Round 2 - Women Win, Steve on Song
Tom Bellis
The Tom Bellis Award (Senior Men’s Player of the Round) for Round 2 went to Cottsy, who was on song with bat, ball and evidently microphone in hand.
Women’s 1st XI
Week 1
The Women’s 1st XI hosted Nunawading and were sent in. This looked to be a good decision from the opposition as we slumped to 3-25 but some particularly impressive batting from Ash Murdoch (46 off 47) and Tylah Drochmann (30 off 28) put us back on track. Some late hitting from Laila (11*) pushed the score beyond 115 and at the close we had compiled a very defendable 6-118. Maya (1/18 off 3) set the tone early with a quick wicket but despite our disciplined and accurate bowling, we didn't quite manage to snare another breakthrough and Nunawading passed our score 1 down in the 18th over. Chicken to Ash for her fantastic innings.
Tylah Drochmann on her way to 30 off 28 against Nunawading.
The ECA took some great photos of our women in action - check them out here
Week 2
On the road in Week 2, the Women were on the hunt for their first win in the EGWC. Having played some very good cricket in rounds 1 and 2 and falling just short on each occasion, a win felt like it was just around the corner. Batting first, we compiled a good score, largely thanks to to Beck Troon (50* off 48) and captain Sherin Breed (50* off 49). Alex Corkill also chipped in with 13, leaving us at 2-129 off our 20 overs. As was the case when we batted, wickets were hard to come by and some good batting from Koonung left them needing 10 off the last two overs. Enter Laila (0/9 off 3), who bowled a superb second last over only conceding 2 runs, leaving 8 to win off the last. Ash (1/15 off 4) held her nerve, conceding 4 and giving us our first win of the season! I’m not too sure how to split them, so I think its appropriate that the chicken is shared between Beck and Sherin for their important innings! Congratulations to Sherin, Ben and all the players for a fantastic win which we can really build on moving forward from here!
Men’s 1st XI
The Men’s 1st XI were at home to competition newcomers Holy Trinity, who had a comprehensive round 1 victory. Holy Trinity won the toss and sent us in, despite only starting with 10 players. Cottsy and Lenny got us off to a solid start, combining for a first wicket stand of 47 before Lenny (23) missed a straight one. This brought Benny Cap (41) to the crease who combined with Cottsy for a stand of 49 but when he went a couple of quick wickets followed and we looked in trouble at 4-98. Cottsy found some allies in Kyle and Jesse Hodge who knuckled down and along with Jimmy (23) they were able to get us to a score of 227. Cottsy was the mainstay of the innings finishing on a fantastic 94. Day 2 saw all the bowlers chip in with Lev (2/8 off 10.4), Jimmy (3/29 off 12 including a one handed caught and bowled) and that man again - Cottsy (3/17 off 9) helping us claim the 6 points by bowling out HT for 128. The chicken went to Jimmy.
Men’s 2nd XI
The 2’s were also up against Holy Trinity. HT won the toss and batted first and it was Parlane (2/27 off 12), Vossy (3/42 off 22) who got the ball rolling in our direction. They combined nicely with the better Lanning, who took is umpteenth 5fa (5/37 off 11.3 and surely the most wickets in his family for the gameweek). All this meant that we bowled HT out for a very chaseable 155. Asher and Auley navigated us safely to stumps none down and resumed on day 2. Although we lost Asher early, Auley and Noons (28) put together a strong partnership with Auley notching his maiden 50 in the 2s. We lost a few quick ones and things could have been dicey, but Dan (23) and Kish (23) were able to steer the ship home as we passed them 5 down. The chicken went to Lanno for his 5fa.
Men’s 3rd XI
The 3’s were washed out week 1, meaning their 2 day game was changed to a 1 dayer against Mt Waverley Uniting. Batting first, it was captain Naj who set the tone with 47 however he didn’t find many friends in our innings and we finished 9-111 off the 40 against what must be said, a very strong bowling line up (given it was MWUCCs 1st XI). Angus Kitt (1/12 off 5) was able to strike early but from there it was all MWUCC as they chased us down in 17 overs.
I don’t remember who Naj gave the chicken to, but I hope it was to himself for his 47.
Men’s 4th XI
The 4s were also washed out week 1, meaning they only got 1 game in across the two weeks. With regular captain Harro away for that game, Dom Van Slag stepped in to take the reins. He won the toss and batted and this looked rather unwise when we were 6 for nothing. However, the better Peake (11) was able to combine with Empty (44) and with the help of Raph Glaspole we were able to scrape together 113. Defending this was always going to be tough but we gave it a shake with some economical bowling from Zak Harrison (0/11 off 6), Dom Van Slag (1/14 off 8) and Empty (4/21 off 8). It wasn't to be though as TPCC passed us in the 31st over. Chicken to Empty for his double act.
Men’s 5th XI
Week 1
The 5s took on West Ivanhoe at Cox Oval in Week 1. WICC won the toss, batted first and amassed 5-193 off their 35 overs. Pick of the bowlers was Matt Aulich who took 3/31 off 7 whilst Roadie and Gilly also chimed in with a wicket a piece. Unfortunately it was slow going in the chase with Emptys 50 retired not out the only talking point. At the close of our 35, we had made 5-130 and fell 60 short.
Week 2
Batting first against Edinburgh, the 5s smoked them to all parts tallying a score of 5-223. Jonesy (52*), Greg Ellis (36), Gaz (34), Dog (19*) and Blocka (15*) all made valuable contributions but it was the return of the Toughman that really got the boys going with 44 of 39 balls. Out in the field, ETAC steamed in with the new ball to no avail but there was success for Blocka (2/29 off 7) and Jeff Burstin (1/45 off 5). The Toughman then completed his double act for the day with 3/32 off 7 to snuff out any chance Edinburgh had and claim the 6 points. Toughy took home the chicken after his day out.
Vets Maroon and Navy
The Vets teams came up against each other in what can only be described as an obscure choice of fixture from the ECA. The scores aren’t quite complete in this one however the Vets Navy side did come away with the win. Maroon batted first and made 9-143, largely thanks La Ferrari (Sal Ferraro - 41*). The Colonel (Nick Sanders) picked up a couple of wickets for Navy as did the Baron (Peter Barron). In reply, Navy made the runs in 33.1 overs (not sure who cause no scores) with Nick Hooper (3/6 off 6), David Tucceri (3/32 off 6) and Mark Jones (1/16 off 6) picking up the wickets.