Last weekend Kilsyth Cricket Club’s Women’s First XI, Men’s Fifth XI, U14-5s and the U12-6 team had one-day fixtures, whilst the remainder of the teams played the second day of two-day matches. Playing for the First XI, Club veteran Mark Unternahrer achieved two significant milestones: 750 senior wickets for the Club (third highest ever), and 550 wickets for the First XI (second highest). The Third and Fifth XIs and the Under 16s all registered good wins. In the juniors, there were three thrilling finishes with the U12-6 and U14 matches going down to the very last ball. Kilsyth were victors by one run in both these games, but the Redbacks lost the U12-3 match by one run.
The Men’s First XI were defending their Day 1 score of 9/217cc off 80 overs against East Ringwood in the Wilkins Cup competition. East got a way to a good start and at drinks were 0/73 after 20 overs with Ryan Webster 55* off 62 balls (8 fours), and Bailey Anderson 12* off 59 balls (1 four). The opening partnership of 82 came to an end after 25.5 overs when left-arm spinner Mackenzie Scott-Thomas bowled Ryan Webster for a sparkling 61 off 79 balls (9 fours). At the end of the 33rd over, Mark Unternahrer claimed the second wicket (bowled), and East Ringwood were now 2/109. It was Unternahrer’s 550th wicket for Kilsyth’s First XI and his 750th wicket for the Club. At tea, East Ringwood were well in control at 1/137 off 41 overs. Opener Bailey Anderson was 38* off 124 balls, and Cian Dickinson was 22* off 23 balls.
After the break, the score progressed to 150 and then, in the 47th over, Isuru Umesch trapped Bailey Anderson LBW for a solid 44 off 141 balls (5 fours). Mark Unternahrer claimed his second wicket when Cian Dickinson was caught by Mackenzie Scott-Thomas for a bright 65 off 73 balls (9 fours), and East Ringwood were now 4/199 off 58.2 overs. Soon after, East Ringwood finished on 4/222 off 63 overs to record a comfortable win. Brad Niemann was 19* (1 four), and Captain Matt Kershaw 16* (2 fours). Mark Unternahrer captured 2/32 off 9 overs, Mackenzie Scott-Thomas 1/32 off 11 overs (5 maidens), and Isuru Umesh 1/42 off 11 overs (3 maidens).
The Second XI match against Wonga Park on Alan Smith Oval, Pinks Reserve saw Wonga resume on 1/39 chasing Kilsyth’s 138. The second wicket fell with the score on 68 after 30.4 overs when Dylan Smith had Blake Kear caught behind by Jake Powell for 25 off 52 balls (4 fours). It was 3/74 after 36.3 overs when medium pacer Dylan Smith took another wicket (LBW). Then, Smith’s second LBW had Wonga Park 4/84 off 43 overs. At the tea break, Wonga were 5/107 after 58 overs with the fifth wicket being caught and bowled by young pace bowler Tim Asbury. Opener Tom Glide was 27 not out off a mammoth 164 balls. At that stage, Dylan Smith had 3/32 off 21 overs (9 maidens), and Captain Justin Smith 1/24 off 18 overs (9 maidens).
Upon resumption, Tim Asbury claimed two quick wickets, including his second caught and bowled for the match, and Wonga Park were now 7/115 off 64.5 overs. Wonga eventually passed Kilsyth’s score, finishing on 7/141 after 74 overs with Tom Glide 48* off 204 balls (3 fours). For Kilsyth, Tim Asbury had the excellent figures of 3/7 off 11 overs (6 maidens), whilst Dylan Smith captured 3/42 off 24 economical overs (9 maidens), and Justin Smith 1/34 off 21 overs (9 maidens). Wicket keeper Jake Powell took two good catches behind the stumps.
The Third XI had 282 on the board against St. Andrews at J.W. Manson Reserve, East Oval. On Day 2, Hayden Monds took the first wicket for Kilsyth, caught behind by ’keeper Russell Hutchings to have St. Andrews 1/5 after 3.2 overs. From there, the score progressed slowly and at the drinks break after 20 overs, St. Andrews were 1/17. It was 2/36 after 27.3 overs when Tait Harper claimed the second wicket, clean bowling Joel Wells for 21 (3 fours). Matthew Burgess captured the third wicket (LBW) on 63, and then Gurpartap GP Singh, playing his first game for Kilsyth, took his first wicket for the Club, caught behind by Russell Hutchings. St. Andrews were now 4/75 after 36 overs, with Hudson McDowell the batsman out for 25 off 29 balls (3 fours). By afternoon teatime, the score had progressed to 4/94 off 42 overs.
