With gorgeous weather about the eastern suburbs over the weekend, the junior teams kicked off their season.
Under 16A – Mont Albert (2/106) def by Surrey Hills (4/132)
The U16A team commenced their season with a tight tussle against Surrey Hills at Elgar Park. It was decided that each team would have 70 minutes of batting time, in order to ensure the match was completed by sunset. After losing the toss, we bowled first and made a great start by dismissing one of the Surrey Hills openers for a duck. However, this was the end of our early joy, as the Surrey Hills batsmen settled in & began to increase the run rate. A mix of good fortune, good placement and powerful hitting saw Surrey Hills post a total of 4/132 off 18 overs at a rate of nearly 7.5 per over. A highlight of this innings for us was a spectacular diving catch taken by Julian Marshall at short mid-off.
Our run chase began brightly & after 6 overs we were rattling along at 0/47. Our openers, Jack Woods & Fraser Baddon, looked like completing the run chase in canter until Jack skied an attempted drive & was well caught in the deep for 38. Fraser batted on, compiling a well-made 43, before retiring not out to see if we could inject some big hitting as the total began to slip out of reach. Connor Laird managed to club one boundary before being bowled for 6, with Julian Marshall building a nice picket fence for a total of 7 n.o. While we ultimately fell short of the target by 26 runs, the lads should be very encouraged by the facts that only two wickets were lost in the chase. The Surrey Hills team was made up of the same lads that apparently won the U14A competition two years ago and are a pretty powerful unit, so our boys did a fantastic job & were still a chance of winning up until only a few overs before the end. All in all, a really competitive effort and a sign of good things to come in the weeks ahead.
Under 12A – Mont Albert (9/60) def by Kew (2/87)
On a beautiful sunny Saturday morning, the 2018/19 U12A Team turned up to our home ground at Elgar Park to Play Kew Junior. Mont Albert went in to bat first and in a 21 over innings made 60 runs, with Harry Simpson (13) and Sam Hawkins (10) reaching double figures. After morning tea Kew went in to bat and made a winning 87 runs off 21 overs, with wickets to Max Allen (1/10) and Daniel Teele (1/13). We played well but know we have a lot to improve upon, and that we certainly will as the season progresses. We look forward to moving on to our next match against Blackburn which will be played at Highbury Park.
Under 12B G Male – Glen Iris Tudor (7/127) def Mont Albert (9/74)
A beautiful day to start the season with clear skies and perfect mid-range temperatures. MACC U12B faced off against Glen Iris Tudor who bowled first due to an impending exodus courtesy of junior basketball. The MACC boys were very positive and vocal in their support for the batting pairs which was great to see. U12B finished up at 9/74 with Henry Roga and Jacob Allen retiring not out. Jacob was the high scorer with a contribution of 12 from 27 balls with two fours. Other significant contributions from Henry (9 off 35) and Rahal (9 off 14).
After morning tea the boys defended their total with some good efforts including from Lucas Martin who only conceded two runs off his two overs (one maiden and one wicket) and Alex Boyd who only conceded 6 runs off his two overs as well as taking a crucial catch. Some excellent fielding efforts also from Tom Dodds (one catch and one run out) and good keeping from Lucas Martin and Ethan Higgs.
Glen Iris were too good however and displayed some excellent batting skills for a total of 7/127.
A good start with many positives and a few things to work on for our next match.
Under 12C – MACC (6/55) def by Burwood (4/72)
The 12C’s for Mont Albert is the development team for the age level so we have some simple messages for these lovely group of children with a focus on enjoying their cricket. We had some exceptional contributions from the seven boys that participated. A really even spread of wicket takers with some standout batting performances.
This being the first time our children experienced a wicket ending your innings was a big leap and we will see some more determination to keep our wickets intact in future.
Sam Bennett was our first Batsman to retire at 18 balls and return. Aahdi Raj was an exceptional Captain being our best Bowler and not out Batsman and highest scorer.
Isaac Eddy was the tough gritty determined Batsman who faced 52 balls and anchored the innings ensuring we batted our full allotted time.
I look forward to next week!
Under 10 Blue – MACC (4/172) d Clifton Hill (10/78)
U10’s Blue had a very successful start to the season with a convincing win against an inexperienced Clifton Hill team. A well rounded display by our boys, which started with the bat, scoring quickly & running quick singles.
In the field & with the ball our boys showed excellent skills, run outs (1 direct hit), great diving catches, backing up & good line & length bowling.More importantly to me, with half the team being new to junior cricket, the boys played with a cohesive & strong team ethic through the whole game.
A great start by the Blue Boys.
more to come…