Reversal of fortune (and raffle)

Round 13 is done and dusted, with the weekend providing another round of mixed fortunes for teams, players and reverse raffle-ticket holders.

Two teams had a reversal of fortune in a not so good way — the Men’s 1s lost narrowly after winning in Round 12 and the Men’s 5s did the same, but the Men’s 3s had a positive reversal of fortune, rebounding from a narrow loss last week to smash St Paul’s this week.

Bek ‘Bobbie’ Drake didn’t experience a reversal of fortune; rather a continuation of fortune. Her team, the Women’s 1s, backed up a Pride Cup win last week with a top-two place-clinching win this week, in between which, she became $1000 richer by winning the reverse raffle!

WOMEN’S 1st XI v Melton Centrals at Rammo: FINALS BOUND!
Match report by Bek ‘Bobbie’ Drake

Led by Rachael "Razzle" Jones in Rex's absence, we lost the toss and were sent in to bat by Melton Centrals. Our opening pair can only be described as outstanding. Hannah "Handsy" Watson and Izzy "Maxy" Fenner put together a phenomenal 108 run partnership. There were numerous boundaries (but also a lot of running) as they worked together perfectly. Having got to 100 before the halfway point, we were in a beautiful position.

Maxy noted before the match that she had not got a half century yet this season - last time she said something along those lines (that she hadn't got a 6 yet this season) she managed to pull it off. So we were not surprised when she brought up her 50. However, heat again was playing a factor in the game. Maxy began to hit out and was unfortunately caught out for a very well made 60.

Taryn "Fred" Heddo came to the crease and not long later Handsy was run out for 36. Ash "Steam Train" Murdoch came in and after getting one run was back out, caught. The dream team from last week, Fred and Laila "Electric Train" Rae, were at the crease. It was not to be this week, with their 15 run partnership brought to a halt, with Electric Train being run out for four. Rachel "Greyhound" Gray came to the middle and lived up to her name, running beautifully between the wickets, while also playing some lovely shots. Fred picked up where she left off from last week, hitting the gaps perfectly but adding some big shots into the mix. We finished like we started, with a lovely 50 run partnership, for the team to finish on 4/179, with Fred 45* and Greyhound 8*.

We again opened the bowling with Handsy and Fred, who were as reliable as ever. Handsy opened with two maidens before Fred got the breakthrough in the fourth over, bowling out Melton's opening batter. A few wayward balls from our bowlers meant that Melton were able to get a little run-on. At the change of ends, Amy "Wolfie" Howell came on with her usual consistency, with Melton only managing the odd single. Steam Train then got the breakthrough, with Wolfie steaming in to take a sensational catch at mid on.

There were then a few overs where we could not get a breakthrough, but Melton also struggled to find runs. In the field, Wolfie was everywhere, fielding what felt like every second ball and covering a lot of ground while doing so. Greyhound was her usual fast self in the field and combined well with Hannah "Nellie" Gray, as they both covered anything that went backward of square. Many boundaries were stopped and runs restricted. Handsy continued her perfect bowling and Razzle came on, with the batters only really managing to score off a couple of loose deliveries. Wolfie continued again, partnering with Emily "Dominos" Costigan. Dominos began with a bang, with a wicket maiden in her opening over - bowling out the batter.

Our tight bowling continued and when Fred returned to the attack she also got a bowled wicket maiden! Not content with that, she got another wicket, bowled again, capping off a superb personal performance. At the final change of ends, Melton was 5/86. We set an aim to keep them under 100. With Handsy and Wolfie bowling out the innings, we were quietly confident. Wolfie began with a wicket maiden, with the batter out LBW. Only four runs were managed off the next three overs. With her final ball, Wolfie got another wicket with Maxy taking the catch. Handsy finished as she started, with a maiden - one of her four of the match, and we restricted Melton to 7/95. It was a good performance as we prepare for a home semi final next week!

