’s innings with an inspiring half-century, while Viani notched up a remarkable 4/57 off 27 overs to keep Taylors Lakes below 300.
In reply, Gladstone Park could not have wished for a better start, with Wes Telford (29 not out) and Eshantha Daniel (10 not out) seeing the side through to stumps on day two with the score at a healthy 0/42.
Play resumes at John Laffan Reserve this Saturday at 1.00pm.
WHILE the first are involved in a tough Luscombe Shield grand final encounter, Gladstone Park’s 2nd XI is celebrating after taking out the North West Cricket Association’s Keith Stringer Shield at the weekend.
Gladstone Park secured a 17-run victory over Pascoe Vale Central, bowling the home side out for 205 after posting 222.
Despite a fine innings of 75 from Pascoe Vale batsman Grant Moore, Gladstone Park bowler Corey Bourke was the star of the show, claiming 7/55 as he cut a swathe through the Pascoe Vale line-up. Team-mate James Duffy chimed in with 2/51 as Pascoe Vale fell 17 runs short.
Earlier in the match Scott Smithwick (49) provided the backbone of Gladstone Park’s innings with Jaydan Moore notching 26. Pascoe Vale’s Mark Campbell (3/29) and Brett McGinniskin (3/54) each collected three wickets.
