1st XI
2nd XI
3rd XI
4th XI

1st XI

No match reports received.

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2nd XI

No match reports received.

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3rd XI Round 2 v Oakleigh

We were chomping on the bit to play Oakleigh following the wash-out in round 1 and Luke Abbey (27 runs) and Staity (17 runs) opened our innings with a steady 35 runs partnership. We failed to capitalize on this good start as we lost wickets at a steady rate and never truly threatened to post a big score for our opponents to chase. Ted Plant (18 runs) and Dan Haysom (14 runs) were also solid contributors with the bat and our innings finished at 124/9 after our allocation of 45 overs.
Oakleigh began their chase of our modest total with gay abandon, getting to 42/1 after 7 overs and we were looking down the barrel. Enter Gary Nash (mate of Brian Ambler) and Abhi Duseja who ripped the heart out of the Oakleigh batting order restricting them to an innings total of 90 runs. Nashy finished with 22/4 and Abhi returned 11/2. Young Sam Stait was also impressive taking 7/2 from 5 overs.
A “come from behind” win was terrific for the early morale of the team. Well done lads.
Scoop.

3rd XI Round 3 v moorabbin

We won the coin toss and were not sure if deciding to bat first was the correct decision when we were 20/2 with the Ambler boys back in the sheds. But enter young Sam Kindlen who put together a fantastic partnership of 66 runs with the skipper. Sam batted very maturely for a 16yo boy, selecting the right ball to score from and respecting the good balls and finished with a well compiled 58 runs. Staity got 38 runs. We went to tea only 3 wickets down and were well placed to post a 200+ runs total. Unfortunately we did not capitalize on the good early work and our innings closed at 161 runs (losing our last 6 wickets for only 20 runs). Ted Plant knocked out 15 handy runs.
Moorabbin started steadily with the bat and we took wickets at regular intervals and the game well balanced with Moorabbin at 111/6. However, a big partnership by the oppo and the game was dusted. Moorabbin finished at 279. Dropped catches and a threadbare bowling attack hurt us badly. Dan Mason, Sam Kindlen, Imran Baig and Brian Ambler (5/2 from 7 overs) all took 2 wickets a piece.
Scoop.

3rd XI Round 4 v malvern

Once again, our lack of quality bowlers was going to be a challenge and so it proved. Malvern were in early trouble at 20/2 in the 11th over. They recovered well to be 172/3 with 6 overs to bowl of their allocated 45 overs and we were looking at a run-chase of 200+ runs. Some quality bowling by Imran Baig (42/5 from 7 overs), Sam Stait (21/1 from 9 overs) and Abhi Duseja (34/1 from 9 overs) restricted the Roosters to a gettable tally of 183 runs. Sloppy fielding and 21 extras had us chasing more than we should have.
Our batting started poorly with Steve Ambler getting out early. Some steady partnerships followed with Brian Ambler anchoring the innings with a well-compiled 39 runs. Some lusty hitting by Abhi Duseja (25 runs) and smart batting by Sam Creaton (38 runs) and Sam Stait (23 runs) put us in a winning position to be 173/5 with 3 overs to bowl. We capitulated in the final overs to finish 179/9. To say we snatched defeat from the hands of victory would be apt and we failed to reward the batters who had worked hard to put us in a winning position. A very disappointing result.
Scoop. 

3rd XI Round 5 v kingston saints

With the return of some players from the 1sts & 2nds saw the return of last season’s best 3rd XI bowler in Ben Cameron and best 3rd XI batter Shane Blandford (who had both been poached by the 2nd XI for the first 3 matches of this season). Ben was a welcome addition to our struggling bowling attack and he did not disappoint returning 14/1 from 9 well-bowled overs. He was well supported by a couple of youngsters in Sam Stait (30/1 from 9 overs) and Dan Mason (18/0 from 9 overs). Abhi Duseja (32/0 from 9 overs) was also serviceable with the ball.
Kingston finished on 156/3 after their full allocation of 45 overs and we were very confident in reeling in their total.
Staity (30 runs) and Shane Blandford (27 runs) put together a dominant opening partnership of 62 runs in quick time and our opponent was on the canvas. We then proceeded to lose 18/7 which virtually extinguished any chance of victory although Ted Plant and newcomer Chris Ammitzboll compiled a handy partnership of 48 runs and almost won the game for us. It was not to be as we were all out for 148 just short of our target.
We cannot expect to win matches by gifting the opposition 43 extras and combined with some very poor batting, we now realize the amount of work that needs to be done by each player so we can become a competitive unit.
Scoop.

