Cricket returned on Saturday the 6th October, with Mont Albert taking on Canterbury CC and Hawthorn CC in Dunstan and D Turf respectively. Other grades were washed out due to the torrential downpour that struck Melbourne in the four days leading into round one.
First XI
It was an exciting start to the season – the sun was out and we had 3 debutants (Jack Woods, Matt Brown (Pom) and Ben Howes). We won the toss on what we thought was an under-prepared wicket and decided to send Canterbury into Bat. Unfortunately our decision to bowl was not justified early with some poor bowling. While Canterbury were not making us pay with scoring, we were bowling 2 lengths and 2 sides of the wicket. Jackson came on after the openers and changed the game with his precision and discipline, claiming 2 crucial wickets. As the day progressed, our bowlers warmed into it and were able to get some valuable time in the middle.
Watkins was the pick of the bowlers claiming 4 wickets, while Jackson (2), Guley (1), Padbury (1), Howes (1) and Munro (1) all played a vital role in restricting and bowling out Canterbury for a total of 187 in the final over of the days play. We look forward to preparing throughout the week for the big chase with the stick next weekend!
Go Monts!
Second XI
The Threes won the toss on a perfect spring day for cricket and decided to bat. In trouble early at 4/40, Reg (51) Minzy (28) and Kanny (34) dug in and got us out of a hole and helped us to a respectable 219 in 76 overs. Nobby got the new ball and had one over at them in the fading light and found the edge, only for it to fall short of first slip. Hawthorn are 0/4 off 1 at the close of play.