By Ronen Erulkar
This weekend greeted Lilydale Cricket players to some decent weather across the club for juniors and seniors.
They kicked off with our junior blasters, U10s, U12s and U18s on Friday night.
The blasters program is growing with each session and the kids are all loving the sessions. If you are interested in joining please get in touch with the club (details on our website).
Both the U10s teams got a full game in, with team 1 playing against Chirnside Park at the Gateway, and team 2 playing against Croydon North at Hughes Park.
The U12-4s team took on Mount Evelyn away, with Lilydale finishing at 4/72 compared to Mount Evelyn on 5/113.
The U18s team had a tough night, being bowled out for 66 and the opposition passing us comfortably, finishing 6/69. Liam Hartigan took 2/10, Tom Smith took 2/13 and Joel Tennant took 2/28.
Come Saturday, the U16s team and all 6 senior teams took the field.
The U16-3s team bowled Blackburn out for 128 with Angus Smith taking 2/9 and Braeden Anthony-Digby taking 2/12, being the pick of the bowlers. In reply, the team is sitting at 0/12 with the entire day to bat next week.
In the 6th XI, the team comfortably beat St Andrews at Gruyere Recreation Reserve – with the scores being 7/134 compared to 10/97. The best players for Lilydale were Cooper Doughty (3/13 and 32), Luke Spencer (2/17), Anthony Cliff (2/17), Jeremy Cliff (39).
The 5th XI had a tough day against Mooroolbark at the Kinley Estate Oval, with Lilydale finishing 8/183 (Jeremy Linton 42, Brayden Neilson 38, Angus Smith 32) compared to the opposition scoring 2/190.
The 4th XI remain undefeated after four games, after a nail biting one wicket win against North Ringwood at the Gateway Reserve. Bowling first, the opposition made 126 from their 35 overs – with Daniel Barker and Sriram Sridharan both taking 2/11. In reply, Lilydale were held up by our captain Daniel Barker making 68 to get us over the line in a nail biter – scoring 9/127 off 29 overs to take the win.
The 3rd XI took on Wandin at Wandin North Reserve. The opponents compiled 8/198 (Matt Goss 3/11 and Bailey Gray 2/31) from their 35 overs, and in reply Lilydale could only manage 7/149, with our captain Matt Goss top scoring with 42.
The Second XI are half way through a two day game against Warranwood at Quambee Reserve. Bowling first on a great surface, Lilydale bowled the opposition out for 157 – with young leg spinner Daniel Coutts taking brilliant 6/31 off 18 overs. He was well supported by Nick Hunter who took 3/20. In reply, we are currently 0/19 with 80 overs to bat next week.
On a big day for the club, the First XI took on Norwood at Lilydale Recreation Reserve – compiling a total of 246. The top scorers were Angus Adamson (66), Quinton Hodgkinson (38), Shifran Muthalf (38) and Mitch Ebeyer (34). Next week will see us needing to defend this total to take the 8 points and cement our spot on top of the ladder.
Following the day’s play, the club held its annual President’s Dinner and Premiership Reunion function at the clubrooms – which saw Solomon Erulkar inducted as the club’s newest life member. The club also celebrated four premierships (1977/78 4th XI – G Grade; 2012/13 5th XI – K Grade; 2002/03 First XI – Chandler Shield and 2017/18 First XI – Trollope Shield).
On Sunday, the stage 1 girls team took the field against Mooroolbark at Lilydale Recreation Reserve – having their first win of the season. The scores were 5/112 compared to 3/99. Lacey Doughty top scored with 17 and Evie Bayliss taking 1/14.
