1st XI @ Wade Street
Fresh from a pulsating last over victory against Strathfieldsaye, the 1sts went into the game against Golden Square realizing to make the finals, they would need to beat sides currently in the top four, and top of the table Golden Square offered a great opportunity to slip into the four with a victory. Kecky called correctly and decided we’d bat first. Nick & Brock then went about their normal business of getting us off to a solid start against some tight bowling. Just as the shine was off the new ball and the run rate had started to pick up, Brock attempted to avoid a short ball, overbalanced and fell to the ground appearing to injure his knee and or ankle. Brock bravely attempted to bat on before succumbing to the injury and retiring hurt on 20 not out.
This appeared to sap the momentum from the innings as we lost 4 quick wickets for 30 runs prior to the tea break. Nick Scullie remained at the crease and after the resumption of play added a valuable 56 run partnership with Paul Robins (23). At the fall of the 6th wicket Brock returned to the crease and added another 21 runs with Nick in a gutsy show of character. Nick was then guided to his 4th century of the season by Macca (13) and Tim Williams (7no) as 55 was added for the final two wickets, as we finished with 9 for 228 from 85 Overs with Nick Scullie batting the entire day for the third time this season finishing 114 not out.
A total of 228 had us well in the game and when Tim Williams picked up an early wicket Sandhurst could sense an opportunity. Whilst the boys were doing enough to remain in the contest, a combination of extreme heat and a poor outfield meant we were sloppy at times in the field and just couldn’t do enough to rest control of the match. Dale Oddy picked up the vital wicket of Phil Hetherington and bowled another marathon spell either side of tea, deserving better reward than his 1/50 from 19 overs.
The day just wasn’t meant to be our day, as numerous balls were played fortuitously just wide of fielders. A vital 5th wicket partnership involving Scott Johnson who made a chanceless 100 took the game away from us. Mark Holland took the opportunity to chime in with 2/27, Tim Williams 2/38, Geoff Mclean 1/28 and Trav Crouch 1/34 also finished with a wicket as Square finished 7 for 271.
Nick Scullie continued his stellar season claiming another Man of The Match after setting up our innings with 114no.
2nd XI @ Weeroona Oval
The undefeated 2nd XI faced their biggest test to date against Golden Square who were also undefeated and 2nd on the ladder. We lost a crucial toss and after Matt Felini picked up an early wicket, the side was again plagued by numerous dropped catches. In the past the side had still been good enough to get over the line against weaker opposition, but Golden Square and Jamie Fitzgibbon made us pay dearly. Having made an unbeaten 70 in the morning, he received numerous lives in making 193 as all up the side dropped close to a dozen catches throughout the course of the day. Golden Square then cut loose in the final overs finishing with 7 for 409 from their 85 overs. Trav Russell 3/74 and Trumpy 2/85 were the only multiple wicket takers.
Our 2nds had previously found themselves in tough situations this season, but with a score in excess of 400 already this season on a good pitch and quick outfield Tipper and the boys remained positive. The day had been shrouded in controversy after Golden Square failed to abide by BDCA rules by allowing Janie Fitzgibbon to remain off the field for the entire morning of third XI meaning he was unable to take part on the 2nd afternoon of the game.
Unfortunately things just didn’t go right from the start, as the target of 410 looked insurmountable very early on. A couple of solid contributions from Ben Leed (73) Jas O’Neill (48) and an ill Leigh Kinniburgh (31no) added some respectability to the total leaving us bowled out for 274 in the 82nd over and 135 runs short of the target.
Ben Leed won Man Of The Match for his 73 with the bat.
3rd XI @ Wade Street
Fresh from the hiding dished out by Strathfieldsaye, Trewy’s men were keen to bounce back against another strong 3rd XI outfit in Golden Square captained by former Dragon Mark Blabey. Golden Square won the toss and batted and faced another new opening combination in Dave Hunter & Trav Mitchell. Trav Mitchell bowled like a man possessed and proved impossible to get away. At the halfway stage of his spell he had figures of 5 overs 5 maidens 1 for 0. He continued on with his fine spell and finished with the exceptional figures of 10 overs 6 maidens 2 for 18. Brent Watts making his Dragons debut also bowled a fantastic spell of pace bowling and finished with 1/22 from 10 overs on a batsman friendly wicket.
Unfortunately after being in a handy position with Square at 3/60, we just couldn’t maintain the pressure and with wickets in hand the Doggies finished with a very handy 4 for 217 from 50 Overs.
Very warm conditions faced our boys on the 2nd morning of the game, and with history of chasing down a big total a good start was essential. Against a strong bowling attack Trewy and Kinners barely looked troubled, adding 75 in good time before Trewy copped a good one and was bowled for 47. That sparked a mini collapse as soon after the run outs of Bayliss and Nilesh in consecutive deliveries by the same fielder had us on the back foot. Drapes entered at Number 5 and along with Kinners started to get things back on track before he was bowled for 14. From their Kinners didn’t receive enough support and whilst he got some valuable time in the middle against a handy attack finishing unbeaten on 61, the target became too much as we fought it out to finish 8 for 151 from 50 overs and 66 runs short.
Man of The Match was Leigh Kinniburgh for his application to bat the entire innings for a patient 61.
NEXT ROUND
All 3 sides need to get back on the winners list against Huntly North Bendigo in a Two day game at the QEO (1sts & 3rds) & Atkins Street (2nds & U17s) before consecutive Saturday Sunday games round out the Home & Away season. The 1sts now need to win every game and hope things fall our way to remain in the finals race. The 2nds need to get back on the winners list and work on their catching to prepare for another shot at Golden Square come finals time as 1st spot is still very much up for grabs, whilst our 3rds also sit two games outside the top four and have their work cut out to play finals this year.
Finally don’t forget our History of the Sandhurst Cricket Club book launch on Saturday 17th February at the South Bendigo social rooms.
- The Giraffe