Missed Opportunities
The season again started with the usual enthusiasm. Those returning, itching for a game of cricket, plus there were several new faces down at the club who were all keen and committed to the season. This bode well in establishing a
stable core for the 2’s to build on from the year before.
D Turf
Played 13 Won 6 Lost 6 Draw 1
Finished 5th
The season got underway in similar fashion to that of the previous year with the competition called off on the first Sat. This meant the season proper got underway with a One day game against Burwood. With a new fixture structure in place, this Two-day game in Round 1 meant no Sunday reserve day was required (amen to that).
In the 08/09 version of this game we came very close to chasing down a large total of 215 after missing some early chances and then not finishing off the run chase well which Ricky had starred in setting up.
This season we took our chances and while still a high scoring game restricted Burwood to 180 on a good deck with a consistent effort in the field throughout the innings. Several of the new faces in the team made great contributions and added real energy to the side. On this occasion, we came out on top chasing the total down fairly comfortable again with Ricky starring – fighting through a nasty case of cramps ( it looked like he had a heart beating in his calf) – and being finished off by an Auction blitz we all know and love so much. All in all it was a great start to the season.
Unfortunately the Round 2 which was a One-day game also got rained out and again no Sunday reserve day was called. However, this game was against one of the teams looking likely of getting the wooden spoon so an possibly important 3 points may have been missed.
The next few games – three One-dayers followed by two Two-dayers – were a bit of a mixed bag as the team struggled somewhat with consistency both on the field and getting a regular squad together, as it often does that time of year. We came close to chasing down another large total of 208 against eventual Grand Finalists Marcellin but probably let them score a few too many at the end.
There was a welcome return of Brett Van Lieshout (aka Meat Van) to the 2’s. He bowled well for a return of 3/27. Then after a solid start to the chase we had two mini collapses after drinks before a couple of the new faces, Dave Matthews and Nick Brock, gave us a sniff before falling 12 runs short.
A good win over Donvale came next. A all-round team effort meant we did well to restrict them to 9/138. Meat Van getting 4/17 and everyone maintaining their intensity in the field throughout the innings. The hard work we put in the field really paid off, as the wheels wobbled then almost came off during the chase. An injured Ben Adair batting at 10 along with Slug in his first game back, plus some valuable ‘educated edges’ from Meat Van saw us sneak home with 1 over to spare 9 down ourselves.
The topsy turvy season continued with a big loss to the other Grand Finalist* Richmond City. A poor bowling effort meant we were chasing a big 262 and while we were at a similar stage as them at the drinks break, the pressure told, with us collapsing from 1/90 to all out for 172.
Roll on our first Two-day game and with Dino at the helm a good win was earned by putting on a defendable total of 7/239. Dino and Goochy each getting 60’s. By Dino’s account an incredibly disciplined bowling effort followed with everyone sticking to plans and bowling to the field. So with two games to go before Christmas we were now 3 wins 1 draw 2 losses and in the four, but as yet had not won two in a row.
Our next game was away to La Trobe. Again, this was meant to be a Two-day game but with the first week rained out meant yet another One-day game making it six One-dayers out of the first seven rounds (though one of those was rained out)! We never really got in the game, setting just 106 as we failed to adjust to the tricky batting conditions.
The bowling effort was good but it was never enough runs to put real pressure on. For the final game before the Christmas break we managed to get a Two-dayer at home against Mont Albert. On an absolute road we pulled them back from a good start fighting hard in the field all day to restrict them to a very gettable 209. Very impressive debuts from the spin twins of Tommy Byrnes and Freddie Lyon combined to bowl 28 overs for just 52 runs and three wickets! Unfortunately another game for the latter didn’t eventuate.
After looking like we were going to cruise this in with a dazzling innings of from Jazzy (44) while being wellsupported by the more steady Sonny (46). Wickets began to fall regularly and this put ourselves under real pressure. The fighting spirit of the team again came to the fore with Brocky hitting a match-winning 24 not out to get us over the line 9 down.
