Last weekend, Kilsyth Cricket Club’s top four men’s senior teams, as well as the U12-3’s and U16’s, completed two-day matches whilst the Women’s First XI, Fifth XI, U14’s and U12-6 team played one-day games. A highlight in the seniors was Will Beard’s innings of 59 not out off 184 balls for the Men’s First XI, steering the team to victory by one wicket in a tense finish. Furthermore, in the Under 16s, Will scored his second junior century of the season, retiring on 100 not out against Koonung Heights. Avanthi Jayawickrema top-scored for the Women’s First XI with 81 not out (15 fours), and shared an unbroken women’s Club record sixth wicket partnership of 140 with Tegan Unternahrer. In the Under 12s, Zion Solomons was also in brilliant form, scoring 83 not out. The Third XI’s Mark Unternahrer took the bowling honours with 4/22 off 11 overs.
The First XI were at home on Alan Smith Oval, Pinks Reserve against Warranwood in the Wilkins Cup competition. On day two, Kilsyth resumed on 5/76 off 27 overs chasing Warranwood’s score of 193. Runs were difficult to come by with Warranwood’s tight bowling restricting the scoring. The sixth wicket fell on 90 in the 37th over when night watchman Lahiru Randeepa was caught behind by Xavier Farrell off fast bowler Jake Gilbert for an important 1 off 59 balls. At the drinks break, Kilsyth had crept to 6/115 after 45 overs, with Will Beard on 19 not out and Sagar Ahir 17 not out. After drinks, they continued on, eventually adding 55 for the 7th wicket, the highest partnership of the entire match. At this point, Sagar Ahir was brilliantly stumped by Xavier Farrell for 26 from 48 balls (4 fours and 1 six), off opening bowler Cody Marshall. The Redbacks were now 7/145 off 54 overs with Will Beard on 36 not out. Beard brought up his 50 off 164 balls and was slowly but surely inching Kilsyth closer to the target. Soon after, the 8th wicket fell on 168 in the 69th over. Isuru Umesh had contributed a valuable 8 off 42 balls (1 four), before being caught behind by Xavier Farrell off Jake Gilbert. Then another wicket, LBW to medium pacer Glyn James and Kilsyth were 9/175, needing another 19 runs to win for the last wicket. New batsman Nuwan Sampath batted well in the circumstances and the score reached 9/184 after 74 overs with Sampath on 5*. Then on the second ball of the next over, Gilbert had Sampath well caught in the slips but the umpire had called a foot no ball and Sampath survived. Then, on the last ball of the same over, Sampath struck a boundary and Kilsyth were now 9/189 off 75 overs. In the following over, Will Beard cut a boundary off the fourth ball to level the scores on 193. Then Sampath struck the last ball of the 77th over towards the midwicket boundary and the batsmen ran one to give Kilsyth victory by one wicket in an incredible game of cricket. Will Beard finished on 59 not out off 184 balls (7 fours), and Nuwan Sampath 10 not out off 19 balls (1 four). For Warranwood, Captain Jake Gilbert bowled his heart out, delivering 28 overs of blistering pace, 8 maidens, and taking 4/79, well supported by Cody Marshall, 14 overs (2 maidens) 3/51, and Glyn James 23 overs (8 maidens) 2/43. Spinner Robert Sayer also bowled with great economy to keep the pressure on, sending down 8 overs and yielding only 5 runs with 6 maidens.
The Second XI resumed their match against Warranwood at Quambee Reserve, Number 1 Oval after amassing 4/287 on day one. Warranwood batted all day to finish on 4/289 off 74.5 overs and claim the win. Mark Farrell played a masterly innings of 129 not out off 227 balls (13 fours), and received good support from Captain Daniel Turner, who scored 40 off 33 balls (8 fours), Nathan Lingwood 40 off 81 balls (4 fours), Lachie Pitt 31 off 58 balls (4 fours), Luke Johnson 21 off 34 balls (3 fours), and Alan Love 17* off 17 balls (1 four and 1 six). Kilsyth had four individual wicket takers, Max Wills 1/25 off 6 overs (2 maidens), Ryan Tooth 1/13 off 2 overs, Tim Asbury 1/36 off 7 overs (1 maiden), and Matthew Youngb1/46 off 14 overs (3 maidens).
