The Celebrities were the only Old Scotch team required to play over the Melbourne Cup long weekend, as the A Team had a weekend off. The Celebrities went down by seven wickets to Old Trinity in a tough day at the office.
Winning the toss, the undermanned Celebrities chose to bat, and Griffiths and Nicholas looked to make a positive start on the greenish wicket, that provided good bounce and carry, aligned with a lightning fast outfield. In the fourth over, disaster struck, when Griffiths top edged a pull shot high to fine leg to be caught after the ball was in the air for what seemed like an eternity. 1 for 7 - not the start the team needed. Charlie "Choc" Hocking joined Nicholas at the crease, and as the batsman had crossed, Nicholas took strike next ball. The delivery offered height and width and Nicholas played a handsome cut shot out of the middle of the bat. As most eyes turned to see the ball presumably rocketing to the boundary, the Old Trinity gully fieldsman dived full length to his right and plucked a miracle one handed catch approximately 2cms from the turf. 2 for 7, and the Scotchies were already in trouble.
Riley Tilbrook, strode to the wicket to join 16 year old Choc Hocking. Tilbrok is the younger brother of all round cool cat, Hayden Tilbrook, but thankfully, a far more accomplished cricketer as it turns out. Riley had not played any cricket in the two years he has been out of school, but he looked completely composed in his comeback innings, where in harness with Hocking, they brought the innings back from the dead. Hocking fresh from his Round 1 heroics looked to have picked up where he left off against Old Wesley. One pull shot here over mid wicket was so dismissive, that it looked like it had been fired out of a cannon. The two young tyros were batting beautifully, until Hocking made an uncharacteristic error and top edged a pull shot as he got through the shot too early. The ball floated back where the Old Trinity keeper took a good catch running back with the flight of the ball. 3 for 40, and things looked shaky again. Choc Hocking had contributed 18 runs, and was ruing missing out on a big score in the excellent conditions on offer.
Hayden Tilbrook joined his younger brother at the crease, and for a while, it all looked good. Riley looking a class batsman with loads of time, and Hayden playing straight in a support role. However Haydos was out for 7 and at 4 for 58, the Scotchies were in a world of bother. Riley Tilbrook was still there playing a fine hand, but was lacking in support.
Our favourite Taswegian, Matthew De Gouviea signaled his intentions as he dispatched the first ball he faced to the cover fence for an authoritive boundary. He followed it up with two more to race to 12 and hope once again flickered of a good score being achieved. But, Digger was dismissed with the score now 6 for 79. Benny Summerfield played a some dashing strokes, but departed for 10 and it was now 7 for 106 with Riley Tilbrook still there batting in a serene manner. Tilbrook looked set for a 50 upon his return to cricket, when sadly he was bowled when looking to up the scoring rate. Tilbrook's 43 was a superb innings that was chanceless and classy.
New boys Kenny Tran and Dan Sheather brought the score to 131. A lot more than it looked like being, but, well short of a winnings core. As the fast outfield suggested a 200 score was par.
And so it proved. The undermanned bowling was spirited, and indeed, the capture of three wickets by Griffiths, Hayden Tilbrook and Kenny Tran gave the Celebrities a ray of hope. But, soon all dreams of a backs to the wall victory were washed away in a welter of boundaries as the gulf in class was only too apparent. Old Trinity sprinted to the victory in the 24th over. A strong indication that a chase of 250 was not beyond them on such a batting friendly day.
This Sunday, the A Team take on Old Xavier at home on the Meares, and the Celebrities look tp get things back on track when they take on Old Haileybury on the adjacent Melville Oval in the summer's first double header. Make your way down and support the boys. It is always appreciated.
In the mean time...
SURROUND YOURSELF IN THE EXCITEMENT!