It was a landmark weekend for MACC with the first live streamed match being broadcast on our YouTube channel on Saturday afternoon. It also happened to be the annual Dalrymple Shield between MACC and North Balwyn. Make sure you follow the channel to watch the twos this weekend against Burwood at home. Click Here for Mont Albert CC TV. Thanks to DB for putting together a report for the twos.
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First XI
After a couple of disappointing performances, we sat down as a group on Tuesday prior to training to chat through some areas of improvement and plans moving forward, to ensure we were all on the same page. We were excited by the prospect of playing our arch rivals in Nth Balwyn in our round 4 clash.
We lost the toss and were sent out into the field once again on a new wicket with plenty of grass cover. We welcomed Thorn and Shah into the team to open the bowling with Padbury (inj) and Woods (unavailable) out of last week’s side. Shah bowled brilliantly, bowling his 8 overs up front for a miserly 10 runs. An outstanding effort! Thorny also bowled well at the top getting himself a wicket and running out Nth Balwyn’s skipper, laying a fingertip on a straight drive that crashed into the bowler’s stumps. Our energy in the field was noticeably better this week, with continual movement and intensity in the ring. We were able to take regular wickets throughout the innings which enabled us to also restrict Nth Balwyn’s ability to score and score freely. Taylor. R bowled a lot better this week, bashing the wicket, and ending up with 3/15 off his 7 overs. McNally claimed 2 wickets, while Watkins and Taylor. S also claimed wickets. There were a couple of runouts which were great rewards for our concentration in the field. We eventually bowled Nth Balwyn out for 97 after 37 overs.
With windy conditions and wet weather on its way, it was important we got off to a good start with the stick to try and make short work of the chase. Knoxy had set up the YouTube live stream which was engaging not only people at MACC but also those at other grounds. We lost Wrighty early, however McNally who continued his great start to the season with the bat and Joslin put on an 84-run partnership to put the game to bed. Joslin was dismissed with only 8 runs to get for 50. McNally ended up 33no with Taylor. S coming in to hit a massive dorothy to finish the game. We past Nth Balwyn’s total – 2/99 off 16.4 overs in a convincing performance. It was a pleasing way to bounce back and it will hopefully provide the platform for some good performances heading into Xmas.
Go Monts!
Second XI
The 2s were once again on the road and this time it was a trip out to Mulgrave that they had to endure. We welcomed back a few 2s stalwarts in Papa Galts, Pocky Lower and Orch. As well as skipper KJ after a week off grinding on the tools.
We won the toss and that’s where our wins stopped for the time being with Mulgrave getting on top early and having us 5/40 odd at the 20 over mark. Galts (18) battled hard in the middle.
Some beautiful hitting from Orch and Lachy Power (3 sixes) got us to a competitive 125. With the boys up and about we had to wait 40 minutes to go back on and when we did, it didn’t go the way we wanted with Mulgrave having a go at the new white one and it coming off.
Lachy Power got the first , but it wasn’t until Cully and Orch came on that the runs settled down. However at 2/70 (14) Mulgrave were flying and it wasn’t until the rain ultimately saved us and we got three points each in a wash out! Lots to improve on but sitting 2 wins a loss and a draw after the way we’ve played to start the year is a massive positive.
Third XI
Round 4 saw the 3rd XI travel to Donvale and after winning the toss Greeds decided to bowl first (which is looked like a great idea…for about the first 20 minutes of the game)
Bobby C (3/6) started the day in brilliant fashion ripping through the top order to have Donvale on the ropes at 3/11. From there Donvale were able to form a big partnership of 91 and really set themselves for a very competitive total. Rufus McLean bowled exceptional with figures of 0/18 off 6 and we welcomed back Udhav for his first game of the season and he didn’t disappoint. Bowling into a howling wind Udhav took 2/37 off 8, in what was really difficult conditions. Unfortunately we weren’t able to capitalize on our great start as Donvale posted 7/179 off their 40 overs.
Our innings didn’t get off to a great start with Tim H out early. Noble (16) and Greeds (51) shared a really good 40 run partnership before a mix up (Greeds’ fault) saw Noble run out with score 2/42. From there Scotty (14) and Greeds put on 45 before Greeds was bowled having us 3/87. From there we didn’t put up much of a fight and were bowled out for 102.
Again plenty of work to do but definitely many positives and hopefully we can bounce back positively next week. Go Monts !
Fourth XI
The 4s were at home again this week, this time against Bulleen. I lost the flick and Bulleen decided to have a bat. Today was a special day for the Massey family with Michael playing his 300th game for Mont Albert, he was also fortunate to celebrate this game alongside his son Jack who was making his senior debut. Bulleen were proactive with the bat the entire innings and we were never able to apply the pressure for long periods of time to restrict their scoring, they finished their 40 overs with 246 on the board. Jack Massey in his debut, bowled extremely well taking 1/11 off his 4 overs. Jimmy Wright also took 2 late wickets for figures of 2/51 from his 8. The chase was going to be an uphill battle but we knew anything could happen at the Gar.
A couple of early wickets didn’t help proceedings but, Michael Massey in his 300th and Terry Smit put on 98 for the 3rd wicket to get us right back in the game. Massey was eventually dismissed for a well-made 61 that got him off the hook for the running out the captain! Terry was then dismissed afterward for 48. This brought young Jack Massey to the crease who again showed that he is more than capable at the grade making a quick 10 runs, using the trademark Massey late cut to perfection. We kept fighting but unfortunately, the score was too much to chase and we finished our 40 overs 8 down with 193 on the board. Another loss, but I know we are closing in on that first win.
Fifth XI
Mont Albert travelled to Tally Ho Reserve to play Monash. We lost the toss (again) and we bowled first.
Monash got off to a good start but we managed to peg them back with some good bowling and fielding. Bill Allen finished up with 2/9 off his seven overs. Luke Pich applied the brakes with his 1/16 off his seven overs. In the back half off the innings Chris W took 4/26 off his seven and he was well supported by Sammy Taylor with his Chinamens who finished up with 3/12 off 3 overs. Sammy had a good day out. These were his first wickets for the club and he also took a catch.
We bowled Monash out on the last bowl of the innings for 139.
Our run chase started a bit slow but steady but we lost two wickets close together and were under a bit of pressure. But Tanvir Khan showed us how good his eye is and stepped up the run chase so that we were 2/104 when the rain came. The rain changed the game as it was now about time not overs. When play resumed we had to make 35 runs in 28 minutes. At this time Chris W come to the crease and he and Tanvir hit the accelerator before Tanvir was finally out, chopped on, for 46, his highest score and best innings for the club. Our time was nearly up and in our last over we needed 7 runs. Chris W hit a four off the first ball and a dot on the second. He then scrambled a single on the third ball. Sanjay had replaced Tanvir and calmly found a single. The next ball was a no ball meaning we had our win. Chris W finished on 18 no.
It was a much improved effort from our disappointing performance from last week. A good team effort in the field, with the ball and the bat.