Sport
13 March, 2026
Owls sit 27 runs away from confidence-boosting win
While their victory is all but assured, Maryborough will remain determined to make the most of their finals warm-up against Clunes.
After their depleted bowling attack struggled to begin the two-day season, the Owls' attack looked razor sharp last weekend, bowling the Magpies out for 124 thanks to four-wicket hauls from Elliot Ashburn and Ben Hoban.
Following his blistering start to the season, Ashburn has been a reliable workhorse for Maryborough, shaking off a four-game run without a breakthrough to spearhead nine wickets in his last three matches.
The return of Oliver Cassidy has certainly aided Ashburn, who bowled nearly 60 overs in those three games, leading a new wave of exceptional young talent who have cemented themselves in A grade this season with 15 wickets.
Credit to Clunes, they have remained persistent despite having nothing to gain from this match in the standings.
Mark Allen was brilliant in the first innings, winding back the years to produce a sublime 52 with seven fours and a six.
The Magpies will attempt to channel Allen’s momentum into causing some problems for the Owls' batting attack.
While Ahmed Rehman was exceptional on day one, taking 2/10 from just six overs, the rest of Clunes' bowling attack will be keen to assist his efforts.
After going for 27 runs in three overs on day one, Clunes’ leading wicket-taker Noah Davies will be gunning for wickets tomorrow, while the likes of rising star Brett Coon and Dylan Davies will look to end their seasons on a high note.
Hoban and Liam Radlof will resume Maryborough's innings at 2/98 after a spectacular half-century from Mitch McClure that included eight boundaries, bringing the Owls to the verge of victory.
After shaking a mid-season funk against Carisbrook last week, McClure’s fifty will be a massive confidence-booster for the left-hander as he looks poised to be a key contributor to Maryborough’s finals push.
Players like captain Martin Dell and UK import Alex Burrow would also love to have some time at the crease ahead of next week’s semi-final.