Aside from the continued success of the First XI, who once again prevailed on Saturday at home against Ashburton, it’s fair to say it has been tough at MACC of late. Player inconsistency across all XIs has become the norm, with injuries and other commitments sidelining player after player. However, Round 9 saw the return of some key players to the First and Second XI, which had a corresponding effect on the Third, Fourth and Fifth XIs. See below for how everyone fared, as told by your captains.
First XI
Jack Joslin on his way to 95 against Ashburton – Image credit: Preter Knox
We were home to Ashburton in our last game prior to the Xmas break and we won the toss in overcast conditions and chose to bat, even with the wicket feeling a little soft under foot with some overnight drizzle. We welcomed back McNally to the team after a layoff with a nasty finger break/dislocation.
We started well with Wright and Woods defending well and rotating the strike in challenging conditions. They put on 42 for the first wicket until Woods was dismissed for 14. Wright and Joslin took over and began to increase the tempo of the innings, putting on 46 for the second wicket until Wright was well caught in the gully for a well made 48. We went into the tea break 2 wickets down for around 110 runs – a good foundation for the second half of the innings. Partnerships and wickets in hand were still the key!
Joslin and Stothard started well after the break but just as Stothard looked to take the game away from Ashburton, he was trapped in front for 25 and another good partnership of 50 for the third wicket.
Harry Stothard spinning a web against Ashburton – Image Credit: Peter Knox
Unfortunately McNally missed out, which brought Guley to the crease. He hit the ball in the middle from ball one and showed positive intent to hit gaps and run hard between the wickets. Joslin and Guley were able to increase the run-rate and push the total towards the 300+ mark. Joslin unfortunately miss executed close to triple figures and was caught behind for a well made 95 and a good partnership of 90 runs ended with Guley. Guley continued his great innings and was caught at long on chasing late runs for a close to run a ball 56. We finished our 80 overs 8/290 which was extremely satisfying!! We could not wait to execute with the ball next weekend!
Day 2 was a ripping day and the wicket looked pretty similar to day 1, although a little dryer with the hot weather that proceeded in the days leading into day 2. Howes and McNally started well with the new ball, restricting Ashburton’s openers and putting pressure on them to score and rotate the strike. Our first wicket came through a brain fade between their openers and some good fielding from Topham, where their opener was run-out by half a pitch. They then put on 56 runs for the second wicket with some dour batting from their other opener and
With all the spinners in action – 4 bowled – there were plenty of fielders around the bat – Image credit: Peter Knox
some good stroke making from their number 3. Taylor bowled beautifully and was unlucky not to strike with a wicket. Stothard came on and made an impact immediately taking a caught and bowled (their opener) and then bowling their number 3 who looked dangerous. He then also took the wicket of their number 4 and the game was now clearly on our terms. The rest of the innings was slow, as Ashburton clearly gave up chasing the total and were just out their to survive. We eventually bowled them out in the 62nd over for 158. Standouts with the ball were Stothard (3/39 off 14), McNally (2/28 off 11), Patel (2/43 off 12) and Howes who was unlucky not to take a wicket but bowled his 12 overs for a miserly 7 runs, including 6 maidens. A comprehensive performance leading into the break where we sit in second place 2 games behind East Doncaster (who we play twice after Xmas) and 5 points ahead of 3rd place Canterbury (who have come good in red ball cricket).
Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year to all! Go Monts!
Second XI
Reg Cooper was the star on the weekend, notching up his first MACC century and batting through for a classy 123*
The final game of 2019 was a huge one for the Second XI. A win would put us in 6th place with a faint hope of finals, and a loss in 7th with no chance at all.
With more availability from players than previous weeks, we went in with a strong team, starved of any recent success.
Day 1: Vs Ashwood at Essex Heights.
We were asked to have a bat in what turned out to be a great toss to lose. We amassed 5/286 from our 80, our best batting performance of the season comfortably, on a two-paced wicket that wasn’t the easiest. Patience and big partnerships set the game up, with Reg Cooper carrying his bat for the full 80, notching up 123* in the process, in a brilliant display in what’s turning out to be the summer of Reg. Reg was ably supported by Boof Baker (71) and JBH (42) who both looked a class above out there.
Day 2: Ashwood got off to a bit of a flyer, after 3 overs they were 0/22, but the opening pair of Jacko (2/46) & Cully managed to peg them back, before Jacko struck to get us rolling.
