Will Elliott commented to me last year when playing Old Xavier’s 2^nd XI; “that was by far and away the quickest 10 wickets I have ever seen fall….”

Well if Will had been out at Xavier’s Main Oval on Sunday he may well have been retracting that statement as the OSCC 1^st XI set about dismantling the Xaverian batting card on a pitch and ground that could only b described as a pleasure to play on.

Stand in skipper Yahtzee Butler lost the toss and the boys were sent in to bowl. Gary Bennett and Chris Wood were given first crack at the batsmen and started well, bowling a tight line and length and putting early pressure on. Bennett struck first with a typically superb ball leaving the opener without a run to his name and also without and off stump in the ground. He wasn’t finished there, also knocking over the other opener doing it all himself with a caught and bowled and then having the number 3 caught at gully, leaving the Xavierian’s reeling at 3/10. It must be said that for a 72 year old man who has taken over 500 wickets in his illustrious career, Gaz really knows how to celebrate each and every wicket. It seems his personal favourites now include elbowing team mates, full blooded hip and shoulders and his latest one includes throwing the ball for six after a cameo caught and bowled!

Travisssssss Orr was bought in to the attack and was talking up his chances on this bouncier deck and promised wickets to all that would listen. Orr’s biggest hurdle in taking these wickets was actually delivering the ball. Similar to scenes in last years Semi-Final when his contemporary Rob Ashton broke down and succumbed to old age, Orr’s body was unable to handle the rigours of Club XI Cricket and he twice broke down during his opening over! The much younger and able bodied Daniel Wolfe was introduced from the other end and continued his impressive year with the ball, keeping it very tight and taking a deserved wicket in the end.

Hugh Thomas got in on the action, looking graceful as ever as he picked up a quick wicket to continue the carnage being seeing out on the Roach Oval. James Simon’s persistent demanding for a bowl paid off when he was thrown the ball. Plugger looked dangerous with every ball he threw down and none more so than the delivery he speared at Scott Haine’s head who was fielding at first slip at the time. Plugger eventually had the batsmen so confused that he was able to slip one through their gate to pick up a wicket of his own.

Comeback kid Evan “the snake’ Hunter impressed in his first game, bowling a solid line and length and looking sharp as a tack in the field. Hunter snaffled one of the catches of the season with a one handed blinder at point and then collected two wickets of his own to round out a great return!

The spin king’s alter ego Dave Chalmers was given the ball and told to do what Dave does best, and that’s clean up tails…… First ball, first wicket. Third ball, second wicket. ‘INNINGS OVER!’ Xavier were bowled out for a poultry 54 off 26 over’s and did little to help themselves by not offering any lunch between innings!

After the lunch less break, Hugh “tops off” Thomas and James Simon were sent out with the pitiful task of chasing down this modest total. Things started well enough with the boys motoring along to 20 before Plugger was bowled for 7.

Orr was next to the crease and never really looked troubled in what was described by spectators as ‘possibly the most boring run chase they have ever experienced’. Thomas and Orr belted the hopeless attack all over the park and reached the total in 9 over’s, freeing up many of the boys afternoons and depriving Hugh Thomas of that after tanning session he was hoping for…. Hugh was last seen checking in for a make up session at BodyBronze late Sunday afternoon.

All in all a comprehensive smashing of the bottom place Xaverian’s and hopefully another stepping stone in the 1^st XI’s assault on top spot!

Old Scotch 1/55 (9 overs) def. Old Xavier 2^nd XI 54

The Bridge Hotel Player of the Match & $25 Voucher;

Hugh Thomas

2^nd XI Match Report

The undefeated Old Scotch 2^nd XI wandered down to Bulleen (notable for hosting John Crozier-Durham’s 4^th consecutive duck last year) on Saturday with their next victim, Old Trinity securely in their sights. After being taught a cricketing lesson last year, the Old Scotch 2^nd XI were determined to keep their unbeaten winning streak alive. With the exam and racing season causing havoc with selection, the team included 3 new faces, most notably Ed ‘the enigma’ Oliver. Having jumped ship from the struggling 1^st XI, Rob Ashton appointed himself skipper for the day and elected to have a bowl.

