SEASON 2023-24 ROUND 10
JANUARY 21, 2023
DIVISION ONE
OLD SCOTCH 1XI 179 (34.3)
def. by MELBOURNE HIGH 4/180 (35.4)
S. Shearer 61, A. Callaghan 24, L. Francis 1/13, H. Goad 1/24
Off the back of a strong victory against Xavier the week before, the OSCC First XI went into a clash with top of the table Melbourne High looking for back-to-back wins to start the 2024 calendar year. Unfortunately the squad was still thin and missing some consistent performers with bat and ball, with only three members of last year’s Premiership side involved.Nonetheless, a youthful squad was ready for the challenge.
With some rain around and the covers on right up until the toss, High had no hesitation in asking OSCC to have a bat on a green and lively looking surface. Despite the new ball doing plenty, Luke Adams and Sam Shearer were able to get off to a great start, immediately placing the High openers under pressure and scoring at better than a run-a-ball. With the score racing to 0-58, the boys were well on top before Adams unfortunately fell to a waist high full-toss. Current school First XI player Paddy Burchard joined his school coach Shearer at the crease and the pair continued the scoring, advancing the score to 90 before Burchard fell. From there, an unfortunate and steady loss of wickets, including a Shearer brain fade to run himself out for 61 in the 18th over, meant the innings stalled and all momentum was lost. The only other contributions of note were a steady 24 from Andrew Callaghan and a plucky 20 not out from #11 Harrison Goad. 179 on the board on a tough wicket looked okay all in all, but no doubt well below what the 1-90 off 16 platform promised and a learning experience for the young side.
The bowling innings started well, with Goad removing an opener early and Shearer claiming one of the big scalps not long after. Unfortunately from there a mixture of missed chances, dubious decisions and some very well disciplined and intelligent batting from the High boys meant the chase was really always at hand. The score was passed four down and with four overs to spare, in one that got away for the boys.
A great learning experience for a team with many people not far removed from school and early in their OSCC journey, but also a sign of the work to be done over the next month in order to compete for yet another Grand Final and Premiership. Credit to High, who are going to be right there at the business end this season.
— Sam Shearer (1XI Captain)
DIVISION TWO
OLD SCOTCH 2XI 9/188 (40)
def. CAULFIELD/NCG 161 (40)
M. Griffiths 50, T. Edney 40*, O. McLeish 3/26, J. Ross 2/23
The twos were back out at Glenhuntly Park looking to keep their season alive against Old Caulfield. The equation is now simple for the twos, win to remain a small chance of playing finals.
Winning the toss, I had no hesitation in batting first in what looked to be an alright pitch. This proved to be the case early with Mark Griffiths (50), Tom Whitelaw (28), Charlie Schilling (22) and Tom Edney (40*) all contributing with the bat. Despite being in a strong position through the middle overs an all too natural collapse occurred and we looked unlikely to bat out the 40 overs. Despite this, a tenth wicket partnership of 15 between Ted and John Stavris (10*) saw us post a competitive 9/188 off our 40.
With the ball the team was bolstered by the return of Nick Buckley (1/14 off 8) who did not skip a beat, consistently beating the batsmen with extreme heat. This was complimented by an early run out from Nic Bennett to have Caulfield in trouble. Caulfield then steady quite well throughout the middle overs to be pushing closer to the target. Oliver McLeish (3/26 off 7.1) turned the game and took an outright lead in the twos bowling award, with Jack Ross (2/23 off 5) also returning well to close out the innings.
Thanks to some good fielding we managed to close the game out 27 runs ahead and secured another win. We look forward to a massive fixture against PEGS this week.
— John Stavris (2XI Captain)
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