By Damian Ford
It was the 5th of November and Montrose Cricket Club finally had the chance to get some cricket played on the weekend. The kids started off the weekend with the under 10’s and 12’s playing Friday night. The under 10’s as participation is the focus all had a great night and as it was their first opportunity for this season the reports from the match were fantastic and the kids had fun. Our three under 12 teams had a tough night with all three teams losing. However, there were some outstanding performances with Heath Marshall scoring an impressive 14 and Liam Vallence 13 not out to add to his impressive start to the season. Sunday Logan also impressed with the ball, opening the bowling she had figures of 1/11 off 5 overs. The under 14’s & 16s have had a tough start to the season, but the improvement of the kids is evolving each week. Stand out performances were Ollie Black 3/6 and 24 not out in the under 14s and Aden Bates the only one performing with the bat in the under 16’s with 23 not out.
The senior men’s teams were instructed to report to grounds, three of our grounds were still unplayable meaning our lower teams have missed the first six weeks of cricket. Montrose’s top three teams played however. The First XI were away at South Croydon, we lost the toss and were asked to have a bat. Cheong Park was in fantastic condition and the boys capitalised early. Liam Storm and Shane Findlay put on a second 100 plus run opening partnership with Findlay trying to up the run rate and getting stumped. Storm and Edwards put on another 50+ partnership through the middle to back end of the innings and when Edwards departed, we were 3/178. Liam Storm almost carried his bat going out in the second last over for an impressive 91 from 105 balls. The boys finished up 6/207. Confident with having 207 on the board Montrose got the early wicket of the South Croydon captain 1/8. South Croydon then had a couple partnerships but the damage of 3/15 through the middle order slowed their momentum. South Croydon had a crack all the way until the last over finishing 8/197 off their 40 over. It takes the First XI to 2-1 with its first two-day game next week.
Our Second XI were home to South Croydon and what a performance. Winning the toss and having a bat, opening partnership of 50 saw Lincoln Grigg depart for a considered 32. Kieran Perkins’ first match back since representing his country at the indoor world cup came and went for 8 and that brought his brother Justin Perkins to the crease. Gebert and J.Perkins put on an impressive 133 run partnership (Gebert 82). The real show was still unfolding with J.Perkins amassing 29 runs from his last 15 balls faced, finishing with an impressive 100 from 85 balls. The boys set South Croydon a massive 237 to win. Montrose picked up consistent wickets throughout the innings and South Croydon were never in it and the boys bowled them out for 130. Undefeated 3 from 3 to start the premiership defence for the Second XI.
The Third XI were set 243 to win by Bayswater Park Second XI and were gallant in defeat being bowled out in the 34th over for 192. Stand out performances were Ethan Alderman 2/24 off his 8 overs and Luke Thomas opening the batting getting 63.
Montrose’s women’s team haven’t missed a beat with the weather, they were away to Warrandyte, with the home team batting first and setting an impressive 3/136 off their 20 overs. The run chase was an impressive one, with Tammy and Grace Pearce opening the batting, the mother daughter combination was outstanding hitting them to all parts, both retiring Grace 52 off 42 balls and Tammy 50 off 38 balls. The women lost the only wicket after they passed Warrandyte with the ladies finishing 1/148 off 17 overs. Even a resident tiger snake couldn’t dampen the mood with the ladies having their second win for the season.
Montrose Cricket Club Master and Junior Blasters are starting at the Montrose Recreation Reserve on Friday 18 November. Please contact Nick Vallence for more information 0412 188 542.
