Hat Trick leads the way
The highlight of the weekend for Melbourne University Cricket Club was the first hat-trick for the season. Laura Brady playing for the VWCA XI completed the hat-trick in her 3rd over. Brady’s effort and Ledene Ellis (66 not out) secured the second victory for the VWCA XI in their first home for the season. In the Premier grades against Camberwell Magpies, fine individual achievements on the weekend included an unbeaten 97 to Daniel Hibbert in the 2nd XI. Hibbert was well supported by Chris Grant who upon his promotion scored 66. Ahilan Sivakumaran starred in the 4s by making 85.
The 1st XI won the toss and elected to bat in excellent batting conditions at the Uni Main. The loss of early wickets meant no momentum was gained throughout. Scott Sanders was the only batsmen to make a major contribution scoring 61. Terrence Dixon was next best with 34. In the end a disappointing total of 166 was complied. In reply Camberwell are 0/46 leaving the 1s with an uphill battle to get the points next weekend.
Out at Camberwell Sports Ground stand in 2nd XI skipper Huw Birrell won the toss and chose to bat. Batting out the day Uni scored 7/286. Apart from Hibbert and Grant ex Magpie Nick Hutton was the other contributor scoring 36. Skipper Birrell will have a tough decision next week – will Hibbert be given the opportunity to score his 1st MUCC century, or will the innings be declared overnight? With runs on the board the 2s will be aiming to take the 10 wickets to secure another victory.
With the late promotion of Grant to the 2s, Eben Martin was given his first opportunity to lead the 3rd XI. At stumps MUCC are in a strong position. Fine bowling from Andy Thomas (3/43) and Sean Kirby (3/17) helped to bowl the Magpies out for 202. Our openers made it through a tricky 4 over spell to see out the day at 0/10. With all 10 wickets in hand the 3s top order will be hoping to knock of the target next week.
Playing at Central Reserve 2 the 4th XI are in a strong position after been bowled out for 262 on stumps. Batting after winning the toss the innings was held together beautifully by Shivakumaran who batted for 70 overs to make his 85. He was well supported by specialist batsman Sam Skinner (44) on his return from a shoulder reconstruction in each shoulder. Handy contributions throughout helped to post a more than competitive score. With an excellent bowling attack MUCC will be looking to take the points when play resumes next Saturday.
The MCA XI played at the Smith Oval on Sunday. After a good performance in the field restricting Monash Uni Gryphons to just 184 captain Jesse Draeger would be disappointed to have lost 4 wickets to be 4 for 30 overnight. This leaves a huge task for the middle and lower order on day 2.
The VWCA XI played their first home game of the season at McAlister Oval against Clifton Hill Collingwood (CHC). MUCC won the toss and batted. The opening partnership of 65 between Katie Derham (27) and Ledene Ellis (66no) set the foundation for a competitive total. Following the dismissal of Katie in the 19th over Mrs Mitchell and Deno combined for a 45 run partnership to push the score past the 100 mark. At the completion of the 40th over Uni finished on 5/147. Ledene carried her bat through the innings for the second time this season.
In the field Uni began brilliantly with Ellie Button (2/17) nicking the top of off stump with the second ball of the inning. Laura Brady (4/24) pulled out all stops to better this effort taking a wicket with her first ball. Laura, not satisfied with the minor victory and employing the luck of the Irish, went on to take a hat trick in her third over. It must noted, without Katie (catching wicket one), Rachel (catching wicket two) and Rachelle (catching wicket three) the hat trick wouldn't be possible. The hat trick hangover kicked in but was overcome 24 runs / 10 overs later through a direct hit run out by Katie from short third man. Strangely enough the captain had only made the fielding change a matter of balls prior. Another running between the wickets hiccup then followed shortly by Ellie's second victim left CHC 9 wickets down with 45 runs for victory. The final wicket came 19 runs later through a caught behind (to Rachel) off the bowling of Rachelle Goldburg. Significantly this was Rachelle's 100th wicket for MUCC/MUWCC.
The VWCA XI take on Darebin next Sunday at home.