Last weekend, Kilsyth Cricket Club’s men’s and junior teams played one-day matches with two half-centuries scored. Matt Harper was in great form for the Third XI, blasting 75 off 43 balls (10 fours and four sixes), and Daniel Caton continued his good form with 63 off 74 balls (eight fours). So far this season, “Cato” has scored 411 runs at an average of 102.75 from six innings. The Third XI’s Michael Sturt produced the best bowling performance, capturing 4/22 off eight overs, while Fourth XI Co-Captain Ryan Kaal took 4/43. Another highlight was Mark Sfiligoj (Fourth XI) playing his 250th senior game for the Club.
The Men’s First XI (fourth) played against the top team, Mooroolbark, at Mooroolbark Heights Reserve in the RDCA Wilkins Cup competition. The two teams previously met in Round One when Kilsyth were the victors. Mooroolbark won the toss and elected to bowl. Kilsyth lost a wicket off the third ball of the innings to be 1/0. A second wicket partnership of 41 saw the Redbacks progress to 2/41 off 10 overs. Then, Andy Solomons, who had been batting superbly, was unfortunately run out for 27 off 33 balls (six fours), and Kilsyth were now 3/45 off 11 overs. From there, the Redbacks lost regular wickets, and Mackenzie Scott-Thomas was the only other batsman to reach double figures, before he was out for 18 off 19 balls (one four). In the end, Kilsyth were dismissed for 94 off 32.1 overs. The multiple wicket takers for Mooroolbark were Tom Elvin, 2/5 off five overs (two maidens), Justin Perkins, 2/2 off 4.1 overs (two maidens), and Cheyne Van Koll, 2/33 off eight overs. Mooroolbark lost only one wicket (bowled Isuru Umesh) in chasing down the target and finished on 1/97 off 11.2 overs. Aden Higgins was 51* off 37 balls (nine fours and one six), and was well supported by Kieran Perkins, 34 off 25 balls (five fours). Isuru Yumesh took 1/28 off four overs for Kilsyth.
The Second XI played Templeton at Alan Smith Oval, Pinks Reserve in the Meehan Shield competition. Kilsyth won the toss and elected to bat. After being 2/33, a third wicket partnership of 61 between Rhys Kearney and Daniel Caton took the score to 3/94 when Kearney was caught by Daniel Meehan off the bowling of former Kilsyth player Ben Pietz for 37 off 69 balls (six fours). It was 4/142 when Daniel Caton was caught and bowled by Adam Veljovic for 63 off 74 balls (eight fours). Then Max Wills was bowled by Veljovic for 41 off 39 balls (five fours and one six), and Kilsyth were now 5/169. In the end the Redbacks compiled 8/182cc off their 40 overs. Templeton’s main wicket takers were Adam Veljovic, 2/29 off five overs, and Daniel Meehan 2/26 off three overs. An opening partnership of 68 got Templeton away in the run chase, and they were able to pass Kilsyth’s score in 33.2 overs to finish on 4/183. Chris Williams was 90* off 97 balls (14 fours), whilst Nick Ascenzo scored 32 off 45 balls (five fours), Daniel Meehan 21 (two fours), and Cam Graham 20 (three fours). For Kilsyth, Justin Smith captured 2/30 off six overs.
The Third XI (fourth on the ladder) played Wonga Park, who were in fifth place, at Wonga Park Reserve. Kilsyth won the toss and elected to bat. After being 4/68, a 107-run fifth-wicket partnership between Matt Harper and Robert Hutchings took Kilsyth to 5/175 when Harper was out for a scintillating 75 off 43 balls (10 fours and four sixes). The score progressed to 6/193 when Hutchings was out for 34 off 49 balls, and Kilsyth then went on to score a competitive 7/228cc off their 40 allotted overs. Others to do well with the bat were Steve Galea, who was promoted to open for the first time this season and scored 36 off 57 balls (six fours and one six), whilst Michael Sturt made 19* off 24 balls (three fours). Steve Paterson was the main wicket taker for Wonga Park with 3/37 off eight overs (one maiden).
In the run chase, Wonga Park got off to a good start with an opening stand of 83 in 10.4 overs between William Hartley and Steven Edmonds. Hartley was first out for a blistering 66 off 39 balls (13 fours and one six). Then, Kilsyth fought back to have the home side 7/180 off 33 overs. However, an unbroken eighth-wicket partnership of 52 steered Wonga Park to victory with one over to spare. Bailey Mullens was 30* off 26 balls (two fours and one six), and Steve Paterson was 26* off 19 balls (one four and two sixes). Opener Steven Edmonds scored 40 off 69 balls (six fours) and N. Johnson 24 off 30 balls (two fours). For Kilsyth, Michael Sturt was the best of the bowlers with 4/22 off eight overs.
The Fourth XI played top of the ladder Templeton Third XI at Roy Baldwin Oval, Pinks Reserve. Templeton won the toss and elected to bat, posting 8/232cc off 36 overs. The highlight of the innings was Hamish McLean’s 94 off 83 balls (eight fours and five sixes). James Parker contributed 28 off 31 balls (six fours), and Jake Taylor 20 off 26 balls (four fours). For Kilsyth, Ryan Kaal captured 4/43 off seven overs, and Mark Sfiligoj, playing his 250th senior game, took 2/29 off five overs. Mark Wells also impressed with seven overs, two maidens 1/15. In reply, Kilsyth were all out for 176 in 31 overs. The top scorers for Kilsyth were opener Geoff Kennedy, 42 off 71 balls (nine fours), Tyron Paspa 23 off 26 balls (three fours and one six), and Shaun Goodwin 23 off 15 balls (five fours). Templeton’s main wicket takers were Captain Luke Christey with 3/11 off 1.3 overs, Thomas Edwards 2/23 off three overs, and Jake Taylor 2/28 off six overs (one maiden).
