Semi finals rained out but all sides advance!

SEMI-FINALS

Sunday March 01, 2026

Message from the Club Captain

We kicked off this season back in October with a mix of excitement, nerves, and the quiet question on everyone’s mind: could we actually get 44 players on the park every week? Add in two brand‑new captains, plenty of fresh faces, and a club buzzing with energy, and we were ready to dive head‑first into the first half of the season and see what unfolded.

What unfolded, unfortunately, was rain. Lots of it. Five washouts in the first eight weeks for the 3s, plus abandoned games scattered all over the league. The weather clearly hadn’t checked the fixture.

That said, a strong Spring Carnival — featuring multiple club functions in the Nursery — meant that while we weren’t playing much cricket, we were becoming a tight, bonded group. In hindsight, that extra “team‑bonding time” (also known as standing around holding beers) was pivotal in building the culture we now enjoy. By the time Boxing Day rolled around — and another unofficial club function had passed — we limped into the new year with renewed hope that the weather might finally be on our side.

And then… cricket happened.

By the new year, the 1s were sitting firmly on top, the 2s were hunting top spot, the 3s were sniffing around a home final, and the 4s weren’t far off fourth. Rounds 9, 10 and 11 saw the club go a perfect 4 from 4 each week, and suddenly things were looking very real, very quickly.

As the season gathered momentum, you could feel it — not just finals chatter, but Grand Finalwhispers. Training intensity lifted, games got fiercer, and the passion around the club went up another level. By the final round, the 1s had locked in top spot, the 2s needed any points to stay there, and the 3s needed a win to secure second. The 4s needed to win their final four games to sneak into finals — sadly, a bridge just a little too far.

Seventy‑seven players pulling on the OSCC shirt is an incredible achievement and a true reflection of what this club stands for and the culture we’ve built.

With the home‑and‑away season wrapped up, the exciting prospect of three home semi‑finals was upon us. Finals training always feels different — a mix of excitement and nerves. Sam’s new fielding drill brought the energy, Bodes had the speaker pumping, and with a huge turnout of players and supporters, spirits were sky‑high. Sunday’s forecast looked grim — and quietly, we weren’t devastated. With the 1s and 2s finishing top and the 3s finishing second, rain was suddenly our friend. But as 12:30pmrolled around, the sun appeared and cricket was on. The 1s and 2s were bowling, the 3s batting, and after the first innings all three teams were well and truly in the contest. Then the rain arrived — soft sprinkles at first, building into something much heavier. Soon enough, all three matches were paused and the waiting game began. At 5pm, with no sign of improvement, Will Clark and Nick Sparks conducted a pitch inspection and — after some Oscar‑worthytheatrics — successfully convinced the umpires and opposition that conditions were too wet to continue. Shortly after, Nic Bennett got the 3s called off on the Meares. Beers were cracked immediately.

All eyes then turned to the 2s. Andrew Callaghan was visibly stressed as the opposing Haileybury captain showed zero interest in calling it off. The rain eased, covers came off, and it looked like play might resume. Thankfully, the umpires stepped in and deemed the pitch too wet and dangerous. The verdict: 2s through. Rain may have played a role, but the result stood — three Grand Finals secured.

Late drama followed when the top side in Div 3 somehow lost their semi, meaning three HOME Grand Finals, a scenario few could even dream of.

Now, with the final week upon us, we have three teams chasing premiership cups, 36 players pulling on the OSCC shirt, and history waiting to be made. As Club Captain, I couldn’t be prouder of this club — the people, the friendships, the culture. It’s a genuinely special place to be right now. This all culminates in three Grand Finals at Scotch this weekend. This is no small achievement. Every player, supporter, friend, and family member should be immensely proud.

All we ask is this: get down there, barrack loudly, bring the energy, and celebrate what has been an incredible season. It all starts on Sunday, with the 3s looking to go back-to-back on the Main Oval against Old Camberwell. We then resume Monday with the 1s in a GF replay against Haileybury on the Main and the 2s against old foe Old Melbournians on the Melville

It’s shaping up to be a memorable week — starting with final training on Thursday and hopefully finishing with three flags at the Elgin on Monday night.

See you all at Scotch this weekend!

— Will Clark (1XI Captain)

RELIVE ALL THE ACTION FROM THE SEMI-FINALS IN THE PHOTO GALLERY

FIRST XI

OLD SCOTCH 1XI 1/39 (9)

vs. MACCABI AJAX 9/155 (40)

S. Dawborn 18, H. Boreham 17*, W. Clark 3/15, S. Goodwill 3/17

SECOND XI

OLD SCOTCH 2XI 3/71 (16)

vs. OLD HAILEYBURY 8/191 (40)

T. Fish 30, M. Sennitt 18, T. Hucker 3/28, A. Callaghan 2/25

Match Abandoned

THIRD XI

OLD SCOTCH 3XI 9/195 (40)

vs. MCC 0/22 (7.4)

M. Griffiths 41, M. Bodon 37, H. Parsons 0/6, O. Sparks 0/15

Match Abandoned

#surroundyourself