Round One
MUCC Brooms Essendon
Melbourne University commenced the 2009/10 Premier Cricket season in the best possible way – 4 wins from 4 matches. Unfortunately the VWCA XI and MCA XI were not so lucky and tasted first up defeat. It was somewhat surprising after the rain early in the week that all six sides ended up playing full matches.
At University on Saturday new 1st XI skipper Paul Percy lost the toss. Essendon elected to bat and made a solid yet unspectacular start. Former MUCC captain Nick Williams returning from a shoulder reconstruction took the prized scalp of test capped Chris Rogers, bowling him for 20. The middle order crumbled and Essendon fell from 2/94 to be all out in the 42nd over for just 134. Scott Sanders ended with the figures of 3 for 20 from 8 overs while Williams and First XI debutant Brendan Goonan both ended with 2 wickets. The highlight in the field was a direct hit run out by speedster Greg Kennedy.
In reply, Uni lost Footscray-Edgewater recruit Tim O’Brien cheaply before Anthony Barton and Jarrod Leggett combined for a 74 run second wicket partnership. Barton was out for 23. His dismissal brought Scott Sanders to the crease who immediately went about an early finish by scoring 49 not out off just 38 balls. Leggett played the anchoring role and finished unbeaten on 51 in a final score of 2/135. The only slight disappointment for the day was that the bonus point was missed by just 3 deliveries. But all in all it was a great start to the year, helping to put the horrors of last season behind.
The 2nd XI under new skipper Pete Murray sent the Bombers in on a greenish Windy Hill deck. It proved a wise move with the bowling attack running through the lineup. Essendon finished with a paltry score of just 90. All 5 bowlers used were successful with Matt Marshall the pick with 7 overs 3 for 22. Dan Hibbert was very economical conceding just 5 from his 8 overs.
In what proved to be a regulation run chase the only casualty was Nick Hutton (31). Brett Murphy and Terry Dixon ensured victory and the bonus point were achieved in the 28th over. Murphy returning from his overseas jaunt was 31 not out and Dixon also coming back after missing last year was 24 not out. Skipper Murray was more than pleased with such a comprehensive start to the season.
Under the reins of Pat Halpin the 3rd XI got the chocolates in a hotly contested affair at the Crawford. Batting after winning the toss Essendon were able to compile a highly respectable 8/194 from their 45 overs on a sluggish outfield. With the ball debutant Mark Stafford was the only multiple wicket taker finishing with 2/32 from his full allocation of 9. In the field Andy Thomas completed a direct hit run out.
In reply MUCC got started with a 30 run opening partnership before Steve Power went for 8. Halpin and Chris Grant then combined to add 107 for the second wicket. Grant was eventually bowled for 34. Still needing to score at more than 5 an over Halpin and Arthur Nitsopoulos set about the task. Things looked bad when the skipper Halpin departed for an excellent 88 with 40 still needed. This left young veteran Nitsopoulos to lead the way, and he did the job with aplomb scoring a fine 31 not out to see the team home in the final over 5 down.
Drawing the short straw of a Sunday fixture the 4th XI were delighted to arrive at Windy Hill in bright sunshine with a hard wicket and what appeared a lightening outfield. Debutant Skipper Mark Bhattacharyya lost the toss and MUCC were inserted. The Bomber’s were soon regretting this decision with new MUCCers Jude Fernando (25) and Apurwa Sarve (29) laying the foundations with a solid 65 run opening stand. A slight rattle to the middle order saw Uni slip to 4 for 91 before Shiv Bardolia and Dan Hanrahan combined for a 105 run 5th wicket partnership. Chasing quick runs at the end Hanrahan was dismissed for 41 while Bardolia scored a fine 80 not out. The final score was a competitive 5 for 211.
In reply the Bombers made a rapid start bringing the 50 up in the 8th over without the loss of a wicket. Fortunately the breakthrough was soon made and wickets fell regularly thereafter. Hanrahan continued his excellent day with a nice catch and superb diving direct hit run out. Another debutant Lachie Richards ran through the lower order to finish with the figures of 4 for 65 from 7.4 overs. Essendon were bowled out in the 39th over for 173 meaning MUCC had a clean sweep against the Bombers in all four grades.
On Sunday, the VWCA XI ventured out to North Ringwood the first round of the One Day Central competition of the Victorian Women’s Cricket Association. The team were welcomed to the East by damp and chilly conditions.
North Ringwood, who competed in the grade above last season, won the toss and elected to bat. Despite some underdone and uncontrolled bowling University were able to keep North Ringwood to the competitive target of 154 from 40 overs. Ellie Button (0/17 off 10) and Rachelle Goldburg (1/19 off 10) were the stand out bowlers.
In reply to North Ringwood’s score, University managed 3/84 from 40 overs. Opening batswomen Katie Derham (30) and Ledene Ellis (24*) made a solid start with a 53 run partnership but were unable to up the run rate against some very tight bowling.
Three players made their debut for MUCC, Claire Tindal, Zehra Naceem and Alanna Duffy with all debutants making a valuable contribution in the field.
Also on Sunday Jesse Draeger lost the toss at the Craw in the 5th (MCA) XI. Opponents Carnegie chose to bat and managed an excellent total of 4 for 240 from their allotted 45 overs. Chasing such a score was always going to be difficult but the Uni batsmen gave their best. It was not to be however, with the side dismissed for 181 in the 41st over.
This week the Premier grades take on Dandenong with the 1st and 3rd XI venturing out there. The VWCA XI will battle Clifton Hill Collingwood on Saturday at McDonnell Park while the MCA XI will be hoping to open their account on Sunday at the Craw against Power House.