By Lachie Keyhoe
The wash up from the week’s results saw the three senior teams that played all win. With the threat of rain around, urgency was the key for our teams. Ethan Alderman in our 3rd XI was keen to beat the rain. Opening the bowling on day two and Mount Evelyn resuming at 1/24 overnight, Ethan got a Hattrick in the first over of the day (bowled, LBW, Bowled), Mount Evelyn were going to find it tough from that point on chasing 317. Mount Evelyn strung a few partnerships together until it was time for Ethan to come back on where he almost got his second hattrick of the day, getting another 3 wickets in the space of 4 balls and then wrapping the tail up an over later to finish the day with 7/35 from his 12 overs and the team bowled Mount Evelyn out for 150 to secure our first win for the season.
The 1st XI with 245 on the board knew they had to bowl well in tough conditions to restrict a very strong Wantirna Sth batting line up. We started well with 2 wickets in the first 10 overs. With their best batsmen at the crease this partnership was critical to break and just before the drinks break “The Jud” caught the edge of the Wantirna Sth captain Cameron Smith’s bat to have Wantirna Sth 3/40 at 20 overs. After a few minor partnerships Wantirna Sth found themselves within touching distance at 6/172 until Cooper Grigg changed the game with a runout at the non-strikers end to Run Nick McDonald out to take the score to 7/172. We wrapped up the last 4 wickets up for 8 runs and a great all-round bowling performance bowling Wantirna Sth out for 178. The 1st XI now sits second on the ladder with an inform Ainslie Park at Home next weekend.
The 2nd XI just had to bat overs and they would chase down the 129 set by Wantirna Sth. Hayden Daniell (34*) & Lincoln Grigg (6*) resume with the team 3/54. The boys made light work of the run chase with Hayden Daniell hitting them to all parts getting 100 off 115 balls and passing Wantirna Sth 3 down. We declared and had another bowl. Starting well we had Wantirna Sth 2/0 after 2 overs and the outright result looked a chance. To Wantirna Sth credit they dug deep and kept us at arms length until the match was finished. The 2nd XI stays top and are undefeated.
The Juniors had mixed results but the stand out performances were Jasper Black 43 in our under 12/3. Lincoln Walker 59* in the under 14/3. Aden Bates 67 & Zane Smart 3/23 in our under 16/2.
We have two juniors representing the RDCA in the upcoming rep tournaments over the Christmas break. Lincoln Walker in the under 14 Des Nolan Team & Riley Logan in the under 16 Keith Mackay Team. We wish those boys all the best.
