Round 5.. East Belmont get one back on us
13 Dec 2021 by Jarrod Lewis
The Grand Final replay didnt quite go our way on Saturday whilst the 2s stay undefeated with another team first victory.
After a slight mix up at the toss where both captains revealed what they wanted to do, our guys were batting first. Known for it’s fast outfield the Winter Reserve ground didn’t disappoint and neither did the wicket as it didn’t seem to have too many demons in it early as Blake Troy looked to settle. After losing 2 of his team mates Layton McCann walked to the crease with a purpose. The fast outfield suited him well as his value for shots became increased and within a few overs he had settled in nicely. Unfortunately for him he kept losing partners at the other end at a regular basis. When Lachy Hyde was caught with the score 7/154 the boys were staring at an under par score with 6 and a half overs remaining. The next 30 odd balls would swing the game back in our favour as the guys took on the short boundary. Skipper Tom came in and took 49 off 25 balls with 5 lofty maximums. To be fair 3 of those would have been 6 on any ground in Geelong. Layton didn’t miss out either as he raced towards triple figures falling just short as he finished 96no and our guys finished 8/246. Meaning we scored 85 runs from the last 5 overs.
The crash and bash we seen at the end of our innings extended the guys confidence into the bowling innings as Tom picked up the prize scalp of Sean O’Neill early. At 1/18 our guys would have been unbackable favourites however it was from there the game changed and stayed changed for the rest of the afternoon. East continued to make use of the fast outfield and on most occasions the short boundary to the 1 side. 5 minutes of brilliance in the field from Blake Troy gave our guys an opening as he picked up a direct hit run out and then a sharp diving forward catch to expose East’s middle order however it was ironically a batsman named Shane McNamara that was doing most of the damage. NGCC Club Legend Shane McNamars did most of his damage with the ball, however this McNamara was punishing our bowlers as we had no answers. He finished 90no as our guys lost with 2 and a half overs remaining in the game. Plenty to work on for our guys.
The 2nd XI, or Super 2s as they are quickly becoming, continue on their winning ways with another hard fought win. Batting first our guys got off to an ideal start racing past 50 without the loss of a wicket. Hamish was first to go after he and Casey Meehan put on 68 together. Case would fall soon after for 48 as he got back to his damaging best with the bat. Anthony Armistead in the middle order has been a rock for the 2nds side, he again on Saturday looked to continue that similar role, but as he was getting set on 29 he found a way to get out, leaving skipper Braden to play the finishing role again. He finished 35no as the guys ended 6/162.
In reply Kingy wound back the clock and looked unplayable early on. Andrew Ferg grabbed 2 early wickets to start the guys on their way. A wicket to Casey Meehan and then a direct hit run out from Case had the game on our terms. East fought back as veteran Matt Linekar looked to carry the boys from Belmont over the line. Kingy was re introduced and grabbed the big wicket as the game was heading for a tight finish. 2 overs remaining, East needed 11 to win. Andrew Ferg bowled the 49th and it only went for 2 runs. Turf debutant Az Beecroft was handed the ball for the last over. His earlier spell wasn’t ideal but with 9 runs to play with, Az held his own and the over went for just 7 to give our guys their 4th straight win and place them at the top of the table.
The 3s boys have had an up and down start to the season. Batting seems to be the issue for the guys as once again, not enough runs were scored to make the game a more even contest. Losing the toss and being sent in our guys were up against it early. 2/20 soon became 3/23 and then 4/40 and then 7/75 as Col Millard stood at one end and watched the carnage fall around him. Col was the main stay of the innings as the veteran skipper took things upon himself and lead from the front with 61. When he was dismissed it was practically innings over as the guys were skittled for just 95.
East jumped out of the blocks early despite Sam Wakefield and Tim Birch bowling their niggly lines and lengths. The pair make for an ideal opening bowling pair however when the side is only defending 95, the guys needed wickets, not just tight spells. Birch picked up 2, as did Millard but the score was just not enough as East ran out victors by 5 wickets.
The young 4ths side, that boasts some experienced leaders have been a joy to follow so far this season. Once again on Saturday you have to be impressed with how the young guys are going. Bowling first all bowlers used chipped in and played their part. Skipper and club coach Jack Hall, playing in game 200 was at his brilliant best with the ball once again. His 8 overs picking up 2/25 but again the youth of Charlie Hall, Will Demasi and Dwij all impressed and kept East to 9/169.
170 to chase our guys needed to get off to that good start they have the last few weeks. 9 overs in and we were 4/35, with an uphill battle ahead. The President Jeff battled through the experienced East Belmont attack. He found some support from Benny Demasi, however when he fell for 59 the game slipped away from the guys. With wickets tumbling and overs running out our guys managed to get to 124 however not quite enough to grab the points.
