There were some encouraging performances in what was otherwise a difficult week for our Junior teams. Read on to find out who the Junior players to watch ahead of Week 5 are.
| U/16 A 1/175(cc) JR Woods 100* J Marshall 50* |
def by | Canterbury 4/181 OI Sestan 52 M Forwood 52 LA Smit 2/30 |
Mont Albert U16A started the 2nd day of their match against Canterbury full or enthusiasm, having posted a solid total of 175 in their own innings. It was certainly apparent from the get-go that early wickets would be important, as the Canterbury batting line up would be likely to score at a handy rate if we weren’t able to ensure a regular turnover of batsmen. The Canterbury batting line up would have to go along at just under 4 an over in order to overhaul out total within their 45 overs.
Unfortunately, with our opening bowlers unable to make breakthroughs, it became apparent that we would need wickets to fall in clumps in order to slow the Canterbury scoring rate.
The first two breakthroughs we made by Lachie Smit, who was eager to make amends after grassing a tough chance in the outfield off Fraser Baddon’s bowling. (Note: It’s no good being the son of the author of the match report when it comes to spilled chances. There’s not a snowflake’s chance in hell I’ll be naming any other kid who dropped a catch (in fact, Lachie tells me 9 catches were spilled in total), but when it’s your own flesh & blood… It’s OK, he’ll probably get me back when it’s time to choose my nursing home.)
With these breakthroughs the lads were eager for more, but the Canterbury batsmen proved up to the challenge, losing only 2 more wickets on their way towards our total. They went about their task quickly too, scoring 25 boundaries and 2 sixes, while knocking off our total with 10 overs to spare.
All in all, it was a very good game, but our young team were outclassed by a group that are much, much older and bigger than them & deserve to be favourites for the title. Nonetheless, our lads can hold their heads high & know they game a very good account of themselves.
| Richmond Union 7/156(cc) C Somes 33* H Simpson 2/10 |
def | U/12 A 115 M Hedley 29* A Donaldson 3/6 H McCamish 2/3 H Morriss 2/9 |
Mont Albert’s 12As fell short in defending their total of 115 at Burnley Oval.
Mitch Hedley was the pick of the batsman, retiring not out on 29. Nathan Woods and Daniel Teele were also handy contributors at the top of the order, each posting their second double-digit tally for the season, before the first wicket fell.
With the ball, Julian Spuria finished with some very tidy figures indeed, conceding as many runs as he bowled overs (0/4 off 4). Both Daniel (1/5 off 4) and Nathan (1/1 off 2) were able to back up their batting with an equally impressive bowling performance. Harry Simpson (2/10 off 5), topped the wicket tally for the 12As as Richmond Union ran away with a 41 run win, with 3 wickets to spare.
| U/12 B 35 N Vildovas 2/4 G MacIsaac 2/6 and 54 N Vildovas 3/6 T Wang 2/3 J Holden 2/6 |
def by | North Alphington 224 H Kenny 69* G MacIsaac 39 H Price 37* F Parker 3/27 |
The U12 Bs match against Camberwell Magpies White this weekend presents a perfect opportunity for the team to kick start their 2018-19 season.
Both sides will be looking to get off the mark with win no.1 for the year.
| U/12 C 42 L Gillingham 3/3 N Croft 2/3 |
def by | Edinburgh Maroon 3/114(cc) |
It was a tough match for the 12C’s this week.
With such a strong all round performance last week we were surprised by a well drilled unit in Edinburgh Maroons. fearsome bowling and disciplined batting.
A big hitting Aadhi top scored with 9 runs, and some gritty determination by both Lucas & Harvey Christodoulou who tried to bat time. Sam Bennet was exceptional facing a huge 28 deliveries.
Both Aahdi and Lucas Kormas had figures of 1/12 sharing the bowling honours.
Our opportunity next week is to enjoy our fielding and get involved. The skills shown are awesome we just need a bit more confidence.
| Ashwood Blue 8/149(cc) H Brady 29 O Groves 3/27 |
def | U/10 Blue 7/113(cc) O Groves 25* L Smith 2/7 Y Touloupis 2/8 |
On a sunny morning, the U/10 Blue boys took on Ashwood Blue away on the weekend going down by 36 runs – mainly a result of too many extras being conceded.
