Sport
23 January, 2026
Beaufort Red accelerates into top four
Beaufort Red might be forced to change their name after what happened in round 11, receiving all green lights as they rocketed up the A reserve ladder following an enthralling day of cricket.
Beaufort Red 126 def MKM 113
After starting the round in sixth, Beaufort Red has leapfrogged three other teams and into the top four thanks to a nail-biting 13-run victory over MKM.
Beaufort Red openers Thomas Grant and Blake Jantzen seemed relatively unfazed facing one of the competition’s most dangerous bowling attacks, commencing the innings with a 56-run partnership.
Wickets began to flood in for MKM after Tibin Michael removed both openers in quick succession, with Chris Freeman leading the way with 3/26 from seven overs.
While wickets fell around him, Beaufort Red captain Craig Grant buoyed his team’s innings with a hard-hitting 29 as the hosts finished on 126.
Despite young gun Benjamin Grant removing Muhammad Haseeb Khan and Jarrod Nedelkovski inside the first three overs, the visitors seemed to be in the driver’s seat with Henry Potter and Sebastian Borg in fine touch.
After Nicolas Stares claimed the wicket of Potter to place their opponents at 3/63, Beaufort Red chipped through MKM’s lineup before Andy Stewart sniped Borg for 48 with a brilliant caught and bowled.
That commenced an MKM lower-order collapse, losing their last five wickets for 14 runs as Beaufort Red earned arguably their biggest victory of the season.
Avoca 9/204 def Colts Phelans 8/193
Another classic between Avoca and Colts Phelans concluded with the same result, as the Bulldogs maintain their unblemished record with an 11-run triumph.
After winning the toss and electing to bat first, opener Jedd Gay, superstar all-rounder Glen Cosgriff and wicketkeeper William Levick all scored 35 or more, allowing Avoca to set a lofty total of 9/204.
The Colts’ target could’ve been extra challenging if it wasn’t for Grant Rogers taking 4/40.
With a formidable gauntlet set, the Colts’ top four all got off to encouraging starts, but the Bulldogs’ bowling attack continued to bite through opposing batters.
That wasn’t the case with Luke Patterson and Aaron Balzan, who cashed in their impressive starts as they pushed to hand the Bulldogs their first loss since returning to senior cricket.
In the nick of time, Cameron Holland completed a captain’s rescue for Avoca by dismissing Patterson for 43 and Balzan for 54, a double blow the Colts couldn’t recover from as they finished on 8/193.
Clunes 6/186 def Laanecoorie Dunolly 122
Clunes opener Mark Jenkin continues to bat his name into cricketer of the year discussions, starring in Clunes’ fifth win of the season.
Despite only playing in six matches, Jenkin leads the competition with 255 runs at an average of 42.5 after scoring a season-high 84 on Saturday.
Adam Clark also finished with a campaign peak of 51 not out to support Jenkin in guiding the Magpies to finish on 6/186.
Jayden McDonald starred with the ball for Laanecoorie Dunolly, taking 3/18 to keep his team in contention.
Keen to keep pace with ladder-leaders Avoca, the Magpies pecked their way through Laane’s lineup thanks to some early spells from Brad Stevenson and Brendan Ingram.
Callum Liddicoat and Josh Britten attempted to mount a comeback for the visitors, but Clark delivered the dagger by bowling Liddicoat for 49 before Duke Twentyman ended the match by dismissing Britten for 29 via LBW.
Carisbrook 150 def Beaufort Blue 118
An outstanding 81 from Brad Thompson has powered Carisbrook past Beaufort Blue and into the finals race, now trailing the top four by just six points.
When Thompson walked towards the wicket in the first innings, Carisbrook were in serious trouble at 3/19 with Lachlan Lee taking two early wickets.
After starting well, Thompson fully flourished during a 74-run partnership alongside Jarryd Coghlan, hitting six fours and two maximums during a stunning knock.
Thompson’s heroics came to an end at the hands of Ben Woolidge, taking his second five-wicket haul against Carisbrook this season to limit the hosts to 150.
Beaufort Blue’s response began well, with openers Noah Scofield and Brady Edwards getting off to promising starts.
After Brandyn Eagle and Coghlan got rid of the openers, Joshua Nalder and Brandon Carter ripped through Beaufort Blue’s middle order, bowling the visitors out in the 27th over.
Malcolm Woolley was impressive in defeat, finishing unbeaten on 32.
Round 12
It’s hard to picture a round as hotly contested as round 11, but this weekend’s buffet of fixtures could be as choc-filled with excitement.
Arguably the most intriguing of the scheduled matches is Beaufort Red hosting Clunes. While the hosts look to cement their newfound finals places, the reigning premiers can create a valuable buffer to their fellow finals contenders if they rectify their round nine defeat to Beaufort Red.
After over a month on the sidelines, Maryborough will make their long-awaited return versus MKM, as both teams can be in the finals places with a win or lose ground in the top four with a defeat.
With second playing third and fourth battling fifth, Carisbrook are poised to gain noticeable ground on their fellow finals contenders if they defeat Laanecoorie Dunolly away from home.
Beaufort Blue will attempt to do something no other team has done this season when they play Avoca at Goldfields Recreation Reserve.