By Damian Ford
The push for finals is well and truly here for Montrose Cricket Club. The seniors had to endure a scorching 38 forecast for week one of this two day game. The toss was always going to be important and we were lucky to have all sides batting week one.
The highlight of this round was from young gun Josh McCallum. Opening the batting for the second XI and dominating the Kilsyth attack from ball one. In the 37 degree heat Josh showed immense fitness, patience and skill to blast the Kilsyth bowlers everywhere scoring an unbelievable 166 off 203 balls only being dismissed pushing the run rate along at the end and was out in the 79th over. The impressive individual score guided the teams total to 7/344 off 80 overs. Josh backed up week one with an outstanding bowling performance getting 3/22 off 12 overs, helping the team bowl out Kilsyth for 158. The Second XI continue their good form and sit a top the ladder with three rounds to go.
The First XI had a dominating win over East Ringwood. Batting first and being in a little trouble at 3/30 they fought back but then found ourselves 5/122 when Andrew Keane ran himself out. Kieran Perkins continued his good form before being caught behind for 49 and the team 6/147 in the 59th over. A counter attacking innings from Captain Matt Whittaker 45 off 53 balls helped the teams total to 7/214 leaving Juddy Perkins 50* and Cooper Grigg 22* to score 44 off the last 34 balls to put the team into a strong position and finish 7/258. Knowing we had to bowl well we started off on the right foot with a wicket in the second over 1/1. East Ringwood couldn’t build any momentum with the bat and that was due to the continued pressure we put on with the ball ultimately bowling East Ringwood out for 128. Pick of the bowlers Jake Motteram 3/17 & Alfie Cooper 3/39. Equal second with 3 big matches to come.
The Third XI dominated Mooroolbark second XI. Scoring an impressive 9/343 week one with Nathan Rees 85, Matt Gardner 64 and Charlie Smith 61 the picks with the bat. Mooroolbark finished day one 1/6 and had their work cut out. Day two we got wickets early and that didn’t allow Mooroolbark to make a dent into the massive 343 outside one partnership of 83 the bowlers did an amazing job bowling them out for 154. Pick of the bowlers Charlie Smith 4/64 and Harry Nyhuis 3/32. The thirds go 4th with three tough games to go.
The Forth XI had a dominating win over at Heathmont Baptist, bowling first and keeping them to 185 the team in reply pasted them 1 down in the 33rd over. Will Newey scoring an unbeaten 107 and was well supported by Aaron Brooks 47*. Finals still a chance for the 4s with a couple big names to come back into the side expect a late charge from this team.
5s, 6s and women’s all had losses but some great individual performances Steve Kost 36, Mitch Felstead 37, Keltie Blake 27* and Grace Pearce 33 and 2/30. The women’s team are in finals contention and have a big few weeks to go.
Woolworths Blaster starts back Friday 3 Feb at Montrose Reserve so even if you’re child hasn’t had a go there is still fove sessions to give it a go. Contact the club for more information.
