SEASON 2023-24 ROUND 08
DECEMBER 17, 2023
DIVISION ONE
OLD SCOTCH 1XI 9/256 (40)
def. by OLD MELBOURNIAN 4/257 (39.2)
S. Dawborn 101, N. Sparks 57, S. Shearer 2/40, N. Sparks 1/30
The 1st XI were out to improve on last week’s poor showing, with a tough matchup against long-time rivals Old Melburnians on the Meares Sunday and, unsurprisingly with these two teams, the game did not disappoint.
After winning the toss on a lovely looking surface, Sam Shearer had no hesitation in electing to bat and newly formed opening pair Nick Sparks and Sam Dawborn strode to the crease. It was an interesting start, with N Sparks dispatching the ball to all parts and Dawborn struggling to locate bat on ball early, and, thanks to the former’s cameo, the score rocketed to 0-50 in next to no time. N Sparks continued on his way, taking bowlers down at will, with Dawborn slowly easing into his work at the other end. It was a fantastic powerplay and partnership, which sadly ended too soon with N Sparks suffering from a more than dubious LBW decision. Shearer departed immediately after, but Mike Sparks entered the contest and the score continued to tick over nicely.
By this time, Dawborn was on an absolute tear and quickly caught up from a sluggish start to dominate the middle of the innings. Runs 20-90 were about as pure as you’d like to see, with sixes dispatched over the leg-side into the Yarra and also gloriously lofted over wide long-off. It was an incredible display of hitting, with one of the most popular members of the side unlocking the undoubted talent and recording a brilliant maiden OSCC century. It was a joy to watch and hopefully a sign of things to come for the hard-slapping left-hander.
M Sparks contributed well with a run-a-ball 40 and Will Clark contributed late, although the innings did lose some steam in the last six or seven overs. Still, a strong score on the board and credit once again to Sam Dawborn!
OM’s made a rollicking start with the bat, with Morris taking down openers Clark and Lachie Francis and rocketing the score to 50 at around nine an over. Shearer entered the attack and fought back from an expensive first over to remove both openers in back to back wicket maidens and launch OSCC straight back into the contest. During this period of pressure, Charlie Loveridge pounced at point to run out one of OM’s big wickets and at this point, the boys were on top.
Unfortunately, from this point the defence was riddled with dropped chances and missed opportunities and a fantastic partnership between Stevenson and McMillan of OMs batting their side well into ascendency. Clark and Shearer returned to create some pressure on the chase and take it to the last over, but OMs proved too good and won with three balls to spare.
A frustrating loss, after a strong batting effort and some great work with the ball, and the boys left with the first back to back losses in an awfully long time. Full credit to Old Melburnians, who fielded a very strong cricket side and proved too strong for longer on the day. No doubt not the last big matchup between the two sides this year and beyond.
— Sam Shearer (1XI Captain)
DIVISION TWO
OLD SCOTCH 2XI 4/141 (31.1)
def. CAULFIELD/NCG 6/139 (40)
A. Callaghan 48*, T. Edney 31, O. McLeish 3/26, T. Loveridge 1/10
The 2XI’s premiership hangover is finally over, recording a comfortable 6 wicket win over Caulfield on the weekend. Losing the toss, the boys were sent into the field which excited them given the awaited debut of Orlando Pender (0/6 off 5). Orlando bowls wheels and did not disappoint, providing much excitement on a rather dodgy wicket.
This was complemented by John Stavris (1/25 off 8), Tom Loveridge (1/10 off 5) and Oliver McLeish (3/26 off 5) who have all found some form with the ball. We managed to strangle the Caulfield batsmen in the field and restrict their total to 139 after the allotted 40.
Mark Griffiths (27) and Mitch ‘I wasn’t out, the umpire knew I wasn’t out but gave me out’ Sennitt (22) got us off to a great start with the bat, attacking early and showing plenty of promise. After the wicket of Sennitt in the 9th over, Andrew Callaghan (48*) strode to the crease and continued his rich vein of form for us. The game was put beyond doubt with a classic Tom Edney (31 off 28) innings allowing us to reach the total with 9 overs to spare.
Although our first win, the signs are there that the team is starting to gel and I’m really confident of the results we can produce come 2024.
— John Stavris (2XI Captain)