Six months is a long wait to return to the field, so it was with much anticipation that cricket would return to the field last weekend. No issues with weather or ground conditions, so it was all go for the players to put practice into performance in Round 1 of the Ringwood and District Cricket Association 2025/26 season.
The season will prove to be a pivotal one for the Community Bank – Mt Evelyn First XI as they were promoted to the Wilkins Cup competition after claiming the Stuart Newey Plate last season. The season has a fascinating look to it with what appears to be an extremely tight competition with little between the teams, and the added pressure of the bottom three teams facing relegation.
The Mounters travelled to Vermont for the first game of the season, and although there was the customary early-season rust for both teams, what ensued was a tight contest that went down to the wire. Vermont opened the contest with the bat, and in a consistent battle between bat and ball, they would amass a tidy sum of 4/198 without too much risk. The visitors would feel the pinch of missing a couple of their strike weapons with the ball and would struggle to gain any control by taking wickets. By no means was the bowling poor, but a few more wickets would’ve applied some much-needed pressure on the batsmen.
The Mt Evelyn innings always looked as if it would challenge the Eagles’ total. Tidy contributions from captain Campbell Mole (20), Jake Blackwell (32) and a well compiled half century from Daniel Giblin had the Mounters well set for a launch at the total over the last ten overs. The brash Jett Hartman did his best to keep his team in it with a blistering 31 off 20 balls, but the visitors would run out of wickets and ultimately time. Where their bowlers could attain enough wickets, Vermont were able to eke out regular wickets to maintain consistent pressure. In the end the Mounters would fall 17 runs short of their opponents. Although disappointed with the result, the hit out gave the team a good look at the standard of cricket at Wilkins Cup level, areas of improvement to close the gap, and some confidence that they will be up to the challenge that a higher grade presents.
The Professionals Mt Evelyn Second XI could not have made a more impressive start to their season with a comprehensive victory against North Ringwood at Mt Evelyn. Mt Evelyn captain duly took the opportunity to bat first in glorious conditions upon winning the toss, and his batsmen capitalised. It wasn’t all smooth sailing. Three early wickets had the innings teetering at 3/34, but the combination of Mike Mawson and Brad Jones would quickly push the needle in Mt Evelyn’s favour.
With a brutal 136-run partnership, they would push the bowling and the fielding to the limit. The most impressive part of the display is how quickly the scoreboard moved on. The partnership took only 15 overs to build and by the time the Bulls removed Jones for a brisk half-century, the score had moved to 4/170 at the end of the 24th over. The Mounters were well set for a monster total. With Jones’ departure quickly followed by Mawson’s in the 27th over, the Bulls would take back a little control of the innings. Mawson was brilliant from ball one. Although at times the ball wasn’t coming crisply from the bat, he was able to combine some brutal force with finesse and a wide range of scoring options. Before his dismissal, he would bring up a fine century. A great way to start the new season.
Luke Shepherd (40) and Luke Paterson (30 not out) would ensure the scoreboard would continue to tick over, and although the score would fall short of what might have been whilst Jones and Mawson were at the wicket, it would still stretch out to an impressive 7/283. A score that would prove to great for the young North Ringwood team. Kynan Yates would lead a youthful attack with a fine spell of bowling taking 2/15, whilst Joseph Chamberlin (2/27), Luke Jones (2/25) and Brad Westaway (3/11) would cash in on the wickets column. The Bulls would show plenty of fight with the bat, but the task was too great and eventually they were dismissed for 9/117 to see a significant Round 1 victory for Mt Evelyn.
The Rhead Group Third XI fielded a largely inexperienced line-up and that proved to be a challenge too hard to overcome in their clash against Heathwood. Heathwood sent the Mounters in upon winning the toss and strangled the life out of the batting line-up. Only one Mt Evelyn batter would post a score over 20 and with a tidy display with the ball, the Lions were able to restrict the visitors to a disappointing total of 115.
Quite often, early in the season, batters can be a bit scratchy, so the Mounters were still confident that with early wickets and some scoreboard pressure, they could work their way into the contest. This glimmer of hope would be eroded by a patient batting display by the hosts. Although the bowling was measured and consistent, there was no need for a cavalier approach from the batters as they reached the total with ten overs to go and eight wickets in the sheds.
The Hop Hen Fourth XI had similar struggles against Vermont at their home away from home, Gruyere Reserve. The Mounters would win the toss and ask the Eagles to have first crack at posting a score. After a brisk start by the visitors, spin twins Aaron Dalm and Robbie Wilson entered the attack in an attempt to quell the scoring. Not only did they quell the scoring, but they were able to snare crucial middle-order wickets. In fact, there was no pair would ultimately share eight wickets in a brilliant display of bowling. Dalm would capture his first five-wicket haul for the club, taking 5/43, whilst Wilson was miserly taking 3/12. Despite some late resistance by the tail pushing the score from 9/103 to 145 all out, the Mounters would be well pleased with their efforts.
Unfortunately, there were no batters able to back up their bowlers’ performances. In short, they were bundled out for a paltry total of 43, including a staggering six ducks. Ouch! Enough said. Back to the drawing board for the Fourth XI, but some positive signs with the ball.
The Lilydale Tyres Fifth XI take on the 2025/26 as defending champions and they began their season with a road trip to Warranwood. Mt Evelyn won the toss and elected to put a score on the board. In an even display with the bat, the Mounters would bat out their overs and post a competitive total of 9/160. Craig Kenins (40) and Angus Vanhoogstaten (35) would give innings the impetus it required with an excellent 92-run second wicket partnership, whilst handy contributions from Andrew Frid (23) and Ryan Doyle (21 not out) ensured the visitors would put together a tidy total.
In a tight tussle, the Sharks’ innings would follow a similar script to that of their opponents’. Early runs and a solid base would follow with regular wickets and a close run to the finish line. Ultimately, Warranwood would secure victory with a mere three overs to spare. All in all a classic contest between two teams who experienced the ultimate success last season.
Unfortunately, the Flowtec Sixth XI had to forfeit their Round 1 clash against Ainslie Park due to a lack of numbers; however, a return to school this week will see many players return to the fold and the team can begin their season in earnest. In Junior action, the Mounters would make the perfect start to the season with wins for the Under 16s and Under 14s in two close contests. The club’s Under 10 and Under 12 cricketers will start their season this Friday.
