A mixed bag of results for the Mt Evelyn Cricket Club over the weekend with four of the six senior games going down to the wire, making for exciting cricket for onlookers in fantastic conditions.
The Community Bank – Mt Evelyn 1st XI were set the monumental task of chasing down East Ringwood’s explosive total of 6/367 which was made in quick time, considering an early declaration still gave them 18 overs to bowl on day one. The Mounters crawled to 2/33 overnight, and with the key wickets of openers Adam Smith and Jesse Fraser, East Ringwood had a clear advantage entering day two.
Nightwatchman Caleb Hrabe would fall soon upon the resumption of play. Sensing they need to get themselves into the contest, and with many overs up their sleeves, the 1st XI initially cautiously went about their business knowing wickets in hand later in the day would prove pivotal. Alex Brisbane-Flynn’s contribution with the bat will go largely unnoticed, but the time he spent at the wicket and the quality bowling he absorbed, opened the game up for the rest of the batting order.
Jake Blackwell and Daniel Giblin would be the initial beneficiaries of the cautious approach as they were able to start striking back at the Kangaroos and giving them some headaches. The pair would put on a 152-run partnership for the fifth wicket, and although the run rate wasn’t at its normal rate of knots for the home team, there was plenty to like about how the game was starting to break open for the Mounters. East Ringwood would finally break the partnership in the 73rd over, prising the wicket of Giblin for another solid contribution of 67, a crucial wicket with Mt Evelyn still requiring 154 runs off the last 25 overs with half the batsmen back in the shed.
Giblin’s wicket brought Jett Hartman to the wicket and some scoring intent in pursuit of an unlikely victory. Hartman would put together a blustery run-a-ball half-century to put the pressure right back on the confident Kangaroos line-up. Blackwell would get caught up with the Hartman whirlwind, and would subsequently increase his intent at the wicket, sensing victory wasa real possibility, especially if he could remain at the wicket. Blackwell would raise the bat for the 1st XI’s first century of the season, and was duly applauded by all and sundry, for his innings had breathed life into a team looking for inspiration. Blackwell and Hartman would put on 66 runs inside 11 overs before Blackwell would be dismissed for 121, an incredible innings.
Due to game circumstances on both days, captain Campbell Mole entered the game at lowly number eight, and it proved to be an opportune time for the hosts. Mole’s calm, calculated and thoughtful approach to the run rate would be pivotal in continuing Blackwell’s effort. At 6/327 with just over six overs remaining, the game was well and truly in Mt Evelyn’s grasp, but at a required run rate at still a run-a-ball, they would have to earn it. Hartman’s enterprising innings would end on 55, and when Mike Mawson followed shortly after, East Ringwood breathed life into their tiring efforts, knowing that now with only two wickets in hand, the Mounters had to balance the risk of losing the last two wickets against the need to continually tick the scoreboard over.
Mole and Bohdie Jones would ensure the game would go down to the last overs as they pushed the final equation to 15 runs off the last two overs with still two wickets in hand. The silence around Gary Martin Oval was deafening. The hush before each ball was gripping. After knocking off a couple of singles, Mole sensed the time was now for a boundary to ease the tensions. A swipe to midwicket looked to be on target for a maximum. With Bailey Anderson balancing himself for a catch on the boundary, it became apparent that the game rested on the shot as time stood still during the ball’s journey. Anderson would flirt with the boundary as the ball approached, and sensing he would be taken over the line, flicked the ball up upon catching it, stumbled back a step, regained his place in the field of play, and completed a remarkable catch, and all but clinched the victory.
Jones and Lachie Morrow would give it their best shot to chase the remaining runs, but the East Ringwood attack would keep their composure and would bowl the Mounters out with two ball to go for 361, seven runs short of victory. Blackwell would be awarded the Remembrance Day Medal for his stoic century leading to the epic finish. The loss is a two-edged sword for the Mounters who are now desperate for wins. The loss leaves them struggling to rise above the relegation race with three teams in the gun this season. On the flip side, the resilience, effort and ability to stay in the chase should give the team some confidence heading into some crucial matches in the lead up to Christmas break.
The Professionals Outer East 2nd XI entered day two of their clash with Seville needed to chase 254 for victory. The chase was on target early with experienced campaigners Luke Jones (44) and Jamie Shaw (61) setting a sturdy foundation on which the chase could be built. Unfortunately for the Mounters, there would be limited contributions from the rest of the batting order in a disappointing display from a team looking to feature at the pointy end of the season. The visitors were bowled out for 198 in the 70th over, a game they could’ve, and in many ways should’ve, won. Two losses on the trot have seen the 2nd XI slip to 4th on the ladder, a precarious position considering the closeness of the competition. A refresh, and a determined focus, is needed to reverse this short form slump if it’s not to extend into something more significant.
