Weekly Updates Round 11
Sponsor of the Week – Intersport Sportsbiz
Intersport are your locally owned sports store priding themselves on expert advice, an expansive range of products and great prices. A family owned business, Intersport Sportzbiz has served the Ballarat community since 1987 and currently sponsors sixteen local sporting clubs. For all your sports and fitness needs, Intersport is your one stop place!
A - 106 Bridge Mall Ballarat
P - 5332 3833
W - www.intersport.com.au
E - [email protected]
First XI: 4/185 defeated Buninyong 183
Key Performers: Smith 57*, Yates 47 & George 3/44, Nicholson 2/35
Presented with an opportunity to skip ahead of Golden Point by the equivalent of a T20 victory, the Mounties were presented with their foe from down the road, Buninyong. Upon arrival at the ground, an honest onlooker asked me if Wendouree and North Ballarat were still a club. Looking at Buninyong’s colours, he assumed the two clubs had merged. North Wendouree or Wendouree-Ballarat? Or the Red Roosters?
Nevertheless, the Mountie bowlers put on a masterclass, keeping a tight handle on the Buninyong batsman. 184 from 50 overs, very achievable. A shaky start saw Goonan out LBW early but the ship was righted by Yates and Nicholson. From there it was a masterclass in one day batting, the likes of Smith and Kentish assaulting the bowlers like Myxomatosis on a rabbit’s immune system. Home by six wickets.
Second XI: 9/240 defeated Naps-Sebas 6/169
Key Performers: N. Achison 50, Beer 46 & N. Hucker 1/18, R. Walsh 1/19
The BCA fixturing has gifted the Seconds with several road trips this year. Yes, they have completed the journey to Darley and the holiday to Napoleons not once but twice. What an honour, the opportunity to build those frequent flyer miles three times in calendar year. Having been there so much this year, the Twos came prepared; aero guard, mortein and inflatable clubrooms to ensure everyone could fit their bags in the changerooms (who’s current capacity is approximately four cricket bags, a backpack and eleven ball bags).
There was no griping about the chance to play on the hallowed turf of Eden Gardens. Batting first, a solid score of 240 was achieved from 45 overs. Stand outs were 50 to Achison, Beer 46 and McMillan 40. Defending the total proved to be a somewhat difficult task, the Naps batsman doggedly keeping the fieldsman on the ground the full 45 overs. The Two’s home by 71 runs.
Third XI: 242 defeated Wendouree 6/222
Key Performers: Sharp 50, Griffith 38 & Sharp 2/26, Hassell 1/25
Up against Wendouree Magenta, the Thirds won their eleventh toss of the year and again batted first. Players of the Mt Clear 3rd XI have forgotten what chasing feels like. Is it still a thing? It was a little bit like Ground Hog day on Mt Clear 2 as the top and middle order again made starts but couldn’t go on with it. 50, 31, 27, 16, 38, 15, 22 and 26. The hundred is there for the offering.
A gettable 240 was put on the table for Magenta to chase. They looked good early at 0/52 but suddenly the brakes were engaged and runs became a valued economy. The run defence featured a comical piece of fielding starring Tigchelaar and Griffith in the lead roles. At square leg, Tigchelaar misjudged a clip off the toes straight to him. The ball hit a strand of grass and bounced at right angles presenting a difficult chase for Griffith on the boundary. Griffith made it to the ball, stopping it with not his hands nor the side of his foot but the base of his foot. Yes he stood on it immediately arresting its forward momentum and pressurising the cartilage in his ankle. It marks an imposing run of injuries in the Thirds all concerned with the ankle region.
Fourth XI: 6/145 defeated Brown Hill 139
Key Performers: Vandebyl 3/25, Robin 2/33 & Jeffrey 78*, Giblett 24
Back at the Hill, the Fours were presented with the traditional rival Brown Hill. Ah yes, the call of “carn Hillside” billowing across the Brown Hill reserve, past the music blaring from the pool and the bag pipes from the scout hall. Fielding first, the attack was lead by Vandebyl taking 3/25 and Ronald Robin 2/33.
Chasing 139 from 40 overs, the Mounties were lead by young Jeffrey and Giblett. Jeffrey pulled and drove his way to an impressive 78*, aided by 24 from Giblett and scores of 0, 9, 4, 4, 6 and 3 from an imperious middle order. Another wins see’s the Fourth’s machine rollick onward and secure the white wash for Mountie across the grades.