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

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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