After the break, Hayden Monds claimed the fifth wicket, caught by Matthew Young, with the score now 5/101 after 44 overs. Opening bowler Young came back for a second spell and bowled Devon Wilke, who had batted well for 47 off 62 balls (5 fours). St. Andrews were now 6/141. Young then took another wicket (also bowled), to have the Saints 7/156 after 53 overs. With the score on 165 in the 55th over, Kilsyth Captain Robert Hutchings took a nice catch at long on to give Matthew Young his third wicket. Tait Harper took the last two wickets, including Dave Rechsteiner for 21 off 20 balls (4 fours), and St. Andrews were dismissed for 199 after 61.1 overs. For Kilsyth, the wickets were shared. Matthew Young sent down 19 overs, 6 maidens and captured 3/43, Tait Harper took 3/35 off 12.1 overs (4 maidens), Hayden Monds 2/37 off 11 overs (2 maidens), Matthew Burgess 1/18 off 6 overs (1 maiden), and Gurpartap GP Singh 1/23 off 5 overs.
The Fourth XI continued their match against Mooroolbark at Roy Baldwin Oval, Pinks Reserve. Mooroolbark started the day at 2/166, chasing Kilsyth’s score of 180. They soon passed the target and went on to declare at 6/385 off 67 overs. The highlights of Mooroolbark’s innings were firstly, a brilliant 157 by Captain Bryn Jones, who faced 160 balls and struck 10 fours and 10 sixes! He was well supported by Ryan Illichmann, who scored 95 off 96 balls (11 fours and 2 sixes), and opener Ric Jennings with 74 off 95 balls (10 fours). Adriaan Van Gent was the multiple wicket taker for Kilsyth with 2/61 off 10 overs. Kilsyth batted a second time and were 2/62 after 24 overs when the game was called off. Ben Nicoll was 25* (5 fours) and Ryan Kaal 14* (1 four and 1 six). Mooroolbark’s Lochlan Stewart took 1/3 off 5 overs (2 maidens), and Angad Sankhe 1/7 off 3 overs.
The Fifth XI played Chirnside Park at Lilydale Heights College in a one-day 36 overs per side match. After being 4/44 off 18 overs and 8/115 off 31.5 overs, Chirnside Park rallied to finish on 8/174cc off their 36 allotted overs. Donovan Shortt was 45* off 33 balls (5 fours and 1 six), whilst Joshua Singh-Sawyers was 35* off 14 balls (3 fours and 3 sixes), and they put on an unbroken 9th wicket partnership of 59 in 4.1 overs. The other batsman to do well was Ronav Nair, who was run out for 23 (1 four). Six bowlers took a wicket each for Kilsyth with Joshua Bock 1/7 off 2 overs, Shaun Wheater 1/11 off 3 overs (1 maiden), Brodie Goodwin 1/22 off 7 overs (1 maiden), Luke Childs 1/23 off 7 overs, Tegan Unternahrer 1/34 off 6 overs, and Shaun Goodwin 1/35 off 6 overs.
At the 18-over halfway mark in the run chase, Kilsyth were 3/65 with Shaun Goodwin on 19 not out off 28 balls (2 fours). After drinks, Kilsyth set about accelerating the scoring rate. The score advanced to 94 when Joshua Bock was caught by Michael McDonnell in the 24th over off the bowling of Trent Summers for 15 off 28 balls (1 four). This brought Captain Shane Smith to the crease and he smashed 18 off the 27th over, including 4 boundaries. However, he was unfortunately run out for an explosive 31 off 13 balls (5 fours and 1 six), and Kilsyth were now 5/134 off 28.2 overs. From there, Goodwin and Mark Sfiligoj added 43 in the next 5 overs to see Kilsyth over the line with 5/177 off 33.2 overs. Goodwin finished on 44* off 76 balls (5 fours), and Sfiligoj 27* off 20 balls (4 fours and 1 six). Captain James Basford was the best of Chirnside’s bowlers with 3/28 off 6 overs (2 maidens).
On Sunday, the Women’s First XI match against Wandin at Wandin North Recreation Reserve was abandoned with no play possible due to the weather.
On Saturday morning, the Under 16s were in the field at home on Alan Smith Oval against Koonung Heights and had a big win. On Day 1 Kilsyth had compiled 8/279ccc off their allotted 50 overs and on Day 2, Koonung Heights were dismissed for 116 off 32.5 overs. Two batsmen stood out for Koonung. Opener Aaron Rajit top scored with 37 off 52 balls (3 fours), and Thomas Christensen made 29 off 39 balls (2 fours). Kilsyth’s Joshua Bock captured 3/13 off 5 overs (1 maiden), whilst wicket keeper and Captain Will Beard, who came on to bowl towards the end, took 3/4 off 1.5 overs. Kilsyth used 10 bowlers and the other wicket takers were Max Wills, 1/12 off 5 overs (2 maidens), Rhys Kearney 1/13 off 5 overs, Tait Harper 1/14 off 5 overs (1 maiden), and Hayden Monds 1/22 off 5 overs. The U16’s have won 2 of their first 3 matches and are currently third on the ladder.
