The weekend’s results for Melbourne University Cricket Club were varied. In the VWCA our team had a solid victory against Clifton Hill Collingwood. The MCA XI was soundly beaten by Burnley and all 4 premier teams will have to perform well to secure the points next Saturday. Off field Saturday night saw all 6 grades gather at Pugg Mahone’s in Carlton for an evening of artistic creativeness. Everyone appeared to have a great time with coach Brett Harrop adjudged the winner with his artwork “Plum LBW”.

The 1st XI have the most work to do to secure the points next weekend. After been sent in on a wicket doing a bit the batsmen struggled. Scott Sanders lead the way scoring 78. Just 3 other players made it to double figures with Dan Hibbert the next best with 32 in a total of 172. In reply Frankston Peninsula are 5 for 136 with skipper Nick Jewell available to bat next week. Greg Kennedy was the pick of the MUCC bowlers collecting 3 for 24 from 12 overs.

At the Uni Main the 2s scorecard made interesting reading. Batting first after winning the losing the toss MUCC’s inning included three golden ducks and a hat trick. Although this would suggest the bowlers had their way MUCC still managed to reach 261 by the fall of the last wicket on stumps. 2nd XI debutant Shiv Bardolia was the leading light making an unbeaten 66 on a sluggish outfield. He was well supported by Anthony Barton (48), Terry Dixon (44) and Mark Simpson (38). The score is very competitive and a good bowling performance should reward MUCC with 6 points.

Down on Jubilee Park No 2 3rd XI skipper Pat Halpin won the toss and elected to bat. Ahilan Sivakumaran starred by carrying his bat to an undefeated 85. As in the case of 1st XI only 3 other batsmen made it double figures. Lincoln Loi was the other major contributor with 31. Steve Flight was last man out with the score on 169. Having 11 overs at the end of the day, Flight and Steve Carlile managed to take a wicket each to have the Heat 2 for 18. Early wickets will be key next week in defending this smallish total.

At the Crawford Oval the MUCC 4s won the toss and batted. A solid opening partnership between youngsters Jarryd Crisp (51) and Liam Alexander (19) laid the platform for a big score. Crisp was the backbone of the inning and he was well supported by Dan Hanrahan who also batted well for 54. Frankston’s negative tactics after tea limited our scoring rate, however by stumps the score was a respectable 9 for 213. With a strong bowling line-up the 4s will be looking to knock the top spot Heat from their perch.

The VWCA XI won the toss and elected to bat against Clifton Hill Collingwood. The girls were looking to go up 3-0 against CHC after success in the previous two matches against them this season. Uni got off to a shaky start with Ledene out on the sixth ball of the day. Despite the early loss of a wicket, partnerships were formed at each of the next 4 wickets (2nd wicket of 53 between Katie (48) and Alanna (20); 3rd wicket of 32 between Rachel and Katie; 79 between Rachel (31) and Madeleine for the 4th wicket and 59* for the fifth wicket between Jo and Madeleine). Madeleine (77*) and Jo (17*) each recorded their best batting performances.

Clifton Hill Collingwood were never really in the hunt in chasing down our total of 4/223. We only managed to take two wickets along the way but won convincingly by 82 runs, with Ellie Button (1/20 from 9 overs) and Laura Brady picking up the wickets. Laura’s club tally of wickets is now 46.

Next Sunday the VWCA XI play at home (McAlister Oval) against Monash University Gryphons.