Last weekend, Kilsyth Cricket Club celebrated three senior games milestones. Veteran Stewart Gibb, in a record 48th consecutive season for the Club, played his 550th senior game with his son Joel, who played his 200th senior game. In the same match, Pat Moilanen made 52, Kilsyth’s highest individual score on the weekend. Furthermore, Rhiley Unternahrer played her 50th game for the Women’s First XI, who had a good win with Sarah Gibbs capturing 5/24, the first ever five-wicket haul for the Kilsyth Women’s team.
The Men’s First XI continued their match against home side Heatherdale, who, on Day One, were all out for 91 in reply to Kilsyth’s first innings score of 80. On Day Two, Kilsyth resumed on 3/20 but lost another wicket in the second over of the day, after a brilliant diving catch by Bryce Cosham on the fine leg boundary off the bowling of Harry Box. It was now 4/20. With the score on 40, Pasan Ganegoda was caught behind by ’keeper Nathan McKeown for 11 off Ben Joseph’s first ball of the innings. Joseph then picked up another wicket in the same over and suddenly, Kilsyth were 6/40. Next over, opening bowler Harry Box captured two more wickets to see the score slump to 8/44. Four overs later, the Redbacks were all out for 57 in 29 overs in a disappointing batting performance. Harry Box was the outstanding bowler, taking 7/36 off 15 overs (three maidens). Ben Joseph chipped in with 2/5 off three overs (two maidens), and Mitchell Barr 1/0 off one maiden over.
With the score on nine, Heatherdale lost their first wicket in the run chase following a skied catch to Isuru Umesh at mid-wicket off the bowling of left-arm quick Nuwan Sampath. It was 2/17 when Sampath took his second wicket, clean bowled. After spinner Mackenzie Scott-Thomas took the third wicket, well caught on the deep square leg boundary by Nuwan Sampath, Heatherdale were 3/36 off 10.4 overs. It was soon 4/36 when opening batsman Matthew Stewart was bowled by leg spinner Lahiru Randeepa for 20 off 28 balls (three fours). However, Heatherdale achieved outright victory when they passed Kilsyth’s score after 14.3 overs and finished on 4/47, with Jack Peters 8* (one four). The wicket takers for Kilsyth were Nuwan Sampath, 2/12 off 4 overs (one maiden), Lahiru Randeepa 1/2 off one over, and Mackenzie Scott-Thomas 1/12 off 3.3 overs.
In the Second XI’s match on Alan Smith Oval at Pinks Reserve, Lilydale resumed on 2/60 chasing Kilsyth’s score of 9/123 declared. The Falcons finished on 3/124 off 39.1 overs to record a comfortable win. Kalen Tahirovski top scored with 53* off 102 balls (six fours), well supported by Braeden Anthony 36 off 66 balls (seven fours), and Luke Spencer 11* (one four). For Kilsyth, Tim Asbury took 2/26 off eight overs (one maiden), and Justin Smith 1/14 off five overs.
The Third XI’s two-day match at Stintons Reserve against Warrandyte was washed out both weeks, without a ball being bowled.
The Fourth XI continued their split innings two-day match against Coldstream Second XI at Roy Baldwin Oval, Pinks Reserve. Last week, Kilsyth batted first and scored 9/127 off 36 overs, and in reply, Coldstream were 7/291 off their 36 overs. Coldstream declared their innings at that score, and Kilsyth batted again. After an additional five overs, the Redbacks were dismissed for 138 with Michael Panozzo 23 not out off 42 balls (five fours). The best of Coldstream’s bowlers was Scott Adams with 4/21 off eight overs (three maidens).