The 5ths are another side battling for a win, mainly due to lack of runs. Bowling first our guys had no answers to Torquay’s onslaught. Gavan Foran and Chanda Ranjit have been bowling well as an opening pair. Again Saturday was the same as the young fella’s held their own early. Gav was rewarded for his effort with 2 wickets whilst later in the Innings it was crowd favourite Wazza who also picked up 2 as Torquay made 6/207. In reply the guys never looked like making it to 207, however a steady partnership up top from Riley Ward and Simon Reeves gave our guys the small chance of possibility. Unfortunately from there the guys couldnt find anyone to hang with young Ward as we were all out for 105. Riley Ward top scoring with 35.
Sunday the A Grade Girls took on last year’s premiers at home. Batting first it was Sophie Walker who once again lead the way with bat in hand. Her and Sarah Kirby built up the innings and were on track for an 100+ score. Unfortunately they both fell and that slowed down the course and we finished 4/77. Needing to bowl well, opener Jordyn Stewart did just that. Her 4 overs went for just 11 runs and really put the squeeze on Ocean Grove. Sophie Walker backed up her batting with another 2 wickets as the game looked headed for a tight finish. Unluckily for our girls, Ocean Grove reached the target in the 19th over to hand our girls just their 2nd loss.
Capping off a weekend off losses, the B Grade Girls were completely out played by a strong South Barwon unit. Bowling first our girls chased some white leather around the South Barwon Turf Oval. Openers Daisy and Kirralee bowled well early to keep the game under control. Daisy picking up 2 wickets, however from there things didn’t go the girls way and South finished 2/136. With the bat things went from bad to worse at 5/18 our girls were way out of their depth, however a partnership between skipper Dani Mather and Junior Chelsea Beckitt added some respectability to the girls innings. The pair put on 22 as the skipper lead the way. Dani top scored with 13 before some lusty hitting at the end from Kirralee got the score to 71 before the girls were dismissed.
All in all it wasn’t the results weekend we were after with our 2nds being the only senior side, men or women’s, to get the points. Hopefully that changes next week as we take on the newly promoted Bell Post Hill in the last game for 2021. The women will round out the weekend, well kind of… In a club 1st, our B Grade women’s side will be playing at 9am on Saturday morning on the turf before the 1st XI match whilst our A Grade women will stick to the traditional Sunday fixture, 10.30am up at Joeys College. The Christmas parties will then follow Saturday’s event, for anyone that’s been involved in the club, they all know how this weekend has the makings of being the best weekend of the year. If you are attending we ask you purchase your tickets ASAP for catering purposes. Until then, bring on next week!!
After a slight mix up at the toss where both captains revealed what they wanted to do, our guys were batting first. Known for it’s fast outfield the Winter Reserve ground didn’t disappoint and neither did the wicket as it didn’t seem to have too many demons in it early as Blake Troy looked to settle. After losing 2 of his team mates Layton McCann walked to the crease with a purpose. The fast outfield suited him well as his value for shots became increased and within a few overs he had settled in nicely. Unfortunately for him he kept losing partners at the other end at a regular basis. When Lachy Hyde was caught with the score 7/154 the boys were staring at an under par score with 6 and a half overs remaining. The next 30 odd balls would swing the game back in our favour as the guys took on the short boundary. Skipper Tom came in and took 49 off 25 balls with 5 lofty maximums. To be fair 3 of those would have been 6 on any ground in Geelong. Layton didn’t miss out either as he raced towards triple figures falling just short as he finished 96no and our guys finished 8/246. Meaning we scored 85 runs from the last 5 overs.
The crash and bash we seen at the end of our innings extended the guys confidence into the bowling innings as Tom picked up the prize scalp of Sean O’Neill early. At 1/18 our guys would have been unbackable favourites however it was from there the game changed and stayed changed for the rest of the afternoon. East continued to make use of the fast outfield and on most occasions the short boundary to the 1 side. 5 minutes of brilliance in the field from Blake Troy gave our guys an opening as he picked up a direct hit run out and then a sharp diving forward catch to expose East’s middle order however it was ironically a batsman named Shane McNamara that was doing most of the damage. NGCC Club Legend Shane McNamars did most of his damage with the ball, however this McNamara was punishing our bowlers as we had no answers. He finished 90no as our guys lost with 2 and a half overs remaining in the game. Plenty to work on for our guys.
The 2nd XI, or Super 2s as they are quickly becoming, continue on their winning ways with another hard fought win. Batting first our guys got off to an ideal start racing past 50 without the loss of a wicket. Hamish was first to go after he and Casey Meehan put on 68 together. Case would fall soon after for 48 as he got back to his damaging best with the bat. Anthony Armistead in the middle order has been a rock for the 2nds side, he again on Saturday looked to continue that similar role, but as he was getting set on 29 he found a way to get out, leaving skipper Braden to play the finishing role again. He finished 35no as the guys ended 6/162.
