Cricket endured a tough week with the tragic passing of Ben Austin this week, so it was up to cricketers across the nation to honour him in the best way possible, by enjoying the game and the contest that cricket brings.
After saluting with their first victory of the season last week, the Community Bank – Mt Evelyn First XI found the going tough against Wonga Park in their Round Four clash at Gary Martin Oval. Captain Campbell Mole would quickly elect to bat upon winning the toss in glorious batting conditions. Unfortunately for the Mounters, the innings would struggle to take flight right from the beginning.
Three early wickets had the innings teetering as openers Smith and Mole were back in the sheds, with the inform Giblin following soon after. Jake Blackwell would do his best to stem the flow, and with a stoic knock from Alex Brisbane-Flynn, the pair would put on a useful partnership of 42 to regain some footing in the contest, and somewhat of a platform to build on.
The Mounters couldn’t capitalise and with Blackwell falling for a well made half century, the rest of the batting line up would fall relatively cheaply under the relentless pressure of a disciplined Wonga attack and the steady flow of wickets. Eventually the Mt Evelyn innings would be closed for a disappointing 135 on a ground where 200 is a must for any chance of victory.
Club debutant Callum Dooley would make the early breakthrough to give the home side a glimmer of hope of reversing the momentum, but with little pressure with the required run rate, the Wonga bats were able to absorb any tight bowling ensuring they could capitalise on the occasional loose bowling with little risk. The visitors would cruise to victory with eight wickets in hand and plenty of overs left unused.
Despite the early position of the season, the loss puts some pressure on an inconsistent line up. Wins will prove pivotal at both ends of the ladder this season, and one win from four games leaves the team in catch up mode.
The Professionals Outer East Second XI had their first hiccup of the season falling on the road to Bayswater Park. The Second XI have enjoyed an impressive start to the season reeling off three victories on the trot with steady contributions with bat and ball from a variety of members of the team.
The visitors would elect to bat first, and made a steady start against some tight bowling. Luke Jones and Luke Shepherd would be the mainstays of the top order as they would guide their team to a strong position at the halfway mark sitting at 1/72. Not huge total runs wise, but with key wickets in hand, the ability to ramp up the run rate was well and truly on the cards. Jones would lose his wicket soon upon resumption for 37, and from there the Mounters would lose regular wickets chasing quick runs.
Shepherd (32), Brad Jones (26) and Luke Paterson (31) would add valuable middle order runs, but none could last long enough for the team to challenge a score of 200. After their allotted overs, the Mounters would post a score of 8/174, a competitive total, but one that would take an excellent bowling performance and regular wickets, to defend.
The Sharks bats would have no thoughts of opening the door for the Mounters as they approached the chase with poise and skill navigating periods of good bowling and dispatching the poor deliveries along the way. Much like the First XI game, the Sharks would chase the total with relative ease, reaching the total with eight wickets in hand and nearly five overs to spare.
The loss won’t trigger panic stations for the Second XI, but it is a timely reminder that no victory is guaranteed, and with the Beatty Shield competition looking poised to be a tight run affair, the team needs to be near their best each week with bat and ball if they are to salute.
The Rhead Group Third XI posted their third win on the trot with an impressive display at Gruyere against Kilsyth. Kilsyth would open the contest with the bat, and would steadily accumulate the runs. In a quick dash, Daniel Meades would make the most of his stint with the ball, taking 2/36, and that would ensure that the Mounters would start on the right foot. Captain Graeme Foster would keep things in check through the middle taking 3/27, however the Redbacks would consistently put runs on the board to post a more than useful 7/193. A total that could prove to be tricky if wickets fell.
Mt Evelyn openers Campbell Finch and Kadyn Newport, assisted by some erratic bowling from the visitors, would quickly take away any thoughts of a Redbacks victory. Both would post spritely half centuries in a positive 114 run partnership that would have the visitors devoid of answers. The only blip on the innings would be the fact that neither Finch nor Newport would be there when the Mounters clinched victory. Jamie Shaw would make sure that there would be no wobbles when the openers departed as he would blast an unbeaten 39 off 24 deliveries to see the home team to victory with eight wickets in hand and over ten overs still to bat.
The victory, a third on the trot, has the Third XI well positioned on the ladder inside the top four after four rounds. If they can secure a few more wins and consolidate their line up over the next few rounds, they will be well set for a finals run when the whips start cracking.
A new look Hop Hen Brewing Fourth XI had the task ahead of them travelling to Wonga Park to take on an inform Wonga without many of their regulars. The hosts would win the toss and bat and what would ensue was an old fashioned arm wrestle between bat and ball. The Wonga Park openers would be diligent against some tight bowling and would steadily tick the scoreboard over.
It would take until the 15th over for the Mounters to secure their first wicket, but with the run rate in control, they were able to turn the screws. Regular wickets would fall after the drinks break with the highlight being Toby Kenin’s first senior wicket courtesy of a smart catch from his dad, and captain, Craig. Wonga Park were able to keep the runs ticking over and when their allotted overs ended, they had posted a competitive 5/186. A total that would take some chasing from a new look batting line up.
Alastair Churchill would ensure the Mounters would always be ahead of the chase. Churchill would feast on some short bowling to post a quick fire 51 off 24 balls featuring three fours and six sixes. His wicket would put a dint in proceedings for the Mounters and with regular wickets, the innings would be teetering at 5/101, a cliff edge of sorts for the visitors. Craig Steele would show all his skill and guile, whilst Mason Jones would put together his best performance with the bat for Mt Evelyn, as they would navigate ‘the wobble’, then power away as the end of the innings drew near. The pair would put together an unflappable unbeaten partnership of 91 runs to completely turn the momentum of the game. Steele would end with a run a ball 63, whilst Jones would finish on 20. The partnership secured a hard fought five wicket victory.
In what could’ve been a danger game, the Fourth XI have secured two wins on the trot, and with a strengthened line up for Round Five, they will be ready for the challenge of an undefeated St Andrews.
The Lilydale Tyres Fifth XI had a game to forget as they hosted a ruthless Boronia outfit. The Hawks would come out of the game quickly, and were dismissive of the Mt Evelyn attack plundering a huge total of 7/358. Not much can be said of an innings that travelled at nearly ten an over. The Mt Evelyn bowlers had little chance against a brutal batting line up and the small surrounds of the postage stamp.
The hosts had just as much difficulty with the bat as they lost wickets consistently to be bundled out for 93 inside 30 overs. The Fifth XI will be well advised to put this one in the rear view mirror quickly and move onto the challenge of facing Lusatia Park next round in a crucial clash for top four standings.
The Flowtec Sixth XI put their feet up over the weekend courtesy of the long weekend break. They will be keen to return to the field with wins at a premium to kick start their season.
The RDCA T20 competition kicked off in earnest on Tuesday night with the Mounters travelling to Healesville to rekindle a long rivalry with the Bloods. The young Healesville line up would challenge the Mounters who would have to work right through the game to secure victory. Batting first, the Mounters would compile a steady 6/145 on the back of top order contributions from Mole (50), Brisbane-Flynn (36) and Blackwell (39). Although not a massive total, it was enough for the bowlers to defend as they would dismiss Healesville in the final over for 131. Blackwell would complete a great allround performance taking 3/15, whilst Bohdie Jones’ pace would prove pivotal as he would secure 2/12.
The T20 team will host Monbulk on Wednesday night, endeavouring to secure a second win in the trot.
