The 1's made the trip out to Dandenong and began poorly with new skipper Paul Percy losing his 2^nd toss and being asked to field first on a wicket that was certain to break up as the day went on. Paceman Greg Kennedy got the Students off to solid start with 2 early wickets and when Nick Williams picked up the crucial wicket of Dempsey for 7 the Panthers were on the back foot at 3 for 45. However the Panthers went on to build solid partnerships over the next 30 overs and despite coach Brett Harrop crashing through 2 batsman in 2 balls late in the innings set the Students a tough yet not impossible chase of 233 to win.

The chase started poorly with Tim O’Brien out early, yet with Anthony Baton still in and looking in superb form the Students remained confident. However the dismissal of Jarrod Leggett saw the beginning of an embarrassing collapse for the students with only two of their batsman reaching double figures eventually being dismissed for a dismal 62 runs in 25.3 overs. After some soul searching in the rooms post match the 1s remain optimistic and are more than determined to make amends in this weekend’s double header.

The 2nd XI suffered a disappointing loss after a great start to the year and an excellent yard stick for where we are at.

Captain Pete Murray lost a crucial toss as the deck became more difficult as the day went on.

In the field the team was good again with great catches by Huw Birrell and Brett Murphy the highlights. Dan Hibbert was the best of the bowlers but all were ill disciplined with their lines (14 wides). The Panthers, to their credit, timed their innings well and punished the bad bowling to end with 8 for 239.

With the bat the top 4 all looked settled but did not show the necessary intent nor take the calculated risks required in a chase like this and placed undue pressure on the lower order. That said the bowling was excellent and the pitch extremely difficult. In the end MUCC was bowled out in the 40th over for 147.

Hopefully we take our medicine and learn some lessons from the well drilled Panthers.

The Dandenong 3rd XI won the toss and elected to bat on a flat and tiny Wilson Oval last Saturday. The toss mattered little though for the MUCC bowlers led principally by Andy Thomas. Bowling with good pace and early swing, Thomas dismantled the Panthers top order taking 3/17 off his full allotment. He was well supported by Mark Stafford, the promoted Lachie Richards and Matt Doyle. Michael Nalesnyik continued his good early season form with the ball claiming 2/33 off 8 at the death. Josh Van Cuylenburg rounded out the wicket takers as the Panthers finished at 6/157. A very gettable total on one of the smaller grounds in world cricket.

The chase began steadily with Nalesnyik and Eben Martin seeing off the new ball before Martin was bowled by one that kept a little low. Captain Pat Halpin came to the crease and began what looked to be a threatening partnership before Halpin was adjudged leg before for 25. MUCC were to lose no more wickets as Nalesnyik and Chris Grant combined for a 102 run partnership to steer the side home in the 41st over. Nalesnyik completed an outstanding all-round match finishing on 71 not out, while Grant finished the day on 48. A most pleasing batting display for the 3rds who realised their second 100 run partnership for the season.

With games against the Tigers and Swans coming up this weekend, the 3rd XI have the chance to go 4 and zip laying the foundation for a useful season ahead.

The 4^th XI result was the closest for the weekend. For the second week running the coin fell the wrong way for skipper Mark Bhattacharyya. Dandenong took the opportunity to bat first on what appeared to be a grassless and lifeless Craw wicket. This proved correct as wickets were not that easy to come by and the Panthers made steady progress scoring at around 4 an over. After drinks the brakes were applied somewhat with fine partnership bowling by the skipper Bhattacharyya and Hamish Bull. A lovely direct hit run out by Shiv Bardolia was a much needed spark for the Uni boys with dismissals coming easier from this point. In the end excellent death bowling by Tim Wetherell and Sean Kirby helped to restrict the total to 9/175 off the 45 overs. Kirby was the leading wicket taker with 3 for 30 from his full allotment of 9.

With the bat MUCC were in early trouble losing Fernando for 0 in the first over. Unfortunately this was to be the story of the day with wickets falling at regular intervals.  The main stay of the innings was Kirby, who completed a fine all round effort by scoring 50. Needing a little over 5 an over for the last 15 overs with a sluggish outfield meant it was going to be a difficult task. Young wicketkeeper James Graham in just his second match for MUCC played a great innings to put us in a winning position before he was ran out for 30. His dismissal left the last wicket pair of Bhattacharyya and Wetherell needing to score 20 from the last 4 overs. They put in a mighty effort but it wasn’t to be. With a 4 required from the last ball for victory only 1 bye could be scampered. The wash up was a disappointing 2 run lost with all the team reflecting on many what ifs? After two matches the 4^th XI are now 1 and 1.

The MUCC MCA XI won the toss and batted first. The pitch was playing very slowly, with patches of grass at both ends leading to some inconsistent bounce and sideways movement. We struggled our way to 129 all out with most of the runs coming from the middle/lower order on a deck you were never really 'in' on. Dale Highton top scored with a hard fought 27, while Laban Ditchburn and Jesse Hristovski both made 17. The highlight of the innings was Jesse Draeger's low straight six back over the opening bowler's head in the 3rd over. 

Once we hit the field to bowl, the rain started to come down, staying light enough for us to play on for half an hour and turning the ball into a red cake of soap before we finally brought the covers on. The bowlers generally all did a very good job in the trying conditions, with Adam Pustola 2/16 off 9 and Highton 3/11 off 9 the standouts, while Liam Alexander and Chris Guy also took 2 wickets each. Highlights of the innings were Bhasker Venkataraman's direct hit runout of Powerhouse’s captain after a diving save, as well as Chris Guy's lone bouncer for the innings, which cannoned into the powerhouse wicketkeeper's helmet. We finished up bowling Powerhouse out for 117, completing a hard fought and well deserved win.