Last game of the season for Lusatia Park Cricket Club’s 1st XI after not qualifying for finals but looking to finish off the season with a much-needed win.
Playing fourth-placed Templeton on their home ground, the home side batted first and with some tight bowling, Lusatia Park had them 2/24 after 10 overs and restricted them to 2/46 after 20. After the drinks break with the bowlers still doing a great job and also some fantastic efforts in the field, including two runouts, Templeton’s next three wickets went for the addition of 57 runs to be 5/81 after 28. With 12 overs to go and their opener D.Singh still at the crease, their 6th wicket put on a partnership of 68 due to some lusty hitting from N.Veljovic who scored 41 from only 25 balls when he went with the score on 149. Templeton finished their 40 overs with the score at 6/178 with Singh carrying his bat to finish at 70 n.o. After the tea break, the captain opened the innings with brothers Lochie and Corey Winter-Annette and what a first-time combination it proved to be, putting on a magnificent first-wicket partnership of 122 when Corey fell in the 19th over for a brilliant 63 off 53 balls. Lochie went soon after with the score on 131 but also made a fantastic 60. Lusatia Park lost another two wickets to be 4/159 but reached the winning target of 179 in the 34th over without the loss of another wicket in a great effort.
The 2nd XI who were already assured of a home final were looking to finish off the home and away season with a win against 6th place Lilydale at Woori Yallock. But the visitors had other ideas and were also looking to finish off their season with a win. Lusatia Park had them 1/26 after 6 and then 2/96 at the drinks break. After the break, the visitors added another 39 runs with two more wickets lost. With a 5th wicket adding 71 runs they finished their 40 overs at 5/206, their best batters D.Barker 56 n.o.and M.Browell 44. With 207 to chase for the win, the game was evenly balanced with Lusatia Park’s score at 3/101 after 20 overs. But apart from a fine 54 to Tyson Gaskett from only 33 balls, Lusatia Park lost wickets steadily and ended the game all out for 201.
The 3rd XI played Norwood at home with the visitors batting first. They lost their 1st wicket at 34 but then put on a second wicket partnership of 87 to be 2/121 after 21 overs with A.Dykes retired n.o. on 51. Thanks to a third wicket partnership of 42 and 4th wicket partnership of 37 with P.Solanki also retiring on 50 n.o.. The visitors finished their innings at 7/221 with D.Glanville also making 35 n.o. The best of Lusatia Park’s bowlers were Dan Madsen 3/18 and Tayte Hubbard 2/24. Lusatia Park didn’t start the chase well and were in trouble at 5/100 after 21 overs with the only batter to offer any resistance Flynn Pritchard making a great 50 retired and then returning to the crease after another three wickets fell, with the score on 140. This was the last wicket to fall and Lusatia Park was all out for 140 after 31 overs.
