For cricket traditionalists, real cricket returned on the weekend with all but the Sixth XI engaged in day one of two-day action. With the clearer skies this weekend, it also gave cricketers around the RDCA the opportunity to officially commemorate Remembrance Day, with Mt Evelyn Cricket Club, in conjunction with Mt Evelyn RSL, conducting a pregame service, and all senior cricketers wearing the poppy to recognise our service men and women.
The Mt Evelyn First XI had their work cut out for them against an impressive East Ringwood batting line up. Right from the word go, East Ringwood would capitalise on perfect batting conditions and some loose bowling. After five overs, the Kangaroos had raced to 0/49, and there would be no let up as they would cook their heels for the afternoon tea break in a commanding position of 2/206 after 40 overs. Taylor Gibson (121) and Cian Dickinson (95) would compile a more than impressive 159-run partnership to have the hosts devoid of answers. No bowler would go unchallenged. With the score at 6/367 in the 62nd over, the visitors seized the opportunity to have a dash at some late wickets to ram home the advantage on day one.
The Mounters would show some stout resistance at the top of the order, but with the Kangaroos snaring the wickets of openers, Adam Smith and Jesse Fraser, in the shadows of stumps, they would be well pleased with the position of the game having the Mounters wobbling at 2/33. The First XI have ample time to chase the score, but it would take a fine effort from their remaining batsmen to muster a challenge great enough. Bat the 80 overs, and you can guarantee they will be in the ball game.
The Second XI would also start their contest with the ball, travelling to Seville to take on a strong Burras outfit. Early in the contest it was an old fashioned arm wrestle between bat and ball. Batsmen would look settled at the crease, but couldn’t take significant advantage as wickets would fall at inopportune times. At 4/82 the game could’ve swung either way. The Burras would wrestle some control of the contest on the back of a blistering 91 from Jared Carroll and would be able to compose a challenging total of 253 being bowled out in the last over of the day. The bowling spoils would be shared between Luke Shepherd (3/34), Jamie Shaw (2/17), Billie Laird (2/32) and Kynan Yates (2/68).
This total will take a big effort to chase down, but by no means is this task unachievable. Wickets in hand at the start of the day will open the opportunity to attack any chase at the back end of the day, especially with the strike power the Mounters possess.
The Third XI’s contest at Templeton is evenly poised after day one. The Mounters would toil hard with the ball through the first ‘split’ to have the Taipans 5/119 after their first allotment of overs. The hosts looked to have the contest in their hands early as their openers would establish a solid foundation, but timely wickets through the middle of the session, and a flurry of wickets at the end would have captain Graeme Foster more than pleased. New recruit Andrew White was the pick of the bowlers taking 2/6, whilst Sam Vanhoogstraten would take 2/35.
The Mounters reply would look very similar to their hosts’ split. A second wicket partnership of 53, between Cambell Finch and Vanhoogstraten, looked to have the visitors in prime position, but late wickets put a dint in their progress. At the end of their first 36 overs, stumps were drawn at 4/96. For both teams, the contest will go down to how well their experienced campaigners fair on day two. Both have a wealth of experience in the bottom half of their batting orders and if the Mt Evelyn old boys can lead the way, then a victory is well within reach.
The Fourth XI had an interrupted first day in their clash against Yarra Glen at Gruyere. Both teams would’ve been somewhat comfortable with the situation of the game in the 24th over with Yarra Glen sitting at 3/98. The versatile Zeke Tressider lead from the front with the ball taking 2/24. An unfortunate, and significant, injury to Alastair Churchill brought the game to an early close as his injury management became paramount to all those concerned. The good news is that Alastair is on the road to recovery, but his absence from the field will be felt by the Fourth XI with bat, ball and enthusiasm. Both teams will await further advice from the competition management as to how the remainder of this contest plays out.
The Fifth XI have put themselves in a strong position after day one against North Ringwood. On the small bottom oval, run scoring came easily enough for the visitors, but they would lose too many wickets along the way. The Mt Evelyn bowlers would be unrelenting as they would all make useful contributions in keeping the run rate in check and collect wickets along the way. The Bulls would finish their split at 9/166, a useful enough score, but with just one wicket in hand, they’ll be hard pressed to add significant runs.
On the other hand, the Mounters would crank the pressure up on their visitors as not only would their run rate race along, but they would keep most of their wickets intact. The highlight of the innings would be a century opening stand between Ezra Joyce and Craig Kenins. Unfortunately, Kenins would fall just after posting his half century, but Joyce would bat on through to close to be 77 not out at the close of play. The visitors would peg back a couple of wickets late in the day, but at 3/225 the damage is done. The interest in this game now surrounds the young gun Joyce and his pursuit of a maiden century, and whether the Mounters can press for an outright victory.
Once again, the Sixth XI managed to scramble a team together for their contest against Warrandyte. They would win the toss and elect to bat, and courtesy of the steady hand of Angus Vanhoogstraten (39) and the strokeplay of Bruce Smith (49), the Mounters would have the upper hand early in the contest. The pair would navigate the innings to within reach of the drinks break with a well compiled 77-run partnership. Unfortunately, the pair couldn’t push their innings through to a half century, and retirement, and that would prove costly at the back end of the innings. New recruit Lucas Scott showed he has some talent with some enterprising strokeplay, but the inexperienced latter order of Mt Evelyn order would fall away quickly, and the innings would be closed rapidly for 139. Not enough on such a small oval.
Undeterred, the Mounters would give it their best shot to defend the total. With the younger cricketers providing energy, enthusiasm and nimble movement, and the older heads adding guile and guidance, the Mounters would be right in the contest at drinks with the Bloods staggering to 5/79. Vanhoogstraten would be the pick of the bowlers taking 2/24. With such a small total, the visitors had no room to move and a quick attack from the hosts upon resumption of play quickly put this game to bed. Within six overs, they would race to the target to claim victory. A disappointing result for the Mounters, considering the effort applied, but plenty of positives to come from a contest played in good spirits.
