Brown Hill paceman Matthew McMahon powers his way to a 12-wicket haul against Mt Clear
MATT McMahon produced a stunning performance to bowl Brown Hill to a crushing win over Mt Clear in Ballarat Cricket Association firsts at the Western Oval on Saturday.
A tireless McMahon claimed 12 wickets in a day as Brown Hill had a 119-run first innings victory and went within three wickets of getting outright points.
Brown Hill went into day two of the second round clash in a powerful position after making 7-244, but not in its wildest dreams did it expect to demolish Mt Clear as it did.
McMahon took 6-37 off an uninterrupted spell of 17.5 overs to have Mt Clear out for 92 before afternoon tea.
The Bulls had no hesitation enforcing the follow-on.
McMahon, who picked up 13 wickets in a game against Ballarat-Redan last season, continued on from where he left with two wickets in his opening two overs of the second innings.
Brown Hill appeared set to dismiss Mt Clear again as McMahon remained on song to have the visitors 6-45.
It took a an unbeaten stand of 80 by Simon Feros, 52 (9 fours), and Steve Nicholson, 28, to stop the rot and finally halt McMahon in his tracks at 6-22 off 17 overs for match figures of 12-59.
Mt Clear was not helped by the absence of captain Lincoln Blake, which forced it to bat one short.
Brown Hill captain Jason Knowles said the win was a massive result for the Bulls – even though he missed a large part of the day’s play after having his two front teeth broken in a freak incident in Mt Clear’s first innings.
He said the magnitude of the performance had been beyond expectations, but just what they needed to give their season some momentum after losing first-up.
Knowles was hit in the mouth by the ball during a celebration by McMahon and spent a large part of the afternoon at the dentist having his teeth repaired.
Brown Hill now faces unbeaten reigning premier Wendouree.