It was a labile afternoon on Saturday, with weather interrupting play across most of Melbourne’s east. But, that didn’t stop Brendan ‘Lawrence’ Laird (pictured) stepping up in tight match in A turf. It also didn’t stop the ones from registering their first win of the season against local rivals Canterbury. Read on for all the results from Round 2.
First XI
We trekked to Canterbury Sport Ground to take on Canterbury in our Rnd 2 affair. We won the toss and chose to bowl in inclement conditions and a wicket that looked interesting to say the least. Padbury and Howes bowled beautifully up top, restricting scoring from ball 1, which lead to us taking regular wickets. McNally took a couple of one-handed screamers at 1st slip which helped us pave the way to restrict Canterbury to 9/62. As we keep mentioning throughout the innings, there is often a partnership somewhere along the line and unfortunately it was their last wicket partnership where they put on 48 runs for the last wicket, before we got Stothard got the final breakthrough and dismissed them for 110 in the 38th over. Taylor (4/8 off 6 overs) and Howes (2/15 off 8 overs) were the standout with the ball, while Jackson (2 wickets), Padbury (1 wicket) and Stothard (1 wicket) all played their role.
Wright and Adgemis opened the batting and showed great intent from the start but Adgemis unfortunately had his front pad blown off with the score on 9. Wright (54) and Joslin (40) were able to consolidate and take the game away from Canterbury with a 98 run partnership. Both Wright and Joslin lost their wickets looking to finish the game, with only 4 runs to win and the rain fast approaching. We were able to knock off the total (3/113 off 23.4 overs) in convincing fashion, which was pleasing after a disappointing Rnd 1 performance.
We now look forward to seeking some revenge vs Marcellin next week in another 1-day game.
Go Monts!
Second XI
We took on La Trobe on a gloomy day in our first home game of the season. We won the toss and decided to have a bowl as bowling was our clear strength this week, and at 0/130 it wasn’t looking like the smartest decision…
We managed to claw it back and they collapsed to be all out for 201. A terrific effort from the bowlers as it was looking like being a 240+ total at drinks.
Nobby (4/41), Stoff (3/37) and Sharky (1/28) doing most of the damage for us. Charlie “The Bonce” Thorn was a welcome addition for his first game of the season and bowled a great second spell to finish with 1/43.
In reply we were slow, but steady at start of the innings, not losing wickets but not scoring quickly enough either. Lawrence Laird was the anchor we desperately needed, almost batting through the innings for an unbelievably well-made 104 from the young man. The first of many centuries for Mont Albert I’m sure.
We were gallant in reply, but we were always going to fall just short, with the task too large after Lozza fell. A couple of cameos from Minzy and Strag, but other than that not much to speak of. Lairdy kept us in the game until he fell, but it was too big an ask, with 30 required in the last over.
39.1 overs and the rain came. 39.2 it was heavy enough that we left the field for the last time. It was 6:50 at night and the third rain delay. Little did we know that if you come off the ground after 6 pm, you cannot return, therefore rendering the game a draw.
So, we share the points.. Desperately unlucky for La Trobe but incredibly lucky for us as we were staring down the barrel at a certain loss…. But, we’ll take it!
We take on Mulgrave for the second time already this season at home this week where we get a chance to right the wrongs from round one.
Third XI
No play, match drawn.
Fourth XI
The 4s were home the Gar for the first time this year against Edinburgh. Some unavailability’s meant we had to go to the well in search of some players to fill in, a big thank you to all of those who filled in this weekend. We won the toss and decided to have a bat, unfortunately that was the only win we would have for the day as Edinburgh proceeded to roll us for 88, Dean and Barker were the only 2 to make it to double digits, top scoring with 23 apiece.
Edinburgh came out after tea and proceeded to throw the bat at everything in an attempt to finish the game quickly. This allowed Gason, Jacobsen and young Rufus McLean to all pick up a wicket each. Edinburgh made the runs 3 down in 14 overs and ensured an early finish. Not a heap of positives to come out of this game, but I know once the numbers return, we will stronger and better.
Fifth XI
This Saturday we played Edinburgh at their ground. We lost the toss and batted. Unfortunately we only made 118 but we did manage to bat out our overs. The highlight of the batting include late inning resistance from James Nash (22) who was well supported by Campbell Badden (9 no) in his debut game.
We did not have enough runs on the board, but James Nash followed up from his excellent performance from last week and got 3 for 16 off his 7 overs and Quentin McLean got 1 for 14 off his seven overs. Edinburgh got the runs in the 25 over.