The first big challenge for cricketers entering a new season is when the temperatures rise for the first sun baked day of the season. Saturday’s temperatures rose well beyond 30 degrees, and depending on which side the coin fell, it was either a long day baking in the sun, or a quick cameo before cooling in some much needed shade. For the cricketers in maroon, it was a mixed bag of performances.
The Community Bank – Mt Evelyn 1st XI had no hesitation asking their hosts, Warrandyte, to field first under the draining sun, with a goal of asking them to stay out there all day. The Mounters have had their struggles with the bat at the top of the order and were determined to reignite their season with an improved showing with the bat. Unfortunately, the innings would begin with a familiar tune, as the Mounters quickly fell to 4/14 despite a cautious approach to the innings.
Captain Troy Hancock partnered with Jake Blackwell to avoid further damage as the experienced pair would combine the patient resistance of Blackwell with the blistering force of Hancock to re-establish the team in the contest after a dismal start. Just as Hancock started to press on, and the partnership extended beyond fifty, he would lose his wicket after consecutive boundaries. When Blackwell fell just ten runs later with the score on 85, the innings was teetering on an early finish with the afternoon tea break still some time off.
Chris Morrow would hold things together as Jett Hartman and Will Macklin had short stays at the wicket, but it would take some lusty hitting from tailenders Bohdie Jones and Caleb Hrabe to add some substance to the score as the lower order would push the score from 8/104 to close at 191. The score, although still short of par, would give the visitors some semblance of hope given the innings could’ve been wrapped up around 100. The most disappointing part of the innings is that the Mounters left a meaty 23 overs still on the bone. Luke Killey was the chief destroyer for the Bloods with excellent figures of 5/32.
Warrandyte would take no risks for the remainder of the day, taking 31 runs off the chase without the loss of a wicket. It leaves them well in front of this contest and solid, risk-free start to day two would see them well on their way to victory. For the Mounters, after a wicketless finish to the day, need to find wickets, and fast. If they can find themselves deep into the order quickly, then anything can happen.
The Professionals Outer East 2nd XI managed to succeed where their counterparts could not as they batted out the day at home against Croydon Ranges. Under the urging of captain Shane Laird, he put the onus on his batters to keep wickets intact, tire the bowling attack, and cash in over the back end of the innings. There would be a few of the Mt Evelyn top order who would be disappointed they didn’t hang around long enough to cash in with Adam Smith, Luke Paterson and Jesse Fraser all falling after making promising starts. The one thing the Mounters didn’t allow was consecutive wickets which would’ve pleased the captain.
At 4/97, the innings could’ve taken a turn either way. The visitors could continue to take regular wickets and eventually wear down the batsmen, or home team could find a partnership of substance, and cash in at the back end of the innings. Thankfully for Mt Evelyn it was the latter. Mike Mawson and Jamie Bliss would come together, and their first point of order was to engage in the arm wrestle taking little risk in the lead up to the afternoon tea adjournment. They would creep the score forward over the next 20 overs, but sticking to their plans, the partnership would continue unblemished. With the score at 4/141 after 50 overs, the pair had set the team well to fill their boots over the concluding overs.
Firstly, Mawson and Bliss would ramp up the run rate taking advantage of their earlier hard work. The only sour note to their partnership was that Bliss would fall within reach of his century, falling with his score on 74. The pair had executed their partnership with aplomb, a steady start, polished off with a blistering finish, saw the pair put together 133 runs and have the Mounters in a position of power at 5/230 with 13 overs still in the bank. Luke Shepherd would ensure the innings would lose none of its momentum as he would play the perfect foil for Mawson who would go on to register a well deserved century. Mawson’s form over the last month had indicated a big one was coming, and he made hay while the sun shone. He would eventually be dismissed in the penultimate over for a fantastic 116, and the damage was done as the team had surged to 6/323 when stumps were drawn.
