Tom Murray scored a magnificent captains hundred to inspire Old Scotch 1st XI to their first win of the 2014/15 season.
On a wind swept Flack Oval, Murray was lordly in his majestic innings of 106. Combining with the irrepressible George Dick who smashed an unbeaten 66, the pair powered the Scotchies to an impressive total of 217 off their allotted 40 overs.
Murray scored with consumate skill all around the wicket, fittingly bringing up his ton with a dismissive pull shot for six over square leg to send his team mates on the sidelines into raptures.
Earlier, the Scotchies got off to a shaky start when stalwart Mark Griffiths was dismissed without scoring, but yeoman opening batsman Tom Whitelaw proceeded to steady the ship with a hard working 21.
With a good total to bowl to, the Old Scotch bowlers responded magnificently to have the Old Melburnian batsman always behind the eight ball, with wickets falling at regular intervals.
Veteran Gary Bennett started well and made the breakthrough to set the ball rolling. New boy, South African fast bowler Andy Fairman sharing the new ball, gained sharp lift off a lifeless wicket, beating the bat time and again, but unluckily not getting amongst the wickets.
The match was far from over when the Old Melburnian batsmen tore into Vikas Choudhary’s first over, but skipper Tom Murray kept his cool and showed faith in Choudhary giving the bowler another over, where redemption was gained with two wickets in three balls to tilt the match irreversibly in Old Scotch’s favour.
With the top order removed, the Old Scotch bowlers proceeded to mop up the remaining batsmen to record an impressive 66 run win.
Next up, the lads take on Melbourne University in their first home game of the 2014/15 campaign.
Come on down and support the boys in their quest to bring further glory to the Old Scotch Cricket Club.