First XI
Rnd 12 vs Ashy
We arrived back home ready for some 2-day action and redemption against Ashburton after a dismal batting performance the week prior in the 1-dayer.
We lost the toss (once again) and were sent into the field, but were not overly disappointed as there looked to be a bit in the wicket. Jackson got us off to a great start with 2 early wickets, while we bowled well in partnerships and were able to keep Ashy’s run-rate to around 2-runs an over. We were able to take 3 wickets for no runs through the middle of their innings and eventually bowled them out for 155 in the 70th over. Standouts with the ball were Padbury (3/32 off 16), Jackson (3/18 off 8) and Watkins (2/16 off 15). We had 7 overs to bat that evening and Wright and Watkins batted sensibly to be 0/21 overnight.
We arrived day 2 on a hot Saturday morning and were ready for our top 5 to get the job done! Wright and Watkins continued where they left off before Wright was trapped in front for 21 and the score at 41. Watkins continued to bat beautifully and has clearly taken like a duck to water in the opening slot. He and Joslin (38no) put on 82 for the second wicket before Watkins fell for a well made 58. Taylor came in late doors and made a run-a-ball 21 to put the game to bed. We passed Ashburton’s total not long after tea (4/156 off 48 overs), giving us a convincing victory, which was a good result considering the week before. We have to back up tomorrow vs Skevs in a make up 1-day game at home again. Go Monts!
Rnd 7 (make-up game) vs Old St Kevin’s
We arrived to a scorcher at MACC (predicted to be 39 degrees) and the boys were encouraging the skipper to finally win a toss!! That he did and elected to bat, to the relief and jubilation of his team mates. Watkins and Brown were to open the innings and got off to a great start, setting the tone with a 5-runs an over run-rate to drinks. After drinks Watkins and Brown dismantled Skevs, manipulating the field and playing superb cricket shots to all parts of the ground. Brown was the first to bring up a well-deserved triple figures, his first for the club, before he was dismissed trying to clear the fence for a 7th time for 109. This also ended a new 1st XI club opening partnership record of 225. Watkins then bought up his maiden club ton and batted through the innings for 109no. A bloody fantastic performance by both gentlemen, especially in the trying hot conditions! We finished our 40 overs 1/256.
We wanted to ensure we bowled and fielded like a professional outfit and put the game to bed early. We were able to take regular wickets throughout Skevs innings which halted their ability to win the game. Howes bowled brilliantly and was the standout, through the middle part of the innings, finishing with 2/22 off his 8 overs. Guley also picked up 2 wickets, while Padbury, Jackson and Taylor claimed 1 each. Unfortunately our last 10 or so overs in the field was not to the standard we expect, dropping 5 catches. Most of them easy chances. This meant Skevs batted out their innings for 8/210 and put an ever so slight dampener on what was a great record breaking day for the club. Congrats again to Brown and Watkins for their great knocks!!
Next weekend (Ladies Day) we start a top of the table 2-day match against East Doncaster and we are looking forward to the challenge!
Go Monts!
Second XI
Round 12 saw the Second XI play East Malvern Tooronga for the second time in just 6 days. After dismissing them for 52 runs and successfully chasing them down in just 6.2 overs the week before, confidence was high heading into the match – particularly with the side strengthened with the availability of Travis Baker and Josh Cutts.
The toss was won and the 2s elected to bat first on a wicket that provided something for both sides. There was trouble early as Fernandes and Nat Cutts fell cheaply to dubious LBW decision, however Woods and Baker were able to steady the ship. A 78-run partnership only brought to an end due to a calf injury cutting short Baker’s innings at 44.
2/95 turned into 5/117 quickly after tea, with Woods falling for a gritty 57. Josh Cutts was able to steady the ship with an important 32, before another mini collapse saw MACC slump to 9/182. A fantastic unbeaten 39-run 10th wicket partnership from Cull and Power dug the side out of a tough situation, a familiar story for the 2s from the past few years. In the end, the full allotment of 80 overs was used to post a competitive, yet under par total of 9/221.
The East Malvern Tooronga batting innings began in interesting circumstances, with their captain opting not to open the batting for the first time in 5 matches against MACC. The makeshift opening partnership; however, had the 2s on the back-foot early, racing to 0/44 before Cull grabbed the first wicket thanks to some good work in the gully by Colin Orchard.
The skipper was next in to bat, and didn’t waste any time getting going, counterattacking Charlie Thorn’s short ball barrage, before hitting one straight down Michael Minz’s throat off the bowling of Power. What followed was a procession – EMT lost 9/16 – including 4/0 at the end. Thorn found his rhythm to finish with 3/46, while Power was the pick of the bowlers with 4/16.
This convincing win keeps the Second XI at outright first – with North Balwyn closely behind in 2nd place. Next week the side will face East Doncaster for the first time in a game that is likely to shape the final 4.
Go Monts!
Third XI
The threes made the dreaded trek to La Trobe which hasn’t been a happy hunting ground in recent seasons for various reasons…
We lost the toss and were asked to field, Johnsen (2/5) got us going early taking the first two and the pressure was on. Nobby (2/31), Udhav (1/17) and Greeds kept it tight but our super-sub and trump card Shahen ‘Sharky’ Patel was the stand out with 19 overs on the trot, finishing with 3/28 on our way to bowling them out for 123 in 65.
Joel Guley made it talk later in the day with a 5 over cameo taking an important 1/8.
We had a tricky 12 overs to get through that afternoon and we finished the day 2/12.
Cal and Joel resumed on day 2 with the former getting us off to a good start with a gritty 27, before Jimmy and Gaj (42) got together and took care of most of the total. Greeds (22*) saw us home in his comeback game after living interstate for a couple of years. It wasn’t pretty, but we got the job done 7 wickets down in what was a very satisfying victory.
The win takes us to 2nd on the ladder with a top of the table clash next week at home vs Ashwood in front of us.
Fourth XI
The 4s were back at the gar for a must-win clash against Bulleen to stay in the hunt for the top 4. Winning the toss we batted and took full advantage of a great day for batting. Jeff Mollison and Paul Devine combed for a mammoth 156 run opening partnership. Molly departed for 40 while Paul Devine continued to plunder Bulleen to record his highest score for Mont Albert (163). Chris Dunning hit a nice 41 while Simon Harris (21*) and new recruit John Mitchell (19*) combined at the end to get the score to 318 at the close of innings.
Feeling confident we came back next week and gave Bulleen no chance of getting close to our score. Tight bowling and good fielding meant we bowLed out Bulleen for 135. Dave Laird and Michael Massey the stars with the ball getting 4 and 3 wickets respectively. The win puts us on even points with Ringwood (4th) and East Malvern (5th). We play both these teams in the last two rounds so we will be out to win both and land ourselves a place in the finals.
Fifth XI
MA 7/157 (RJ Barker 50*) def by Monash 6/163 (Stanic 2/23, Pich 2/28).
