First XI
In our first game for 2026 we took on second place Lilydale at home.
We started positively with the ball, Angus Gelly taking two early wickets.
Lilydale were able to string some partnerships together but the bowlers kept on taking their chances, with two each to Tyson Gaskett and Terry Bennett, and Flynn Pritchard with one.
Lilydale ended their innings at 8-193.
It was a real team effort with the bat, with multiple 40 plus run partnerships, and everyone scoring double figures at least.
Michael Nicholls hitting 55 the top scorer, but great contributions from all the other batters also.
A partnership between the two Matts (McConnell and Robinson) saw us get over the line in the 37th over, four wickets down.
A big win against a top four side setting the second half of the year up well.
Second XI
Taking on Yarra Junction again, but with a much different side to the one that scored 340 last time.
We won the toss yet again and chose to bat yet again.
The bowling was tight early and runs were hard to come by.
Michael Dwyer just keeps on being Mr Consistent and plugged away for a hard fought 71, whilst his skipper ably supported him, turning the strike over for a scratchy 56 of his own.
This laid the platform for some good big hitting late from Luke Thomas, who hit 35 off 26 in the dying overs to drive the score to 6-231 at the change.
Paul Broussard opened the bowling with spin and was able to keep the runs down with clever bowling, making it a hard task to chase.
Marty White once again proved difficult to get away, and took a handy wicket.
Young Tayte Hubbard proved he’s got what it takes with an excellent spell of tight bowling that dried up the runs, and he took an important wicket also, ending up with figures of 1-33 of his 8 overs.
Luke Thomas bowled tirelessly at the death again, taking 2-32. Junction were unable to reach the target and finished at 8-184.
Another excellent win cementing that top two spot.
Third XI
At Wickhams Road again, we hosted South Croydon and batted first.
It was hard going with the bat, despite the rock-hard outfield, but solid contributions from Ben Hubbard, Daniel Madsen and Matthew Holland got the total beyond a hundred.
A special shout out to Joel Pratt who once again upped his highest score to 13 not out but is still yet to register an average.
We ended up with 138 and had something to bowl to.
An early run out saw a ray of light, but the batting was too solid, and the ground too quick to defend a low total.
Jacob Ahmad took a late wicket to get some joy from the day, and South Croydon passed the total two down in 29 overs.
We’ll need to bounce back next week to keep the finals hopes going.