The Fifth XI played a one-day match against Templeton’s Fourth XI at Milpera Reserve, Wantirna. Templeton won the toss and elected to bat. An opening partnership of 74 between Jason Douglas-Denton and Jacob Douglas-Denton got Templeton away to a good start before Jason Douglas-Denton was bowled by Stewart Gibb in the 15th over for 42 (three fours). From there, the runs kept flowing and Templeton did well to score 7/177cc off their 35 allotted overs (reduced from 36 due to a rain delay at the start). Jacob Douglas-Denton scored 50 retired not out (three fours), whilst Jack Bartlett also batted well to score 31 (two fours), and Aniq Fallil 16 (two fours). For Kilsyth, Trent Potter took 3/35 off six overs (one maiden), Joel Gibb 2/19 off five overs in his 200th senior game, and Stewart Gibb 1/17 off four overs in his 550th senior game. In reply, Kilsyth at one stage were 1/96 after 19.1 overs but then lost wickets to be 7/148 off 34 overs when stumps were drawn at the 7pm deadline. Thus, the Redbacks were lucky to escape with a draw as there was only one more over to be bowled when time had elapsed. The top scorers for Kilsyth were Pat Moilanen, 52 retired not out (five fours), Shane Smith 34 (six fours), and Ashleigh Katoa 16 (three fours). The multiple wicket takers for Templeton were Shaun Dias, who took 2/7 off three overs, Lachlan Munro 2/21 off seven overs (one maiden), and Jason Douglas-Denton 2/24 off five overs.
On Sunday, the Women’s First XI played Wandin on Alan Smith Oval, Pinks Reserve. These two teams had played against each other in the last two C Grade Grand Finals. Wandin won the toss and elected to bowl. When the score had reached 15, Serena Gibbs was the first wicket to fall, bowled by Olivia Edwards on the second ball of the third over for 11 off 12 balls (one four). Ashleigh Katoa and Tegan Unternahrer then shared a second wicket partnership of 76 before Katoa was caught by Tilly Pearce at square leg off the bowling of Emma-Lee Curwood for an impressive 36 off 50 balls (four fours). At drinks after 18 overs, Kilsyth were 2/97. At this point, Tegan Unternahrer, who had batted well, retired not out on 38 off 44 balls (five fours) due to work commitments. When Stephanie Gibbs was caught and bowled by Tilly Pearce for 16 off 21 balls (three fours), Kilsyth were 3/132 off 26 overs. A fourth wicket partnership of 43 between Rhiley Unternahrer and Belinda Hutchings lifted the score to 4/175 when Unternahrer was caught by Jacquie Lowrie off the bowling of Charlotte Edwards for 28 off 42 balls (four fours). On the fourth last ball of the innings, Belinda Hutchings was bowled by Olivia Edwards for a brisk 27 off 28 balls (five fours), and after 36 overs, Kilsyth had compiled 6/192cc.
Following the tea break, Wandin set about the run chase. A solid opening partnership of 25 in 8.2 overs came to an end when Charlotte Edwards was bowled by Sarah Gibbs for 12 off 29 balls. Then Audrey Lyons and Tilly Pearce took the score to 100 in the 22nd over, and Wandin were threatening to chase down the target. However, it was then that Lyons was adjudged LBW to Courtney Anderson for 32 off 55 balls (three fours). Pearce and Olivia Edwards then added 21 before Pearce skied a catch off Sarah Gibbs and was caught behind by ’keeper Nicole Woolhouse for 38 off 50 balls. Wandin were now 3/121 off 25 overs. From there, Kilsyth gained the ascendancy: 4/129, 5/136, 6/137, 7/137, 8/146, 9/149 and all out 150 after 36 overs. Olivia Edwards batted well for 21 off 29 balls (one four). For Kilsyth, Sarah Gibbs was outstanding, taking 5/24 off seven overs (one maiden), well supported by her sisters Serena Gibbs, 2/21 off seven overs (one maiden), and Stephanie Gibbs 0/16 from seven overs (two maidens). Other wicket takers were Courtney Anderson, 1/15 of two overs, Nisansala Hettiarachchi 1/15 off two overs, and Rhiley Unternahrer 1/29 off six overs.
