A frustrating week for MACC saw the 4s miss their opportunity to chase down Ringwood’s total and leapfrog them into fourth spot. Nevertheless, the 1s, 2s and 3s are through to the finals and have the chance to add some more silverware to the MACC trophy cabinet.
Please make sure you get down to support the teams, all playing at home (or close by).
First XI – Mont Albert reserve from 12:30pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Second XI – Surrey park from 12:30pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Third XI – Elgar park from 12:30pm on Saturday and Sunday.
First XI
We headed to Surrey Hills for our final game of the season in a 2-day game. We lost the toss and were asked to bowl. Padbury and Watkins opened up and bowled brilliantly. Padbury took an early wicket, although we should have had a couple more, putting down some simple chances in the field. This started the trend for the day, as we disappointingly dropped 6 obvious catches and had a few other half chances. Watkins was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3/21 off 19.4 overs, while all other bowlers on the day each claimed a wicket. We bowled out Surrey Hills for 187 in the 73rd over, meaning we had 4 overs to bat that evening. Unfortunately Wrighty snicked one early and we went into day 2 at 1/11.
We arrived on day 2 in hot conditions, with the temperature forecast to reach 37 degrees. We knew we had to bat well to chase down the target. Watkins and Padbury (25) batted patiently early putting on 60 runs for the second wicket, until Watkins had a brain fade and was dismissed for a well made 40. His wicket started the run of regular wickets for the remainder of the afternoon, until Woods and Howes showed the top order how to do it and put on a near match winning partnership of 52 for the final wicket. We fell 12 runs short in a disappointing chase. Woods showed his potential at the level with a mature knock of 39 and was well supported by Howes with 21. It was not the way we had planned to head into finals, however finishing on top of the table is no mean feat! We deserve the opportunity and look forward to a big game vs our arch rivals in North Balwyn at home.
Second XI
The seconds were able to contain Deepdene Bears to 192 on day one of their two day match at MACC. After a tight start that saw few wickets and runs, (Deepdene were 2/102 just after tea), MACC were able to take regular wickets to restrict their momentum. Fernandes (4/34), Guley (2/29) and Baker (2/40) were the pick of the bowlers, while Cull bowled tight lines without luck. Nick Kann, in his second 2s game for the season, was exceptional behind the stumps with two catches and a stumping. He was particularly impressive keeping up to Fernandes and Baker.
Unfortunately, the heat rolled in and play was not possible on day two. The seconds consequently finished on top of the B Turf table for the second consecutive season, meaning they play East Doncaster at home on Saturday and Sunday in the semi final.
Third XI
We played away vs Bulleen at Koonung Park where the flat track and pristine outfield proved irresistible, so we decided to have a bat.
After weathering some decent bowling early, Daff (18) and Minzy (36) got us off to a solid start, 0/55 at drinks before the demise of Minzy started a chain reaction that went through the whole team, losing 8/9! Some late order hitting from Uudles (31) saved us from utter embarrassment and got us over the 100 mark, all out for 108 in 40.5 overs.
We had the luxury of ‘super sub’ Thorny, and with 36 overs to play in the day we were going to need something special from the bowling group. All the bowlers bowled well with little luck, a couple of snicks flying wide of the cordon and a very stinky LBW decision not going our way.
Bulleen finished 3/70 at stumps, with the game still well and truly in our grasp, knowing they’re just as likely to fall in a heap as they are to chase the remainder unscathed. Thorny was our best with ball in hand, taking 2/20 off his 12.
The ‘heat off’ the following Saturday meant we weren’t required to show up, the ECA giving us both 3 points. With that, we finish the season 2nd on the ladder and secure a home final in the process.
We take on East Malvern-Tooronga at The ‘Gar this Saturday and Sunday in the Semi final. Please get down and support! Go Monts.
Fourth XI
The 4s rocked up to the Gar in a playoff for 4th place against Ringwood. Spirits were high and were sent out to field after we lost the toss. Some tight bowling early from Bob Carruthers and Jeremy Burrill helped us get an early breakthrough. From there Casey Vollmer snagged 2 wickets in a good spell of bowling. Unfortunately, some dropped catches meant one of their batsman was able to get on top of us to score 92 and help Ringwood to a total of 214. Burrill picking up 3 wickets to finish off the tail.
We faced 2 overs at the end of the first day and finished on 0/7. Unfortunately the heatwave did not relent and the last day of the season was heated off. This also meant that Ringwood progressed into the finals and we finished 5th 0.05% behind. While it was disappointing for the season to finish that way it was still a great season for the 4s. Being able to challenge for the finals off the back of some hard times in the middle of the season due to player unavailability means we can definitely come back next year stronger and win the whole thing.