2nd XI Round 4 & 5 Match Reports

Round 4 Match Report

Played at Corben Reserve Against Richmond City

One Day Game: 02/11/2013

Debut Players: Nil

Batted First:               Bulleen                       10/73 (32.1)

Batted Second:          Old Carey                   4/75   (18.1)

Another match away, another unfriendly deck. With rain forecast and plenty of bowling form in recent weeks the plan was to bowl and try and get them cheaply. That way we might be able to start the chase early and avoid a rain affected draw.

That plan, didn’t start well with Sonny losing the toss. But in a twist of fate, Bulleen decided to bat first anyway.

Swampy and V Bomber bowled the first 16 overs straight through and justified it by taking 3 wickets each, and at regular intervals. Both bowling tight and keeping the pressure right up. With such a great start the boys were on their toes and the esprit de corps alive and well. We could even hear Garry’s voice.

First change bowlers were Cuz and Liam. Both picked up wickets as a result of bowling in the right areas. Cuz managed a very impressive caught and bowled.

China wrapped up the tail with leg side edge that Sonny swallowed.

Once again it was a fine performance in the field and a signal to the rest of the competition that Old Carey are a force to be reckoned with when they have the ball. Bulleen managed  a meager 10/73 off 32.1.

The run chase started nervously with Sonny finding the edge of the bat several times to make 8 and finally getting an under edge and being caught behind. Poor old Poups come out and his run of bad fortune continued being fired LBW. It was infectious with China also catching the LBW bug.

Cuz come in and blasted 19 runs with his eyes shut, and Sonny was having a coronary attack. The 19 quick runs did take the pressure off and Garry, along with Evo sealed the victory by knocking it around and playing it safe.

Once again the Old Carey ‘tail’ was not required. The ‘tail’ that contains considerable batting talent will get their turn soon as it looks like we have made great in-roads to a finals spot already. Well done fellas.

The challenge ahead is to maintain this level of commitment and really dig in. We have only played teams in the bottom half of the ladder at this stage. We will really need to show our intent against the higher ranked teams.

Notable Performances

Round 5 Match Report

Played at Mcleay Park (DS Bull Oval) Against North Balwyn

One Day Game: 10/11/2013

Debut Players: Nil

Batted First:               North Balwyn                        7/146 (40)

Batted Second:          Old Carey                   9/149             (39.2)

Another match away, another unfriendly deck. The boys had something to prove against a current top four side. This time we had the benefit of a paid umpire who did a fantastic job.

Again, Sonny lost the toss and we were handed the ball. No damage done seeing as that was to be our plan with uncertain weather around.

Swampy and V Bomber bowled the first nine overs very tidily  for just 20 runs and Swampy picking up one wicket. China come on and kept the screws on. That handed Curry a couple of very frustrated batsmen in his first over and he picked up two quick wickets.

China continued a great spell when he picked up a stumping from a bloke had just hit him for four and got a little ahead of himself. Sleethy couldn’t believe his luck.

Garry bowled tightly without luck. Sonny bowled a few overs, one too many, taking one wicket. Both Sonny and Woody have some room for improvement and our fielding effort could have improved generally.

We finished with North Balwyn making 7/146 off their 40 overs. As a team we assessed that this might be 10 – 15 runs under par and were confident going into the chase.

A bit of a change in the batting order saw Everett and China open up with a left hand, right hand combination. The fellas did well, China taking the shine off the pill, while Evo kept the score ticking over. China snicked one in the 10^th over and we were 1/23. Evo kept the score moving and Poups, currently on suicide watch, got bowled around his legs for yet another duck. Yours will come Poups, get that gear off e-bay.

In come Sleethy who looked good but was caught a little flat footed on a run and was last seen with an Evo Voodoo doll in the change rooms. Curry come out to join Evo and the long awaited Patto and Watto partnership beckoned but lasted just two runs when Evo tried to pull one and top edged to fine leg. That was 4/53 after 17 overs. Fresh off some impressive batting Maisy went out there with plenty to prove after being promoted up the batting. It wasn’t to be for Maisy this week but he did smash one four before his middle peg was pushed back.

Sonny batting down the order joined Curry who was playing his most steady and impressive innings to date. He was looking the goods and playing smart shots before an up-ish cut shot was caught at backward point on the dive.

6/77. It wasn’t looking flash at that stage and the Old Carey tail hadn’t been put to the test to that point in the season. Sonny and Woody steadied the ship to give the boys a chance by adding 49 runs for the 7^th wicket. Sonny missed one that clipped has pad on the way through the gate and he was bowled.

The score was then on 7/126. 21 runs to get. Woody kept the score going steadily until his eyes lit up on a medium pace full toss. Unfortunately, he played all around it and the bails were dislodged. His bat was quickly introduced to the turf and handle left splice.

8/136. Gary was run out with out any addition to the teams score. 9/136. The equation was 11 runs required off 18 balls for the last wicket.

Swampy was amazing, batting like a veteran and waiting for the right balls that eventually came. He put us into a nervously comfortable position of needing just 2 runs from the last six balls. Problem being V Bomber was on strike and hadn’t faced a ball. V Bomber kept the first ball of the over out for a dot in most unconvincing fashion. He looked like a cat on a hot tin roof. Problem, what problem??? V Bomber then cracked the next ball through extra cover to the boundary for four and the victory went to Old Carey.

It was nice to make a statement and win a close one. It is a quality that the Old Caret 2nd XI has lacked in the last six or seven seasons. We are building to something special this season boys, and the win against North Balwyn signals that it is never over and partnerships in the middle are the key to winning matches.

The win was celebrated with a couple of sherbets down at the Harp and that was great to see!!!

Notable Performances

Mark Sontag

2nd XI Captain