CHCC Women 2 good!
Some great highlights across the weekend, none better than our Women’s 2s getting the first win of the season by chasing down 159 without losing a wicket!
But… before we look at last Saturday’s games, a rewind back to the previous Sunday to see how our Over The Hillers men’s sides went.
CHCC MEN’S (A LONG WAY) OVER 40s v DINGLEY AT RAMMO
With the women’s 1 winning on forfeit, the Over 40s had a chance to play a game on Rammo. We batted first and clocked up 8/118 off our 36 overs, thanks mainly to James Allen (42 retired not out), Tony Peake (18no), Spocky (17) and Cam Wood (15).
Despite the sterling bowling efforts of Peakey (1/16 off 6) and some bloke named Gigacz (1/15 off 5) Dingley got the runs with a minimum of fuss.
CHICKEN: The wrinkly chicken goes to Farnesy (James Allen) for his 42 and great glovework (including a stumping).
CHCC MEN’S OVER 50s v GLEN IRIS AT WARNER RESERVE
The team of two surnames (Clifton Hill) took on the team of two first names (Glen Iris) and we batted first, compiling a very good score of 9/194 on the back of 41 not out from Hamish, 40 not out from Jonesy, with support from Kevin Moore (27) and Dean Perry (25).
Very good is not always good enough, though, and GI passed us with three overs to spare despite good bowling from Kevin, Hamish, Andrew Bell and Peter Ryan, who took a wicket each.
CHICKEN: Hamish pips Jonesy for the chicken, courtesy of an extra run and an extra wicket.
CHCC WOMEN’S 1s v NOBLE PARK AT PARKFIELD
Match report by Bek ‘Bobbie’ Drake
The Women's Team 1st XI trekked out to Noble Park to play Parkfield on Sunday and were excited to welcome Emma Sands to the team, debuting for Clifton Hill! Sherin Breed also stepped up, playing her first game in the 1st XI as our keeper. Rachael "Razzle" Jones won the toss and we decided to bowl.
Our bowlers took control from the start, with Hannah "Handsy" Watson and Amy "Wolfie" Howell executing some perfect bowling. Handsy opened with a maiden and Wolfie began with a wicket maiden, the catch taken by Isobel "Izzy" Fenner. Wolfie bowled a fantastic spell, with almost every ball just missing the outside edge. That is except for the one ball that did, and everyone went up for a caught behind, but the umpire's finger did not. Handsy was consistent as always and it was not long before she got a wicket, with a fantastic catch taken by Razzle. Parkfield were 2/11 and did not get another run before the next wicket fell - a mix up between the batters, and some swift fielding from the debutant Emma, effected a run out. Handsy (6 overs, 3 maidens, 1/5) and Wolfie (6 overs, 3 maidens, 1/6) finished their spells and it turns out their bowling for the day (you will see why below).
We changed up bowlers, with Emma bowling her first overs for Clifton Hill! Having not played for a few years, you could tell Emma got more comfortable as her bowling spell progressed and before long she had her first wicket for the Hillers - a spectacular catch from Sherin, lunging forward with her hand just making it under the ball! Emma (1/19 off 4) bowled in partnership with Emily "Dominos" Costigan (1/6 off 3), who is in spectacular form, having continued to improve throughout the season. Dominos was next to get a wicket, with another sensational catch being taken, this time by Maya Harrington - as the ball popped up she sprinted in and took a one handed catch low to the ground! This had Parkfield at 5/20.
Our bowlers continued to bowl superbly, before we made another change, bringing on Razzle (3/1 off 2) and Ash "Steam Train" Murdoch (2/3 off 1). They were here for a good time, not a long time, making wicket-taking look easy. In her first over, Razzle took two wickets in two balls - the first out bowled and the second caught by Wolfie at mid-on. On a hat trick, Razzle gave herself every opportunity to take the third wicket, with a big appeal for LBW. Unfortunately it was not given out and Razzle continued with a maiden and Parkfield were 7/37. Steam Train came on and got a wicket bowled with her first ball! Having enjoyed that first wicket, it was not long before she took another, this time caught and bowled. The next over Razzle took the final wicket, with our debutant Emma in the action yet again, taking the catch.
Parkfield ended up all out for 41 after 22 overs. Our bowlers were great, but were very well supported in the field. Sherin looked at home behind the stumps, with nothing getting past her! Lauren "Rex" Chester was fantastic in the slips, getting a hand to many balls that otherwise would have flown past. The highlight was her dive to the right and hitting the ball back towards the stumps. Maya and Annika Filips were lighting quick, chasing down anything and everything. Their fielding was part of the reason Parkfield did not hit a boundary!
As Handsy and Rex walked out to the middle to begin our batting innings, our star scorer Peter noted it would be hard to hit boundaries on this oval, but maybe Rex could hit one. Rex did better than that, hitting seven fours on her way to 35*! After missing some games at the start of the season, it has been great having Rex back in the team. She has worked her way into the season well and was in fine form on Sunday, hitting all around the ground. Handsy (5*) played a good supportive role and both batters were smart with their batting, with very few chances for wickets. As short as it is, that essentially summarises the innings, as we reached the total, no wickets down, within 10 overs.
The team came together for an emphatic victory. It was fantastic to welcome Emma to our club and we're looking forward to seeing what she can do for the Hill! We were also very happy to finish early so we could head back to Rammo and watch the Women's Team 2nd XI put together the perfect run chase for a phenomenal victory!
