Sport
21 October, 2025
Colts chase 216 to defeat neighbours Maryborough
Colts Phelans recovered from an early batting collapse to chase down Maryborough’s impressive total of 215 with 13 balls to spare.
Strong contributions from Mitch McClure and Martin Dell, coupled with some late hitting by Jason Hunt, allowed the Owls to lay down a tricky gauntlet for the Colts.
Josh Collinson, Tarkyn Balzan and Asim Akhtar rose to the challenge for the hosts, with Collinson scoring 86, allowing Balzan (67 not out) and Akhtar (35 not out) to finish the run chase.
Maryborough elected to bat after winning the toss, allowing Ben Hoban and Oliver Bennett the chance to replicate their 128-run opening partnership from their clash with Carisbrook.
Jack Gallimore had other ideas for the Colts, quickly sending Bennett back to the pavilion for three with a caught and bowled to put the Owls in immediate danger at 1/13.
Maryborough batted their way out of that danger thanks to Hoban and McClure, slowly drawing back on level footing after an early stumble.
After missing their season-opening win against Beaufort, 2024/25 A grade Grand Final Man of the Match Ben Evans returned to the Colts on Saturday and made an instant impact.
First, he hit Hoban’s stumps to end the opener’s innings at 25. Shortly thereafter, Evans ended another powerful performance from McClure at 47 by catching a high top edge caused by his own bowling to put Maryborough at 3/89.
The new partnership of Alex Burrow and Liam Radlof looked threatening after scoring 27 runs, but a double breakthrough for the Colts put them in the driver’s seat.
Collinson sent Burrow packing for 19 thanks to a sharp catch from wicketkeeper Luke Tatchell before Nick Henderson started a new spell by bowling Radlof for 17.
With the Owls suddenly at 5/124, some late runs was needed to build a more defendable total against the reigning A grade premiers.
Dell and Hunt were the right partnership for the job, combining to add a valuable 63 runs before Akhtar knocked Dell’s castle after a well-made 38.
Even with Elliot Ashburn run out for a duck, a late flourish from Hunt brought Maryborough to 7/215 at the end of 40 overs, with Hunt reaching his half century to top-score with an unbeaten 54 while Troy Bursill added three.
Evans led a Colts bowling attack that had five different wicket takers, finishing with figures of 2/37 from eight overs.
With captain Rhys Wagstaff not part of the squad, Evans joined Adbaar Ishaq to open the Colts’ run chase.
Evans’ stay at the crease was short-lived thanks to an early breakthrough from Hunt, dismissing Evans when he was caught by Ashburn for three.
With the Colts under early distress at 1/3, Collinson wasted no time looking for runs.
However, Maryborough were on top after Burrow removed Ishaq for nine with a catch from Bursill behind the stumps.
Entering at a critical juncture of the match, Balzan showed composure and confidence alongside Collinson, with the pair quickly chipping away at the Owls’ total.
Maryborough tried everything, including Ashburn, Burrow, Hoban, Jasper Trickey and Kristopher Bagley to generate a wicket, but Balzan and Collinson seemed mostly unfazed on their way to recording a 132-run partnership.
Dell finally gave the Owls an opening by ending a brilliant knock from Collinson at 86 when he was caught by Trickey.
Even with Collinson’s departure, the Colts steamed forward with Balzan joined by Akhtar.
Despite Maryborough’s best efforts to stem the tide, the new pairing powered the hosts past the target, giving the Colts a statement win against their neighbours.
In his second innings back at the club, Balzan was in excellent touch on his way to scoring 67, while Akhtar had another impressive cameo with the bat, scoring 35.
Hunt (1/25), Dell (1/41) and Burrow (1/44) took the wickets for Maryborough in an encouraging performance even in defeat.