Maiden MUCC Century to Hibbert

On a weather affected weekend MUCC managed to secure wins in 3 of 4 completed matches. Only the premier grades managed to play any cricket with Sunday’s MCA and VWCA fixtures washed out. The 2nd XI won a close contest at Camberwell Sports Ground thanks largely to Daniel Hibbert who scored his first MUCC century. Our 3rd XI made their task somewhat more difficult than it should have been but still managed a win. The 4s had the easiest win with the bowling attack running through the Magpies. Sadly there was no miracle at the Uni Main and MUCC’s 1st XI went down.

At the Uni Main Camberwell’s 1s resumed at 0/46 in reply to Uni's extremely poor total of 166. Early wickets were always going to be vital, and despite good opening spells from both Greg Kennedy and Nick Williams, the Magpies' openers made it through the first session without loss. 

With the game effectively over at lunch, Uni fought hard in the middle session to add a small amount of respectability to an otherwise forgettable performance. Tim Rankin did a super job to take a career best 4 for 71 bowling unchanged throughout the middle session. Antony Keely also showed he has something to offer, taking his first district wicket in a tight ten over spell. Stumps were drawn at tea with the Magpies 6/228. This result sees the 1st XI slip from 9th to 13th.

Recommencing at 7/286 the 2nd XI continued to bat on Day. Down a bowler in the injured Hugh Van Cuylenburg it was important that some extra runs were on the board to defend. Daniel Hibbert resuming on 97 quickly brought up his maiden MUCC century. In the end Hibbert reached 104 including 11 4s before he was dismissed. Upon Hibbert’s fall skipper Huw Birrell called the boys in with 8/297 on the board.

MUCC had 95 overs to bowl Camberwell out to take the points. Nick Ellsmore took the new ball with Steve Carlile. Ellsmore claimed 2 wickets in his spell, while Carlile also got one to have the Magpies 3 for 33. A solid 4th wicket partnership was broken by a Pat Halpin run out. Wickets to spinners Hibbert (1 for 49) and Michael Nalesnyik (2 for 60 from 24) then had the opposition reeling at 7 for 164. Frustratingly the 8th and 9th wickets were both difficult to capture. Ellsmore effected a run out for the 8th with the score on 213. The 9th wicket pairing then combined to add 73 before Carlile (3 for 76) made the crucial breakthrough with a snick to keeper Tim Robertson. Carlile was then good enough to clean bowl the no. 11 second ball to take the points with just 11 runs to spare. A good fighting win with a bowler down sees the 2nd XI move up a position to 4th.

Resuming at 0/10 chasing 202 on the Crawford the 3rd XI were given the perfect start with a 74 run opening partnership between Jude Fernando (31) and stand in skipper Eben Martin. After the loss of Fernando, Shiv Bardolia (24) joined Martin for another 50 run partnership. Unfortunately both fell quickly, Martin for a well played 59, to leave MUCC at 3 for 133 needing a solid partnership to secure the points. Things started to turn sour when 3 for 0 where lost at 168 leaving just 4 wickets in hand. Arthur Nitsopoulos returning from school commitments chimed in with a handy 29 to take the score to 192 before two more wickets were lost leaving 11 needed with only the last 2 wickets in hand. At the crease were Englishmen Dale Highton and another youngster in Mark Stafford. Thankfully they had steady heads and did the job getting the team home. Stafford then cashed in with an extra over to remain unbeaten with a hard hitting 36. It was great win for a team that was missing some senior players to see the side move back to 5th on the ladder.

With 262 on the board and a strong bowling line up the 4th XI ventured back out to Central Reserve No 2 feeling confident of taking the 6 points. Excellent bowling conditions and lack of emphasis from the Magpies meant that the upper hand was soon gained. A super tight spell from Tim Wetherell at one end and great swing bowling from Josh Van Cuylenburg tighten the noose. Laban Ditchburn (2/15) and Simon Preston (2/20) were then able to capitalise. At tea Camberwell were 7 for 74 and hoping that the darking skies would bring rain quickly. Fortunately it was not to be. Wetherell and Van Cuylenburg returned after tea to again beat the bat countless times. They were too good for the lower order and it was left for the experienced spinners in skipper Mark Bhattacharyya (1/6 off 9) and Hamish Bull (2/4) to clean up the tail. In the end Camberwell were bowled out for a paltry 94. Special mention goes to the opening bowling combination – Wetherell ended with 1 for 15 from 13 overs and Van Cuylenburg 2 for 19 from 16. This win helped to maintain 2nd position on the ladder.

On Wednesday evening the 1st XI will be taking on Hawthorn Monash Uni at the Melbourne University Main Oval from 5.15pm. Following this there is a big weekend of cricket is coming up for the Premier grades with a Saturday Sunday fixture against Geelong. Vital premiership and club championship points will be up for grabs with the Cats currently 3rd in the club championship. The MCA XI will take on Sacred Heart on Saturday in a 2 day match, while the VWCA XI’s opponents are Edinburgh.

Ladder Positions

1st XI – 13th

2nd XI – 4th

3rd XI – 5th

4th XI – 2nd

MCA XI – 6th

VWCA XI – 5th

Club Championship – 5th