In reply Kingy wound back the clock and looked unplayable early on. Andrew Ferg grabbed 2 early wickets to start the guys on their way. A wicket to Casey Meehan and then a direct hit run out from Case had the game on our terms. East fought back as veteran Matt Linekar looked to carry the boys from Belmont over the line. Kingy was re introduced and grabbed the big wicket as the game was heading for a tight finish. 2 overs remaining, East needed 11 to win. Andrew Ferg bowled the 49th and it only went for 2 runs. Turf debutant Az Beecroft was handed the ball for the last over. His earlier spell wasn’t ideal but with 9 runs to play with, Az held his own and the over went for just 7 to give our guys their 4th straight win and place them at the top of the table.
The 3s boys have had an up and down start to the season. Batting seems to be the issue for the guys as once again, not enough runs were scored to make the game a more even contest. Losing the toss and being sent in our guys were up against it early. 2/20 soon became 3/23 and then 4/40 and then 7/75 as Col Millard stood at one end and watched the carnage fall around him. Col was the main stay of the innings as the veteran skipper took things upon himself and lead from the front with 61. When he was dismissed it was practically innings over as the guys were skittled for just 95.
East jumped out of the blocks early despite Sam Wakefield and Tim Birch bowling their niggly lines and lengths. The pair make for an ideal opening bowling pair however when the side is only defending 95, the guys needed wickets, not just tight spells. Birch picked up 2, as did Millard but the score was just not enough as East ran out victors by 5 wickets.
The young 4ths side, that boasts some experienced leaders have been a joy to follow so far this season. Once again on Saturday you have to be impressed with how the young guys are going. Bowling first all bowlers used chipped in and played their part. Skipper and club coach Jack Hall, playing in game 200 was at his brilliant best with the ball once again. His 8 overs picking up 2/25 but again the youth of Charlie Hall, Will Demasi and Dwij all impressed and kept East to 9/169.
170 to chase our guys needed to get off to that good start they have the last few weeks. 9 overs in and we were 4/35, with an uphill battle ahead. The President Jeff battled through the experienced East Belmont attack. He found some support from Benny Demasi, however when he fell for 59 the game slipped away from the guys. With wickets tumbling and overs running out our guys managed to get to 124 however not quite enough to grab the points.
The 5ths are another side battling for a win, mainly due to lack of runs. Bowling first our guys had no answers to Torquay’s onslaught. Gavan Foran and Chanda Ranjit have been bowling well as an opening pair. Again Saturday was the same as the young fella’s held their own early. Gav was rewarded for his effort with 2 wickets whilst later in the Innings it was crowd favourite Wazza who also picked up 2 as Torquay made 6/207. In reply the guys never looked like making it to 207, however a steady partnership up top from Riley Ward and Simon Reeves gave our guys the small chance of possibility. Unfortunately from there the guys couldnt find anyone to hang with young Ward as we were all out for 105. Riley Ward top scoring with 35.
Sunday the A Grade Girls took on last year’s premiers at home. Batting first it was Sophie Walker who once again lead the way with bat in hand. Her and Sarah Kirby built up the innings and were on track for an 100+ score. Unfortunately they both fell and that slowed down the course and we finished 4/77. Needing to bowl well, opener Jordyn Stewart did just that. Her 4 overs went for just 11 runs and really put the squeeze on Ocean Grove. Sophie Walker backed up her batting with another 2 wickets as the game looked headed for a tight finish. Unluckily for our girls, Ocean Grove reached the target in the 19th over to hand our girls just their 2nd loss.
Capping off a weekend off losses, the B Grade Girls were completely out played by a strong South Barwon unit. Bowling first our girls chased some white leather around the South Barwon Turf Oval. Openers Daisy and Kirralee bowled well early to keep the game under control. Daisy picking up 2 wickets, however from there things didn’t go the girls way and South finished 2/136. With the bat things went from bad to worse at 5/18 our girls were way out of their depth, however a partnership between skipper Dani Mather and Junior Chelsea Beckitt added some respectability to the girls innings. The pair put on 22 as the skipper lead the way. Dani top scored with 13 before some lusty hitting at the end from Kirralee got the score to 71 before the girls were dismissed.
All in all it wasn’t the results weekend we were after with our 2nds being the only senior side, men or women’s, to get the points. Hopefully that changes next week as we take on the newly promoted Bell Post Hill in the last game for 2021. The women will round out the weekend, well kind of… In a club 1st, our B Grade women’s side will be playing at 9am on Saturday morning on the turf before the 1st XI match whilst our A Grade women will stick to the traditional Sunday fixture, 10.30am up at Joeys College. The Christmas parties will then follow Saturday’s event, for anyone that’s been involved in the club, they all know how this weekend has the makings of being the best weekend of the year. If you are attending we ask you purchase your tickets ASAP for catering purposes. Until then, bring on next week!!
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