Walking up to Elgar park on Saturday morning, I couldn’t help but think how lucky we were in the twos. Moved from the home of MACC – where solid morning rain had set up a good environment for a swimming race – to the ‘Gar early on Friday, we were set for a good opportunity to claim 6 points on a decent wicket and flawless outfield. Finally, our wise Grandma had his chance to debut on the infamous postage stamp. Everyone was bullish and even Lachy was creaming the ball in the warm up. Galts was busy searching for his keys in the middle – along with the opposing captain and not one, but two ECA refs. The scene was set for a cracking contest.
But, alas, our efforts to set up the ground were thwarted by the ‘muddy surrounds’. Deemed unsafe for play before the first ball could be bowled.
Three other games in B Turf got underway, and many others across the competition. Yet at MACC, only two senior teams played. The First, Second and Fourth XI’s were all dealt a cruel hand.
Third XI
A delayed start meant we wouldn’t get going until 1:45 with only 34 overs a side. We lost the toss and had to field on a soggy ground with a great wicket which had managed to avoid any water. Ashwood got off to a flyer and were 0/50 off ten. Once Nobby struck (1/17) we managed to chip away at them and keep them to 155 off their 34 which was a great effort considering it looked like 180+ at one point. Dave ‘Big Papa’ Laird the pick of the bowlers with 2/20 off 7.
Unfortunately, the batsmen weren’t up to it. The top order had changed significantly from the week before and the task proved too much for everyone. No one ever really got going or hung around long enough to get something going. Credit to Ashwood who bowled very well but it’s certainly one to forget. All out for 47 in the 24th over.
We face Hawthorn next week at their ground having beat them in round one, with a great opportunity to bounce back and get ourselves back on the winners list.
Fifth XI
After a damp morning we started on time and played against North Balwyn Combined. We won the toss and elected to bowl due to the really damp out outfield. Rufus and Massey opened up. They bowled well without much luck. Sanjay fielded well. Nothing got past him and he combined with Mark Sowdon to get the break through. Unfortunately their number three batted very well and produced a silky chanceless 55. The ground dried out and the run rate accelerated at the end of the inning they were 4/182. Rufus, Massey, Mark and Terry all picked up wickets.
We started our run chase in sunshine, played through rain and finished in sunshine again. Melbourne weather at it best. We lost a wicket early and did not quite build up enough momentum in the middle overs to chase down the target. Tanvir made a handy 21 and in the latter overs Rahul and Massey accelerated the run rate to give us half a chance. Rahul was run out for 26 through a direct hit and Massey made a quick fire 41 no. Unfortunately we finished short and our innings closed at 4/162.
It was a good effort by the team but we were not good enough on the day.