Winning with Pride

An excellent weekend of cricket was capped off perfectly with the Women’s 1s celebrating our Pride Game with a win over Trinity.

MEN’S 5th XI v Trinity Willison at Fairlea West: A (GOOD) CASE OF THE RUNS

There must not have been much in the wicket at Fairlea West on Saturday, because in 70 overs the two sides scored 529 runs for the loss of just five wickets.
Fortunately the majority of those runs were scored by us. In fact, most of the them were scored by two of us — a magnificent 143 from Stan Kroenert and an even 100 not out from the run machine, Jonesy. They helped us along to a whopping 3/298 which, to their credit, Trinity Willison made a pretty good fist of chasing. In the end they came up 67 runs short, at 2/231.

Bit of a tough gig for our bowlers but shout-out to the wicket-takers, Stan (1/29 off 7 — 143 runs not enough of a day’s work for you Stan?) and Jack Speed (1/46 off 7), and to Gilly, whose 0/4 off 1 over made him our most economical bowler. BRING HIM ON FROM BOTH ENDS!

CHICKEN: Stan made 43 runs more than Jonesy but he gets penalised 44 runs for going out, so JONESY gets the CHICKEN.

KILLER HILLER MOMENT: Possibly the moment Stan brought up his ton but I didn’t see that. I DID see Jonesy bring up his ton, though and he did it in exactly the manner I hoped he would, with the patented “Jonesy turn off the legs for a single”.

MEN’S 3rd XI v Boroondara at Victoria Rd Reserve: HARRO AND BENNY B BACK IN TOWN

A trip to Victoria Rd to take on his old enemy was Harros’ order of the day and he nearly came back with the chocolates. With he and Benny B both making unbeaten 40s to go with J-Ho’s 49 and a nice 20 from Zac, we put together an excellent 5/193. The chase was a topsy-turvy affair with Boroondara losing a couple early to be 2/12. They recovered to be 3/128 but a late run of wickets made things tight, before Boroondara sneaked hom with two balls and four wickets in the tank.

Bowling honours to Daisy again (0/15 off 8), while Chuck (2/34 off 6), AJ (2/44 off 8), Tulky (1/39 off 8) and Nails (1/43 off 7.4) were in he wickets.

CHICKEN: J-Ho gets the chicken for deliberately* going out on 49 so he could exactly match my highest score for CHCC.

*That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

KILLER HILLER MOMENT: A two-man KHM, with AJ stopping a certain 4 by diving head first and flipping the ball back over his head to Dan Castelow. This caused the Boroondara batters to hesitate and slip over, leading to their Number 3 being run out.

MEN’S 6th XI v Heathmont at Fairlea West: BILLY HAS THE MIDAS TOUCH

That man Billy ABC has done it again, taking the 6ths to our fourth win of the summer with two games still to go. Billy lost the toss in his usual inimitable style and we bowled first. Heathmont made 163 on the back of 65 from their skipper but we bowled and fielded really well. Shout-out to Declan Harding — FOUR CATCHES AND A DIRECT HIT RUN-OUT! — who played a big part in keeping the total down, as did the bowlers: Jacob Hyde (3/22 off 4), Bongo Starkey (2/13 off 4), Suvra (1/26 off 7), Raph Glaspole (1/27 off 7) and Alex Smith (1/33 off 4.3).

We lost a couple early in the chase but Hugo (22), Suvra (38 to back up his 50 last week), Raghu (50 not out) and Alex (a cameo 13 not out) got us to victory in a canter.

CHICKEN: Billy wanted to give it to all our spin bowlers, who put a halt to Heathmont’s fast start but I reckon Declan deserves it. Didn’t get a bowl, didn’t get a bat, probably didn’t even get one of Billy’s smokes, but was involved in FIVE dismissals. That’s definitely Chicken material.

KILLER HILLER MOMENT: The Killer Hiller Moment was when Billy asked how long it had been since someone had captained our lowest-ranked side to four wins in season, expecting the answer to be something like 10 years, only to be told that it occurred LAST YEAR under the captaincy of one A GIGACZ.

Sorry Billy, you’ll need one more win to earn bragging rights. Hope you get it. You deserve it.

WOMEN’S 2nd XI v Williamstown at Fearon Park: ON THE EDGE OF HISTORY
Match Report by Mum

The Two's headed across the river to the historic suburb of Williamstown, hoping to create a bit of history for themselves in notching up a second win. The setting was very picturesque, with the waters of the bay forming a delightful backdrop to one side of the bright green of Fearon Park, with the Williamstown Botanic Gardens next door completing this idyllic Sunday afternoon cricket panorama. Again we were excited to have 11 players named and again our numbers dropped by one, but we were stoked to welcome our new player Ella and our legendary fill-in, Ness. We were also super-pumped to wear our Pride shirts to celebrate the fact that our team and our club is a place where all are welcome.

