Mid Season Wrap
Well, the first half of the season is all done and dusted as we head into the new year. It has been a terrific start to the season, with lots of great individual contributions and team efforts across juniors and seniors. Seven of our eight competitive sides are 5th or better and are in with a chance to play finals, so let’s check in on each team for a mid-season update.
First XI
Once again, the First XI has shown too much of a difference between their best and worst. A couple of good wins saw the season building along nicely but losses in the two games prior to Christmas saw the boys slip back out of the four. The key for the second half of the year is consistency and the boys can claim a finals spot.
The highlight of the season has to have been Glenn Oakley’s hat-trick while the efforts of the young guys have been encouraging. Half centuries to Ethan Weston, Tom Dobson and Bill Brown have shown the way with the bat with the side looking for more across the board with the bat.
Second XI
The seconds shot out of the gate with a big win in round one and the season has developed well from there with just the one loss and the boys sitting second on the ladder. The second half of the season will see us take on the top of the table side in two games as we look to consolidate a top-two spot.
The highlight of the season was Gary Fenigan’s hundred a couple of weeks back, while Paul Bremmer’s bowling form has been great with 11 wickets in the last three games. Lots of players have stood up along the way as the season builds nicely due to some great team efforts.
Third XI
The thirds season has been a bit on-again off-again with the combination of forfeits and weather. When the side has gotten out there they have been in good touch with just the one loss. The team make-up has been a bit of a revolving door with 35 players already used, but the team has gelled each week and is tracking well
Highlights include half-centuries to Sean Dalton along with Andy and Stew MacCartney but mostly the wins have come from even performances. The efforts of our junior players have again been terrific with Kallen Smith and Reuben MacCartney both hitting their senior bests along the way.
Fourth XI
As we head to Christmas, the fourths find themselves nestled nicely in 3rd spot with five wins and a tie from the first eight rounds. After finishing on the bottom for the last two seasons, it is great to see the fours in the mix for finals action.
The highlights have been the efforts of our juniors, with Sam Vines’ 5/36 on debut a tough one to top. Ashton Smith also hit a fine 47 opening the batting in his first game, while Lewis Miller has been a consistent performer, scoring his first senior half-century and leading the wickets tally. Along the way, Bailey Hanna, Bailey Thomas and Tyson Darmody have all taken their first senior wickets and the comeback kid, Adam Miller, has shown some great form with both bat and ball.
Under 14-2
Our top under 14 side had a great start to the season with three wins in the first four games before a bit of a downer against a strong Wonga Park side in round 5 and another loss in the following game. A win going into the Christmas break has the side still right in the mix just outside the four. With four games to go after the break, the team’s destiny is in their own hands.
The real highlight has been the even contributions across the board with all boys playing important roles. Reuben MacCartney has notched the highest score of the season so far with 41n.o in round 2, while Lewis Miller picked up 3/8 in the same game. Nathan Flinn has lead the way with the bat, reaching retirement in most games and racking up 135 runs so far.
Under 14-4
The 14-4 side can be pretty happy with their performances up to the Christmas break and have an opportunity to play finals if they can play their best cricket in the final three games. The season got off to an amazing start with a tie against Chirnside Park due to a sneaky last ball run, and after five rounds the team found themselves undefeated and in equal top spot. Two tough losses leading into the break saw the team slide to fifth spot in a very tight grade.
Like the 14-4s, performances have been very even with the side. Noah Coles (25*) and Tyson Darmody (20*) have the two top scores of the season with lots of scores in the 15-20 range. The bowling and fielding has been mostly been of very high standard with wickets shared around. Tom Elford (3/5), Lachie Smith (3/11) and Tyson Darmody (3/13) have picked up the best hauls along the way.
Under 12-3
Our top under 12s have had a terrific start to the season although has been dampened by the weather with play being abandoned on three of the last four weeks. At the break, the 12-3s find themselves sitting second on the ladder, equal with the top side with five wins and a draw.
All members of the team have put in some good performances along the way with a few personal bests coming out in the early rounds. Emma Mole provided the batting highlight of the season so far, hitting her first half century (55*) against South Warrandyte, and has 137 runs to her name at the break. Xavier Monro had the pick of the bowling efforts with 3/14 against Kilsyth in a close win.
Under 12-6
Our younger under 12s have competed well so far this year with the majority of the side either first timers or up from under 10s. Even though the team only has one win to its name there have been lots of great efforts with the kids staying in the games right to the end and supporting each other really well.
Cooper Flinn has lead the way with the bat, scoring 137 runs so far while Elijah Coles and Jethro Steen have lead the way with the ball with 5 and 4 wickets respectively.