SEASON 2023-24 ROUND 12
FEBRUARY 11, 2024
DIVISION ONE
OLD SCOTCH 1XI 8/224 (40)
def. MELBOURNE HIGH 6/220 (40)
S. Shearer 91 & 4/48, A. Callaghan 36*, S. Dawborn 34, J. Wiseman 1/24
The First XI entered the Round 12 clash with a strong Melbourne High side, including five Premier 1s and 2s players, a touch undermanned, but determined to back up last week’s strong win with another good performance. MH won the toss and made the obvious call to bat first, on a flat Meares wicket that looked set to deteriorate as the day progressed.
Openers Lachie Francis and Will Clark started well and, despite not making a breakthrough, were able to control the powerplay overs beautifully. Sam Shearer replaced Clark and immediately claimed the first, before a Tom Kelly one-handed screamer down the leg-side had Scotch on top after 10 overs.
A strong partnership between two good MH players had the game back well poised at drinks, before Shearer came back to break that partnership at a good time before the late innings surge was about to commence. The squad was able to control the back end of the innings well from there, with Clark, Francis and Shearer all delivering solid death sets and limit the score, that at one stage looked like 250+, to a hopefully manageable 220. Credit also to Will Bonwick who, in typical fashion, delivered six tidy and measured overs during the tough slog in the middle of the innings.
The chase began in great fashion, with James Wiseman punishing the ball to the cover fence on multiple occasions and racing the score to 30 for no loss. Unfortunately he then fell, but had set the tone for the innings and from there the boys were able to capitalise. Sam Dawborn was solid at the top, supporting Wiseman and Shearer, before falling just before drinks. Shearer then combined with Andrew Callaghan to take the innings fairly deep, before failing to see the chase home and falling for 91 with 25 still to get. From that point, enter Andrew Callaghan. Despite some early struggles, against a strong attack on a deteriorating and spinning pitch, the youngster plundered 20 off the final over, including a monster six over mid-wicket, to seal a stunning last ball win. Credit also to the tail, who all came in and ran with intelligence and poise to snatch a classic victory. Hats off to Callas, following a fairly amazing display for a young bloke in his first full season at the club.
Despite being down some key players, against one of the stronger teams you’ll see in the comp and clearly enjoying the worst of the conditions, the boys somehow found a way. Genuinely one of the best wins I can remember for the club and one of the great cricket days. Well done to all and great signs for the rest of the year!
— Sam Shearer (1XI Captain)
DIVISION TWO
OLD SCOTCH 2XI 7/184 (38.2)
def. PEGS 9/182 (40)
P. Burchard 44, M. Griffiths 39, O. McLeish 4/50, J. Stavris 2/28
With the season now on the line in every game to finish the year, the twos were at home to second place PEGs on Sunday looking to talk a scalp. PEGs won the toss and elected to bat first, with one of their openers taking it to our bowlers early, dispatching any loose ball to the rope.
An early change saw Tom Loveridge (2/35 off 8) take the key wicket to break the partnership with the score on 41. He bowled tightly in partnership with John Stavris (2/28 off 8) who fought back after the early fire. PEGs continued to battle on before Nic Bennett (1/23 off 6) claimed a crucial wicket paving the way for Oliver McLeish (4/50 off 8) to turn the game in more ways than one. Unable to get his length right early and being punished, I stuck true to our leading wicket taker, which then saw Cleish get into the game and take 4 important wickets.
PEGs finished their innings on 9/182 after their 40 overs. Generally a subpar total, however given our recent history with the bat, there was no expectation this would be an easy chase.
Thankfully our top 4 batted brilliantly combining for 146 runs. Eddie Shearer (25) and Mark Griffiths (39) set things up beautifully, while Patrick Burchard (44) and Mitch Sennitt (38) pushed through the middle overs to set up what seemed to be a solid victory. Late wickets fell to put a jitter through our hearts including 3 in an over. Despite same, ever poised Tom Loveridge (14 off 7) made sure we got home without doubt.
We look forward to the game v Wesley this week with a win potentially propelling us into the top 4.
— John Stavris (2XI Captain)