The A-Team continue their winning run in Division 1 as they stormed home by 6 wickets with a bonus point against Melbourne High School Old Boys at the picturesque surrounds of Melbourne High, while the Celebrities delivered an 8 wicket shellacking of Old Xavs on the Melville Oval at Scotch College with some outstanding performances.
At Melbourne High, the MHOB's won the toss and elected to bat, and it was the diminutive Dr William Bonwick Esq. who did all the damage with the ball with his deceptive medium pacers snaring 4 for 21. With able support from from William Fraser-Smith (3/33) and skipper Sam Shearer (2/32), Melbourne High OB's were restricted to 147.
Similar to the last time these two teams met here earlier in the season, chasing a similar total proved to be quite a challenge with the Scotchies having to dig deep to get home in that encounter. So, on past performance, 147 was going to be a testing target. There was no need to worry though, as batting star Matt Mitchell signalled his intent with a flurry of boundaries to get the A-Team's run chase off to a blazing start. Mitchell perished for an inspired 48, and the Scotchies lost wickets as they swung their bats hard chasing a bonus point victory by scoring the 148 required inside 20 overs. Inspirational skipper Sam Shearer continued where Mitchell left off and carved out an unbeaten 32 as the A-Team got home in the 20 overs to claim a bonus point victory.
Over at Scotch College, talismanic Celebrities skipper John Stavris whipped himself into a frenzy as he starred with the ball, capturing 4 for 42 and with able support from Will "Shotgun" Meggitt (2/33), James "Springbok" Halse (2/19) and Lachlan "Lester" Bangs 1/22) restricted a powerful Old Xaverian batting line up to 9/176 on the lightning fast Melville Oval.
A mighty fine effort by the bowlers, but how would the batsman go chasing against what was sure to be a fired Old Xavs? No one needed to worry as wily veteran Mark "Money Shot" Griffiths produced a steady-as-a-rock 72 not out to continue his spectacular season with the bat. Charlie "Choc" Hocking produced a stylish 61 as the Celebrities chased down the target with 8 wickets in hand and 5.5 overs to spare to keep their revival going and shore up their position in the top four.
This week sees the annual Old Scotch vs Old Melbournians on the Main Oval on Saturday afternoon in the last round before the Christmas recess, while the Celebrities take on Old Geelong on Meares Oval in what promises to be a day with a carnival atmosphere. get along and support the boys as it is always appreciated.
In the meantime...