HOW DO WE GET HIM OUT?: Whorouly/Gapsted skipper Luke O’Keefe flicks another to the on side on his way to an unbeaten century on Saturday. PHOTO: Cheryl Browne

O’Keefe scores unbeaten hundred, guiding Maroons to massive total

Written by JEREMY WILSON.

WHOROULY/Gapsted has done its best to avoid the battle for the final two remaining spots in the finals by producing a commanding batting display on day one of its clash with the Wangaratta Magpies on Saturday.

Led by captain Luke O’Keefe, who made a majestic unbeaten century, the Maroons hit back after last week’s loss to top side Bruck by posting a massive 8/293 at the Norm Minns Oval.

O’Keefe smashed 119 and took his season tally to 295 runs at 36.9, and now seems to be finding form at the right time of the year as he also smacked 75 against Greta two weeks ago.

It was a long awaited century for the skipper after he posted six half centuries last season but failed to convert any into three figures.

O’Keefe didn’t do it all on his own, however, with team-mates Paul Neary (41), Matt Kelly (31), Scott Pell (31) and Sam Nicol (28) all pitching in as the Maroons made a mockery of the Magpies’ decision to bowl first.

With heavy rain making life difficult for local curators, the Magpies’ decision to bowl first came as no surprise.

However, while the Magpies thought they would be in with a shot at knocking Whorouly/Gapsted over for a smallish total, they were mistaken as opening pair Scott Pell and Josh Newton knuckled down.

The pair saw off the new ball and it wasn’t until Simon Patterson claimed a return catch off Pell with the score on 49 that the Magpies had their first wicket.

Newton fell three runs later, also to Patterson, however, this didn’t stop the Maroons’ scoring rate as O’Keefe and Lakpriya Perera teamed together.