Melbourne Uni Cricket Club had a mixed weekend in the premier grades. The top 2 grades were soundly beaten while the 3s and 4s defended their totals well with excellent bowling performances. 1st XI player Greg Kennedy had the individual highlight collecting 5 wickets. Finals are now almost assured for the 4th XI and the 3rds needing to win 1 of the last 2 to cement their spot. For the 1s and 2s both matches are must win affairs if they are to have any chance of reaching the finals. The VWCA XI had a convincing win over Monash University Gryphons scoring the runs in the 17th over without the loss of a wicket.
Resuming at 5 for 136 in reply to 172 Frankston Peninsula were in the box seat in the 1st XI clash at the AH Butler Oval. Early wickets were going to be the key but it was not to be. The Heat passed our total with the 5 wickets still in hand. In a mostly disappointing result the standout was Greg Kennedy who returned figures of 5 for 57 including the prize wicket of state opener Nick Jewell for just 1. Frankston ended up declaring at 8 for 234. The other wicket takers were Nick Williams (2/51) and Scott Sanders (1/36).
Asked to bat again MUCC was much more impressive second time round. Brett Murphy found some form remaining 49 not out in a total of 1 for 102 when stumps were called. Jarrod Leggett (29) and Antony Keely (20no) were the other batsmen to get some match practice. This loss leaves the 1st XI sitting in 11th spot, 8 points outside the top 8. Strong wins over finals bound Melbourne and Carlton in the last 2 rounds could see the 1s seek into the very congested 8.
The 2s were defending 261 at the Uni Main. Day 2 started with a tight opening hour before Brendan Goonan made the first break through. Michael Nalesnyik snared another one before lunch to have the Heat 2 for 70 at the main break. The middle session was disappointing for MUCC with no wickets falling as the 3rd wicket pair combined for a 157 run partnership. After tea Tim Rankin bowled an excellent spell. He broke the partnership and claimed another with the new ball and created a numbers of chances. Supporting Rankin with the second new ball was skipper Matt Marshall. Their efforts almost pulled MUCC back into the match but there were just too few runs to play with. If all the chances created had of been taken the result could have been a different story. But in the end the Heat won with 5 wickets in hand. Rankin had the figures with 2 for 59 from 21 overs. The loss leaves the 2s in 9th position just a point outside the 8. Again wins in the final two rounds against Melbourne and Carlton are vital.
Starting the day at 2 for 18 chasing 169 the Frankston 3rds would have given themselves a big chance. An early wicket to Steve Carlile (2/30) tipped the game in MUCC’s favour. The inevitable resistance came in the form a 70 run 4th wicket partnership. Mark Stafford and Lincoln Loi then turned the match on its head in a great display of partnership bowling. Between them they snagged 6 wickets for just 25 to see the Heat slip from 3 for 92 to 9 for 117. Stafford ended with figures of 4 for 26 from 22 overs with Loi finishing with 2 for 32 from 13. Tom Williams (1 for 10 from 11.2 overs) chimed in to take the all important 10th wicket to secure a 36 run victory. This win helped the 3s to maintain 6th position on the table.
Ending week 1 at 9/213 the MUCC 4th XI had the option of declaring overnight or batting on. The rain that fell on Thursday and Friday had left the wicket a little soft, helping to make the decision to declare straight away somewhat easier. The decision was vindicated as the opening bowling pair of Andy Thomas and Lachie Richards ripping open the Heat top order. Thomas returning from an overseas trip was superb taking 3 for 22 from 10 overs, while Richards was equally as good with 2 for 17 from his 11 overs. At one stage the pair had Frankston 5 for 19. The sixth wicket proved the hardest but in the battle of skippers Mark Bhattacharyya (2/24) came up trumps claiming the key man. From there it was just a matter of time. In the end a 10 man opposition were dismissed for 115. It was a sensational team effort to knock off the top of the table Heat. This win moves the 4s up to 5th on the ladder with a finals spot almost assured.
With fixtures still out of synch, MUCC 5th XI started round 11 by winning the toss and choosing to bat against A Grade ladder leaders South Yarra on a slightly green wicket, but in otherwise good batting conditions on Sunday.
Unfortunately wickets fell steadily throughout the first session, with the fourth wicket on the stroke of tea leaving MUCC in trouble. After tea, a partnership was building between Draeger and Guy taking the score beyond a hundred, but unfortunately a combination of poor shot selection and some dubious umpiring again brought things undone. The tail once again went down without so much as a whimper with the side eventually all out for 9/121 with 11th man Lachlan Richards to join the team next week. Top score was a mere 28 from Draeger, while Gabrielson and Durham made 20s and Leggett and Guy showed promise before being dismissed.
South Yarra were left 18 overs to bat at the end of the day and showed more discipline than MUCC had earlier, taking advantage of the then ideal batting conditions to end the day at 55 for no loss.
The VWCA XI lost the toss and were asked to bowl by Monash University Gryphons, a team Uni were yet to face this season (and also play in the final game of the year). On a wicket which offered a lot for the bowlers Uni wickets were taken at regular interval not allowing Monash to establish any meaningful partnerships. Ellie (3/14) and Madeleine (3/8) were rewarded for excellent bowling. Laura edged one closer to 50 club wickets (only two more to go). Monash were dismissed in the 36th over for 74. Uni reached the score in the 17th over without the loss of a wicket. Katie finished on 43* and Ledene 19*.
Next Sunday the VWCA XI take on Moonee Valley in their last home game for the season.