SEASON 2021-22 ROUND NINE
JANUARY 23, 2021
DIVISION ONE
OLD SCOTCH CC 2/146 (18.5)
def. OLD XAVERIANS 142 (38.5)
S Shearer 68*, Hayes 5/25
The First XI made the short trip to Barkers Rd on Sunday, for a top of the table encounter with an in-form Old Xavier CC. With a strong OSCC side named and Xavs off the back of some great form, it promised to be a solid game of cricket.
Captain Sam Shearer had little hesitation in asking Xavs to have a bat first, on a green and well grassed Xavier strip. This paid immediate dividends, with OXCC opener Agnelotto edging Will Clark (1/39) to S Shearer at slip in the first over. Will Hays (4 or maybe 5 / 25) looked increasingly menacing at the other end, finding his classic in-swing to the right handers and managed to make regular breakthroughs in a fantastic comeback spell of new ball bowling. It was great to see and a great sign for the side moving in to the business end of the season. Despite some spirited Xavs defiance from Russ and Sheedy, OSCC managed to strangle Xavs and bowl them out for 142 in the penultimate over. Cam Hemp (2/15) and Will Bonwick (2/18) were the other bowlers of note, in a strong performance from the bowling unit.
On a surface that was offering plenty to the seam bowlers, 143 seemed a chase that could prove tricky. The message was clear at the break, with the intention of being positive and placing the Xavs bowlers under pressure from the outset. Nick Sparks (41 off 32) and S Shearer (68* off 45) made a great start to the chase and were attacking from the outset, advancing the score to 83 off 10 overs, before N Sparks fell. S Shearer continued the assault, despite the loss of Mike Sparks, and finished off the job, assisted by Sam Dawborn (16* off 19), in the 19th over to claim a bonus point victory.
It was another encouraging display from a side gaining confidence and some great continuity, with also plenty to work on moving forward. Next, the boys have the privilege of stepping out on the prestigious Albert Ground this Sunday to take on Melbourne Cricket Club. Special day for the club and it would be great to see a few people there.
DIVISION TWO
OLD SCOTCH CC 3/134 (34.1)
def. OLD WESLEY 9/133 (40)
M Sennitt 55*, Meggitt 2/19
The 2s were once again at home on the Melville taking on second place Old Wesley.
Losing the toss, the boys were sent into the field to bowl on an extremely hot and dry day. Will Meggitt (2/19 off 8) and James Halse (0/12 off 6) got us off to a strong start, restricting the dangerous Wesley batting lineup. This theme continued throughout the innings as we gained ascendancy over the opposition with great bowling and tight fielding, including a superb direct hit run out from fine leg for Tom Edney. John Stavris (2/28 off 7) and Nick Bennett (2/22 off 6) continued the good work to keep Wesley to a miserly score of 9/133 at the end of the 40.
At the break it was clear that if we batted the 40 overs, we would win the game. Charlie Schilling (17) and Mitch Sennitt (55*) got us off to a great start, with the score on 30 when Schillo was run out. From there, tight bowling from Old Wesley keep themselves in the game with the score 3/60 at the main drinks break. Tom Edney (45*) strolled to the crease with he and Mitch guiding us to a strong victory with a few overs to spare. The win puts us less than a win off top spot as we get closer to the finals.
DIVISION THREE
OLD SCOTCH CC 94 (33)
def. by POINT COOK 8/159 (40)
S Polmear 30, D Polmear 2/19
We faced bottom of the table Point Cook, fundamentally a junior development squad, and winless to this point. Subsequently, we found out that this Point Cook side has recently been bolstered by the inclusion of a few senior players and that these juniors are improving rapidly by playing ~4-5 times a week. Our bowlers toiled admirably in the heat and managed to contain Point Cook to 159 after a strong start. Notably, Dave Polymear bowled well for 2/19 off 5 overs to contain the scoring and pick up vital wickets. In response, a batting collapse had us at 5/39 after 18 overs. Scott Polymear (30) and Paul Lund (24) put on a 50-run partnership in the next 10 overs to give us some hope but we lost the last 5 wickets for 5 runs to be all out for 94, a sub-par score.
Disappointing, yes, but not dispirited as we enjoyed marvelous facilities at Point Cook and the match was played in fantastic spirit. Billy Kelsall even joined in the festivities (dancing and a quiet beverage) on the sidelines with their senior team who had just won a cricket T20 comp, each pocketing $500. Hats off to Point Cook for supporting their junior development program with such enthusiasm. Some very talented juniors in their ranks.
Off to Cattery next week at Geelong.