In Monbulk Cricket Club’s 125th season, the club’s third and fourth teams added a premiership to its history on Saturday.
Both matches were won when the teams looked down and out with amazing character and spirit shown.
In the thirds’ grand final, Ferntree Gully batted first at the Monbulk main ground to put on 158 runs from their 35 overs with Benny Suranga again the pick of the bowlers taking 2/12 off his seven overs.
Monbulk lost Jason Simmonds early before Aaron Gillard, Brodie Emmett and then Benny all batted well to move the score along, but at 4/61 in the 20th over things weren’t in Monbulk’s favour.
Handy partnerships from Benny and Mick Adams (33 runs), Benny and Clayton Spooner (27 runs) got the home team back in the match but at 6/121 in the 30th over it could have gone either way.
Enter 15 year old Charlie Hooper who smacked 23 off 13 balls and along with Clayton Spooner hit 13 from the second last over to seal an exciting win for the Hawks.
The thirds’ grand ginal scores were: Monbulk 6/158 (S.Suranga 35, A.Gillard 26, C.Spooner 25*, C.Hooper 23*, B.Emmett 22) defeated Ferntree Gully 7/157 (S.Suranga 2/12, C.Spooner 2/28)
Monbulk batted first against Knox Boronia in the fourths grand final on the big and slow Miller Park, with Monbulk finding batting tough early.
At 3/34 in the 20th over things weren’t looking great. Matt Winzenried and Dan Blenkiron started to get the scoreboard ticking before a terrific unbeaten partnership between of 55 runs between Winza and Todd Fleming took Monbulk’s score to 4/114 which was worth a lot more on most grounds. Flem was the pick of the batsman whacking 35 from 38 balls. In reply, Knox Boronia were 1/64 and in complete control of the match, before Jake Mackay ripped through their middle order in a match winning spell of 3/5 off 5.1. Monbulk then took five for nine in three overs to bowl them out for 100 in the 33rd over to seal another memorable win.
The fourths’ grand final scores were: Monbulk 4/114 (T.Fleming 35*, M.Winzenried 28*) defeated Knox Boronia 10/100 (J.Mackay 3/5, L.Tilley 2/15, A.Bowen 2/17)
Three father-son pairs played in a premiership together; Chris and Jacob Defina; Craig, Jake and Todd Mackay, Dan and Sam Blenkiron with Will as 14th man in the fourths.
Ethan Blenkiron played in the thirds flag to add to their family’s collection. Charlie Hooper (thirds) and dad Steve (fourths) also both won flags.
Nine teenagers won flags; Ethan Blenkiron, Tim Rickard, Charlie Hooper and Jack Downard-Pengilly (thirds) and Jake Mackay, Todd Mackay, Jacob Defina, Sam Blenkiron and Lachlan Tilley in the fourths.
Life Members Mark Bailey and Jason Simmonds (thirds) and Chris Defina and Christian Fraser (fourths) continued to play, guide the youngsters and win another flag.
Monbulk Cricket Club’s senior presentation night will be held on Saturday 25 March.