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4th XI ROUND 14 V kingston saints

Ormond 5/180 lost to Kingston Saints 9/184

In a game we had to win to ease our concerns about playing finals we came up four runs short. Bowling first Ollie Watts and Dave Pelosi kept their opening bats under control. We later tended to bowl too many ‘Four balls’ and were not helped by a higher than normal number of no balls and wides. We ended up bowling an extra two overs. Our fielding was mixed with Scott Nye a stand out and Justin Ammitzboll excelling in the final overs, but unfortunately we invented a few ways to miss catches we needed to take. Ollie Watts' second spell at the death was impressive and helped us keep Kingston to an achievable score.

Our reply started well with Dave Jones and Ted Plant seeing off the new ball. Ted has had a most consistent season and contributed another thirty before being stranded in a run out. Andrew Halliburton batting up the order was the rock of the innings and as his time in the middle lengthened so his confidence and stroke making improved.  He remained unconquered on 61. Ollie Thursfield produced another punishing innings of 61. Ollie starts by focusing on his defence then he hits out with punishing drives and stroke play. At the end Andrew and Ian Hewett had to make just a few too many runs off the last ten balls to get us over the line.

Fortunately, despite the result, we remained third when Elsternwick went down and next Saturday we resume battle with Brighton in the semi final at home...Go Monds.

4TH XI ROUND 13 V brighton

Ormond 9/248 d Brighton 10/238

The fourths recorded a sensational ten run win against top two side Brighton, twice coming back from the dead. The hero was Ollie Thursfield who made his first century for the club (106 no) and then on the second week took 7/54 from 20 overs including an overpowering final burst that blew Brighton’s batsmen away.

The first day started brightly, winning the toss and making a fine start with Ted Plant and Hugh Thursfield getting us away in a strong opening partnership. At 1/75 the cricket world was looking good, but a ‘sensational’ collapse with four ducks saw us slump to 8/93. Enter Keenan Robbie and Ollie who stopped the rot with strong defence and selective attacking play. Keenan and Ollie added 66 runs for the ninth wicket and then Sam Stait joined Ollie and together they destroyed the Brighton bowlers adding an unconquered 89 runs for the last wicket. Both played some exceptional shots and in one game changing over Ollie scored more than 20 runs.

In response to our 248, Brighton began soundly adding forty runs for the opening partnership.
Two quick wickets to Ollie brought Ormond back into the game but for the next two hours we struggled to take wickets. With the game slipping from our grasp Keenan suddenly took two quick wickets, including their century maker, to open the door again. From that moment Ollie took over and bowled the last five Brighton batsmen to record a stunning victory and keep us ahead of Malvern in our quest for the finals

 Since Christmas the fourths have recorded four wins but still need to win the last game to secure their position.

4TH XI ROUND 11 V oakleigh

Ormond 7/222 d Oakleigh 10/219
The fourths recorded their third consecutive win to continue their push for finals cricket. This was a hard fought result against the third placed team from the Eastern Group. On the first day we fielded and did well to bowl out Oakleigh for 219 in 74 overs on a very placid wicket and very fast outfield. All the bowlers played a role either in getting wickets or containing the batsmen and keeping them under pressure. Scott Nye with his Offies and Cam Scott both took three wickets and Ollie Thursfield’s return was marked with a fine spell. Dave Pelosi tied up one end after tea and he bowled very tightly as well as claiming wickets. The fielding was also a marked improvement on the previous game with only one catch going down. Ted Plant with his new gloves kept wickets very well and pulled off a brilliant stumping.

Losing one wicket before stumps put some pressure on our batters but throughout the day we batted soundly and generally established partnerships to keep the runs ticking over. The two key partnerships were between Ollie (83)and Ted (59)who put us in a winning position and later an unbeaten eighth wicket stand from Andrew Halliburton and Roo McNeice who both stood tall when the pressure was applied by Oakleigh. It was great to see the composure and ability to focus on what had to be done rather than leaving the task to others.

This was an important win as it was hard fought throughout and both teams had opportunities-ultimately we grabbed our chances in the vital moments.

