First XI
It was the last game before the Xmas break and we succumbed to the poor weather week 1 of the scheduled 2-day game to play a 1-day game at home against our arch rivals Nth Balwyn. We arrived early to take the covers off which had a lot of water on them after some rain over night. We won the toss and chose to bowl on a green looking, yet firm wicket. We didn’t start too well with some inconsistent bowling and the Nth Balwyn openers took full toll. Jackson (2/28 off 8 overs) was able to eventually break through, after toiling away into the breeze, and start to bring the game back into our favour. Munro and Guley (2/28 off 8 overs) bowled disciplined line and lengths to restrict Nth Balwyn’s scoring and we were able to claim some crucial middle order wickets. Padbury came back better after a disappointing first spell to claim 3 wickets, while Watkins also chipped in with 2 wickets at the end, to bowl Nth Balwyn out for 161.
161 was going to take a good chase and we got off to a good start, until Wright was trapped in front for 14. Brown took control, with support from Joslin to build a 128 partnership and take the team towards a comprehensive victory. Joslin was out for 49 with only 14 runs to win. Brown batted beautifully throughout the whole innings and eventually was dismissed for 81 going for the winning runs. We passed Nth Balwyn’s total of 161 (3/163 off 39.3 overs) in the last over in a well controlled and executed chase.
It was a great way to finish the year, beating out arch rivals for the second time this season and go into the break 6 points clear on top! We look forward to playing some 2-day cricket in the new year and taking on Heathmont away in our first game back on Jan 12 (week 1 of 2-day game).
Merry Xmas to all and a Happy New Year!
Go Monts!
Second XI
The 2nd XI took on North Balwyn at Macleay Park looking to atone for a close loss earlier in the year. A few changes across the XIs saw, Thorn, Taylor, Cull, Fernandes and Woods return to the line up.
After heavy rain during the week, North Balwyn won the toss and with conditions suited to bowling sent us in. Our innings did not start in ideal fashion as we lost a wicket with the first ball of the match. From there Jones (22) and Woods (13) were able to stage a recovery, until Woods was adjudged LBW with the score at 34. After Jones was dismissed not long after, Fernandes (40) and Cooper were able to occupy the crease facing some tight NBCC bowling. After a short rain delay Fernandes partnered with Minz to bring the score up to 95 when Minz was dismissed. While Cully (19) was able to land some solid blows at the end, losing 4/1 to end our innings was a disappointing way to be all out for 133. Fired up to atone for our somewhat disappointing batting, our five overs at the end of day 1 were of high quality with Thorny grabbing a wicket to leave NBCC at 1/2 at stumps and leave us a good shot at defending 133 on day 2.
To begin day 2, Thorny (2/18) picked up from where he left off, bowling an excellent spelling and picking up the other opener with a peach of a delivery. As always Cully (2/19) was tight not giving an inch to NBCC’s batsmen. After a direct hit* run out off his own bowling, Cully was also able to grab the next two to leave the hosts in a bit of a hole at 5/54. The introduction of Fernandes (3/18) not long after proved fruitful as he was able to grab two quick wickets to leave North Balwyn at 7/90 at tea. Delicately poised as the game was we knew that we would need quick wickets after tea to ensure NBCC couldn’t get a partnership together to get the remaining 44 runs. Fernandes again turned provider as he took his third wicket to break a partnership we thought could take the game away from us. Fernandes was ably supported by Singh (2/20) as they together took us home, bowling the home side out for 108 after 57.1 overs.
After a disappointing batting performance to respond with the bowling effort the way we did was really pleasing. Good to get a win but a bit to work on as we look to 2019. The win moved us into top of the ladder with a group of tough games to start 2019. Go Monts!
Third XI
The thirds were asked to field vs EMT out at Waverley Oval in a one day game to finish the year after day one had been washed out the week prior.
We took a little while to strike but once we did we chipped away at them, EMT eventually scoring 8/153 in their allotted overs. Joel Guley the star of the show in the field with 4/19, 3 catches and a run out!
After losing a wicket early we started to consolidate with Joel and Brendan ‘Lawrence’ Laird. Lawrence was the shining light from our batsmen, scoring a blistering 94, falling just short of a deserved maiden century. Lawrence rode his luck early, but once he got going it was a pleasure to watch, taking the bowlers to all parts of the ground.
Unfortunately, after setting the foundation, we failed to execute at the end and made a dog’s breakfast of the chase in the last few overs to lose by 2 runs. A painful loss after what’s been a really encouraging few weeks.
There were plenty of positives to take out of the game, so hopefully we can harness those and have a big second half of the season in the new year.
Fourth XI
The 4s were up against La Trobe Uni at the gar for a one dayer after a week 1 washout. We lost the toss and were sent in to bat. A handy opening partnership of Baker and Baker saw is see out the initial overs. Trav Baker going on with it to get a breezy 70. Burton and Barker both chimed in with 34 and 36*, while Tom Stark launched a few bombs at the end for 16*. We finished 6/184 which we knew was a pretty competitive total.
We came out early and kept the bowling and fielding tight. Trav Baker bowled well for 2/11 off his 8 while young Lachy Smit bowled superbly again only to be let down by his slips cordon with a couple of dropped chances. Tensions were high when Jimmy Wright got a key breakthrough and the Vollmers/Tommy Stark bowled excellent lines to ensure that La Trobe couldn’t chase down the total. Casey Vollmer rewarded for some fantastic death bowling with 2/31. Knocking off the undefeated team is a magnificent result going into the break and with only 3 points separating 3rd from 7th, we have a red hot chance to make some inroads into getting to the top four post Christmas.