The Under 14s played Lilydale at Lilydale Recreation Reserve in a one-day 25-over per side match. This match was decided on the final ball with Kilsyth getting home by one run, after the same two teams played a tie in Round 2. Incredibly, the scores were almost identical in both matches (4/113 each in Round 2), and in Round 4 Lilydale 1/112 v Kilsyth 8/113! On Saturday, Lilydale won the toss, elected to bat, and compiled 1/112cc off their 25 overs. Captain Hadleigh Van Rensburg scored 13 and Kasey Loftus was 12 not out (1 four), with Extras totalling 55! Tyler Paarman was Kilsyth’s sole wicket taker with 1/8 off 2 overs. In an amazing finish, Kilsyth lost their 8th wicket on the second ball of the last over to be 8/102 off 24.2 overs, needing 11 runs to win off the last 4 balls of the match. Under-12 player Aiden Nicoll, who had earlier retired not out on 14 off 25 balls, came back in with a mammoth task ahead of him. However, he was unfazed and dispatched the first ball he faced for four, then another four off the next ball. Suddenly, Kilsyth were back in the match needing 3 off the final 2 balls to win. Aiden Nicoll hit the next ball for 2 to tie the scores with one ball remaining. A single off the very last ball saw Kilsyth win by one run with 2 wickets in hand in a dramatic finish. Nicoll was 25* off 29 balls (3 fours), and Angus Bright 1 not out. The win lifted Kilsyth U14’s to fourth on the ladder after 4 rounds. Lilydale’s Kasey Loftus took 2/23 off 4 overs, and there were 5 single-wicket takers.
On Friday evening, the Club’s Under 12-3 team continued their two-day split innings match against East Ringwood on Roy Baldwin Oval at Pinks Reserve. On Day 1 Kilsyth replied to East Ringwood’s 1/86 with 5/92 off 23 overs at the end of the first split. On Day 2, Kilsyth batted on and after being 7/98, recovered well to finish on 8/164cc off 46 overs. The main run scorers for the Redbacks were Aiden Nicoll, 48 off 60 balls (8 fours), Zion Solomons 31 off 36 balls (3 fours), and Brook Davis 16 not out off 53 balls (2 fours). The multiple wicket takers for East Ringwood were Harry Kent 2/12 off 4 overs (2 maidens), Mason Lawless 2/15 off 4 overs, and Tomas Rose 2/18 off 5 overs. After 44 overs, East Ringwood were 3/160 with 2 overs remaining. Angus Bright bowled a tight second last over with only 2 runs being scored. So East need 3 off the last over to win and scored the runs with 2 balls remaining in a very tight finish. The over was completed with Tate Lindsay getting a wicket with the very last ball. The match ended with East Ringwood on 4/165cc to win by one run. The top scorers for East Ringwood were Lincoln White 25* (4 fours), and Harry Kent 20* (3 fours), both retiring after facing 40 balls each, and James Campbell 13 (1 four). Kilsyth’s wicket takers were Tate Lindsay 2/10 off 6 overs (2 maidens), and Patrick Reitman 1/26 off 4 overs. The Under 12-3’s are fourth on the ladder with one win after the first two rounds.
Kilsyth’s Under 12-6 team played a one-day T20 game against Mitcham at Forest Hill Reserve, Number 1 Oval. This game went down to the very last ball of the match in an incredible finish. Kilsyth won the toss and elected to bowl. Mitcham compiled 6/84cc off their 20 overs with Alden Abraham top scoring with 15 retired not out off 20 balls (1 four). Sundries contributed 42 to the total. For Kilsyth, Jaxon Brodie took 2/6 off 2 overs, Dylan Ekanayake 2/9 off 3 overs (1 maiden), Ashton Mehra 1/5 off 2 overs, and there was a run out to Wesley Bowman. In reply, Kilsyth reached 1/72 off 18 overs. Keyan Goswami scored 4 off the 19th over so Kilsyth were 1/76 and needed 9 runs off the last over to win. The score advanced by one run off the second ball when Keyan Goswami retired on 6 not out off his 13 balls. This brought retired batsman Ashton Mehra back to the crease with Kilsyth needing 8 runs off the last 4 balls. No run was scored off the third ball, and the tension was mounting. Then, Mehra hit a 3 off the next ball, so Kilsyth needed 5 off the last two balls. Harrison Sfiligoj then scored two off the second last ball, so the match came down to the last ball with all results possible: a loss, a tie or a win for either side. Sfiligoj then hit the last ball for 3 to see Kilsyth over the line by a solitary run! What a finish! Kilsyth’s hero, Harrison Sfiligo, was 14 not out off 17 balls (2 fours) at the end, and Ashton Mehra 7 not out off 15 balls. Wesley Bowman retired not out on 11 (2 fours), and Cooper Clark retired not out on 10 (1 four). The only wicket Kilsyth lost was a runout. The win puts Kilsyth third on the ladder with 2 wins from the first 3 games.