4TH XI ROUND 10 V moorabbin

The fourths recorded its second consecutive win defeating Moorabbin by 20 runs in a one day game. Our batting was great scoring 240 runs for the loss of only three wickets. The highlight was Hatch player Sam Blandford’s unconquered century...110 not out...batting throughout the innings. This was an innings of maturity and one in which Sam punished the bad balls ruthlessly and as his confidence grew he played shots all around the ground. It was not all attack as Sam showed a very sound defence and knew which balls to leave. Sam was well supported by his opening partner Steve Ambler who after a couple of early let offs unleashed the shackles and regularly pummelled the ball to the boundary in batting his age!!! Dave Jones made a very sound 35 and Ted Plant continued his run making finishing with 24 not out. Unfortunately our guest player Richard Abel made only a fleeting appearance at the crease before heading off to his going away party. We wish Richie all the best on his overseas adventures.

Moorabbin enjoyed one of its better innings largely because of our below standard fielding and catching. Some of their batsmen chanced their eye in the run chase, but each were given several opportunities to restart their innings. Slow bowlers Keenan Robbie on his return from Paris and Louis McNeice both picked up wickets, Dave Pelosi bowled a tight and successful spell into the strong wind and Cam Scott snared up three wickets.

This was a sound win and Sam’s maiden century was a fantastic achievement which hopefully will be the catalyst for many more successful innings.

4TH XI ROUND 9 V ELSTERNWICK

A phone call at 9 am Saturday morning to say we were short of numbers and the request to bring a box of coloured tops did not bode well for the fourths. However David Jones should give himself three votes for gathering together a side that upset the top of the ladder Elsternwick who had previously lost one game.
On a typical Elsternwick subterranean pitch surrounded by a lightening outfield we did very well to keep them to 145 off 40 overs. This was a real team effort as there was not one outstanding wicket taker and several bowlers combined accuracy and good lines to restrict ‘four balls’ on the small oval. Rory Cahalane, Dave Pelosi and late in the innings Richard Abel all performed well. Jeremy Simon picked up a wicket with his first ball which had Ted Plant sprawling over the popping crease in a forward roll with triple pike to latch onto the catch at the second attempt. The stand out in the field was Sam Blandford whose sharp work initiated two run outs and as well he took an excellent catch at midwicket.

The batting was its usual mixture of quick dismissals and sound partnerships. Ted Plant nearly batted his age and remained unconquered on 64…a terrific knock in which he guided partnerships with first gamer Andrew Halliburton (28), Dave Jones and Dave Pelosi (17no). Ted timed the ball beautifully and held the batting together.

It was good to beat one of the better performed sides and hopefully the side will take confidence into the next match against Moorabbin.

4TH XI SEASON PRE CHRISTMAS

Fourth Eleven...Progress report on the season so far

So far the fourths have won two and lost three games. The wins have both been comprehensive and in two of the losses we have been very competitive. Only against Malvern when we failed badly with the bat did we really perform below expectations. Our success or otherwise has largely been determined by how we have performed at the start of both our batting and bowling efforts. When we have started well and gained the initiative we have performed with confidence, but so far we have not successfully turned the tables when our starts have been less than average.

Captain David Jones has led the way with his batting. He has been the mainstay with three very good innings including an 84 against Moorabbin. The Thursfield clan has contributed heavily with Ollie and Will playing commanding innings and father Hugh providing very sound technique at the top of the innings. Keenan Robbie has shown what perseverance and listening can do as he has easily bettered his past efforts with some good late order contributions.

It is really pleasing to see how Tom Cameron has coped with the jump to seconds and thirds cricket. His batting and wicket keeping will be missed in the fourths but he now has the opportunity to progress and further develop his skills.

The bowling has been pretty sound and mostly the all rounders have chipped in to take wickets. Ollie has let fly with some fine spells and a big wicket haul is just around the corner. Keenan’s bowling is improving as he learns the right lines to bowl and to work his body through the crease. He has already gained one four wicket haul. Hugh has toiled into the wind bowling tightly and Ryan McDonald shows a lot of promise both with the ball and his hard hitting batting. Ollie Watts is limited to four over spells but with each outing he is improving his line and regularly is gaining the respect of his opponents.

Ian Sanders has contributed some valuable innings in his role as our ‘permanent emergency replacement’ and we welcome Digger Rao whose infectious enthusiasm and enjoyment has been a real bonus.

Geoff Cowen

Editor’s note:  The writer of this report obviously forgot to mention his own very economical bowling, including a 5/9 haul against Moorabbin.

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