At the break we had 4 wins, 1 draw, 3 losses and still in the 4, without stringing two wins in a row. The first few games after Christmas were going to be crucial to our finals chances especially as the first three were all against fellow finals contenders. There was a good core to the team with several of the new faces being key contributors not only in their performances but their enthusiasm and commitment to the team.
Unfortunately, things didn’t go quite as planned after the break with three consecutive losses effectively putting an end to our finals hopes. These were two One-dayers at home followed by a Two-dayer away at Marcellin.
The first One-dayer was against La Trobe (who eventually finished one win ahead of us on the final ladder.) While we had a good start to our innings with Jazzy (68) playing another dazzler we somewhat lost our way. Tristan “Swampy” Reid and Stephen “Vitals” Vitali rebuilt things with a 56-run partnership, which help in setting a competitive total of 190. Our defence of this proved to be disappointing, missing a number of crucial chances and too loose with our bowling when it counted as La Trobe got home with overs to spare.
A slightly better bowling performance was put in against Burwood but again missed chances proved costly and a challenging total of 237 was set. The chase was well on track with Jazzy (57) yet again dispatching the bowling but then momentum was lost as wickets fell and we ended well short all out for 186. We still had a realistic chance for finals but came up against top-of-the-table hopefuls Marcellin. They were accounting for all-comers and this was going to be a challenging game. A much improved bowling performance and then a gutsy tactical move to declare early by the Marcellin captain meant 2nd week a very gettable 240 odd was the target. However our batting was very disappointing and we were lucky to not be beaten outright. Our 9th wicket in our 2nd dig came off the last ball of the day. In all we lost 19-153!
Now, dropping to sixth and seemingly out of finals contention, we had to ensure we didn’t end up in the relegation zone. For the last two Two-dayers Stu, then Dino, took over the helm in my absence. Both secured fantastic wins with the first against Deepdene being emphatic. A very disciplined bowling and fielding effort meant we had to chase a well under par total of 207. This was passed for the loss of just the solitary wicket as Dino (96), doing a magnificent job as fill in opener and Sonny (100*) put on 184. It was Sonny maiden ton. This win meant relegation was out of the question and surprisingly an ever-so-slight
chance of finals remained.
Despite another great win against top-side Richmond City, this wasn’t to happen. The win was built upon yet again another disciplined bowling and fielding effort. It was finished off the following week by determined batting with highlights being China (39) and John McGuckin (60) both coming up from the 3’s with great success.
An Auction (40) blitz at the end, finished the season as we started it. A little bit of icing on the cake if you will. So for the second year in a row we finished 5th on the ladder but this time were one or two good performances short and not robbed by a dodgy outright in the last round.
There were many great positives despite not quite making finals which I am very confident will be rectified next season. Several of the new faces at the start of the season are now integral members of the team making significant contributions in all aspects and are eagerly looking forward to taking the next step next season. Further continued strong performances from regular 2’s players of the last few seasons such as Ricky, Dino and Goochy plus the return of Meat Van as a great wicket taker also bode well.
Special mention especially for Sonny who has continued to improve and made valuable contributions in virtually every game he played. I’m confident with most if not all returning next season the 2’s can put the consistent performances that are required and achieve the goal of making finals and returning to C-Turf next season.
This will be my last act as 2’s captain for the foreseeable future so I would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone who has supported me during the last three years. Special mentions to Tad, China and Duck (first 2 seasons) who as fellow captains/selectors and coach put in an incredible amount of work each season assisting me with first learning and then supporting me whenever needed.
Also very special mention to Dino who throughout has taken care of so many of the organisation side of things on game day plus always offering a wealth of cricket knowledge during a game and generally being a great support. Lastly but certainly not least of course thanks also to all the players who have made my time as captain very enjoyable and tried their very best. Hopefully I’ll be able to join you all as one of the players for some of next season but if not, my best wishes are with you.
Cheers and enjoy,
30 (aka Grant Christainsen)
Second XI Captain