Beautiful bowling as always: Handsy 0/13 off 9, Fred 3/14 off 6, Wolfie 2/22 off 9, Steam Train 1/20 off 6, Razzle 0/9 off 3, Dominos 1/9 off 3

CHICKEN: For her big-hitting 60 and the team's first half century of the season, the Chicken goes to Maxy! If there could be a runners up chicken, it would go to Fred, who displayed another amazing all round performance.

KILLER HILLER MOMENT: Fielding in her usual close position, Maxy almost took two ripper catches. One she covered a lot of ground and dove, with the ball just popping out. The second, she used her lightning reflexes to almost catch a ball that was coming low and hard to the left, with the ball again just popping out. It felt like a catch was coming to her all game, so it was only right that she managed to take one with the final wicket of the match!

MEN’S 2nd XI v St Pauls at Rammo: THE DEAN MACHINE GETS IT WRIGHT AS ST PAULS FALLS

Monty won the toss and batted and amazingly, this did not create a tear in the fabric of the universe. Thanks to usual suspects (Wortho 31, Jake and Jonesy 28 each, Lenny Dean 25) we put together a defensible 159 and then defended it - but only just! SPC Baked Beans and Spaghetti — sorry, I mean SPCC — made it all the way to 147 before being bowled out in the 39th over. The destroyers were Jim Wright (4/14 off 8) and Lenny D (4/26 off 8), backed up by ‘Miserly’ Monty Stuart (0/6 off 8) and Kyle (1/28 off 7).

CHICKEN: Chicken to Lenny: 25 with the bat, a 4-fer with the ball, including the crucial one to break the big partnership, and a catch.

KILLER HILLER MOMENT: The moment was definitely Kyle getting off the mark with a text book cover drive for four after a run of ducks (we won’t say how many).

KILLER HILLER FACT: Lenny has now bowled twice in the 2s for the exact same figures both times!

MEN’S 6th XI v Boroondara at Fairlea East: NO PHOENIX RISING OUT OF ASHER’S 50 NOT OUT

Billy won the toss — and STILL the fabric of the universe remained intact — and chose to bat first. Wickets fell regularly despite Jacob (12), Brother (17), Max (11) and Doug (14) all getting goods starts. We were staring down the barrel at 9/125 but an unbeaten stand of 44 between Asher Kelly (54 no) and Jeff Burstin (11 no) took as to a competitive 169.

Sadly it wasn’t quite enough and despite fine bowling from Brother (1/20 off 7), Max (1/36 off 7) and Asher (2/45 off 7), they passed us 4 down with 4 overs to spare.

CHICKEN: Asher for his 50 and 2-fer!

KILLER HILLER MOMENT: The look of disappointment on Billy’s face when his number came up in the reverse raffle.

WOMEN’S 2nd XI v Keilor at the Joe Brown Recreation Reserve:
Match Report by MUM
The Twos headed to their final match of the season with the same enthusiasm as their first. Our confidence was high and we were stoked to welcome Junior, Zara and Aneka to our eleven - that's right - eleven!! This fact was a victory in and of itself. The Keilor ground was in a hollow that seemed to draw humidity into it, and although the temperature was not high, it was quite oppressive. There was controversy from the start, with Keilor setting the boundary at 63 metres - I mean did they know we had a few players who had seen many trips around the sun? Who knows, but although it wasn't ideal, we stepped onto the field (yes the smiling B2 lost the toss again) with confidence in our fleet-footed youngsters.

Nan and Heather opened the bowling and we knew we were in trouble when the Keilor openers hit a boundary in the first over. We ran hard in the field and chased down many beautifully struck balls, but at the end of the first 6 they were 0/43. Junior, Georgia and Aneka took the next six but yet again, the scoring was fairly free-flowing and at the end of 12, Keilor were 0/85. Heather and Nan returned for the next six, and apart from a missed chance of a caught behind, the batters were set, comfortable and confident. Keilor 0/123.

To say we went to the drinks break a little disheartened would be accurate, but to say we were not positive and enthusiastic would be untrue! After a drink and hit of sugar, we skipped back onto the field. Junior and Zara took the next 6 overs and bowled some tight overs and at the end of 24 Keilor were 0/157. Mum, Georgia and Junior took the next 6 overs and we finally got the breakthrough, with Mum channeling Mega's discombobulation, bowling a ball that looped, spun or swung its way to middle stump.

