Finals tune up and 4ths end on a high

ROUND 15

Sunday February 22, 2026

FIRST XI

OLD SCOTCH 1XI 8/228 (35)

def. MACCABI AJAX 82 (29.2)

S. Dawborn 75, S. Shearer 42, N. Sparks 3/10, S. Goodwill 2/10

On a damp Sunday morning, we lost the toss and were sent in to bat. With the ever reliable Dawborn and Boreham at the top, they got us off to yet again another strong start with their free flowing style and taking it up to the opposition. They continued through until Boreham was run out for 41 with the score at 83. With Sam Shearer back in the side, they did not ease off the runs as we flew to 165 before Dawbs was eventually dismissed for 75. Another powerful innings from Dawbs showing both his composure and brutishness that he always has. With Dawbs falling, this brought about a middle order flurry of wickets as we quickly fell to 6/178. Sam Shearer was amongst these dismissals falling for a well made 42 at quick rates. We would lose a couple more wickets a few overs later and suddenly be 8/193. Thankfully with our deep batting order, Nick Sparks and Sam Goodwill were able to wrestle back the momentum as they put on an extremely handy 40 run stand for the 9th wicket, leaving us 8/228 off our 35 overs.

Clark and Sparks took the new ball together and the opening partnership was sharp early, Sparks reaping the rewards claiming the first 3 wickets and after the 8 over powerplay, Maccabi were 3/17. Maccabi would dig in a bit before another flurry of wickets to M Sparks and Shearer had Maccabi on the back foot at 6/46. At this stage, the result looked all but certain with Maccabi now bunkering down hoping to survive whilst praying some rain may set in. We would continue to chip away with Sam Goodwill and Charlie Loveridge bowling nicely. Eventually Maccabi made some mistakes and we pounced, bowling them out for just 82. A dominant display and one that sets us up nicely for Finals.

A big Semi-Final Sunday awaits as we return to the Main Oval to face Maccabi Ajax again.

— Will Clark (1XI Captain)

SECOND XI

OLD SCOTCH 2XI

vs. EAST MALVERN TOORONGA 1/142 (28.2)

Match Abandoned

THIRD XI

OLD SCOTCH 3XI 5/125 (18.2)

def. OLD CAMBERWELL 121 (28.2)

N. Macmillan 45*, H. Hasker 18, C.Smith 3/18, H. Parsons 3/29

With a rain effect game, we were playing 32 overs each and with the covers and hessian being taken off approximately 20 minutes before delivering the first ball it was a good thing we won the toss and elected to bowl.

With this been the final home and away game there were many different places we could finish on the ladder:

If we lost we’d finish 4th

If we drew we would finish 3rd

If we won we’d finish 2nd securing a home final.

Old Camberwell wandered out into the middle with their stump mics in hand and camera recording capturing a masterclass with the ball from Harry Parsons (3/29) who dismissed both opening batsmen bowled and number 3 LBW. Their number 3 soon returned to the field as a square leg umpire - Camberwells skipper came running out to him an over later to confiscate his phone and airpods off him after he was caught bumping some tracks. Sparks and Parsons bowled out in their opening spell and Camberwell had begun to put on a handy partnership as the bowlers began to fatigue. Smith and Fyfe both kept hitting good lines and lengths which saw Charlie Smith rewarded with a wicket just before drinks with Camberwell 4-75.

After drinks Smith (3/18) and Fyfe (2/17) continued to clean up an early tail with Ollie Sparks contributing to the wicket tally with a great throw to Bennett from out deep forcing a runout.

Camberwell were all out for 121

Griff and Ted got off to a terrific start as per usual at 0-23 after 3. Griff (12) was soon after dismissed LBW and was soon followed by Kunaratnam (2) who struggled with the lack of pace on offer and Edney additionally, followed totalling 14. In typical fashion we had lost some wickets quickly in succession yet Ned Macmillan and Hugh Hasker showed great poise at the crease. At this stage of our innings we had received mail that MCC may have earnt a bonus point meaning that even if we won they would finish 2nd on the ladder and have a home final. This prompted us to start chasing a bonus point to counter. In 7 overs we required 84 runs at a required run rate of 12 an over. Macmillan gave it his best try - slogging drives straight and to cow. Hasker chimed in with a handy 18 of 10 and we rolled the dice sending Fyfe up the order who unfortunately struggled against a barrage of short bowling being dismissed for 10 from 11. At this stage we were out of contention for a bonus point and cruised home to win with Macmillan scoring 45* from 28 and Bodon 12* from 12.

Fortunately MCC failed to achieve a bonus point by 2 balls and we secured 2nd spot. We play again on the Meares and host MCC for the semi final.

— Nic Bennett (3XI Captain)

FOURTH XI

OLD SCOTCH 4XI 7/185 (20)

def. OLD CAREY 9/160 (19.5)

H. Japp 70, E. Shearer 51* & 1/11, T. Lindholm 2/10, B. Balot 2/26

Our final game of the year was a wet T20 down in Bulleen against Old Carey, featuring a few familiar faces. After losing the toss, we were surprisingly sent in to bat - despite the opposition only having nine players at the time.

Following some late Saturday night tactical discussions, we made the bold decision to shake up the batting order and send in Tom Lindholm and James Fish to open. In hindsight… this was not our finest move. Lindholm departed first ball of the innings and Fish followed shortly after - both making ducks and leaving us 2/5 early doors.

Enter Fev Morrisby and Howie Japp, tasked with facing a swinging ball on a very green deck. It caused them absolutely no trouble. The pair flipped the game completely, taking us from 2/5 to 3/91 in no time. Fev was eventually dismissed for a brilliant 47 off 32, setting the tone for the afternoon.

Next in was Eddie Shearer, who alongside Jappa continued the carnage. Japp was eventually caught for a superb 70 off 39 balls, launching 6 sixes and 5 fours in one of the cleanest hitting displays of the season. A few others tried to strap on the T20 power-hitting boots, but it was Eddie who carried on, smashing a rapid 51 off 31 balls and looking every chance of a ton before simply running out of deliveries.

We finished on 7/185 off 20 overs - a total we barely managed across 40 overs earlier in the year.

With our biggest total of the season on the board, we took to the field feeling confident. Deep Jhajj (1/28) and Bailey Balot (2/26) got us off to the perfect start, reducing Old Carey to 3/34. The middle overs got away from us slightly until George Strong (1/28) grabbed a key wicket to steady things at 4/98.

Sensing another partnership building, we turned to the now-regular partnership breakers Will Bracegirdle (1/11) and Eddie Shearer (1/11), both bowling tight lines and being rewarded for their discipline. At 6/118 with four overs to go, Carey needed 68 - doable in T20 cricket, but still a tall ask.

James Fish and Tom Lindholm (2/10) closed things out calmly, before a sharp run-out from Eddie sealed the deal, bowling Carey out for 9/160 and securing a strong finish to the season.

It was a fantastic way to wrap up the inaugural 4th XI campaign, and one I’m incredibly proud to have been part of. We finished just one win shy of finals - which would have made for great entertainment - but the growth across the season was clear.

A huge thank you to everyone who pulled on the whites this year. Hopefully we see you all back next season.

For now, let’s get down and support the three remaining teams in finals.

Go Scotch.

— Tom Lindholm (4XI Captain)

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