Another beautiful day for cricket saw the Monbulk firsts set about defending 305 against Rowville. Consistent breakthroughs were the order of the day, with no partnership reaching greater than 40 runs. The game was very much in Monbulk’s keeping, with the score at 6/116 at tea.
Rowville dug deep to reach 199 but never really looked like challenging at any point in the innings.
The pick of the bowlers was Chris Martin with 3/29.
The twos never really got going in their battle with Rowville.
Set 198 last week and being 0/31 when play resumed, wickets steadily fell to leave Monbulk short at 153.
Brian Martin played a lone hand up top with 35, while Josh Spencer battled it out at the end to be 27*.
The thirds completed a crushing victory over Olinda, winning by five wickets and 180-odd balls to spare.
Jason Dekkers was the start with 69* and 4/30.
The fours lost a nail-biter, going down by 10 runs to Belgrave.
Brayden Caldwell hit 100* in Monbulk’s total of 9/287, but it wasn’t enough to chase down Belgrave’s 297.
In junior news, the under-16s had their first win of the season, getting over the line against Olinda.
Set 181 to win, Monbulk got the job done by a single run, finishing all-out for 182.
Jett Bolton was the star with the bat making 69, well-supported by Ollie Grujic with 20.
With the ball, Jake Mackay took 4/16 and Ollie Grujic was valuable with 3/26.
Will Copelin snaffled four catches behind the stumps.
The under-14s struggled to 67 in response to Ferntree Gully’s 116.
Ethan Blenkiron was best with the bat making 26, while Alex McDonald 3/12 and Matt Abrahams 3/22 did the damage with the ball.
The under-13s also had a tough day at the office against Eildon Park, working against a difficult set of circumstances.
Making 4/105, Tim Rickard continued his good season with 32*, aptly supported by Jacob Defina with 18.
With the ball, Will Tyquin, Todd Mackay and Abel Teese all took a wicket.
The under-12s got the chocolates against Upwey-Tecoma, making 7/108 with Charlie Hooper 23* the man with the bat.
Monty Pithouse took 2/11 to achieve victory for Monbulk.
The Fast 9s had a day out against Rowville, notching up 3/121 with runs to Kit Sutton 24*, Jed Fraser 20* and Ethan Knight 14*.
Monbulk bowled well to restrict Rowville to 5/51 with Bailey Pascoe and Lucas Hickingbotham taking a wicket.
The Super 7s also had a night to remember, making 4/157 against Olinda.
Mitch Holder continued his stellar season with 33* and Jasper Beer also retired on 31.
Olinda could only make 9/74 with Quintin Kelly taking 2/12.
The boys have been doing well to transfer skills from training to their games and it’s paying off.
Division 1
Monbulk 10/305 (J. Fraser 68, A. Powell 55, S. Cosstick 66, B. Teauber 32) d Rowville 10/199 (A. Walker 55, S. Oushoorn 30, C. Martin 3/29).
Division 3
Rowville 199 (J. Spencer 3/42) d Monbulk 153 (B. Martin 35, M. Logan 3/37)
Division 6
Monbulk 5/176 (D. Williams 54, J. Dekkers 69*) d Olinda 10/170 (D. Meadows 42, J. Dekkers 4/30)
Division 8
Belgrave 6/297 (B. Wiseman 100*, J. Wade 41, A. Dodds 46, D. Smith 50*) d Monbulk 9/287 (B. Caldwell 100*, B. Horlock 34, D. Fleischer 62*)
Under-16s
Monbulk 10/182 (J. Bolton 69) d Olinda 8/181 (J. Mackay 4/16, O. Grujic 3/26)
Under-14s
Ferntree Gully 116 (A. Mcdonald 3/12, M. Abrahams 3/22) d Olinda/Monbulk 67
Under-13s
Eildon Park 3/124 d Monbulk 4/105 (T. Rickard 32*, J. Defina 18)
Under-12s
Upwey-Tecoma 4/95 d Monbulk 7/108
Fast 9s
Monbulk 3/121 (K. Sutton 21*, J. Fraser 20*, E. Knight 14*) d Rowville 5/51
Super 7s
Monbulk 4/157 (M. Holder 33, J. Beer 31) d Olinda 9/74