Keilor's other opening batter retired on 100 (her third for the season) and after 30 overs they were 1/200. The final six overs saw 3 more wickets, with Nan taking 2 (slick caught behind by B-Cats and a cracking catch at point by Heather) and Georgia a very fine caught and bowled. Keilor's total 4/236. Again a shout out to Di, Ella, Anika and Zara in the field as they prevented the total from blowing out even more!

Bowling: Nan 2/53 off 9; Heather 0/43 off 7; Junior 0/21 off 5; Georgia 1/55 off 7; Anika 0/24 off 2; Mum 1/17 off 3 and Zara 0/21 off 3.

Chasing such a formidable total was always going to be a challenge especially as we had lost a couple of our big hitters in Razzle (to the Ones) and VoVo (to an injury at training***). B2 and B-Cats opened the batting and the bowling was tight. They were starting to settle into their rhythm when B2 was caught for 1 off a suspect delivery that seemed greater than waist high. 1/11. B-Cats and Nan then put on a 17 run partnership with B-Cats scoring some boundaries and Nan turning the ball around the corner for some lovely 2s.

Nan was unfortunately given our LBW for 10 to a ball that would only have hit the wickets if they were as tall as the gates to Government House. 2/28. Junior walked confidently to the middle and began a confident and assured innings. B-cats and Junior put on a further 21 runs before B-Cats was bowled by a very good delivery for 21. Junior was joined by Zara and they put on 19 runs before Zara was bowled for 4. Heather headed out to the middle and took the opportunity to bat out the innings and gain some experience out in the middle. We made a total of 4/92 with Junior not out 17 and Heather not out 5.

*** Editor’s question: Did that injury result in her becoming an ICED VoVo?

SOMETIMES IT’S TOUGH PICKIN’ THE CHICKEN: The chicken this week was extremely difficult to determine. When the votes came in it was a split between B-Cats innings with the bat and 36 overs of great keeping in the oppressive humidity, Nan's top innings and 2 wickets, our Juniors Zara and Aneka who ran tirelessly in the field, bowled and (Zara) batted so well, Heather for 7 top overs, a not out at bat and a cracking catch and finally, Junior who showed that her place in the Ones is well-deserved as she showed leadership in the field, patience with the bat and ball and in general, wisdom beyond her years. Additionally the aforementioned flock of Chickens reflect the inclusive, supportive and positive leadership of B2.

KILLER HILLER MOMENT: Not only did the Juniors come to our aid to bring our numbers up, but when our kit was missing its keeping gloves - Zara (prepared for any cricketing eventuality) supplied a pair from her own kit.

MEN’S 1st XI v St Pauls CC at Southern Reserve: MISSED IT BY *THAT* MUCH

The 1s headed out to Southern Reserve in Mulgrave, just around the corner from Glam N Glow skincare. (This has no relevance, but it was the first thing I noticed on Maps when I was looking up just where the f#@k Southern Reseve actually is.)

SPCC won the toss (I think?) and batted first, and some rather excellent bowling from us — Ten Elevens 2/17 off 5; Kieren 2/21 off 7.1, Malty 1/16 off 8, Cottsy 1/27 off 8 and Wardi 1/35 off 7 — helped restrict them to 142 all out.

The chase was tight all the way through. We stumbled early, looked good at 3/80, crashed to 6/93 and then finally fell just short at 8/140. Bugger! No half-centuries but Hugh Ingham made 35 not out, T-Rob 25 ands Ben Cap(tain)likas 24.

Sadly that result snuffs out our finals chances.

CHICKEN: Hugh’s 35 not out gets him the chicken.

KILLER HILLER MOMENT: The moment when I bumped into Ben Cap in the street this week and asked him who got the chicken. When he said “Hugh” I was almost as happy as I would have been had I won the reverse raffle. At last he has delivered us an INGHAM’S CHICKEN!