It was great to see the boys really valuing their wickets when batting (only the 6 outs) and the running between wickets is improving every week. In the field they are very supportive of each other as well with lots of positive talk and encouragement.
As always, it’s pleasing to see them play the game with great spirit and sportsmanship.
| U/10 Gold 11/67(cc) M Hilker 4/3 | def by | Bulleen 2/178(cc) L Stackwood-Smith 33* |
Following a week’s enforced break due to the Melbourne Cup long weekend, the Mont Albert U10 Gold boys were champing at the bit to play their first game on their home ground for this season.
Confidence was high, as they aimed to reprise the dominant performance from their season opening game two weeks earlier. A much sterner test awaited them however, in the shape of a Bulleen outfit fresh off the back of a high scoring victory of their own.
The opposing captain won the toss and had no hesitation in inviting Mont Albert captain Harry Nicholson and his team to open proceedings with the ball. Josh Martin was given the fresh cherry and steamed in from the Belmore Road end.
The tone was immediately set though, when the diminutive Bulleen opener very handily despatched a decent ball like a rocket to the fine leg fence. Josh tightened things up from there and completed a tidy over, with his good work carried on by Tyler Reddoch making his cricket debut in the following over.
Sustained pressure inevitably led to a breakthrough with Tyler landing a looping full toss on the base of off stump with the last ball of the second over. Sensing the upper hand, the next three bowlers clamped down on the run rate, with no runs from the bat in this spell. Harry and the other debutant Kieran Lin bowled stump to stump without luck, and only conceded extras each.
Felix Allen then generated a beguiling spell of left arm seam that produced Mont Albert’s only maiden of the match, an edge past the keeper and a ball that must have shaved middle stump. It wasn’t until the final ball of Ben Boyd’s next over that there was another run from the bat.
Having weathered the storm, however, the Bulleen middle order then turned up the heat, starting to push the ball around for 1s and 2s in Angus Dunstan’s opening over, and then really accelerating through the latter part of the 20 over innings.
Boundaries flowed freely despite Mont Albert’s desperate efforts at containment, although a couple of half chances failed to go to hand. The one bright spot was Kieran’s maiden salute, rattling the stumps of one of the Bulleen batsmen, perhaps deceived by the lack of pace.
Despite knowing they were chasing a handy total, Tyler and Josh opened up the Mont Albert response with confidence, looking to score briskly. Bulleen gave them precious little to work with however, with balls being either too wide, or very straight.
The pressure eventually did produce the breakthroughs, as Josh looked to break the shackles in his swashbuckling style, producing two difficult catching opportunities that the Bulleen fieldsmen were good enough to take.
The quest for runs also led to two very tight run-outs that a less principled Dad at square leg may have deferred in the batsmen’s favour. Kudos to Tyler, however, who protected his wicket until his 15 ball compulsory retirement.
Lucas Smith also saw out his allotted balls without being dismissed as his good eye for the straight ball was again on display. Harry and Kieran were worn down by accurate spells and saw their bails dislodged, despite some good running between wickets and production of 4 runs each.
Ben proved hard to shift, making up for in grit what he may lack in style, and he was unlucky to be bowled by a fast straight one on his final ball. Felix and Angus then shared the most productive partnership of the innings, sharing top score with 7 runs each. Angus strikes a heavy ball but was regularly picking out the fielder. Felix absolutely middled a pull through midwicket to hit his first boundary, and Angus followed soon after with a powerful pull shot of his own.
Ultimately the combination of some fine batting and bowling spells from Bulleen and a steady leaking of wickets by Mont Albert resulted in a comfortable victory by the visitors, 178 runs to 67. The game was played in great spirit, and in his closing address to the players of both teams Harry sagely recognised that only by playing such a good team as Bulleen, will Mont Albert elevate their game.
Thanks to the parents for supporting and filling match day roles. It was another quality spectacle, and I would encourage you to get along to see the team while you can, as with entertainment this compelling, Cricket Australia will have it behind a pay-wall in no time.