SEASON 2022-23 ROUND 5
NOVEMBER 28, 2022
DIVISION ONE
OLD SCOTCH CC 1/173 (30.1)
def. MCC 7/169 (40)
C Hemp 92*, A Steele 2/27
The First XI had the pleasure of a game on the prestigious Albert Ground over the weekend, with the Melbourne Cricket Club very kindly playing host for the Round 5 fixture at one of the best cricket grounds you’ll find. Once again, thanks again to the MCC for making this possible.
Safe to say the mood was quickly dampened, as the coin came down the way of the hosts and the boys were very quickly asked to bowl their 40 overs first on the best batting wicket you could ever hope for. Despite the obvious disappointment from top-order bats and bowlers alike, minds quickly turned to the job and securing another valuable four points.
Will Clark (1-30) and Angus Steele (2-27) opened the attack for the visitors and quickly found extracting any movement, off the surface or through the air, extremely difficult, but were still able to bowl some tight lines and keep MCC fairly well held. Hamish Francis took an absolute blinder off Steele to break a stubborn opening partnership and from there the OSCC boys held things firmly in control throughout. Shearer (2-33) and Tommy Fish (1-35) were able to provide similar control and discipline following on from the opening pair and MCC were restricted throughout, before finishing their allotted 40 overs with 169 on the board.
It really was a fantastic effort from the bowling group to restrict the scoring throughout and chip away with regular enough wickets and a chase of 170 appeared well within the strong OSCC batting lineup’s capabilities.
The challenge was set by the skipper for batsmen to get selfish and be the one to score the runs and openers Francis (64) and Cam Hemp (92 no) took those words and ran, starting in positive fashion and combining for an opening stand of 138 and extinguish any hope of an MCC fightback. Francis was particularly impressive in the early part of the innings, taking on the powerplay in exactly the fashion asked of him this season, and promises to have a big season ahead of him, adding yet another weapon to the batting unit. Hemp was also fluent on his return to the side and clearly enjoyed some time at the crease, leaving fellow top-order bats very envious sitting in the Albert pavilion with the pads on! It was a fantastic opening stand and exactly the kind of cricket the boys are always encouraged to play, with this young opening pair offering much to be excited about moving forward. After Francis fell, Lachie Bangs (11 no) joined Hemp to see the side home in the 31st over.
— Sam Shearer (captain)
DIVISION TWO
OLD SCOTCH CC 8/196 (40)
def. by OLD WESLEY 4/197 (35.4)
T Whitelaw 70, C Hocking 3/40
The Second XI looked to continue their winning form against Old Wesley, the team that knocked them out of last years finals series. Winning the toss, there was no hesitation in batting, on what was a nice pitch at St Kilda Road.
The team batted well in parts, however the steady loss of wickets at times put strain on the remainder of the batting order. Charlie Schilling (27) at the top of the order and Charlie Hocking (27) in the middle of the order played as great partners for Tom Whitelaw (70) who was the clear standout with the bat. Whitey’s return to the twos for the first time in a while was great to see, as he commanded the innings and steady the ship through the tough times. At the conclusion of the 40 overs our boys had made a competitive 8/196.
Wesley immediately made their intentions known, wasting no time in hitting the scoreboard. In the blink of an eye, the score was on 50 without the loss of a wicket. Charlie Hocking (3/40 off 8) once again stood up with the ball, taking the first 3 wickets of the game. Unfortunately it was not enough, as Wesley continued to score at will and really put the game beyond doubt. Wesley surpassed the total with 6 wickets in hand and just over 5 overs to spare, proving far too clinical in their run chase.
Despite the loss, the team takes confidence for its batting performance and Hock has soared to the top of league for wickets taken. This week sees us take on a strong Melbourne Uni outfit at Home.
— John Stavris (captain)