A weekend of glorious weather saw plenty of cricket on offer for the Upwey-Tecoma Tigers.
The 1st XI travelled to Knox Gardens Reserve, looking to string together two wins after an inconsistent start to their season. After losing the coin toss, the Tigers were asked to field first on a very fast outfield.
Knox Gardens got off to a flying start, going at more than 6 an over for the first 20 overs. A double break-through from veteran seamer Jay Colee (2/28) gave the Tigers an opening, before English import Jules Whetstone turned the screws with an excellent spell of fast bowling.
The Tigers ended up restricting the Falcons to a below-par 221 off their 40 overs with Whetstone claiming 4/28 off his 8 overs.
The run chase started in disastrous fashion, with Hunter Greener dismissed for a duck to give the Falcons hope. Captain Jacskon Waters and Andrew Evans steadied the ship combining for an 80 run stand before a run out saw Waters dismissed for 30.
When Evans holed out for a well-made 56, the Tigers were wobbling at 3/111. As he did with the ball, Whetstone took control of proceedings with the bat. He blasted 75 not out, combining with Jordan Tailby (41) to guide the side to a comfortable victory.
The Women’s XI faced off against Knox Gardens in a top-of-the-table clash at Upwey Reserve.
The Falcons batted first, compiling 2/147 off their 20 overs. Best of the Tiger bowlers was Nic Hurst with 1/22 off her 4 overs.
It was a spirited run chase, with an excellent Kaitlyn Roleff half century keeping the Tigers in hunt, ably supported by keeper-batter Nic Wachter (20 not out). The innings finished on 3-127, 20 runs short of the target.
The 2nd XI hosted Knox Gardens at Upwey Reserve, amassing a huge total batting first – 1/321 off their 40 overs. Opener Chris Jewell and first drop Liam Dunning plundered the Falcon attack all over the park, with Jewell finishing on 156 not out and Dunning unbeaten on 121.
The Falcons were never really in the hunt, limping to 3-159, with Jewell and Dunning claiming a wicket each to cap off a memorable day for them both.
The 3rd XI scored their first win for the season, routing Eilden Park for 80 before passing the score for the loss of 6 wickets. Alex Moore was best with the ball claiming 4/21 while Oskar Taylor’s 28 not out helped to seal a Tiger win.
The 4th XI defeated Scoresby on the back of a brilliant 52 not out by Harry Burrows and some quality leg spin from Archer Greenberg (4-21).
The 5th XI scored a win over Eildon Park via a forfeit.
NR Shield: Upwey-Tecoma 4/223 (Whetstone 75*, Evans 56, Tailby 41) def Knox Gardens 8-221 (Whetstone 4/28, Colee 2/28)
Women’s League: Upwey-Tecoma 3-127 (Roleff 52*, Wachter 20*) def by Knox Gardens 2-147
Div 3: Upwey-Tecoma 1-321 (Jewell 156*, Dunning 121*) def Knox Gardens 3-156
Div 5: Upwey-Tecoma 6-83 (Taylor 28*) def Eildon Park 80 (A. Moore 4/21)
Div 7: Upwey-Tecoma 6-148 (Burrows 52*) def Scoresby 8-139 (A. Greenberg 4-121)
Div 8: Upwey-Tecoma def Eildon Park (forfeit)
