by Mic Rees
Five of the nine clashes in last weekends Premier Cricket action ended in stalemates. There were centuries aplenty, nine in total, on a weekend when poor weather played a hand in determining a number of contests.
I’ll start with an apology. In my Friday (9/12) preview I suggested clubs would have their state representatives available for selection. Unfortunately players involved in the upcoming Twenty/Twenty competition were unable to turn out for their respective PC clubs as they were “required to attend Cricket Australia educational sessions, as well as various promotional activities across the weekend”*
I was reminded at the weekend that the Argus report advocated whenever possible Test players be encouraged to return to their respective states to play Shield cricket and Shield players return to club cricket whenever possible. Only one player who represented Victoria in the previous weekends Sheffield Shield clash with Queensland, Prahran’s Chris Rogers, took part in Round 9 of Premier Cricket. Did someone say “Back to basics”?
Moving on to the games themselves, and in a thrilling finish to the match at the Geelong Cricket Ground, the home side managed to snatch a remarkable victory when all seemed lost early Sunday afternoon. The Cats won the toss and sent Ringwood in dismissing the Rams for a paltry 158, Gavin Kellar (49no) the only batsman to make an impression. Geelong collapsed late on Saturday, losing 5/17 to finish the first day at 7/44. When Jeremy Hart was dismissed on Sunday afternoon the Cats were teetering on the brink at 9/105, still 54 runs short of victory. After he grabbed 4 wickets the previous afternoon, Marc Carson joined Andre Borovec at the wicket, and the locals would’ve been forgiven in thinking the end was nigh. Carson’s efforts with the bat in season 2011/12 read 0, 4, 2, 0, and 0. Against all odds the pair managed to carry Geelong to a miraculous victory with an unconquered 55 run last wicket partnership, eventually declaring at 9/160 with keeper Borovec (73no) and Carson (32no) the later lifting his season average with the bat from 1.20 to 7.60. Ringwood were best served by Michael Topp (4/52). At stumps the Rams were 4/182 in their second innings.
After failing to grab a solitary point in their previous two outings, ladder leaders Carlton got back on the winners list with an easy victory over Essendon at Windy Hill. Batting first, the Bombers totalled 194 with the consistent Ben McRae (51) notching his fourth half century of 11/12. Tom Smyth (4/52- 16 overs) took the bowling honours for the Navy Blues. Jake Hancock (150no) helped himself to his second century in a week. Nathan Pilon (66) provided great support for Hancock, the pair adding 130 for the third wicket to steer their side past the required total. Lou Cameron (3/82) was the best for the home side with the ball.
Footscray Edgewater (9/323 dec) and Fitzroy Doncaster (8/318) were involved in an interesting draw at the Hughes Oval. Whilst neither side managed to get over the line, all four different results were a possibility with one over remaining. 19 year old Dylan Kight (146no) scored his second ton of the season to lead all Dogs scorers, his 171 run 4th wicket partnership with Ben Green (75) setting up the home sides third 300+ plus score in as many matches. Jon Fagg (5/50) was the best for the visitors taking his second “five for” in as many games. A 147 partnership from Scott Huntley (87) and Dale Tormey (84) for the third wicket gave the Lions a sniff of victory, but when time ran out neither side had managed to grab the six points in a high quality contest.
Jolyon Leaver (84), his highest First XI score in senior Premier Cricket and Clive Rose (62) got amongst the runs for Casey South Melbourne. The Swans batted on into Sunday morning before declaring at 7/306 against Camberwell at Casey Field. James Crosthwaite (126), his maiden Premier Cricket century, and Tom Rickarby (47) added 137 for the third wicket before both were dismissed with the score on 212. The rot set in with the visitors losing 8/73 to fall 21 runs short, all out for 285. Rose was the destroyer his figures 35.5 overs, 14 maidens, 6 for 88 and is enjoying a superb season scoring 210 runs (ave30) and taking 23 wickets thus far. On current form the 22 year old veteran of 7 Premier Cricket campaigns must be considered a chance to take out this seasons Ryder Medal.
Richmond made 309 against Dandenong at Central Reserve, a total due mainly to the efforts of Tom Murray (87) and Daniel Sartori (77). James Nanopoulos (3/41) returned his best bowling analysis for 11/12. The heavy scoring Dandenong side were never in the hunt, staggering to 6/54 at one stage. Despite the fine work of Matt Shimmell (3/37) and Allan Wise (3/43) the Panthers tail held out long enough to deny the Tigers the first inning points and finished on 8/162. Michael Sweeney (58 no) was the best for the Panthers on an afternoon they’d prefer to forget.
Skipper Andrew Kent’s second ton in seven days was the highlight of Melbourne’s seven wicket victory at Melbourne University. Kent (118no) and Rob Cooper (92) combined for an opening stand of 180 against the students, the visitors cruising to a seven wicket victory finishing on 3/259 in response to Uni’s 256 all out. Jarrod Leggett (104) scored the third ton of his First XI career on Saturday, Nick Quinn (5/44) the best for the MCC.
