Stifling conditions for cricketers across the weekend as temperatures soared into the high 30s and it resulted in a mixed bag of results for the Mt Evelyn teams as most were due to field in difficult conditions.
The Professionals Outer East 2nd XI were the biggest winners on day two of their contest against Croydon Ranges. The Mounters did most of their work last week with that bat, compiling a big score of 6/323 courtesy of great knocks from Mike Mawson (116) and Jamie Bliss (74). The Kookaburras to the challenging total by the horns and quickly had the run rate soaring early on day two. Josh Torney took the attack to the bowlers and with the score at 1/82 in the 13th over, the chase looked more than manageable.
Unfortunately for the visitors, maintaining the momentum would prove difficult. Brad Westaway was brought into the attack and with two quick wickets, including the prized wicket of Torney for 76 off 46 balls the pressure was put back on the batting line up. Darcy Fraser would bowl manfully as well as his experience proved pivotal in keeping things in check. The Kookaburras would play on bravely, continuing to keep the scoreboard ticking over at the required rate, but the falling wickets would prove fatal. David Payne (43) and Finney George (45) would keep the glimmer of hope shining, but a determined Mt Evelyn bowling line up weren’t about to let this golden opportunity slip as they wrapped up the innings for 237, a win of 95 runs.
The Community Bank Mt Evelyn 1st XI had the task ahead of them as they travelled to Warrandyte for day two of action. At stumps last week, the home side had wrestled themselves to 0/32 in pursuit of 192 for victory. The arm wrestle would continue into day two as some probing bowling from the Mounters would be matched by some stout defence from the Bloods. Bohdie Jones would get an early breakthrough with the wicket of Isaac Rakuscek with the score on 46, and after a brief batting reset, the Mounters would dislodge the key wickets of Ben Taylor and Lokupothagamage Madushanka, and all of the sudden the innings was precariously balanced at 3/72, still some 122 runs shy of victory. Ayton Dehmel, with the support of Ben Davies, would briskly put any thought of a Mt Evelyn victory out of mind with a blistering innings. The Warrandyte tyro would plunder a tiring attack for 87 not out at a speedy strike rate to race his team to the winning total without the loss of another wicket.
The Rhead Group 3rd XI had their work cut out for them after conceding first innings points on day one. Mooroolbark elected to bat on in pursuit of a first innings lead great enough to open the door to an outright victory. Mt Evelyn would toss the ball between bowlers to keep things tight and ensure the Barkers would earn their runs, and eventually the visitors would declare with the score on 6/238, a lead of 165. Graeme Foster (2/27) and Flynn Orchard (2/57) were the pick of the bowlers.
The Mounters would battle bravely against the tide and early on they looked like they were a chance of seeing off outright defeat courtesy of fighting innings from Dickie Hearn (40) and Daniel Meades (29) at the top of the order. Unfortunately for the Mounters the resistance didn’t last beyond the opening partnership and the innings fell away to see the home side’s second innings tucked away for 114 ensuring the Barkers would reach their goal of outright victory.
The Hop Hen Brewing 4th XI and the Flowtec 6th XI were reduced to spectators for the weekend as the heat policy put an end to their games prematurely.
