Phil Hughes remeberance day - Seniors Fifth Round Day 2 Reports
The tragedy of Phil Hughes passing due to a freak accident on the cricket field was remembered by all sides with a minutes silence and reflection on a life cut way too short. Phil loved his cricket and loved being part of a team, enjoying the comradery that comes with being part of team, a club and broader cricket community, one of the big reasons we all love our cricket. Our sympathies and thoughts are with the Hughes family and with Sean Abbott and his family.
First bowl tight and field well to keep a winning record.
On the back of a very competitive 280, we took to South Belgrave in the search for quick wickets, which we manage to take, with Steve Deller, Cam Wheeler and myself all taking an early one each.
South Belgrave then rallied and Sutherland and their Skipper Suckling got them back into the game and probably on top. It was left to Trent Fitzgerald to get the big breakthrough which ended a 100 run partnership and with the score on 4/150, left them needing 130 runs with 28 overs in hand and evenly poised.
Another partnership started to form but hobbling Wheeler came back and dismissed their Skipper. He also combined really well with Peter Castledine to slow the scoring and between them only leaked 6 runs off a combined 8 overs.
The game was once again in our favour and thanks to the combined efforts of the bowling attack, plus some very good catching again, all be it with us dropping one “tough” chance, we bowled them out for the double nelson 222.
Overall we had a good mix with the ball, Josh Lindner and Steve Deller both bowled very tight spells, our fielding was solid again and our catching was very good.
Most Pleasing was that we bowled another team out, we have managed to bowl all 5 teams out, that we’ve played this season and hopefully that trend continues.
Highlight of the Match - Rusty Wilsons rocket arm at cover
Seconds fall short for the first time this season.
With Sth Belgrave leaving the gators with a total of 234 to chase down, we knew we had a massive task ahead of us, and was going to be a real challenge with alot of changes in the team.
A new opening duo of Brad and Johnny started the run chase, before Brad fell early for 9, whilst Johnny pushed the ball around with ease. Getting a big opportunity up the order, Josh Burridge looked confident batting 1st drop before he got a good ball coming back in to bowl him. With each batsmen knowing they had to take the responsibility to make the runs, Brock entered the crease with high hopes and hoping to make another big score like he did against the Burras. The two put on a 40 run partnership before Brock fell for 17. Johnny needed someone to stay in with him as he was determined to be there untill the end. He then lost his wicket the next ball after knocking up his first 50 for Mountain gate. A short cameo from a returning Mark Argus looked promising, but again we lost a quick wicket for 13. Eraj knew he needed a captains knock, and also to get runs against his name, and sustained an innings, but unfortunately ran out of batsmen to bat with and was stranded on 16 not out, with the Gators being all out for 153.
At the end of the day, the better side and the top side won. However, we are confident that we will beat them with a stronger side. After suffering our first loss for the season, we are confident that we will bounce back against Lysterfield next game with a win.
Threes struggle hold out to save outright defeat.
After unfortunately losing the match on day 1 been bowled out for 75 and Eildon Park on 1/96, Eildon Park still had 35 overs of the 1st Innings and continued to bat on. Our bowlers bowled well with Booga very unlucky to not get a wicket, Heff bowled well also finishing with the only wicket of the innings, the other two bowlers used on the 2nd day Max and Lachy Smith both bowled well as the opposition started looking for quick runs before declaring at 1/209.
With 43 overs left in the day and 134 runs behind our only objective was to not lose outright. Zac Lindner and Evert Marjee opened the batting with Zac demised for the 9. Robbo came to the crease with Evert and put on a partnership that lasted 17 overs for 45 runs before Evert was demised for a very well made 33. Robbo followed a couple balls later and we were 3/59 with 18 overs left. Dane Heffernan and Chris Harris added another great partnership which took us into the last over of the match. Heff didn't trouble the scorers but the 18 overs he batted made sure they had no chance off beating us outright. Max Smith faced the last 5 balls to be 3 not out and Harry finished on 23 not out. Our final score was 4/85 of the 43 overs. To not give in and lose outright is a credit to the 13 players that played.
