By Les Hutchings
On Saturday Kilsyth Cricket Club’s Men’s matches all finished in draws due to rain stopping play and forcing the games to be abandoned. Kilsyth batted first in all five senior matches. However, the Women’s T20 match at the picturesque Yarra Junction Reserve on Sunday resulted in a win to Kilsyth in the last over, with only 4 balls to spare in an exciting finish.
Kilsyth’s Men’s First XI fielded a completely new side in round one with seven debutants and only two players from last season’s final round team. The exodus of eight players to other clubs has created opportunities for the younger players to step up. Playing against South Croydon at Cheong Park, Kilsyth were sent into bat and scored 7/136 off 37.1 overs when heavy rain arrived and ended the day’s play. New captain coach Marcus Adams opened the batting and impressed with a well made 31 off 55 balls (3 fours), and Charlie Waite, another debutant, showed his class with 39 off 56 balls, including three boundaries.
Playing at home against South Croydon, the Second XI were 5/155 off 35 overs with Jake Pietz top scoring with 51 off 78 balls (9 fours), well supported by Dylan Smith 31 off 42 balls (5 fours and 1 six), and Kevin Baldsing 21 off 26 balls (2 fours and 1 six).
The Third XI were 6/156 off 28.1 overs against Eastfield when the heavens opened. Captain Robert Hutchings 38 (4 fours and 1 six) and Andrew Woolhouse 37 (5 fours) put on an opening stand of 96 to get the Redbacks off to a good start. Justin Smith also batted well to score 25 not out, including three boundaries.
The Fourth XI played at home against Warranwood and produced the highest Kilsyth team score with 8/172 off 30.5 overs, aided by 53 extras! Club stalwart, Shane Smith, playing in his 300th senior match, top scored with 21 (4 fours) to pass the 6,000 senior runs milestone with KCC. Brian Matanisiga 20 (3 fours), and Michael Sturt 19 not out (2 fours and 1 six), were next best with the bat.
The Fifth XI were 2/143 off 32 overs against Chirnside Park when play was abandoned. Captain Tyron Paspa (50 not out, 4 fours) and Pat Moilanen 39 not out (5 fours) were the chief run scorers.
Kilsyth Women welcomed three debutants to the team in their T20 match against Yarra Junction, which was reduced to 19 overs per side due to rain. Yarra Junction batted first and compiled 4/85cc with Carly Millar top scoring with 14. Highlights from Kilsyth’s perspective were two excellent catches by new recruit Sharon Sheals and a direct hit runout from a throw side on to the stumps by another debutant, Eva Gottschling. Eva also bowled well to take 1/14 off 2 overs. The other wicket taker for Kilsyth was Captain Ashleigh Katoa with 1/19 off 4 overs. Slow bowler Belinda Hutchings bowled economically, yielding only five runs off her 3 overs. In the run chase, Kilsyth were a precarious 2 for 5 off the first three overs, both batters being clean bowled for ducks by Anelise McKracken. A good steadying partnership of 69 between Avanthi Jayawickrema, 26 off 41 balls (3 fours), and Ashleigh Katoa 41 not out off 47 balls (5 fours and 1 six), took the score to 3/75. Eva Gottschling (4 not out) and Ashleigh saw the Redbacks home with 4 balls to spare in an exciting finish.