The CHICKEN ended up being a three way tie. It could be argued that it could go to our whole bowling attack, with a fantastic team performance. But the winners were:
1. Wolfie, who's bowling was just sensational, threatening with every ball
2. Razzle, who took wickets for fun
3. Rex, who made batting look easy
WOMEN’S 2nd XI vs CRAIGIEBURN AT RAMMO
Match report by B2
Sunday was perhaps one of the most memorable and special match days in our Clifton Hill Senior Women's history, thus far!
Happily back on our home pitch at Rammo, we were sent into the field by Craigieburn, and it was Laura and Eloise who began our first spell.
Our encouragement and energy in the field is something we have been very deliberate to focus on every match in the 2s, and it again proved to be one of our biggest strengths. After a couple of slight chances had earlier popped up, in the 14th over our consistent effort in the field was rewarded with Laura's terrific run-out, and our first break through!
Laila and Nan continued our attack and with continued pressure, more chances were created and taken! First, Nan's magnificent solo effort, a great caught and bowled wicket! Then, in the very next over, with Laila bowling well around the wicket, B2 took a catch at mid-on, removing one of Craigieburn's openers after a 50-run innings.
Nan's terrific length bowling was again duly rewarded with another quick wicket - bowled!
Coming back into the attack to challenge the Craigieburn captain, who was playing beautifully and starting to find the boundary regularly, Laura claimed her first wicket when Tylah - perfectly positioned - took a confident catch at deep mid wicket!
Throughout the entire innings Boomer was formidable at fine leg, adjusting her position when necessary - thank you for joining us Boomer!
As well as bowling a number of overs each, Laila and Georgia diligently backed up their teammates and swept the boundary all day!
A notable mention to Gemma, who was fantastic behind the stumps, keeping for the first time in the seniors!
Nan smothered everything hit to square leg and Tylah, Eloise, Mum and Alex made sure the off-side was well and truly covered!
With every match we are getting better and better at reading the state of play as a team and adjusting our positions accordingly. And the tight ring of fielders around the batters towards the end of Craigieburn's innings is a testament to that. Only 5 runs came from the last 3 overs. Pressure till the end!
The effort in the field was sharp, urgent and supportive, and was sustained from the start to the end.
Time, and our extras, meant the innings was complete after 33 overs and Craigieburn had set us a target of 5 / 159 runs.
This week it was Alex, or "Corka" as she'll now be known, and B2 who opened our batting and began our response to Craigieburn's total.
It perhaps should also be noted that Craigieburn were defending their total with 9 players. . .
Initially it was our priority just to survive the first number of overs and settle into our innings. Our running between the wickets, however, did almost bring us undone - more than once!
But we were still there after 12 overs, and knowing that we had a number of strong batters in our line up, it was time to begin to try and increase our run rate. . .
By now the 1s, who had dominated their match and finished their work early, had arrived at Rammo to support us - much appreciated!
Thankfully our communication and running between the wickets improved somewhat and we were still at the crease without loss after; 18 overs, then 24 overs. . .
With both of us trying to play with intent and up the ante, chances were created but not taken and Corka was the first to raise her bat, her first 50 run innings! And with family and friends there to witness her extraordinary exploits too!
Soon after B2 joined her on 50 runs, also reaching the milestone for the first time.
So now, having both made 50 runs, more than 100 runs for the partnership, and with great batters to come, we required 54 runs off the last 8 overs! During drinks breaks, Mum kept us up to date with what was required!
With Corka swinging freely and often finding the boundary, it was up to B2 to support her and enjoy the best seat in the house!
A brief intermission when one of the Craigieburn fielders unfortunately slipped awkwardly (thankfully she was okay), was a chance to reset.
Now it was 18 runs off 18 deliveries! 11 from the 31st over and it was 7 runs from the last 2 overs!
Determined to finish what we had started, we needed 3 runs from the final over!
After perhaps surprising ourselves and with the support of so many Hillers, Corka knocked the winning runs - a boundary! Naturally!
It came down to the last over, but we finished with a total of 0/162 runs!
Thank you to Craigieburn who played the game in great spirit!
Thank you very much to Matt, who was our scorer and to Mum who, after fielding and bowling, then was our square leg umpire for all 33 overs. Thank you!
And thank you also to our 1s who came back to Rammo to support us, along with a number of family and friends of the club! What an atmosphere! Thank you!
Sunday, 29th January, will long live in the memory of our Clifton Hill Senior Women's squad with special wins for both teams!
Well done Hillers!
CHICKEN: This week's Chicken is shared by Corka and B2, for their batting partnership, built on the back of a great team effort in the field.
CHCC MEN’S 5th XI v CORBEN OVAL
The 5s dug out 30-year-old spikes and took on Richmond City on the turf wicket at Corben Oval. Good bowling from everyone in the 35° heat – even me! – helped keep Richmond to just 9/129. Billy led the way with 2/8 off his four overs of hand grenades. He was well supported by old man Gigacz (2/24 off 7), Gilly (2/29 off 5), Lucas Harris (1/17 off 7), Naj (1/19 off 7) and Jeff B (0/20 off 5).
Chasing a small total, we lost wickets too regularly but Tom McKenzie held the innings together with a magnificent 47. Jonesy made 18 and Sal 15 but when the eighth wicket fell we were still 29 short of victory. Luca Harris and I took the total to 115 before Lucas was bowled.
I hit a four - probably the shot of the day – to get us within 10 but then I was hit on the pads and got triggered by Jacko! We wuz robbed! (I mean it was plumb but because I write these reports I get to embellish the truth a bit.)
A good effort but not quite good enough with the bat.
CHICKEN: Plenty of bowlers who could have pinched the chicken but T-Mac gets it for 47 in his comeback game!
MEN’S 1ST, 2ND AND 3RD XI
These games are in progress. Full reports on them next week.