The Third XI continued their two-day game against Croydon Ranges at Roy Baldwin Oval, Pinks Reserve. Croydon Ranges resumed on 1/11 off 8 overs chasing Kilsyth’s score of 219. In the 22 nd over, with the score on 38, Matthew Burgess broke through to take the second wicket after Mark Unternahrer took a diving catch at first slip. Then Unternahrer trapped Daniel Moody LBW for 30 off 72 balls (5 fours), and Ranges were 3/49 after 25 overs. Two wickets fell on 61 with the first two balls of Mark Unternahrer’s fourth over, both bowled, to give him 3 wickets in four balls. The sixth wicket fell on 62 when Russell Hutchings took a regulation catch at silly mid-on off Matthew Burgess. Then David Payne, who had scored 27 off 29 balls (6 fours), was bowled by Mark Unternahrer and Croydon Ranges were now 7/76 in the 33rd over. With the score on 98, Tait Harper picked up the 8th and 9th wickets resulting from a good catch by Matt Harper at cover and a sharp catch by Robert Hutchings at short cover. Spinner Matthew Smith claimed the last wicket, stumped by Anthony Cook to see Croydon Ranges all out for 109 of 47 overs. Daniel Gauci remained 18* off 57 balls (3 fours). For Kilsyth, Mark Unternahrer took 4/22 off 11 overs (2 maidens), Matthew Burgess 3/34 off 16 overs (7 maidens), Tait Harper 2/9 off 6 overs (3 maidens), and Matthew Smith 1/11 off 3 overs.
Following the tea break, Kilsyth, with a lead of 110 on the first innings, enforced the follow-on. However, the game was called off after 19 overs with Croydon Ranges 2/63 in their second innings. Ranges’ batsman Joshua Torney was 40* off 43 balls (7 fours). Kilsyth’s Matthew Burgess took 1/8 off 6 overs (4 maidens), and Russell Hutchings achieved a run out with a good throw to ’keeper Anthony Cook.
The Fourth XI continued their split innings two-day match against third-placed Warrandyte at Warrandyte High School. Kilsyth commenced their second split on 5/102 off 36 overs in reply to Warrandyte’s first split of 4/185. However, the Redbacks were all out for 181 in 55.5 overs. Geoff Kennedy scored 32 (3 fours), Mark Sfiligoj scored 31 (5 fours), Ryan Kaal 30 (6 fours), and Greg Gommers 23 (3 fours and 1 six). Cooper Winter captured 3/56 off 15 overs (4 maidens), Harry Marshall 2/37 off 14 overs (2 maidens), Ben Trayford 2/3 off 2.5 overs, and Neil Ganju 1/16 off 4 overs (1 maiden). Warrandyte then continued their innings finishing on 5/289 off 50 overs when the game was called off at the tea break. Tom Ellis scored 40 (7 fours and 1 six), Tim Dixon 38 (6 fours), Sean Dixon 28 (1 four and 4 sixes), Noah Butcher 37 (3 fours), Mark Butcher 96* (10 fours and 3 sixes), and Scott Brimelow 22* (2 fours and 2 sixes). Wicket takers for Kilsyth were Shaun Goodwin 2/38 and Brodie Goodwin 2/69.
The Fifth XI played at home against Templeton at Elizabeth Bridge Reserve. Kilsyth won the toss and elected to bowl. Making their senior debuts were three Under 12 players: Zion Solomons, Aiden Nicoll and Ryder Pahi. Vermont won the toss and elected to bowl with Kilsyth being dismissed for 122 off 27.1 overs. Kilsyth’s main run getters were Ben Nicoll with 29 off 38 balls (4 fours), Shane Smith 20 off 15 balls (4 fours), and Louis Potter 16* off 36 balls (1 four). Vermont’s multiple wicket takers were Nomin Mawaththa 3/6 off 2.1 overs (1 maiden), Ishaan Deshpande, 3/27 off 3 overs, and Maanas Boddu 2/16 off 2 overs. Vermont passed Kilsyth’s score for the loss of one wicket, finishing on 1/127 off 17.5 overs. Quinlan Doddrell top scored with 50 retired not out off 49 balls (4 fours), and Oliver Retchford was 49* off 45 balls (1 four and 2 sixes). Eleven-year-old Zion Solomons opened the bowling and took his first senior wicket (1/27 off 5 overs, 1 maiden).