B2, as our Captain, led from the front with positivity and encouragement, and even when she lost the toss, it was with a smile on her face that she announced we were bowling. We had ceded a number of our bowlers to the Ones, but that didn't deter us and Heather and Nan took the opening 6 overs like they had been doing it all season. Heather took the first wicket, bowling one of Williamstown's opening batters with a ball that kept low. After 6 overs Williamstown were 1/22. Ness and Mum took the next 6 overs and kept the scoring down, with Ness taking 2 glorious wickets (one bowled and the other a ripper catch by Heather). Williamstown 3/35 after 12.

We returned to our opening bowling combination for the next 6 overs, and Nan and Heather kept the scoring to a minimum - 3/55. Nan, Ness and B-Cats bowled the next six overs with the highlight being B-Cats first wicket - LBW (clearly out) - score 4/83. The penultimate 6-over spell was bowled by Heather, Nan, B-Cats and Georgia and yielded both a wicket and runs, VoVo taking a lovely catch that hung in the air for longer than it took to get fish and chips for lunch, in front of the wicket, off the bowling of Nan - 5/124. The final spell fell to Ness, B-Cats and Heather and Ness took a further two wickets (bowled and caught behind by VoVo) to see Williamstown's final score at 7/151.

Bowling figures: Nan 7 overs 0/18 , Heather 9 overs 1/48, Ness 9 overs 4/25 , Mum 3 overs 0/8, B-Cats 6 overs 1/27 , Georgia 2 overs 0/21.

The total was quite high, but so was our confidence as we headed in to bat. The two Becs - B2 and B-Cats opened the batting but all too soon B2 was back in the pavilion after popping a catch back to the bowler - 1/1. VoVo made her way to the crease and her stint in the middle was also short-lived as she was bowled for a and we were 2/4. Not the start we had hoped for! Our super-fill-in (that's TWO hyphens!!) Ness headed out to the middle and created a partnership with B-Cats that was a joy to behold.

The rest of the batting order relaxed a little as B-Cats and Ness hit boundaries, ran singles and twos, and even a 3. The bowling was dispatched to all four corners of the ground (it was quite the rounded rectangle) and the score moved very swiftly to 92. It was then that the words of visionary song-writer, Nelly Furtado (in her 2006 single of the same name) came to fruition, and all good things indeed did come to an end. B-Cats was given out to a very dubious LBW call for a very well made 30 and we were 3/92.

Not time to hit the panic button yet as we were still in a good position with 60 runs required and around 18 overs to get them. Heather took her turn at bat and the score advanced 11 runs before she was out caught for 2 - 4/103. Less than 50 needed with plenty of overs - the button was still in its protective covering. Nan joined Ness at the crease, but after making a cracking 50, Ness snicked one to the keeper and was out. Brilliant innings Ness!!

Nan took MUGARS solidarity to the nth degree and was out the very next ball, run out for 1 - 6/105. Mum joined Georgia at the crease (panic button definitely taken out of its packaging) as we needed 47 runs from around 13 overs. Mum and Georgia hatched a plan to aim for 4 runs per over and rely on extra to top us up. It seemed to be going ok as the score slowly crept forward and they stuck to their plan.

Mum hit a boundary and said to Georgia, "there's our 4 for this over, I'll just defend the next two balls" - famous last words. Mum had a rush of blood to the head and popped up a catch to be out for 8 - 7/119. Di came in and together with Georgia put on 5 more runs when Georgia was bowled for 1 - 8/124. Ella's trepidation at her first time at bat was clear but she made her way to the centre and faced a couple of balls before she popped up a catch - which was dropped - but Ella was unfortunately run out in the confusion of a hesitatingly attempted run. Our total was 126 - just 26 runs short.

Again, there were some superlative efforts in the field. B-Cats and her sliding saves. Ella and Di not letting anything through. Heather, Vovo and Ness's great catches. B2 stepped into the role of captain effortlessly and we felt that, as always, we gelled well as a team and the joy of playing cricket together made us feel like winners.

CHICKEN: The chicken is awarded to our fantastic fill-in (new player??) Ness for a brilliant performance with both bat and ball.