The Fifth XI played against Seville Burras Third XI at Seville Recreation Reserve (South Oval). Seville won the toss and elected to bowl. Kilsyth scored 8/110cc off their 36 overs. Trent Potter batted well to top score with 49 (nine fours), and Pat Moilanen made 20 (two fours). Manoj Beri took the bowling honours with the outstanding figures of 5/6 off five overs (one maiden). In reply, Seville cruised to victory, scoring 0/114 off 10.2 overs. Nate Lucas was 50* (eight fours), and Dale Treller was also 50* (five fours and two sixes).
The Women’s First XI do not resume playing until Sunday, 18 January 2026.
On Saturday morning, the U16 team played a one-day match against Chirnside Park at Alan Smith Oval, Pinks Reserve. Chirnside Park won the toss and elected to bat. Chirnside lost their first wicket, bowled by Rhys Kearney, after an opening partnership of 35. The score then progressed to 58 before Adriaan Van Gent picked up 3 wickets to have the Panthers 4/67. Then a fifth wicket partnership of 61 lifted the score to 5/128 before finishing on 5/143cc off the 25 allotted overs. For Chirnside, Harry Fynmore 29* (5 fours), and Deepan Kumar 24* (1 four), both retired not out after facing 25 balls each. Kilsyth’s Adriaan Van Gent captured 3/16, Hayden Monds 1/14, and Rhys Kearney 1/21, all off 4 overs each. Kilsyth started the run chase in a positive fashion but also lost wickets and after 9 overs were 3/65. From there wickets fell, and after 18.2 overs Kilsyth were all out for 93. Max Wills was the standout batsman, scoring 44 off 31 balls (7 fours), and Rhys Kearney made 18 off 16 balls (2 fours). The multiple wicket takers for Chirnside Park were Ethan Brown 4/24 and Deepan Kumar 2/17, both off 4 overs. Despite the loss, Kilsyth remain on top of the U16-3 ladder after 8 rounds.
The Under 14s played a one-day match against Forest Hill/Eastfield at Forest Hill Reserve. Kilsyth won the toss and elected to bowl. Forest Hill/Eastfield compiled an imposing 9/169cc off their 25 overs. The chief run getters were Marko Ibrahim 34* (5 fours), and Rivan Amin 30* (4 fours), both retired not out off 25 balls. Others to do well with the bat were James Levy with 20 (1 four), and Yianni Ibrahim 19* (1 four). For Kilsyth, Gabriel Donley took 3/17 off 3 overs, and Isaac Donley 2/9 off 2 overs. The other wicket takers were Noah Stirling 1/9, Bailey Kennon 1/16, and Kobi Scott 1/22. Kilsyth batted well in the run chase and after 19 overs were 2/97 but the target proved too great and, in the end, the Redbacks finished on 2/141cc from 25 overs. Ronak Mehra 33* (6 fours), Tate Lindsay 26* (3 fours), and Noah Stirling 21* (3 fours), all retired not out after facing 25 balls each. For the merged team, Marko Ibrahim took 1/7 off 1 over, and Tas Snow 1/18 off 2 overs.
On Friday evening, the Under 12-3 team played against top side Croydon Ranges at Silcock Reserve (North Oval). Croydon Ranges won the toss, elected to bat and scored 5/110cc from their allotted 23 overs. Extras top scored with 39 whilst Ryan Jo, 17* (2 fours), and Xavier Payne 24* (2 fours and 1 six), both retired not out after 20 balls. The wicket takers for Kilsyth were Tate Lindsay 2/10 off 3 overs, Bailey Kennon 1/4 off 2 overs, and Patrick Reitman 1/6 off 2 overs (1 maiden). Kilsyth fell short in the run chase and were dismissed for 87 off 22.4 overs. Zion Solomons continued his good form with the bat and top scored with 24 off 23 balls (1 four and 1 six), whilst Tate Lindsay made 22 off 29 balls (2 fours), and Aiden Nicoll 14 off 17 balls (2 fours). Ranges’ multiple wicket takers were James Sainsbury, 2/12 off 2 overs, and Larson Moran 2/9 off 2 overs. The difference between the teams was in the Extras, 39 to 12. Despite the loss, the U12-3 team is still second on the ladder after 7 rounds.
The Under 12-6 team played Bayswater Park at Roy Baldwin Oval, Pinks Reserve in a one-day match. Kilsyth won the toss and elected to bat. The Redbacks compiled 2/125cc off their 23 overs with Tex Wells 23* (4 fours), Wesley Bowman 19* (3 fours), and Dylan Ekanayake 16* (1 six), all retiring not out after 15 balls. For Bayswater Park, Archer Kloot took 1/17 off 3 overs and there was also a run out. In reply, the Sharks lost two early wickets to be 2/5 and finished on 6/69 (all out) off 19.1 overs. The main scorers were Madison Young 17 (2 fours), Leroy Hay 15 (3 fours), and Priyansh Sharma 13* (1 four). Tex Wells had the best bowling figures with 2/5 off 1.1 overs, whilst the single wicket takers were Cooper Clark 1/0, Isaac Semple 1/6, Keyan Goswami 1/10, and Jaxon Brodie 1/13, all off 2 overs each. The win moved the U12-6 team up to second place on the ladder with 7 wins from 9 rounds.
Congratulations to the following Kilsyth junior players who have been selected to play representative cricket.
• Max Wills – JG Craig Shield with Bayswater CC U15
• Zion Solomons – VMCU U12
• Rhys Kearney – VMCU U14
• Will Beard – Dowling Shield with Fitzroy Doncaster CC U16
