By Michael Nicholls
With Wickhams being unplayable last week due to the rain the Lusatia Park 1st XI played Wantirna South in a one-day game this week.
Lusatia Park sent the visitors in to bat and their bowlers were doing a great job having them 1/8 and 2/13 early and restricting them to 2/53 after the halfway mark of 20 overs. After the drinks break however, Wantirna South’s batters dug in and didn’t lose their next wicket until the 24th over, having to try and build a respectable total to defend and putting on another 35 runs in only 4 overs, No.4 batter Pereira doing the most damage. He continued to plunder the bowling putting on another 67 partnership with their no.5 batter Wheare until he fell in the 33rd over for 29. The situation wasn’t helped due to some sloppy fielding and dropped catches which could have been crucial at certain stages. Terry returned to the attack for his last 4 overs and in his second over bowled Pereira after doing all the damage with the bat for 95. Tim introduced Matt McConnell into the attack taking 2 wickets in his 1st over and being on a hat trick on the first ball of his next. He couldn’t complete the hat trick but took his third wicket with his 5th, then taking another 2two wickets in his next to finish with the outstanding figures of 5/11 in 2.4 overs. Terry did the job from the other end and combined they took the remaining 6 wickets for only 16 runs, Terry finishing with 3/11 from 7 to have them all out for 171. After the tea break, Lusatia Park set about the target well to be 57 after only 8 overs when Chriso fell for 29. Unfortunately, they then lost their next 6 wickets for only 56 runs to be in trouble at 7/113, Mick Nicholls making 39 of that total. But with some fantastic and very mature batting from the tailenders, Lusatia Park salvaged the win with the loss of only 1 more wicket with 5 overs to spare, Lochie making a brilliant 34 and Matt McConnell 24 no in a fantastic all-round performance.
The 2nd XI were able to get on the park last week for their 2-day game against Yarra Junction away. Lusatia Park’s bowlers started well having the home side on the back foot from the get-go with them being 1/6, 2/17, 3/25, 4/30, then 5 and 6/55 after 25 overs. he home side managed to stem the tide somewhat and put on another 42 runs when their 7th wicket fell at 97, Kocher being their only batter to defend his wicket, their 8th fell at 127 to eventually be all out for 155, Kocher the only batter posting a decent score making 86. Great job done by all in the field holding their catches when needed. Good a round performance by the bowlers nearly everyone taking wickets, Lukey with 3/18, Bhavin 3/27 and Dutchy 2/16 the main wicket takers. With 27 overs left in the day’s play, Lusatia Park set about the target with minimal damage finishing at 4/127, Andy out for 30 and Deano 25. Returning for the second day, Lusatia Park are set to chase the remaining 28 runs, losing the next wicket at 178, they continued batting and finished the innings at 242 all out, with great performances from Tyson making a superb 74, Morgs 35 and PB making 20 and Viren 24 at the finish. Reed was their best bowler with 6/51. Lusatia Park put them back in for the outright and had them in trouble at 4/38 but their 5th wicket stopped the rot when the game was called with no chance of an outright result, Jenkinson their opener making 59no. Still a great 1st innings result.
The 3rd XI played away against Warranwood and although they tried their hardest, only managed to take 2 wickets and were chasing a score of 170, the only wicket-taker Tayte Hubbard with 2/38. Their batters Pumpa 50 retired, Pitt 32no, Dilorio 29 and Ogilvy 28. lt was Lusatia Park’s turn to bat and they got off to a steady start reaching 35 for the first wicket but then wickets kept falling without another decent partnership to finish all out for 99. The best of Lusatia Park’s batters were Ben Hubbard 22 and Brendan Sharman 23. Best of their bowlers S.Pitt 3/8 and C.Norman 3/20.
Ladies Round 4 v Belgrave.
The ladies hosted Belgrave this week at the picturesque Wickhams Road Reserve.
Belgrave won the toss and sent Lusatia Park in to bat. They batted their 36 overs setting a target of 140 with captain Caitlyn top scoring with 32 runs.
Belgrave came out firing with the bat with the 1st wicket falling at 53 runs.
Belgrave passed Lusatia Park when two down in the 22nd over. Today was the last of the grading games, and the ladies have a week off next week.
