It was a weekend of mixed results for Upwey-Tecoma, with only two of six teams securing all important wins heading towards finals action.
The first XI travelled to Knoxfield in what might be an elimination final preview with the TIgers sitting in third and the Knights occupying fourth on the ladder. Knoxfield won the toss and elected to bat in sunny conditions at Carrington Park.
The Tiger opening bowlers Stephen Conotitsos and Daniel Wiles started economically, with the early Wiles breakthrough having the Knights on the back foot at 1/14. Some small partnerships threatened to take the game away from the Tigers before the wizardry of young spinner Darcy Whitten changed the game.
Whitten mesmerised Knoxfield’s top order with turn and bounce, bowling his eight overs unchanged to finish with 2/19. The Knights never really recovered and limped to a below-par score of 163 all out. Cameron Wheeler proved a handful for the tail order, finishing with 5/37.
The Tigers were off to a wobbly start when opener Jordan Tailby was run out to have the score at 1/8. This brought captain Jackson Waters to the crease, looking to continue his stellar season with the bat.
Waters and Andy Evans knuckled down to get the score to 1/65 at drinks before upping the ante, sharing a match-defining 115 run stand. Evans (56) and Waters (73) were dismissed with the finish line in sight, with Upwey-Tecoma finishing on 4/164 to secure a vital six wicket win.
It was a top-two clash in the Women’s League as Upwey-Tecoma took on ladder-leaders Knox Gardens away. The Falcons showed why they sit atop the ladder with a commanding eight wicket win of the Tigers.
Upwey-Tecoma compiled 2/119 with Kaitlyn Roleff (50 not out) and Jacqui Cooke (41) starring with the bat. Jess Ducat was the pick of the bowlers with 1/27, with Knox Gardens reaching 2/123 with five overs to spare.
The second XI suffered a rare loss, going down by 24 runs to Knoxfield at home. Bowling first, the Tigers struggled to contain the Knight batters on a fast outfield. The target was set at 214 with Ben Casey the pick of the bowlers with 2/26.
The run chase never really got out of first gear, with Chris Jewell’s half century and Sam Wicks’ 45 the main contributions with the bat. Upwey-Tecoma finished on 8/189 and will need to win their final game to ensure a finals berth.
The third XI continued their purple patch of form with a dominant display against Ferntree Gully. An excellent bowling performance by Zac Millsteed set up the win, capturing 5/15 off his six overs to skittle the Blues for 79. Tiger number three Ben Fanelli clubbed an unbeaten 53 to see the Tigers to 1/87 and a nine wicket win.
The fourth XI put up a brave fight against Scoresby, falling just short in a tight game. Upwey-Tecoma batted first, making a healthy 179 on the back of 49 from James Todd and 46 from Brent Humphrey. The Magpies passed the target with an over to spare, Gary Gilbert the pick of the bowlers with 2/13.
