LIAM PHILLIPS
TRINITY Old Scholars will need to perform wonders with the ball if it is to snatch an unlikely victory in its Adelaide Turf A1 cricket match against Marion, after posting a lowly 115-run total on day one over the weekend.
The match was much-anticipated between the sides, who were both promoted to the top tier after the TOSers beat the Rams in last summer’s A2 grand final.
After a respectable opening partnership of 41 on Saturday, neither player-coach Ali Forwood (26) nor Shaun Lay (23) could go on with the job, paving the way for a middle-order collapse.
Batsmen three through eight combined for just 27 runs as the Marion bowling attack, spearheaded by Christopher Geddie, ripped through the Trinity line-up.
Only a spirited 24 from bowler Jace O’Hara salvaged a triple figure score, but with the Rams reaching 4/71 at stumps, on the back of a strong 44 from opener Steven McAllister, Trinity will need some luck to go its way if it is to pinch victory.
In B1, Trinity posted a competitive 198 runs batting first, despite some batting woes through the middle order.
The TOSers looked to be on their way to building a commanding lead against Grange after reaching 3/100, before a collapse saw them lose 4/9 and put the heat on the lower order.
However, the tail well and truly wagged, with a rock solid and potentially match-winning partnership from bowlers Brad Matters (57) and Tom Jones (25 not out) getting the team to a handy total.
In LO4, a 50-run knock from Trinity opener Jacob Snook and an unbeaten 64 from Harrison Varley paved the way for a 43-run win.
The TOSers made 5/151 batting first, before restricting Pooraka to 9/108 in reply.
