Cricket’s a funny game.. Sometimes your on top, sometimes you fall behind and then some days you get a bit of both. That’s what Saturday brought us as a returning junior sealed up a hard fought victory for our 1st XI as we go 3 and 0 and sit atop of the GCA ladder.

​The call came through on Wednesday that former Junior Dom McGlinchey would be available for selection in our Round 3 contest against East Belmont. He slotted in at 7 and slotted in very nicely. On the ropes at 3/12 our guys were starting from a long way behind. Layton and Sam brought us back into the contest but when they both fell in succession we were 5/53 and it was only the 15th over. Mitch and Dom came together and knowing they had plenty of overs to bat, they eased their way into their innings. The ever aggressive Mitch took the bowlers on and made it easy for Dom to settle. The pair both brought up their 50s together before Mitch departed after going for 1 too many big shots. The 110 run stand got us to 163 but for Dom that wasn’t enough, he upped the tempo and with the help of Soup and Tom the boys smashed their way passed 200. Dom took 11 off the last 4 balls of the over to finish unbeaten on 93, 7/242 the score.

​Having a premier opening bowler in your side and 242 runs on the board, the boys would have been confident at the half way point. Things got ugly quickly as the aggressive East openers didn’t care who was bowling at them. After 10 overs, East were 0/83 and were well on track for victory. Enter Tom Mathieson and Jake Thorne. The pair pegged things back and both picked up a wicket, Jake’s wicket, thanks to a ripper catch down low from Sam Hall. Soup then paired up with Jake and the spinners slowed the game right down. The run rate went from 3 to 4 and then to 5 as the pressure built. Pressure brought wickets as Jake picked up the next one before Mitch joined in and got his own. Dom was then re introduced and made quick work of 2 more East bats, 1 including Century maker Sean O’Neill. From there the game was all but over as Tom and Jake ran through the tail and east were all out for 208. Tom getting 4 and Jake 3.

​In other games the 2nd XI fell short for the 3rd game in a row. Bowling first our guys couldn’t keep East under control as they managed 199. Nathan Berry continuing on his fine bit of form with another 3 wickets. With the bat things didn’t start well however Braden Szponar and Cal Ferguson did their best to bring us back into the game. Unfortunately for us they both departed and the job was too much for Andrew Ferg as we were all out for 154.

​The 3rds got back on the winners list with a comprehensive bowling effort. Seamer Tim Birch was at his miserly best but it was offie Tom Bagg’s day in the sun as he picked up 5/8 off his 9 overs. The East bats had nothing on our bowlers as Hugo Clatworthy restricted East to 9/111 from their 45 overs. With the bat thing got shaky early on, however the calm senior heads prevailed through the middle overs as Tone anchored the innings. His 37 not out seen the guy’s home with 5 wickets to spare and more then 8 overs to bat.

​The 4ths got onto the winners list for the first time this season with a great batting effort from the young brigade. Bowling first wickets were hard to come by as East finished 3/164. Sam Mellington, the best of the bowlers with the figures of, 9 overs 1/26. With the bat our guys got off to the perfect start, thanks to openers Josh Smith and Will Milsome. Josh, backing up his 50 last week with another quick fire 38 this week. When Will fell for 46 at 2/108 the job wasn’t done, however a cameo from Marshall Lacey and the cool calm head of Sam Mellington got the boys home with an over to spare.

​Our 5ths weren’t so lucky. For the 2nd week in a row, batting was the issue as our guys were bundled out for just 91. Skipper Brad Brown leading the way with 30 however didn’t have the support from the rest of his side. In reply St Peters made light work of the run chase with Brett Kirby taking the only wicket for the innings.

​Yesterday the girls travelled to Ocean Grove, hunting their first win of the season. They came up short however as once again not enough runs were made. Batting first the girls finished their 20 overs 6/86 with MelRod 24 and Sarah Kirby 20*. In reply wickets were hard to come by as Ocean Grove cruised to victory in 13 overs. Charlene Quagliaro the only wicket taker.

​All in all a fairly successful weekend for the club, when you come up against a strong club like East Belmont and manage to win 3 out of the 4 games, we bank that and move ahead looking to next weeks challenge, South Barwon, another club who is strong through every grade. We also look ahead to our first function, with things looking a little different this year; functions will look a little different as well. Next Sunday our Women’s side plays at home on the Turf as we officially welcome everyone to our new rooms, we welcome our new recruits and extend the invites to all families to come along as we kick start season 2020/21.