Tight Wins a Theme of Round 6

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First XI

After more injury concerns to our bowling stocks throughout the week, we went into our round 6 affair against Heathmont undermanned. This, however, provided an opportunity for Lachy Power and Luke Fernandes (late call up last week) to play a role.

We lost the toss and again were sent into the field. We took a gamble and had Brown opening the bowling….yes you heard correctly…Brown opened the bowling alongside Howes. Wrighty was to take the gloves for the early stages of our bowling innings. The wicket was a belter and any delivery that was slighty off with execution was punished. Heathmont were scoring freely until Wright, Guley and Fernandes brought the innings back into our favour with some tight, restrictive bowling. Guley getting the prized wicket of Morris when it looked as though he could take the game away from us. We were able to restrict Heathmont to 7/152 off their 40 overs. A total we were confident in chasing.

We started our batting innings brilliantly with Wright and Brown getting us off to a strong opening partnership (50+), which is one of our main targets. Once Brown was dismissed for a well made 28, Wright continued on his merry way for a stylish 54. We were able to get across the line, a little later than we would have liked, in the last over of the day 3 wickets down (3/155). The win puts us on top of the table, by percentage, with Ashburton and North Balwyn both losing, however we are still a long way off playing our best cricket. Hopefully, we can start to get some cattle back over the next couple of weeks, which will help strengthen our side moving into the 2-day fixtures.

Go Monts!

Second XI
In what was deserved reward for consistent performances in the 3rd XI Connor Laird was welcomed up for his 2nd XI debut as we took on Glen Iris at St James Park on Sunday.
Winning the toss and electing to bat, unfortunately in what was a mirror image to our batting last week, we were two wickets down for not many within the first five overs. In a hole and needing to consolidate, in only his second game for the year, Travis Baker, and Jack Woods were able to do just that and more as they put on almost 100 for the 3rd wicket to have us in a strong position of 3/101 when Trav fell on a well made 50. After drinks, Woods and Bonnett continued to make use of the rapid outfield as we looked to build a strong total. Woods was dismissed for 52 but Bonnett (51) continued on his way batting with the tail getting us up to a total of 216 after our allotted 40 overs.
After a beamer with his first ball, Laird found his rhythm as he bowled well without luck to Glen Iris’ openers who were able to get off to a strong start in their run chase. The introduction of Baker paid dividends as he was able to slow the run rate and grab our first wicket for the day. From the other end Noble bowled his 8 overs with immaculate lines and lengths and was unlucky to finish without a wicket if not for some poor wicket keeping. Unfortunately we were unable to take regular wickets throughout the day and at 3/180 odd Glen Iris appeared to be cruising to our total until the reintroduction of Laird who took his first 2nd  XI wicket having their top scorer caught on 56. Prateek was brought on at very tough period with both batsmen going and his control and economy allowed us to stay in the hunt going into the last 5 overs. Coming down to a run a ball from the last 4 overs, Baker bowled a wicket maiden with his second last over shifting momentum to us in a big way. Finishing with 4/30 for the day Baker and Cull hit their marks at the death and we were able to sneak away with a win by just 4 runs in what was a tense and exciting finish. Our fielding during the death overs was very pleasing and a particular highlight was Prateek’s catch diving forward and low to his left which lifted the whole group.
Ultimately it was good to get away with a win in those circumstances but certainly a bit to work on during the week before we take on Burwood next week. Go Monts!
Third XI

The threes made the trek out to Yarra Bend to take on Richmond City who were searching for their first win. We lost the toss and were asked to field. Big Papa struck early, before they went on the counter attack and tried to get after us. Some tight bowling in the middle overs from Bobby C and trickery from Gaj (3/45) helped stem the flow, before Dave ‘Big Papa’ Laird struck again at the death to finish with 4/16. Richmond managed 9/196 off their 40.

We got off to a bit of a flyer with AB scoring a quick fire 20, before Minzy and Joel (45) got together and put on 106 for the fourth wicket, setting us up for victory. Minzy carried his bat for the full 40, finishing with 93 not out, 7 short of a well deserved hundred. Nevertheless, it was a brilliant knock and hopefully the beginning of many more big scores from the angry Scotsman. He slapped one over mid on for 4 in the last over to bring up the W. A fitting end.

Fourth XI

The 4s were back at home against another top team in Old Carey. Winning the toss, we batted first on what was a pretty good wicket. Barker and Dean (27 each) got us off to a decent start with a partnership of 50. Barker departed at the call of drinks with the score on 68. This proved to be the start of a collapse for us as we lost 9/32 and were bowled out for 100.

We went out to bowl knowing that early wickets were the key but unfortunately Old Carey were too good and chased the runs down in 19 overs. Rufus McLean bowling well to take a wicket with Tim Fenton taking a blinder for it at mid-on. Some key areas to work on as we prepare for Donvale this week at home.

Fifth XI

Mont Albert made 5/207, with McClean (36), Forde (40), Praetz (31*) and Smit (23*) in the runs. In the defence, the MACC bowlers were able to curtail Hawthorn’s run chase and hold them to 98. Bansal (3/9), Massey (3/11) and Balasuriya (3/20) did the damage.