Week 1 match reports

The season got underway on Saturday for our two under 14s teams along with two of our senior sides, with our remaining teams needing to wait for another week or two before they hit the field.

It was perfect weather for cricket, so read on to find out how they all went:

Under 14-2

HBCC 4/114 lost to South Croydon 2/130
Jed MacCatney 2/14, Nathan Flinn 29 ret n.o, Sam Kerwin 19 ret. n.o

What perfect conditions to start the season. We bowled first and didn’t get our first wicket until the 23rd over when Jed took 2 wickets in the over. With only 9 players, there were plenty of gaps in the field, which let them get a large total. Going into bat, I asked the boys if we can bat the full 25 overs, we’ll give ourselves a good chance.

Unfortunately we lost 2 quick wickets in the first 5 overs. Sam and Nathan did a terrific job building a partnership and both retired, making 19 and 29 respectively. Reuben, Lachie and Ben all spent a good amount of time in the middle. With 5 overs to go we needed a run a ball but we feel short. A good first game and a lot we can be positive about going forward.

Under 14-4

HBCC 3/82 tied with Chirnside Park 8/82
Ashton Smith 19 ret n.o, Bailey Hanna 8, Tyson Darmody 7 ret. n.o, Hayley McLaughlin 2/3

Well what a start to the season with yet another heart stopper of a game. We batted first and got off to a great start with a solid opening stand between Ashton and Tyson as they reached retirement. Bailey and Josh both also got solid starts and we ended with a good score against some tight bowling.

All the kids were absolutely terrific with the ball as we sent down just 8 wides and 2 no-balls in our 25 overs and regularly took wickets. Hayley was the pick of the bowlers but all of them did a great job with their line and length. The fielding started really well too with 6 catches and a run out. Will took grabbed two catches and James took a ripper after moving quickly to grab it. In the end they needed 4 off the last over to win, and a sneaky bye on the last ball saw the game finish in a fitting tie as both sides were evenly matched all day.

Second XI

HBCC 7/369 vs Kilsyth (match in progress)
Luke Morrison 86, Ethan Weston 76, Josh Pocock 39n.o, Braeden Gordon 36, Steve Darmody 29, Jamie McLauchlan 25, Brent Gordon 20

The twos had a bit of a day out against Kilsyth after winning the toss and batting in perfect conditions. Ethan was locked and loaded early and immediately put them on the back foot as he brought up a 26-ball fifty with some very clean hitting. From 0-80 we slipped a bit to be 4-134 before steadying the ship with a few good partnerships. Luke worked his way into form with the top score while plenty of other got good starts and ensured the partnerships kept coming. Josh finished things off nicely with some big shots and was well supported by Brent as they finished with the fourth 50 partnership of the day.

Fourth XI

HBBC 5/242 vs Wonga Park 5/141 (match in progress)
Reuben MacCatney 2/20, Nick Graham 59, Gary Fenigan 51

After winning the toss and electing to bat on the tiny Croydon Primary oval, Gary and Nick got us off to a great start, both making 50s. Most batsmen made runs and we went into the split 5/242. On a difficult ground to defend, both as bowlers and fielders, we had a great start with the ball, restricting Wonga Park to 5/141 at their split. Nick bowled tight, well supported by the 3 MacCartney boys. Given the conditions, the fielding effort was superb and we look forward to grabbing the final 5 wickets this week.