Sport
13 March, 2026
Finals preview set for grandstand conclusion
If day one is anything to go by, expect the unexpected as Laanecoorie Dunolly and Colts Phelans resume their titanic clash tomorrow.
While it isn’t surprising to see another clash between these familiar foes once again go down to the wire after splitting two thrilling one-day classics earlier in the regular season, what is unexpected is how we got to this point.
Laanecoorie Dunolly looked to have the game in their grasp after just 53 overs, bowling the reigning premiers for their lowest first innings score since October 14, 2023, in a T20 affair with Laane.
After a not-ideal but manageable start marshalled by Tarkyn Balzan and Asim Akhtar, the Colts collapsed from 4/97 to all out for 101 under the weight of another four-wicket haul by Amar Ullah.
Since joining the squad for the second half of the season, Ullah has immediately become a key contributor for the one-day premiers, with 13 wickets in just five matches.
While Ullah was awarded with the wickets, the entire Laane bowling attack deserves praise for their first innings efforts, with seamers Josh Fitzpatrick and Joe Lovel having an economy rate below three while Ullah, Alex Cook and Sam Bartlett were in the ones.
Laane looked poised to carry that destructive display into a cruisy run chase which would end with them clinching the finals top seed.
That all drastically changed in the matter of 22 overs, as Colts quick Nick Henderson rampaged through a talented top-order with four wickets to leave Laane shellshocked at 5/33.
Cometh the hour when his Colts looked down and out, cometh Henderson, who is having another outstanding season. Entering this match fourth on the competition’s wicket-taking charts with an outstanding average of 13.25, Henderson now has an eye-popping 28 wickets this season and will be thirsty for more this Saturday.
Still requiring 69 runs with just five wickets remaining, Laane can ill-afford to divert all their attention to slowing Henderson, well aware of the other weapons the Colts possess.
Heading into the final round, Henderson, Akhtar and Ben Evans were all a part of the top six wicket-takers in A grade, all taking 20 wickets or more.
With over 200 A grade wickets to his name, Dayne Baker remains a threat to any batting order, while Jack Gallimore and Josh Collinson can also contribute when called
upon.
Against the Colts' attack, very few teams would be able to escape the hole Laane finds themselves in heading into day two. However, the hosts boast several talented bats who could still vault them past their old rivals.
After belting a season-best 93 versus the Colts in round eight, Melbourne County Week hero Sam Bartlett will resume the innings alongside Alex Cook, who scored 431 runs in his debut campaign with Laane last season.
If they falter, tricky left-handers Matt Smith and Ullah can be
called upon following their 113-run partnership together against Beaufort.