F I R S T X I
OLD SCOTCH 1XI 9/174 (40)
def. MELBOURNE HIGH 131 (36.2)
W. CLARK 80, S. DAWBORN 40, H. GOAD 2/11, C. LOVERIDGE 2/12
We had to wait until Round 12, but the Grand Final Replay was finally here. Following a disappointing first loss last week, the 1st XI were keen to bounce back and atone for the Grand Final defeat at the hands of Melbourne High last March.
On a pitch that resembled Day 5 in Galle more than a typical Meares Oval wicket, we won the toss and went in for a bat. Melbourne High opened with spin and the ball was turning square – we knew we were in for a tough battle. The openers got us off to a decent start before the wickets started to tumble. Dawborn (40) kept the runs ticking over, however wickets fell consistently, leaving us at 6/67 at the drinks break. In came our brave and loyal skipper, Will Clark. He batted with poise and creativity, utilising his trademark sweep shots to pick apart the Melbourne High spin bowling. Supported by a strong innings from Harrison Goad (17*), Clark managed a run-a-ball 80, taking us to a total of 9/174 from our 40 overs.
Having seen the state of the wicket, we felt this was a solid total to defend against Melbourne High’s strong batting line-up. We also opened with spin. Despite rumours of deportation or desertion, Sam Goodwill actually rocked up this week and took the new ball. He was tasked with bowling into a 40kph wind which he used as an excuse for some half-trackers that were somewhat deserved put away to the boundary. One of these deliveries somehow managed to sneak through and hit the stumps for our first wicket. Sam Shearer took an important C&B before Goady came on to bowl some thunderbolts downwind. He knocked over 2, whilst wickets to Sparks, Loveridge and Bonwick put us in a commanding position with High about 7/70 at drinks. We caught and fielded well, culminating in a run out for the 10th wicket and victory, bowling Melbourne High out for 131.
Congrats to Clarky for a fantastic innings - we take the win and move onto Old Melbourne next week.
— Sam Dawborn (1XI Batsman)
S E C O N D X I
OLD SCOTCH 2XI 198 (39.2)
def. NORTH BALWYN 159 (36.1)
A. CALLAGHAN 36, M. SENNITT 32, L. GANCE 3/27, T. FISH 1/10
Old Scotch 2nd XI secured a crucial 39-run victory over second-placed North Balwyn, keeping their finals hopes alive with just two games to play.
Batting first, we posted a competitive total of 10/198. It was a solid team effort with no one truly dominating, but several key contributions ensured the team reached a defendable total. Andrew Callaghan top-scored with a steady 36, followed closely by Mitch Sennitt (32) and Charlie Schilling (31), who both fought hard in the middle overs. Tom Edney added a valuable 20, while quick-fire cameos from Tom Fish (18 off 12) and Lachie Francis (17) gave the innings some late momentum.
In reply, North Balwyn could not settle into a rhythm as our bowlers and fielders produced a clinical performance. Tom Fish was exceptional with the ball, conceding just 10 runs from his 8 overs while taking 1 wicket. Lachie Gance was the standout performer, taking 3/27 from his 8 overs to put the pressure on North Balwyn’s batting. John Stavris was also solid, returning figures of 1/35 off 8 bowling into a strong breeze at the top of the innings.
The fielding was sharp, with two crucial run outs that further tightened the noose around North Balwyn’s chase. Each fielder played their part, and the team’s collective effort was evident throughout.
The win leaves Old Scotch just 2 points outside the top 4 and 5 points off the top, with two important games remaining before finals. The team will look to carry this momentum into the final stretch of the season and push for a spot in the finals..
In response, Old Trinity made a strong start, racing to 0/54, and at that point, it appeared as though the game was slipping away from OSCC. However, the bowlers dug deep, with Harry Parsons leading the charge with impressive figures of 2/15 off 8 overs. Sam Harle (2/33 off 8) and Laxman Appu (3/23 off 6) followed suit, bowling exceptionally well to drag the game back in OSCC’s favor. Their efforts reduced Old Trinity to a vulnerable position, but the required runs were always within reach, and Trinity eventually reached the target, finishing at 8/130 in 31.2 overs.
Despite a valiant comeback with the ball, OSCC couldn’t quite make enough runs to defend the modest total. This loss leaves the 2XI in a vulnerable position for the finals race, but the team remains determined to fight on in the remaining matches.
— John Stavris (2XI Captain)
T H I R D X I
OLD SCOTCH 3XI 63 (22.5)
def. by CAULFIELD/NCG 8/162 (40)
H. JAPP 22, N. BENNETT 11*, H. PARSONS 3/13, H. ALEXANDER 2/29
The 3rds were hosted by top of the table Old Caulfield Grammarians/NGC in an important fixture as Scotch look to secure their maiden finals berth. Sent into Bowl, Parsons (3/13 from 8) continued his great work this season dismissing both opening batsmen at 2-11. Caulfield got on top in as their 3 and 4 began to blast the run rate. Harle (1/28 off 8) and Alexander (2/29 off 8) both bowled well and helped us gain important wickets throughout the middle overs. However, our poor fielding saw us give their batsmen numerous chance which they capitalised on with their number 3 making 62* after being dropped 3 times. After 40 Caulfield totalled 8-162 which was historically on the ground is a large total due to the thick outfield and the pitch offering a bit more for the bowlers.
We knew we’d be in for a long day with the bat as our opposition had the league leading wicket taker. Who had taken 28 wickets already this season, double that of second place. Selection wise we made sure to have a very strong batting line up with some all-rounders to ensure we had necessary depth in case of a collapse. We hadn’t started very positively going 3-17 however Howie Japp (22) and Ben Makowski (4) showed dug in and formulate a decent partnership before Makowski’s wicket fell at 4-46, From here we proceeded to got to 9-48, and eventually all out for 63 with Bennett not out on 11*.
An unfortunate loss that saw us get BP’d, leaving us 3rd on 33 points with Old trinity and Old Carey outside of the top 4 by a point currently sitting on 32 points with 2 fixtures remaining.
— Nic Bennett (3XI Captain)
Comments