Old Scotch star Sam Shearer kicked off the season in fine style with a wonderful display to help the Scotchies put away a determined Melbourne University CC by 58 runs out at Princes Park Oval 3, on a glorious spring afternoon.
Melbourne Uni won the toss and put the Scotchies in to bat. Old Scotch openers Hosking and Melville started off in fine style with some dashing strokes, before Melville fell for 13 with the score on 38. This brought the enterprising Sammy Shearer to the crease. Shearer and Hosking proceeded to bat stylishly as they advanced the score to 97 with some wonderful drives and deft stroke play. Hosking was dismissed after making 45 - a great start to the summer, but the "Hozz" would have been disappointed not to go on to a big score.
Tom Murray joined Shearer, but unlike in the past where they have put on big partnerships, today wasn't the day. Murray departed for 10 with the score now 3/132. Enter the spotlight, Matty Mitchell - the sensational summer signing that had the Old Boy buzzing in anticipation. And Mitch did not disappoint anyone. In harness with Shearer, Mitchell showed exactly why he will be a key foundation stone to Old Scotch this summer with a pugnacious innings. The pair advanced the score to 186, when Shearer departed for a brilliant 87. A brilliant innings that deserved a hundred. One senses with the kind of form Shearer is in, a ton cannot be too far away.
Matt Mitchell continued blazed boundaries and also toasted Seb Armstrong just for kicks in amongst it all, as he finished on 53 not out and the Scotchies 5 for 248 off the allotted 40 overs. An impressive score, but on the smallish ground and fast outfield - would it be enough? Star winter signing Matt Mitchell finished on 53 not out, to send an ominous warning to the competition that Old Scotch are only strengthened for this summers campaign.
The answer was soon apparent, as Armstrong struck early to have the Varsity boys 1 for 17. Thereafter, the Uni lads knuckled down, but, each time they looked like getting a big partnership going, the Scotchies chipped away with a wicket to keep their noses in front. This was the trend for the rest of the afternoon as the Scotchies wore down the Melbourne Uni batting line up with some tight bowling that restricted their run chase. Melbourne Uni were eventually dismissed for 190 to go down to the Scotchies by 58 runs.
A resounding win first up, with old man river Gary Bennett starring with the ball with 3 for 33 and student James Halse chipping in with 2 for 23 with his impressive left arm fast mediums. The rest of the bowling team stuck to the task manfully, following skipper Matthew Grose's game plan to the letter.
This week the A Team have the Melbourne Cup Weekend Bye, while the Celebrities are back in action in Division 2 on Sunday, as they take on the always powerful Old Trinity at Scotch College on the Meares Oval. Come on down and lend the boys some support in what is sure to be an entertaining encounter.
In the mean time...