By Damian Ford
As the cricket season enters its second month, the Montrose Cricket Club is making its presence felt with commendable performances across various competitions. This season, the club proudly boasts two senior women’s teams participating in the RDCA women’s competition, a milestone achievement. The camaraderie among players in these teams is evident, and their enthusiasm is infectious.
For the men’s teams, the first XI and second XI have shown resilience throughout October, securing two wins and suffering a single loss. The adverse weather conditions and player availability challenges in the early part of the month did little to deter their spirit. The foundation laid by both teams is undeniably positive. Meanwhile, the other senior teams, the 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th XIs, have all begun their campaigns on a strong note. The 3rd and 5th XIs each clinched a significant victory, while the 4th and 6th XIs remain undefeated.
In the latest fixtures, the first XI faced off against North Ringwood at their home ground. Opting to bat first, Montrose set a target of 231 runs, with Liam Storm impressively notching his maiden century, supported by Shane Findlay’s 56 runs. Defending the target was a challenging task, but effective early bowling from Cheyne van Koll and Oscar McCallum and a critical breakthrough by English import Ben Clilverd set the tone for Montrose’s 31-run victory.
The second XI, competing in the Newey Plate this season, displayed their bowling prowess against Croydon North, dismissing the opposition for 196 runs. Cam Storm and Jake Motteram starred with five and four wickets respectively. Montrose comfortably chased down the total with standout performances from Bailey O’Neil, Connor Ratcliffe, and Mitch O’Neil
Unfortunately, the 3rd XI faced a daunting chase of 300 runs and fell short, with captain Javier Mastronardi’s valiant 84-run effort. Their innings concluded at 234 runs.
The 4th XI’s match against Wonga Park turned into a run-fest, with Montrose setting a club record by finishing at 6/480 runs, led by Damian Ford’s unbeaten 155 and Brad Felstead’s 58 not out. In response, Wonga Park put up a spirited fight, accumulating 408 runs, resulting in a remarkable 888 runs scored across 150 overs
The 5th and 6th XIs celebrated victories as the 5th XI successfully chased down Chirnside Park’s 211 with standout performances from Aaron Brooks 100* and Steele Gardam 2/21. The 6th XI had a dominant bowling display, restricting Kilsyth to a mere 75 runs and swiftly achieving victory in the 17th over.
In women’s cricket, the first XI received a forfeit from their opponents this week, while the second XI put up a spirited effort but narrowly lost to Mooroolbark.
The junior talent at Montrose Cricket Club is also shining brightly, with impressive performances from Jacob Coutts, Chase Gardam, Lincoln Walker, Ben Kost, and Zane Smart in the first month of the season.
For those interested in joining the club’s Junior Blasters, sessions will commence on Friday 10 November, at Montrose Reserve. For more information, contact the club through their social media pages or reach out to Nick Vallance at 0412 188 542. The Montrose Cricket Club is off to a promising start, and the season ahead looks bright.
