By JARROD POTTER
PAKENHAM Upper/Toomuc opener Ben Spicer gave life to a monumental chase with a sensational 150.
After they were set a mountain to climb by Devon Meadows (8/355), Spicer and the Yabbies (301) started the huge ascent inch by inch.
While 15s, 20s and the like were spread the order, the main scalp Devon Meadows craved was Spicer’s who was beyond brilliant in guiding his side.
Returning to the Yabbies – where he used to play as a junior – has paid off for Spicer, as he batted masterfully and took the classic Bill Lawry approach … opener gets half and the other 10 figure out the rest.
Spicer was in brilliant touch as he knocked the Panthers to all parts of the bowls green which masquerades as Glover Reserve.
His stand with Nick Fairbank (54) brought the Yabbies back into contention at and around the tea break and tandem kept the score ticking along, especially as Spicer’s milestones were rattled off.
Reaching his 150 was pure joy, but was a short-lived celebration as Spicer succumbed soon after to Mick Floyd (4/106) … with 100 runs still left to chase in a gargantuan tally.
“Few things went my way and very happy to score the 100 that I did,” Spicer said.
“Few LBW calls and a missed stumping before tea, but I guess luck was on my side.
“The partnership put us back in the hunt after losing a few early ones … the 100-run stand between us really got us back into the game.”
Reconciling great personal success with team woe isn’t easy, but Spicer remains proud of his efforts and knows the team is heading in the right direction having smashed a massive tally.
“Personally so far it’s been a highlight for me – making 150 doesn’t happen every day – but on a team note, as was said in the rooms afterwards if you make 300 you’re usually going to win the game,” Spicer said.
“We dropped a few catches week one, that probably cost us and if we took a few of those catches we might have been chasing 280, but it wasn’t to be.”
Spicer thinks the competition is fairly even heading into Christmas and the slightest lapse can prove deadly in District.
“Anyone can win the flag obviously, it’s such a close comp with only six teams in it and you have to be at your best week-in, week-out,” Spicer said.
“Have to win 160 overs of cricket every round to survive because you’ve got clubs like Clyde – that are very bowling-potent – and Devon Meadows that can make a big score, even Officer are a danger team that are very good.
“We’re up against it, we’ve got a lot of work to do before, hopefully, finals time but hope we can give it a real good shake up.”
Spicer and the Yabbies sit fourth on the ladder and face Carlisle Park at home this round.
For more on WGCA action over the weekend, grab a copy of this week’s Pakenham Gazette on Wednesday morning.
