MUCC’s premier grade sides took on the competition high fliers Ringwood on the weekend. The Rams currently head the club championship table and their First XI have won the past two premierships. The highlight of the weekend was the outstanding performance of the 1st XI – notably Nick Williams with career best figures. After Day 1 of the two day match, 6 points have already been secured. Sadly in the 2s Ringwood have already knocked over the target set by MUCC. Both the 3s and 4s had long days in the field and will have to bat well next week to secure the points. Against North Ringwood in the VWCA the Women’s XI were unsuccessful going down by 6 wickets. The MCA XI failed to score enough runs and were comfortably beaten by Carnegie.

After losing the toss the Uni 1st XI were asked to bowl. It proved to be a great result with Nick Williams producing one of the great spells in recent MUCC history. His figures of 19 overs 10 maidens 6 for 28 are his best in 121 1st XI matches. Bowling with great control and swing on a grassy wicket Williams wrecked the Rams’ top order. He took the first five wickets to have them in deep trouble at 5 for 29. During his opening spell of 10 overs Williams bowled 9 maidens and took 5 for 7. He was well supported by fellow quicks in Greg Kennedy (2/23 of 16), Nick Ellsmore (1/12 off 11) and Brett Harrop (1/14 off 9) as the Rams collapse continued seeing them all out for just 85.

In reply the early loss of Brett Murphy, Antony Keely and Scott Sanders left Uni 3/37. A solid 4th wicket partnership between Jarrod Leggett (53no) and Tim O’Brien (44) safely saw MUCC take the 6 points before putting the foot down in the quest for quick runs. Ellsmore (18) came and left his mark quickly with a huge 6 that left a cherry just a metre from the top of one of Uni Main’s light towers. By stumps Uni had increased their lead to 67 with 4 wickets still in hand. Next week the aim will be the 10 points.

Out at the Russell Lucas Oval 2nd XI captain Matt Marshall won the toss and batted. Early wickets fell to leave Uni 4/64. Marshall then joined youngster Arthur Nitsopoulos (27) to combine for a partnership of 79 taking the total to 143. The dismissal of Marshall led to a collapse of 6/15 to see MUCC dismissed for just 158. Defending this total was going to be a difficult task. Tim Rankin (3/57) did his bit by taking 3 wickets in an opening spell to have the Rams in some trouble at 3/49. It was not to be though as Ringwood made their way to 5/161 at stumps. The challenge next week will be for MUCC to produce a vastly improved 2nd innings batting performance.

At the Crawford Oval the Ringwood 3s won the toss and batted. An early wicket to each of the four front line quicks saw the score at 4/44. By tea Ringwood were 4/55 from 36 overs. As so often happens at the Craw runs flowed freely after tea. It was a long session for MUCC as the Rams took their total to 8/256 by stumps. Apurwa Sarve(2/20) and Lachie Richards (2/24) were the main wicket takers. The example shown by the batsmen on Saturday will hopefully be a lesson to the MUCC batsmen in how to approach the chase next week.

Out at The Rock (Jubilee Park 2) the MUCC 4th XI were asked to field after losing the toss. It was a long day on the small ground. At stumps Ringwood were 8/274. Skipper Mark Bhattacharyya (4/85 off 27) continued his fine form while returning young quick Mark Stafford did a good job with 3 wickets from 24 overs. The other wicket taker was Josh van Cuylenburg. Keeper James Graham had a great time behind the pegs completing two stumpings. On a small ground the target is achievable if the batsmen apply themselves and bat for long periods.

On Sunday the 5th XI ventured out to Koornang Park to take on Carnegie. The winner of this match would keep in touch with the top 4. Uni won the toss and batted. The innings never really got going and at one stage lost 6 for 20. Some respectability was added by Jude Fernando (28) and young Tassie ring in Max Carter (36). This took the total over 100 before the side was all out for just 106. After a brief rain interruption the MUCC opening bowling pair of Lachie Richards and Adam Pustola came out breathing fire. Pustola bowled tightly while Richards exploded his way through the top order taking 3 quick wickets to have Carnegie 3 for 39. Unfortunately a number of wides (17 in total) helped to ease the pressure. Wickets either side of tea to Apurwa Sarve and Hamish Bull meant 40 runs were still needed with just 5 wickets in hand. It was not to be with the 6th wicket pair batting in a controlled manner to see their side home in an unbeaten partnership of 110. It was a disappointing loss but the top order collapse meant it was always going to be difficult.

The VWCA XI won the toss and batted. Initial thoughts that the wicket would play low and slow were confirmed and Uni progressed slowly to be 0/28 after 10 overs. The opening partnership was broken following the unfortunate run out of Ledene (20) who was starting to time the ball well, the culprit and cause of the run-out was dismissed soon after leaving the side on 2/43. Alanna Duffy and Madeleine Mitchell combined for an important 22 run partnership before Duffy was bowled for seven. Small partnerships weren’t capitalised on and Uni were all out for 84. In reply North Ringwood started well thanks to some wayward bowling however the bowlers tightened up and managed to take four wickets in reaching the target. Madeleine Mitchell was the pick of the bowlers with 3/12 from 7. This takes Madeleine’s wicket tally to 12 for the season.

The VWCA XI have a break for the Australia Day weekend then take on Clifton Hill Collingwood in Round 12 on Saturday, 30 January.