Last years MCC Bowling Champion Ben Doherty opened from the Fish Creek End searching for that elusive first wicket of this year’s season. Rob Ashton was obviously having one of his ‘good days’ that elude him so much in his old age, so he decided he would also open from the other end. Together, they started well; stalling the opener’s wayward slashing attempts. The first breakthrough came to Doherty with a straight-forward caught behind gloved confidently by the lippy Oliver. Ashton then picked up one and the cunning linguist Doherty another and the home side were reeling at 3/22.

Ashton removed himself from the attack citing arthritis, and in stepped Pat ‘the Struggler’ Butler. The OSCC website administrator launched into a fervent attack on the Trinity middle order, sensing a wounded animal and subsequently going for the jugular. It must be made mention that the Trinitarians overuse of the half played pull shot to square leg saw the combination of ‘caught Griffith, bowled Butler’ jotted down 3 times in the scorebook . Doherty took his third wicket at the other end, before being replaced by Nich Hildebrandt who went about his business, bowling a tidy 5 over spell for no wicket.

As a rule of thumb for the 2^nd XI (ask John Crozier-Durham for a full explanation of the origins of the Rule of Thumb), if there are less than 5 dropped catches we win the match. However, this game was the exception with no less than 7 legitimate attempts being turfed. It didn’t seem to matter too much as the confident Scotch outifit closed in on the Trinity tail.

After drinks, Marky Mark Griffith replaced the workhorse Hildebrandt and his tidy line and length immediately frustrated the big hitting Trinity captain who was struggling to find his touch. Pat Butler finished up his successful spell at the other end with impressive figures of 5/21 off 8.

Hamish Taylor had been having nightmares since last years game against Trinity where he conceded a club high 28 runs before having the culprit caught on the fence. Unfortunately for Hank, the culprit (Trinity captain, Rusty) was still on the loose and eager for their next encounter. 2 balls in and 12 runs conceded, Hame abandoned his plan of digging it in short on leg stump and with a better line and length was able to stop the haemorrhaging. Two over’s later, Hame had his man, cutting one back to take out middle stump and end the Trinity innings at 103. Hame was heard remarking as he left the field that after two consecutive dismissals, Rusty was now his ‘bitch’.

A lovely spread was put on for lunch consisting of sandwiches, chocolate biscuits, fruit and the best mixed cordial the team had encountered all year. Chasing 103, Scott Haines and Sam Cruickshanks entered the fray first for the Scotchies, confident brimming after good early season form. However it seems form counts for nothing and disaster struck on the very first ball. Confusion reigned as ‘Lamb’ Cruickshanks was caught stranded first ball after a confusing ‘YES, NO, MAYBE’ from his partner Haines. Haines was duly dealt his dose of karma in the 3^rd over when in his stumps went flailing after a beguiling delivery by the Old Trinity opener.

Rob Ashton and first-gamer Ed Oliver looked comfortable after the early departures of their younger counterparts and took to the Trinity bowlers with some textbook cricket strokes. Ashton particularly fancied the spinners playing his trademark pull, whilst Oliver was on the front foot driving boldly. At 2/40 Ashton met his maker, popping one up to square leg for any easy catch.

In an unfamiliar situation, Mark ‘the game-breaker’ Griffith was able to build an innings for the first time in many games. The adoring fans in the stands queried whether Mark had a 6 in him and his response was a resounding ‘Yes’, posting the Trinity spinner over midwicket to rapturous applause. There shouldn’t have been a question really, as the Griffsters bat was one he carved himself from a mystery tree in his backyard, and then had blessed by the legendary Doug Walters.

At the other end, Oliver was hungry and wanted more, keeping the runs flowing in pursuit of his half century. Unfortunately it eluded him with the target mark of 103 reached leaving him stuck on 46 and Griffith on 27. Another day, another win for the 2nds and they remain undefeated and firmly planted on top of the MCC Club XVIII ladder.

Leave the start of February open in the diary ladies and gentlemen, because the 2nds are finals bound!

Old Scotch 2^nd XI 3/106 def. Old Trinity 103

The Bridge Hotel Player of the Match & $25 Voucher:

Ed Oliver