Please find update below from Sam (captain of our turf team).
We arrived at Melbourne University to a fast out field and a reasonably flat wicket.
Losing the toss, Uni put us into bat with Max James (59) and Manny Singh (2) opening – Manny departed in the 4th over, we were 1/9.
Arriving at no.3 Marcus Lavender (100 no) with James started to build the innings with few risks and brisk singles scoring at 4 an over to take the total to 1/80 at the drinks break. Looking to lift the scoring rate, James was bowled for a well batted 59 soon after – 2/91. Mikal Guytesky (40 no) arrived and with Lavender put on 112 for the 3rd wicket with a brilliant display of hitting and running by the pair. Two overs to go, Lavender needed 8 for a century and Guytesky was done, sensing the potential for Lavender to be robbed of a century, a cry came out ‘you need 8 more’. Guytesky responded with a few quick singles and a minor spew to ensure Lavender had the strike and made a well-deserved century – 2/203 after 40 overs.
Tea was a mixture of chicken and veggie sandwiches and went down a treat – cordial could have better stronger. Lavender spent it in the shower with Guytesky.
Niblett bowled well but unlucky (0/42 off 8) and Lepp (2/29 of 6.3) opened the bowling with Lepp striking in the 5th over, 1/19. A 59 run partnership followed with the dangerous Uni captain Nauman at the crease before James (4/43 off 8) came on to claim a wicket 2/78 in the 13th over and then Baden Park (1/26 off 3) took a brilliant caught and bowled the following over to remove Nauman – 3/80 in the 14th over. Uni steadied and moved to 3/118 at drinks – with Tommy Fraser (0/7 off 1) and Dimopoulos (0/20 off 4) bowling a few overs to give Lavender a rest.
After drinks Lavender (1/27 off 8) came on and got the breakthrough in his first over – 4/124 requiring 80 off 114 delivers it was game on with 6 wickets in hand. A 56 run partnership over 14 overs came next as Lavender and Niblett slowed Uni down before James claimed the vital 5th wicket in the 35th over – 5/181 Lepp followed up the following over and it was 6/184 after 36 overs. 20 runs required off 24 deliveries, James claimed a further 2 wickets 8/192 by the 38th over – 2 wickets in hand, 12 to win off 12 balls. A 4 in the 39th over and a few singles, saw 3 to win of the last required which they got with 3 balls to spare.
A great game against last year’s premiers – we are a genuine contender. We play Caulfield at home this week (Donald McDonald Oval, Beaumaris).
Darren Fennell
Mackie CC Secretary