On Sunday, the Women’s First XI played at home against the undefeated Montrose for the second time this season. Kilsyth were missing the three Gibbs sisters for this match, so it was going to be a challenging assignment. Kilsyth won the toss and elected to bat. In a sensational start, opening bowler Jacinta Goodger-Chandler claimed two wickets with her first two balls of the match (both bowled), to have the Redbacks reeling at 2/0. It was soon 3/10, 4/15 and 5/21 after 5.3 overs with Goodger-Chandler snaring two more wickets (bowled and LBW), and Zara Close one wicket (bowled). This brought Avanthi Jayawickrema to the crease to join Tegan Unternahrer. By drinks, they had taken the score to 5/79 off 18 overs with Jayawickrema 31* off 37 balls and Unternahrer 18* off 40 balls. At the compulsory closure after 36 overs, the score had reached 5/161 and they had shared a Club record unbroken sixth wicket partnership of 140. Avanthi Jayawickrema was 81 not out off 94 balls (14 fours), and Tegan Unternharer 31* off 90 balls (3 fours). Jacinta Goodger-Chandler was the standout bowler, taking 4/6 off 7 overs (2 maidens), and Zara Close took 1/31 off 7 overs (1 maiden).
A 64-run opening partnership off 13.3 overs between Charotte Stevens and Jacinta Goodger-Chandler got Montrose off to a great start before Stevens was bowled by Courtney Anderson for 26 off 47 balls (2 fours). The second wicket fell on 92 in the 22nd over, caught behind by Avanthi Jayawickrema off the bowling of Ashleigh Katoa. It was 3/146 after 29.3 overs when Belinda Hutchings took a good catch running in at cover to dismiss Kaitlyn Kile for 18 off 20 balls (2 fours) from the pace bowling of Georgia Smith. However, Montrose reached 3/162 off 31.3 overs to win the game after Jacinta Goodger-Chandler hit 3 consecutive boundaries to finish on an unlucky 99 not out off 89 balls (15 fours). The single wicket takers for Kilsyth were Georgia Smith 1/13 off 4 overs, Ashleigh Katoa 1/29 off 6 overs, and Courtney Anderson 1/30 off 5 overs. After seven rounds, Kilsyth’s Women’s team are fourth on the B Grade ladder.
On Saturday morning, the Under 16s continued their away match against third-placed Koonung Heights at Hislop Park, Centre Oval, Balwyn North. In reply to Koonung Heights score of 111, Kilsyth resumed their innings on 2/162 off 19 overs with Captain Will Beard on 72 not out. Beard retired on 100 not out off 76 balls (16 fours and 3 sixes), facing only 17 balls to score the additional 28 runs he needed for his century. When Kilsyth declared on 2/224 after 25 overs, Max Wills was 21 not out off 13 balls (5 fours), and Adriaan Van Gent 9 not out off 6 balls (2 fours). The wicket takers for Koonung Heights were Gunvansh Yadav 1/19 and Jack Treloar 1/18. Although Kilsyth forgot to bring a new ball for the second innings, Koonung batted well and finished on 8/279 off 43 overs. Mitchell Crooks followed up his 80 not out in the first innings with a commanding 103*(retired) off 65 balls (19 fours and 2 sixes), and was well supported by Viraaj Satyepriye, 56 off 71 balls (7 fours and 1 six), Cooper Oliver 21 off 18 balls (3 fours and 1 six), and Marcus Christensen 20 off 22 balls (3 fours). For Kilsyth, Tait Harper took 2/10 off 5 overs (1 maiden), Max Wills 2/23 off 8 overs, Hayden Monds 1/12 off 4 overs (1 maiden), Will Beard 1/16 off 5 overs (1 maiden), Louis Potter 1/29, and Adriaan Van Gent 1/44. After six rounds, the Under 16’s are first on the ladder.