We kept it very tight through the middle overs with Orch (1/36 off 18 straight) Boof (1/32) and Chip (1/19 off 11 inc. 7 maidens!) doing the business. After tea, Ashwood put on 72 for the 5th wicket. It was a grind, but the reintroduction of Cully (3/54) got us going again. His 3 quick wickets combined with a run out (Chip & Minzy) took the game away from them and set up what would be our second win of the season and a bloody good one at that.
A special mention to Reg and Chip who were unreal in the field, saving us plenty of runs and applying much needed pressure.
Third XI
After a disappointing loss to Marcellin the thirds hosted Heathmont in our round 9 clash. In overcast conditions and a bit of green on the deck, Heathmont won the toss and sent us into bat.
Nobby (39) and Stagga (44) opened the batting getting us off to our best start to date with some brilliant batting with a partnership of 61. The first wicket of Noble saw Fern (27) come to crease for his first game of the year. Looking comfortable the pair put on 57 before losing their workers in quick succession having us 3/127. That brought Bails (60) and Fraser (48) in and with a great balance of defensive and attacking batting put on a fantastic partnership of 107, which really set up our innings to put on a good score. With wickets in hand it allowed the boys down the order to open the arms, and thanks to some good hitting from Greeds (27), Bobby (22) and Udhav (12) we finished the day 9/306. A really good effort from all the lads!
With 306 we felt really confident that we could come out with points and with a fantastic start from Bobby C (2/53) and Noble (2/58) the signs were ominous! Noble struck first removing Heathmont’s captain. Bobby C then took two wickets in the one over and when Nobbler had the other opener caught behind Heathmont had lost 3/0 and were struggling at 4/16. Unfortunately, and to Heathmont’s credit, they produced two large partnerships giving us limited chances. They chased down the runs quite comfortably in the end winning by four wickets with 8 overs to spare.
The loss left a bitter taste but there were plenty of positives to take out of the game, especially from a batting perspective. Go Monts!
Fourth XI
The 4s headed down Whitehorse Rd to Deepdene Park to take on the Bears in a bottom of the table clash. We lost the flick and were asked to bowl on a grassy deck. Things started beautifully and we had Deepdene 5-67 with the pitch providing some surprising bounce. Unfortunately, from here the 6th wicket put on 182 runs which undid a lot of the early work we put in. We managed a late innings fightback and Deepdene posted 271 from their 72. Dave Laird was the standout with the ball taking 3-63 from his 17 overs. Jack Anderson, Michael Lee and Rufus McLean also pitched in, taking 2 wickets each.
Day 2 rolled around and we knew the key to chasing down this total was batting through the full 72 overs. Johnny Mitchell was a wall opening the batting and helped us see out the new ball. Dan Tallariti (42) and Michael Harris (56) combined for a tidy 4th wicket partnership of 97. Dave Laird hit a nice 24 and Josh Williams (55) kept us in the game with some lofty hitting towards the end. Unfortunately we were bowled out for 245 and fell 26 runs short of their total. Another unlucky result, but I know a win isn’t too far away in the new year.
Fifth XI
The 5ths hosted Salesian at Surrey Park, and it was a good day for Mont Albert but not for Salesian.
Gus Mclean lost the toss (again) and we were sent in to bowl. Lachlan Thompson and Davor Stanic were handed the new ball and they did an excellent job. Lachlan bowled well but without luck and didn’t get a wicket. Davor bowled extremely well and picked up 4/10 of 6 overs.
Santa made a visit at our Christmas Party two Saturdays past – Image credit: Peter Knox
When the opening bowlers had finished their spell, the skipper bought on Michael Massey. It proved to be a good decision, with Mass taking 4/21 of 7, including the critical wicket of their skipper, leaving Salesian on the back foot.
We ended up bowling out Salesian for 78 after 29 overs.
After tea we started our run chase with the plan to bat sensibly and chase down Salesian’s total with as few wickets down as possible. The skipper certainly didn’t hear that part of the plan though, because the first ball of the innings, out, bowled! Golden duck!
Terry Smit then came in and took the game away from them. Whatever hope they thought they had it vanished as Terry took their bowlers apart. He finished on a well made 53 not out, even bringing it up with a 6 to get his 50 and to end the game. He was well supported by Trevor Roddam who made 20 no.
Overall it was a good effort from the team but some whispers have been heard about the skipper. He can’t win a toss and he can’t bat! Last week was a second ball duck, this week was a golden duck. Who knows, maybe next week will be a diamond duck!
Merry Christmas to all and stay safe over the break. See you in the new year.