It was another tough day in the office for the 5ths.
We hosted Notting Hill, the top team, at our home ground. It started badly with Gus McLean losing the toss again and we were invited to bowl. We thought we had a chance with Bill Allen taking a wicket in the first over. That hope didn’t last long with one of their openers smashing 50 and retiring in the 9th over, then their number 3 made 50 as well.
Finally, we had our second wicket in the 22nd, by Brendon Diodge taking a cracker of a catch at short cover, bowled by Aaron Lane. Stand outs for Mont Albert bowling was Aaron Lane with 3/31 abut in the end, Notting Hill made a whopping 6/240. Mont Albert would have to bat brilliantly to win.
It did not happen. In the first over the skipper made a second ball duck and in the second over Trevor went cheaply as well. We were 2-1 of 2. We could not get a partnership going and by drinks we were 6/56, looking like we were going to be bowled out. Then Terry Smit and Bill Allen came together and put useful partnership together that extended for 14 overs which enabled us to bat our 35 overs only 7 down for 109.
Highlights for Mont Albert were Marcus Luccani making a quick fire 31 and Terry Smit holding the innings together with an extremely patient and disciplined innings of 39 not out who was well supported by Bill who made 15.