MEN’S 5th XI v Monash at Wellington Reserve: MISSED IT BY *THAT* MUCH (EPISODE 2)

The 5s headed out to Wellington Reserve in Mulgrave, not far from where the 1s played and right next door to Fighting Spirit Goju Karate. Perhaps inspired by this, our boys did indeed show a fighting spirit but got karate kicked where it hurts most to lose on th last ball of the match.

Batting first we made 7/173 thanks to a speedy 76 from Jack Speed and 54 from the never slacko Jacko. In the chase Monash were 4/24 at one stage and 5/48 at another but they somehow made it to 7/168 with an over to go. Geoff Smith stepped up to the plate to bowl the final over and he started off with two dots! 6 off 4 balls needed by Monash.

Next came a single and a 2. 3 off 2 needed. Then a dot ball! 3 off 1 needed, and then… A WIDE!! Booo!!! Was it really a wide? Who knows? I don’t ‘coz I wasn’t there. 2 off 1 needed and they……… scored 2. Sad faces all round, but we should mention the great spells from Stan K (3/34 off 7), Lachie Muraca (1/11 off 5 — should he have had one more over?) and Geoff Smith (1/28 off 7 including an ALMOST perfect final over).

CHICKEN: Jack’s Speedy 76 gets him the chicken.

KILLER HILLER MOMENT: Not there in person I was watching the ball by ball score updates as Geoff Bowled his final over. At one point the score read 7/172 off 35.0 and I thought we’d claimed a dramatic win, but then it updated to say 7/172 off 34.9 because Geoff had bowled a wide. If that doesn’t kill a Hiller, nothing will.

MEN’S 3rd XI v St Pauls CC at Fairlea West: MIRACLE ON DUST

A lack of rain has turned Fairlea into a bit of a dust bowl and the 3s played the home conditions to perfection to pull off a stunning win. Batting first St Paul’s were cruising at 1/56 but then Cyclone AJ scythed through the SPCC batters, taking 5/11 of 8 overs as SPCC collapsed to 97 all out. AJ got good back-up from Chiky (1/1 off 2), Nails (1/22 off 5) and Az (2/31 off 5.5).

Our batters made short work of the chase, with J-Ho (44no), Zac (24) and Dan C (22 no) getting the runs in under 18 overs for the loss of two wickets.

CHICKEN: J-Ho gets the chook for a second successive score of 40+,

KILLER HILLER MOMENT: Harro reckons it was the one-handed screamer he took to get out their top-scorer, which set AJ on his way to a 5-fer and turned the match. And I would never, ever doubt Harro.

MEN’S 4th XI v Mulgrave Sunday: MIRACLE ON DUST

The 4s headed out to Mulgrave Reserve, not far from where the 1s and 5s had played a day earlier and just up the road from The Last Piece, a restaurant based at the old Waverley Park, where Geelong-mad Eddie would have seen his beloved Cats many times.

Would Eddie be the Last Piece of the puzzle in the 4s match against Mulgrave. Well, as it turns out he was in last place, when it came to runs scored.

But despite him getting a duck, Eddie’s teammates made his 200th match for the Hill a winning one. Cal and Action Man opened up and made unbeaten 50s. Backed up by Roadie (19), Dog (18) and Empty (12), they set up a formidable score of 7/197.

Our bowlers then did the job — the stars being Captain Jack (3/41 off 8), Toughie (3/15 off 8) and Action Man (1/13 off 7) — holding Mulgrave Sunday to 161 as we maintained a top two spot on the ladder.

CHICKEN: With his unbeaten 50 and 1/13, Action Man became Chicken Man!

KILLER HILLER MOMENT: The whole match for Eddie. It’s been a privilege and a pleasure to play alongside you for the last 13 years, Ed.

TOM BELLIS AWARD

8 overs, 3 maidens, 5 wickets for 11 runs. They are BIG TIME Tom Bellis numbers. They belong to Anthony Johnson, and he deservedly gets this week’s TOMMY B!!