A club record 297 for the 2nd wicket between Western Australian recruit Marcus Stoinis (168) & Steve Taylor (137) lifted Northcote to a total of 4/366 declared against Hawthorn Monash University at Bill Lawry Oval on Saturday. Stoinis joined the ‘Cotes this season after spending the previous five seasons in Perth with the Scarborough club. When Hawthorn lost their ninth wicket at 233 more than an hour remained in the days play and it appeared the cellar dwelling Hawks were headed for another defeat. David Alleyne (102 no) was joined by Tom Collett (5 no) and the pair managed to deny the Dragons a third success for the season by stoically negotiating the last 69 minutes to finish the afternoon at 9/314. Ben McNeice (3/41) was the best for the Dragons.
At the AH Butler Oval in Frankston, the home side restricted St Kilda to 175 all out. Skipper Graeme Rummans (87) was superb in an otherwise ordinary batting display from the Saints, Scott Boland (4/42 – 22 overs) the best for Frankston. The Heat started their chase disastrously losing 4/4, and suddenly the Saints total looked insurmountable. Despite the best efforts of Mark Cleary (4/12) and Daniel Mueller (3/19) St Kilda fell just short of victory, the hosts No 10 & 11 batsmen Groves & McCormick holding on for a draw, Frankston 9/153 at the end. Weather played a major role in determining the result of this match with around two hours play in total lost over both days.
Prahran’s Chris Rogers (146) scored his first Premier Cricket century since moving east four seasons ago. The former Australian opener combined with Neil Schlittler (62) the pair adding a club record 212 for the 4th wicket, the Two Blues declaring at 8/356 against North Melbourne at the Junction Oval. Their efforts were futile as overnight rain delayed the start of play until 4pm on Sunday afternoon. North Melbourne were 5/148 in reply when stumps were drawn, Matt Love (60no) the star for the Roos. Steve Seymour (3/57) was best for the Two Blues taking his tally to 21 wickets for the season.
With one round remaining before the Christmas break Carlton (40 points) lead the table, Melbourne (32) are in second position, Richmond & Frankston (26) share third spot.
* – Premier Cricket website Round 9 – 9/12/2011
Thanks for the report Mic. With the papers paying scant regard to Premier Cricket these days, it’s great to have you to keep us in the loop.
I don’t think it’s you should be apologising. It’s the nong at Cricket Australia who decided it would be best to have these players spend their day at an “educational/promotional” session instead of doing what I bet they would have preferred to be doing.
The decision smacks of one made by a person who wears a tie and a white shirt from Monday to Friday but has never worn a white shirt and trousers on a weekend.
Mic, a lot of talk about ‘back to basics’, but so far talk is all it has amounted to.
To continue my Federal League reminiscences, Scott Boland (now a state player) was part of a veritable family dynasty of Bolands, originally for the Parkdale club, later of Kingston Saints (ex St John-Vianney).
If you swing a reasonable sized cat anywhere down Parkdale way you’ll likely hit a Boland.
Young Scott has migrated further south in his cricketing journey.
PS: thanks for giving James a mention. Contrary to expectations, his bowling seems to be exceeding his batting at present.
Gigs – Many thanks. The PC website has a terrific review. In fact I’m a tad concerned I could get busted by Jon Holmes for lifting info from their report. For the record, I didn’t.
Lloyd Mash was unavailable for FD last weekend due to his commitments as an assistant coach with one of the T20 side (Renegades). I believe he’ll miss the next two PC rounds. Probably cost him a chance at 1000 runs in a season, a feat I believe has been achieved on only 10 occassions.
Disturbing.
John – A few footballing Bolands from that way. Same (extended) family ?
Nanopoulos has been a fine servant of Dandy, the type of player that keeps the club in the top half of the table when Siddle and the Pattinsons are on state/national duty.
MCR
Mic, one and the same.
Play any sport in the area and you’ll probably be playing with/against one of them (at least that’s what it often felt like).
But are there any Bolands named Roland?
Great stuff, Mic. I am really enjoying these weekly reports.
Looks like Footscray have unearthed a good ‘Uni in D Kight.
Special shout out also to young Jake Hancock, who hails from
My neck of the woods. (I played footy with his dad!)
The state players love nothing better than coming back to their district clubs and participating in Premier cricket. They would be extremely disappointed not to be able to do so. Most state players are on contracts, and as such are professionals. Could not these sessions have been held on a weekday?
Absolutely ridiculous. Forest for the trees, and all that!
Many thanks Smokie.
Kight looks terrific. With Wade & Carters in front of him he may (in a few years) be tempted to look interstate.
Blues have had links with the West in recent years, Jake Hancock from Willy, Gulbis was living out at Yarraville – stretching the recruiting net a bit further hasn’t hurt.
Whilst I enjoy seeing the state blokes return to club cricket, I’m not upset that the MCC won’t have McDonald, Hodge and Hill available this weekend.
MCR