The Under 14s, fifth on the ladder, played a one-day home match at Pinks Reserve against third-placed Laburnum. Kilsyth won the toss and elected to bat, compiling 8/97cc off their allotted 25 overs. The top scorers were Tyler Paarman 16 off 25 balls (3 fours), Noah Stirling 14* off 26 balls (1 four), and Liam Johnson 13 off 20 balls (2 fours). Laburnum’s wicket takers were Shahmeer Hassaan, 2/8 off 3 overs, Jacob Dus 2/11 off 2 overs, Aahan Modi 1/4 off 2 overs (1 maiden), Frederick Spink 1/3 off 2 overs, Lachlan McLean 1/3 off 2 overs (1 maiden), and Abhinav Nithish Balaji Manjula 1/14 off 2 overs. Laburnum replied with 7/146 off 23.3 overs, to register a comfortable win. The top scorers were Lachlan McLean 20* (2 fours), Aahan Modi 19* (3 fours), both retired after facing 25 balls each, Shahmeer Hassaan 14 off 15 balls (3 fours), and Sean Orr 13 off 19 balls (2 fours). For Kilsyth, Aiden Nicoll took 2/7 off 3 overs (1 maiden), Gabrial Donley 2/15 off 3 overs, Zack Mellerick 1/14 off 2.3 overs, and Angus Bright 1/14 off 2 overs.
On Friday evening, the Under 12-3 team continued their two-day split innings match against East Ringwood at East Ringwood Reserve. Last week, East Ringwood batted first, compiling 5/71 whilst Kilsyth replied with 3/82 off 23 overs. On Friday, Kilsyth continued batting but lost early wickets to be 8/129. However, the Redbacks rallied to be 8/199 off their allotted 46 overs. Zion “Nick” Solomons was the star batsman scoring a personal best of 83 not out off 71 balls (10 fours and 3 sixes). Other batsmen to reach double figures were Bailey Kennon, 15 not out off 43 balls (1 four), and Tate Lindsay 13 off 46 balls (1 four). Jed Bennell had the best bowling figures for East Ringwood with 3/29 off 4 overs, whilst Harry Kent, 1/7 off 4 overs, Jordan Carratelli 1/16 off 4 overs, and Jack Hasler 1/29 off 5 overs, were the other wicket takers. In reply, East Ringwood finished on 8/170cc with the standout batsmen being Zachary Byrnes, 23 retired not out off 40 balls (3 fours), and James Campbell 20* off 72 balls (2 fours). For Kilsyth, Ryder Pahi captured 2/10 off 4 overs, Isaac Donley 2/11 off 4 overs, Aiden Nicoll 2/12 off 5 overs (1 maiden), Tate Lindsay 1/12 off 6 overs (2 maidens), and Lorenzo Belousoff 1/16 off 4 overs. After the first 5 rounds, the U12-3’s are second on the ladder.
The Under 12-6 team, on top of the ladder, played at home against Heatherdale (third) on Roy Baldwin Oval. Heatherdale won the toss and elected to bat. After 22.5 overs, they were 8/79 (all out). The top scorers were Lachlan Cullen, 19 off 19 balls (3 fours), and T. Sidhi Budhiraja 14 off 28 balls. The four individual wicket takers for Kilsyth were Wesley Bowman, 1/1 off 3 overs (2 maidens), Dylan Ekanayake 1/4 off 3 overs, Axel Gotz 1/10 off 3 overs, Isaac Temple 1/15 off 2.1 overs, and there were four run outs (2 to Jaxon Brodie and 2 to Tex Wells). Despite Kilsyth gaining 4 byes off the last ball of the match and scoring 11 off the last over, the Redbacks lost by 1 run, being 4/78cc after 23 overs. The main run scorers for Kilsyth were Isaac Semple 11 retired not out off 15 balls (1 four), Amarvir Singh Bhatti 9* off 16 balls (1 four), and Harrison Sfiligoj 8* off 11 balls (1 four). For Heatherdale, Preetika Ahuja took 1/10 off 3 overs, and Chloe Bryant 1/10 off 2 overs, with two run outs. In a tight competition, the one-run loss meant that Kilsyth slipped from first to fourth on the 10-team ladder.
