By Ronen Erulkar
This weekend saw some great weather for Lilydale Cricket Club’s last round of cricket before the summer break.
On Thursday night, the senior T20 team took on Kilsyth in the round of 16 knockout game, winning a tight game in the final over. Batting first, the team made 6/142 – Shifran Muthalif (39), Quinton Hodkginson (35) and Daniel Thompson (28) the top scorers. In reply, Lilydale contained Kilsyth to 6/141 to take a 1 run victory and progress to the final eight stage in January. Daniel Thompson (2/19) and Darcey Barker (2/29) led the way with the ball.
Lilydale’s junior blasters, U10s, U12s and U18s all took the field on Friday night.
The U18s were beaten by a strong Vermont outfit. Lilydale scored 8/71 in the first innings, with Joel Tennant top scoring with 25. Vermont chased it down comfortably scoring 1/109 by the end of play.
On Saturday morning, the U16s lost a tight game against Blackburn. The opposition scored 8/135 batting first, with Caleb Uerata (2/12) and Michael Fisken (2/12) the pick of the bowlers. In reply, Lilydale took the game deep until the last over, unfortunately falling 4 runs short in scoring 7/131. Cameron Thompson (36*) and Braeden Anthony-Digby (30*) top scored.
Saturday afternoon saw Lilydale’s six senior teams take the field, with three out of six teams winning.
In the Trollope Shield, the First XI chased down a modest total against Norwood. Bowling first, Lilydale bowled out Norwood for 132, with captain Daniel Thompson (4/26), Quinton Hodgkinson (3/22) and Brenton Peace (2/21) the best with the ball. In reply, Lilydale got off to a shaky start at 3/28, but were steered home by a brilliant knock from Angus Adamson (45*) who was supported by Daniel Thompson (20) and Brenton Pearce (25). At the Christmas break, the team is sitting on top of the ladder, clear by two points.
In the Meehan Shield, the Second XI chased down a big total on the second last ball of the day. Warranwood scored 4/188 in the first innings, with Daniel Coutts taking 2/28. A 98 run opening partnership between Jarrod Triantafillou (53) and Brandon Hempel (31) got Lilydale off to the perfect start. Coming down to the last over, second gamer Darcey Barker hit a 4 off the second last ball to claim victory. At the break, the team is sitting third on the ladder.
The Falcons’ Third XI made 5/158 against Wonga Park, with Brett Smart top scoring (60) who was supported by Matt Browell (29) and Trent Davison (28). In reply, Wonga Park made 6/160 to claim a tight victory with a couple of overs to spare. Nick Lowe was the pick of the bowlers with 2/37. At the break, they are currently 6th on the ladder.
The Fourth XI kept their winning streak going with a tight victory against Warranwood. The opposition made 4/154 in the first innings, with Dwayne Dobinson taking 2/19. In reply, Lilydale made 6/155 – Matt Ivan (56), Ryan Haley (23) and Adir Erulkar (22) the key batters in the chase and are currently sitting second on the ladder in this grade.
The Fifth XI had a loss against Norwood. The opposition made 6/189 batting first, with Callum Doyle the pick of our bowlers with 2/29. In reply, the Falcons could only manage 140 all out, Brendan Filleul (35*), Angus Smith (26) and Michael Fisken (20) the key contributors. They are currently 8th on the ladder with a bit of work to do after the break.
Sixth XI had a tight loss against a strong Warrandyte team. Batting first, we made 6/205, with young guns Mitch Cliff (51*), Cooper Doughty (50*) and Bryn Ballagh (30) the key contributors. The opposition made 6/209 from their allotted overs, with Luke Spencer taking 2/25 and are sitting 4th on the ladder which is a great effort.
To round out the weekend, Lilydale’s stage 1 girls team played Mooroolbark. Batting first, they made 6/107, and the opposition chased the score down in the last over. Lacey Doughty was the key contributor with bat and ball, making 14 and taking 2/5.
Lilydale will now go into the summer break for a couple of weeks, with our First and Second XI returning on 7 January and the other junior and senior teams returning a few weeks after that.