KILLER HILLER MOMENT: Wearing our wonderful PRIDE tops and Georgia's delicious PRIDE cupcakes

WOMEN’S 1st XI v Holy Trinity at Hayes Park: HOLY TRINITY! IT’STHE PRIDE CUP!
Match Report by Bek Drake

Our team was very excited to be taking part in the Pride Cup against Holy Trinity in what was a lovely day for cricket! Having lost the toss, we were sent in to field and we looked good doing it in our Pride shirts, if I do say so myself! Our opening combination of Hannah "Handsy" Watson and Taryn "Fred" Heddo were on the money from the start. It only took until the fourth over for our first breakthrough, with Fred getting the wicket LBW. Amy "Wolfie" Howell and Lauren "Rex" Chester came in at the change of ends.

The pressure continued to build. In the first ball of her second over, Wolfie bowled out the other opening batter. After two dot balls, she had the next wicket, caught and bowled! And, in the very next ball, she had her third wicket of the over, caught by Rachael "Razzle" Jones!!! On a hat trick, Wolfie must have felt a pang of guilt for the opposition, and bowled a wide, which also robbed her of a three wicket maiden! We do have high expectations, but I guess 3/1 off one over isn't too bad.

Four balls in to Wolfie's next over, Rebekah "Bobbie" Drake and Fred were commenting behind the wicket that we were disappointed that Wolfie didn't have a wicket in the over yet. Wolfie must have heard, because she bowled another out! That was 4/4 off 3 thus far! Rex got in on the action the next over and bowled another batter out. After 12 overs, we had them on the ropes at 6/22. Handsy continued to build pressure, combining well with Emily "Dominos" Costigan, who was swinging the ball a mile! Razzle came on in the 18th over and got herself a wicket, with a wonderful high catch taken by Hannah "Nellie" Gray. At drinks, Holy Trinity were 7/36.

After drinks, our bowling continued to be tight, but Holy Trinity were putting up a fight, led by their third batter, who had managed to stay in through the commotion. Rachel "Greyhound" Gray and Laila "Electric Train" Rae were working hard in the outfield and helped to restrict. Isobel "Maxy" Fenner was her usual superb self fielding in close. Her quick reflexes managed to stop a definite four. Unfortunately it was her ankle that copped the ball, but even with a sore ankle she was still fantastic in the field. Fred again managed the breakthrough, another wicket bowled.

At 8/54, the third batter for Holy Trinity knew she had to start hitting big. While we didn't give her many balls to hit, to her credit she found a way. In saying that, the runs were not coming overly quickly. Handsy got in to the wicket action, breaking a 38 run partnership after a sensational catch from Nellie, her quick reflexes allowing her to take a one handed catch at point. Handsy got the final wicket of the innings, bowling out the last batter, with Holy Trinity finishing all out for 111.

Beautiful bowling figures as always: Handsy 2/17 off 8.1, Fred 2/19 off 7, Wolfie 4/27 off 9, Rex 1/21 off 5, Dominos 0/5 off 2, Razzle 1/20 off 4

Our opening batting pair of Handsy and Rex were calm to begin with, taking the singles when there but also being patient. An unfortunate cramp to Rex meant the running was slightly restricted, so they decided to pop a few fours in the mix as well. Having put on an incredible opening partnership of 46 runs, Rex was bowled out for 20. Fred came in to the middle and her and Handsy only put on another 5 runs before Handsy was caught out for 19. At drinks we were 2/51 and felt we were in a good position with wickets in hand. Electric Train joined Fred at the crease.

They had a bit of a slow start. Seeing the need to up the run rate, Fred was placing the ball perfectly to get runs where she could. Her calling and backing up meant that she found a lot of singles and the run rate started to creep up. While Electric Train struggled to get bat on ball for her first couple of overs, she stayed calm. And once she got going, she really got going. Electric Train was hitting the ball beautifully and some clean strikes got her a number of fours.

Fred continued to manipulate the field and ran superbly between the wickets. Her pressure on the field caused fumbles and she really put on a masterclass of smart cricket. After a couple of big overs, we were able to cruise to the end, winning off a lovely four from Electric Train with four overs to spare. Fred finished on 34* and Electric Train 29*, with an unbeaten 64 run partnership.

We all thoroughly enjoyed being involved with the Pride Cup. It was a fantastic initiative that we hope to see across the club for seasons to come!

CHICKEN: The Chicken for today goes to Taryn "Fred" Heddo. Her bowling was on the money, with a couple of wickets. But it was her batting performance that took her to another level, as she expertly guided the run chase.

KILLER HILLER MOMENT: We don't know what was happening, but from behind the stumps it sounded like there was an edge every time a certain batter from Holy Trinity was on strike. On one such occasion, Bobbie was able to get a hand to the ball and Fred took a diving "catch" in slip. Unfortunately, the batter had not hit it. It was therefore the "almost" catch of the year!

