By Josh Hamilton
This week’s Match reports are brought to you by our local sponsor Activities Playground, for all your playground needs.
Wandin 1st XI Vs South Croydon 2nd XI at Wandin North Recreation Reserve:
Captain Jordon Poynton would win the toss and elect to bat. Troy Poynton (28) would partner Ryan Thompson (13) would open our account before Ryan was caught with the score on 33. Last week’s other opener Jamie Elliott would be next in and he battled extremely hard and well for his 15. The score was at 2-65 when Troy was dismissed and the Doggies were looking like posting a nice score on a quick Wandin North oval.
The momentum swung heavily back in the favour of South Croydon as they took a handful of wickets to have us 5/79 and while Bryce Edwards (13), Dave Thorne (17), and Dillon Kerr (24 not out) provided a mini fightback to up the scoring, Wandin were restricted to and finished on 8/149 from the maximum 40 overs.
Wandin would need to start well and did they ever! Jordon Poynton and Dillion Kerr struck very early in the South Croydon run chase as the wickets fell at 19 and 2 wickets fell at the 24 run mark. Wandin boys were up and about, brimming with confidence and belief that could pull off a famous victory. South Croydon to their credit wouldn’t be denied and with a solid 4th wicket partnership were able to pass the Wandin score at 3/150 after 25.4 overs.
While it wasn’t the result we wanted after such a fantastic start, there were a lot of positive progressions and signs to take into the final 3 big games as we look to knock long-time Yarra Valley rival Yarra Junction off next week at home. We will keep on fighting until the curtain is drawn on our season.
Wandin 2nd XI Vs Woori Yallock 3rd XI at Sheep Station Creek Recreation Reserve:
Wandin 2nd XI was afforded the luxury to rest and put the feet up on a rare Saturday off as Woori Yallock was unfortunately unable able to field their 3rd XI side. It was a chance for our 2nd XI to refresh and recharge the batteries as they prepare for a massive flag tilt. In a tight tussle with Wantirna 1st XI at the top of the ladder being equal of competition points, not just winning but winning well for percentage reasons is a must and as a club, we are confident this team can achieve a home final in front of the Wandin faithful and the ultimate glory of a premiership. The next task will be Coldstream at Coldstream Recreation Reserve (Halle Supple Oval) next Saturday 12th Feb at 1pm.
Wandin 3rd XI Vs Croydon Ranges 6th XI at Melba College – Junior Campus:
Skipper Patty Laws would win the toss and elect to have a bat first in a season-defining, away game where if Wandin won, finals are almost secured and a Croydon Ranges win would ignite a race to the end. Brad McKenzie would again open the batting with Jason Kneebone and for a 3rd straight week, an opening batsman would retire with his score on 50 or more. Congratulations to Jason Kneebone as he batted out a chanceless innings to finish on 53 not out posting his second 50 plus score of the year. Brad McKenzie would be dismissed for the first time in 2022 for 10 with the score on 26. Luke Falkingham (27) would join Jason and they would continue to tick the score over at a very nice and decent rate while also not losing their wicket prior to the drinks break.
The launching pad for a big innings was set with the score at 1/85 at Drinks and the Wandin boys took full advantage of it as Matty Owens (27), Pat Laws (9), Josh Hamilton (29 not out), and Ben Vallence (13) were given the freedom to search for quick runs which saw Wandin finish on 6/190.
With plenty of runs on the board, 14-year-old Jackson Kneebone was thrown the new ball and he struck on just his 4th delivery of his 1st over and again in his 3rd over which left him with figures of 2/5. He bent his back for us and bowled his max 7 overs in a row to finish with 2/33 and is continuing to make a huge impact with the ball in senior cricket! Not be outdone by his son, Jason Kneebone would also open the bowling and bowl his 7 straight overs to finish with 2/20 which had Croydon Ranges right on the back foot at 4/57 when the Kneebone’s finished their respective spells.
It didn’t get any easier for Croydon Ranges as Ben Vallence (2/14), Shaun Doolan (1/9), Rory Vallence 2/28) and Luke Falkingham (1/6) saw Croydon Ranges fall 53 runs short and finish All Out for 137. Another all-around team performance with both bat, ball, and in the field.