The Rhead Group 3rd XI found themselves in a tight tussle against Templeton. After day one, and each team’s first split, the Mounters would resume their innings at 4/96, in pursuit of chasing Templeton’s 5/119, and extending on to a defendable total. Despite no significant individual contributions with the bat, the Mounters would be able to scramble to a decent total of 189. Not a brilliant total, but defendable none the less. The total quickly became a lot bigger on the back of some brilliant bowling from Alex Whiting (4/49). Whiting would collect three quick wickets as the Taipans would lose 4/15 in quick time to turn the game completely in the Mounters favour. Unfortunately for the visitors, they couldn’t find the final wicket despite every effort made. Chris Allen and Arun Nair would expertly navigate their team through to victory with an impressive 57 run unbeaten 10th wicket partnership. The loss is a bit of a kick in the guts for the Mounters, as a win would’ve seen them on top of the ladder, the loss however now sees the 3rd XI in a log jam in the middle of the ladder. The stint up to Christmas is now vital to the 3rd XI’s chances of featuring in finals action.
The Hop Hen Brewing 4th XI’s contest with Yarra Glen reverted to a one-day clash this weekend after the unfortunate injury of Alastair Churchill on day one. Yarra Glen would open the contest with the bat and would compile a useful score of 8/217 with a steady and consistent approach with the bat. The Mounters wouldn’t be too disappointed with their efforts with the ball as most bowlers would contribute to the team’s efforts. Zeke Tressider, Campbell Manser and Craig Steele would all net two wickets apiece. Lachie Robertson’s brilliant knock of 81 would ensure the Mounters were always a step ahead in the chase. A steady flow of runs, and wickets in hand, would prove vital. Campbell Manser was a useful ally early with a handy innings of 36 contributing to game defining 86 run opening partnership. A steady flow of wickets through the middle of the innings would give the Riverpigs some hope, but Chase Missen (40 not out) and captain Chris Doyle (27 not out) would close the door on any thoughts the visitors had of victory cruising to the total with six wickets in hand and some four overs in the bank. The win is the 4th XI’s third on the trot as they now make strides up the ladder and put themselves in a position to take full advantage should they have some favourable results leading into the Christmas break.
The Lilydale Tyres 5th XI dominated day one against North Ringwood with Mt Evelyn’s score finishing at 3/225 in reply to North Ringwood’s 9/166. The only questions of interest heading into day two were, could young star Ezra Joyce post his maiden century, how many runs do Mt Evelyn need to chase outright victory, and could the Mounters secure vital outright points. Unfortunately Joyce’s fantastic innings would be wrapped for 83, although a disappointing end, the innings showed the maturity and class of this young cricketer, and the promise of many more runs, and opportunities for centuries will always be there. It’s only a matter of when, not if. Captain Jason Dunstone would elect to push the score well beyond enough as he would post a blistering 68 not out, along with an equally dominant 53 not out from Mark Kuhne pushing the score to a mammoth 7/402. A lead of 236 and ample runs should they take the last Bulls wicket promptly and enforce the follow on.
North Ringwood’s innings would be wrapped up for 167, leaving the Mounters over half the day to capture ten wickets to secure outright victory. At 4/6, the outright result looked an inevitable result, but as is quite often the case, the Bulls batting order dug in their heels to avoid the ignominy of an outright defeat. The middle to late order of the Bulls line up would muster the internal fortitude to resist the Mounters advances and would hold out until the final ball reaching 8/104 when stumps were drawn. Ben Dunstone would be the pick of the bowlers taking 4/18 whilst his opening partner, Mark Kuhne, would take 2/28. The win has the 5th XI humming, and all but the beating they received from ladder leaders Boronia, things have been on the up for the Mounters in their quest to feature in finals after rising two grades in the offseason.
The Flowtec 6th XI have been consistent in their effort and approach all season despite not chalking up too many wins. This weekend they travelled to Croydon Ranges in a game that would prove to be a tight affair. Croydon Ranges would bat first, and the game would start with a real arm wrestle as tight bowling from the Mounters would be matched by some defiant batting from the Ranges. At drinks, the hosts would by 1/51 a score they could build on, but by no means out of hand for the visitors. The second half of the innings panned out somewhat as expected as the Ranges would capitalise on wickets in hand extending the total to 5/197. Noah Bell would be the pick of a disciplined bowling attack taking 2/21.
The Mounters would make a fair fist of the chase with a similar approach to that of their hosts. Steady to start with, keeping wickets in hand. Opener Luke Thomson would be the pick of the batters making an impressive 42, whilst contributions from Lucas James and Shane Cantelmi would keep the innings moving forward. Matt Bell would produce his best innings of the season making 31, and the Mounters looked set to challenge the total. Bell’s run out would prove to be the handbrake despite the best efforts of Chris Anderson (45 not out) and Liam Glover. Eventually, the Mounters would run out of deliveries, and when stumps were drawn, they were agonisingly short of the victory target finishing on 7/185. Despite their lowly ladder position, spirits remain high amongst the team with the reward of victory not too far around the corner.