The Mounters has executed the master plan to perfection and have a stronghold on this contest. The Kookaburras will be well aware that if they can replicate a similar game plan that they will give themselves every chance on a Gary Martin Oval full of runs. The Mt Evelyn attack, however, will be keen to sink their teeth into this task as their batsmen have given them a total where with tight bowling, their opposition will be forced to take risks, creating chances.
The Rhead Group 3rd XI had a tough first days play against Mooroolbark at Gruyere. Under the split innings format, their opposition will Barkers won the toss and elected to bowl first whilst the blistering heat had yet to arrive and it proved to be a master stroke. The Mt Evelyn batting performance never really ignited as wickets fell consistently under the pressure of a well tuned attack. Sam Vanhoogstraten’s score of 22, as average as it is, was the only score of any substance as the home team were bundled out for 73 before they had seen out the first split.
This consigned the team to a difficult period in the field under blistering heat and an experienced, in form, batting line up. The bowlers would battle manfully, but with little scoreboard pressure, the Barkers batters were able to keep their score ticking over with minimal risk. The Mounters would take four wickets over the course of the 38 overs in the field, but with Mooroolbark putting on 147, the opportunity is theirs to give their bowlers enough time to chase an outright victory. For Mt Evelyn, their task is simple, try and grind the Mooroolbark innings to a close, then show a fair bit more resistance with the bat to avoid in ignominy of outright defeat.
The Hop Hen Brewing 4th XI had a high scoring affair against Montrose on the ‘Postage Stamp’ at Mt Evelyn Recreation Reserve. Chris Doyle would win the toss and elected to send the Wolves in to bat, in a move he would soon regret. Nathan Veith got the innings off to a flyer as he reached his 50 and retirement within 25 balls and he was ably supported by Andrew Gibson who would also reach a half century. Up and coming star Cambell Finch and the experienced Mark Shepherd would then combine to rein in proceeding. Finch would be the wicket taker taking 5/35, whilst Shepherd was miserly taking 1/20 at 3.33 an over. Montrose would have one last splash at the total courtesy of Leigh Marshall (50 not out off 39 balls) to push the score to a respectable 8/229.
Jarrod Hartman would get the chase off to the flyer it needed blasting himself to an early retirement scoring 55 not out, featuring nine fours and three sixes. Like their opponents, the Wolves would rein things in through the middle overs courtesy of regular wickets, but the Mt Evelyn run rate was too great to overcome. A half century to Ian Hawkey, was complimented by contributions from Connor Hartman (36) and Mark Shepherd (25 not out) and the Mounters had the chase ticked away with still six overs to spare.
The Mt Evelyn 5th XI would continue their winning ways with a victory on the road, also against Montrose. Montrose won the toss and elected to bat, and with unbeaten half centuries to Gary Mangall and Kane Rattray Robert, they looked set to put together an imposing total. Craig Steele and Ben Dunstone would stem the flow, and the pressure applied saw wickets fall regularly including three consecutive run out, which would see the innings closed at 6/161, a handy total, but one that could’ve been greater had they capitalised on the early work of the top order.
Mt Evelyn would steadily go about the chase and would get to the total with three overs remaining. The difference between the teams was that the Mounters would have even contributions through the innings. The steadying influence of Gary Scott (28) complimented the bull at a gate approach of Jonah Langenbacher (20) to kick start the innings, whilst Paul Flavel (38), Ben Dunstone (34 not out) and Craig Steele (14 not out) would ensure the visitors would reach the target with minimal fuss.
The Flowtec 6th XI fumbled their chances on the road to North Ringwood. The Bulls would ask the Mounters to bat, and other than new recruit Andrew Frid (30), none of the Mt Evelyn bats could contribute anything of note to the total, leading to a paltry total of 87. The Mt Evelyn bowlers would toil bravely under the hot sun, and managed to push their opposition to earn their victory. Wickets to youngsters Finn Blanksby, Caden Kuhne and a maiden senior wicket for Jacdan Mikaelian gave the visitors some joy, but the task was too great and the Bulls reached the total with five wickets in hand and 12 overs in the bank.