MEN’S 4th XI v Monash at Frearson Oval: A CASE OF THE RUNS

We all know that our Men’s 4ths are team of valor that holds no fears. And so it was appropriate that they took on Monash at FREARSON OVAL, which is an anagram of VALOR; NO FEARS.

No amount of valor could help us win the toss though. We lost it and batted first. Things did not start well, with Cal run out for a diamond duck but Rhino (48) and Roadie (50 no) steadied the ship. In fact Roadie was a bit TOO steady for Adam ‘El Presidente’ Lewis who scored a quickfire 23 and prompted Roadie to get a move on. Action Man added a quick four fours and we closed the innings at 7/175.

Action then moved from bat to ball with ease, taking 2/3 off 6 overs. Captain Jack (3/4 off 6), Roadie (3/14 off 5) and Toughie (2/14 off &) joined in the fun as Monash were skittled for 38.

A comprehensive win!

CHICKEN: Rhino for the 50

KILLER HILLER MOMENT: Adam putting a rocket up Roadie by forcing him to run quickly

MEN’S 1st XI v Toorak Prahran at Rammo: ONE STEP BACK

Batting first, Cottsy and Stinga got us off to a solid start but Cottsy’s wicket was followed quickly by Ben Cap’s and we were 2/28. Stinga and Malty (40) righted the ship and took us to 80 but once Stinga fell for 26, too many followed too quickly. T-Rob (20) held the fort as wickets fell around him but our total of 144 was under par.

Once again our bowling was good (Lou B 2/19 off 4, Benny Lev 2/30 off 7, Wardi 1/32 off 8, Jamie 0/16 off 5 and Cottsy 0./18 off 5) but 144 was not a big enough total to defend. TPCC home in the 34th over with 5 wickets to spare.

CHICKEN: Malty’s good batting earns him the Chicken, but a shout-out to Benny Lev for excellent early bowling.

KILLER HILLER MOMENT: I forgot to ask for one so I’ll chuck in one of mine. As I tried to type ‘Zajac’ into my phone notes on Saturday, autocorrect changed it to ‘Xanax’. That’s actually not a bad replacement because Nick Zajac’s voice does tend to ave a coming influence.

MEN’S 2nd XI v TPCC at Orrong Park (East): A RIGHT RESULT AT ORRONG PARK

Batting first, we made our highest score of the year — 9/175 — thanks to fine knocks from Jonesy (33), Wortho (27), Jake (26) and the budding all-rounder Joel Clark (33). Defending this total things looked just peachy at drinks. They were 5/53 thanks to three run outs and James Allen claiming a stumping of Monty.

At 6/96 off 31 things were still looking good. But then, Stan left (“gotta be somewhere”), Lanno hurt his quad and Jonesy hurt his back. We were going down like flies, but up stepped Jake top bowl the 38th and 40th over and they fell short, making 7/166. Pablo (1/24 off 8) was a gun bowler as was Monty himself (2/18).

All in all good energy and a good win.

CHICKEN: Monty reckons the catch he took to go with his 2-fa gets him the nod.

KILLER HILLER MOMENT: Death bowler extraordinaire Jake, who’s been desperate for a bowl for 2 years aboslutely owned his moment when it came to help us to the win. And according to Monty, he was very stiff (kind of like Jonesy’s back) not to get a wicket or two.

MEN’S OVER 40s GRAND FINAL v Dingley at Dingley: GRAND FINAL GRIEF

The Over The Hillers made thew trek to the Far East (Dingley) to take on comp newcomers Dingley in the Grand Final. Dingley lived up to their name by dinging our bowlers everywhere to chalk up 198 in 36 overs. Daisy (3/26 off 6), Michael Mansfield (2/23 off 6) and Harro (1/17 off 5) were the pick of the bowlers.

We fought hard with the bat but despite the best efforts of Ian Nolan (40 not out), Spock (27), and Ben King (24), we fell short of the mark, making 9/142. We did manage to bat out the overs, a good effort against a great team.

Another great vets season. Well done all and thanks to Peakey who captained with aplomb.

CHICKEN: Ian for his 40

KILLER HILLER MOMENT: Harro says it definitely wasn’t the plumb LBW he got that was given not out and that I should not mention that at all, so I won’t.

TOM BELLIS AWARD

Stan Kroenert for his brilliant 143! Here’s the cover of Stan’s forthcoming album*, ‘Cricket Bat Out of Hell’:

*Possibly not true — but it should be.