On Saturday morning, the U16 team played a one-day match against Boronia Hawks at Alan Smith Oval, Pinks Reserve after the previous Saturday was washed out. Boronia won the toss and elected to bat. However, they lost regular wickets and were all out for 98 in 24.3 overs. The chief run getters were Owen Spencer, who was run out for 26 off 26 balls (two fours), and Ryder Kiss 19* off 29 balls (two fours). Spinner Joshua Bock took the bowling honours with 3/16 off four overs, whilst Adriaan Van Gent took 2/6 off 3 overs (one maiden), Tait Harper 2/10 off four overs (one maiden), and Luke Childs 1/9 off three overs. After losing an early wicket in the first over with the score on four, Kilsyth chased down the target in 12.3 overs, finishing on 1/101. Rhys Kearney 36* (four fours). and Max Wills 34* (six fours), both retired not out after facing 25 balls each, and Tait Harper was 19* off 16 balls (two fours). For Boronia, Mason Cullen took 1/31 off 4 overs. After seven rounds, Kilsyth’s U16 team is on top of the ladder.
The Under 14’s one-day match against Laburnum at Koonung Reserve (West Oval) was drawn due to the weather. Laburnum won the toss and elected to bat, scoring 7/163ccc off their allotted 25 overs. Jacob Dus 27* (three fours), and Amber Torpy 24* (three fours), both retired not out after facing 25 balls each, whilst Aahan Modi scored 19 off 15 balls (two fours and one six), and Sean Orr was 12* off 16 balls (one four). Kobi Scott was the multiple-wicket taker for Kilsyth with 3/22 off three overs. There were four other single-wicket takers: Bailey Kennon 1/9, Aiden Nicoll 1/10, Noah Stirling 1/14, and Gabriel Donley 1/16. In the field, Gabriel Donley took two catches, as did wicket keeper Ryder Pahi. In reply, Kilsyth were 6/37 off 15.4 overs when rain intervened and the match was called off. For Laburnum, Aahan Modi took 2/2 off two overs (one maiden), and Lachlan Wynn 2/4 off two overs.
On Friday evening, the Under 12-3 team resumed batting on 2/98 at Roy Baldwin Oval, Pinks Reserve against Chirnside Park’s first split score of 6/94. Kilsyth batted well to total 6/168cc after 46 overs. Zion Solomons continued his good form and top-scored with 47 not out off 51 balls (seven fours). Others to do well with the bat were Brock Davis, 16 retired not out off 40 balls (one four), Ryder Pahi 15 off 23 balls (two fours), Isaac Joy 13 retired not out off 40 balls (one four), Patrick Reitman 12 retired not out off 40 balls (one four), and Tate Lindsay 11* off 41 balls (one four). The wicket takers for Chirnside Park were Jackson Mercuri, 2/6 off four overs, Flynn Robinson 1/18 off four overs, Nate Marshall 1/22 off four overs, Eli Turnbull 1/8 off three overs, and Jai Rochford 1/15 off four overs. In the field, Nate Marshall took three catches for Chirnside Park. In reply, the visitors were all out for 142 in 45.5 overs. Opening batsman Pavan Santhosh Kumar scored 37 retired not out off 40 balls (one four), Nate Marshall 15* (one four), and Archie Cutler 15* (one four), after both facing 37 balls each. For Kilsyth, Bailey Kennon took 3/15 off 4.5 overs, Aiden Nicoll 2/9 off five overs (two maidens), Zion Solomons 2/12 off five overs (one maiden), and Brock Davis 1/18 off four overs. After six rounds, Kilsyth’s U12-3 team are second on the ladder.
The Under 12-6 team played St Andrews at JW Manson Reserve (West Oval) in a one-day match. The Saints won the toss, elected to bat and compiled 6/66 (all out) off 22.5 overs. Shreyan Rabdiya top scored with 24* off 40 balls (three fours). For Kilsyth, Harrison Sfiligoj took 2/4 off three overs, Tex Wells 1/1 off two overs (one maiden), Isaac Semple 1/2 off two overs (one maiden), and Cooper Clark 1/5 off two overs. Kilsyth easily chased down the target and finished on 8/109 (all out) off 21.1 overs. Jaxon Brodie retired on 31* off 30 balls (two fours), opener Tex Wells scored 22 off 32 balls (two fours), and Harrison Sfiligoj 16 off 19 balls. For St Andrews, four bowlers took two wickets each: Shreyan Rabdiya 2/15 off five overs, Darcy Jones 2/22 off four overs, Yanik Medonza 2/21 off 3.1 overs, and Shivansh Kotak 2/7 off three overs (one maiden). Kilsyth’s U12-6 team are third on the ladder after eight rounds.
