A Grade
In the top of the table clash, the Island fell agonisingly short in their T20 clash against Leongatha Town played at Cowes last Saturday.
The Island lost the toss and were sent into bat with the in-form Lachie Cleeland joined at the crease by Greg Selby who was making a welcome return to the side after taking a couple of weeks off with the arrival of baby Zoe.
In the blink of an eye both openers were on their way and the Sharks were on the back foot at 2-8 off 4 overs.
Shiran Rathnayake (58) was joined by the little master Eli Richards (33) and together they went about resurrecting the Island’s innings.
The pair batted beautifully, hitting the boundaries, with the running between the wickets a real feature.
In the pursuit of quick runs, the Island lost a steady stream of wickets and at the end of the 20 overs, the Island posted a competitive 6-121.
With the Town batting line-up full of stars, the Sharks knew they would have to bowl and field well to secure the 12 points.
The Island were up against it from the start with strike bowler Simon Kirton nursing a hamstring injury picked up while batting.
To the home sides credit, they toiled hard with the ball but just couldn’t secure the prize wicket of the Town’s opener who carried his bat and saw his side over the line with one over to play.
Skipper Max Royal (2-17) was the pick of the bowlers, and was well supported by Zac Brown (1-22), Clint Wilson (1-29) and Charith Keerthisinge (0-21).
The Island sit third on the ladder with a few weeks off to recharge the batteries before kicking off again on January 16.
Final scores: PI 6-121 def by Leongatha Town 5-122
B Grade
In B grade we travelled out to Korumburra where we lost the toss, and were sent into bat on what looked to be a nice turf batting track.
Finno and Macca (back in B grade where the old Boy belongs) opened the batting and got off to a nice start when Finno got an unplayable delivery that cut two foot and clean bowled him. That’s how Finno tells the story anyway, unfortunately out for 1.
Then entered our new Sri Lankan sensation TV who was looking solid. Macca went for 25 and Shawcross was plumb LBW for one (maybe a bit unlucky).
TV and Womersley worked the ball around nicely but they got out for 12 and 15.
At this stage, we were five for 65 off 14 overs.
Kev Taylor was at the crease and had a few sitters and was looking solid. He was joined by Beaumont who was told to turn the strike over and bat out the 20 overs to which he did very well and finished on 11 Not Out.
Kev Taylor was instructed to have a smack and he did smashing a quick fire 38, which was a great effort.
Taylor and Beaumont put on 47 runs off the last six overs to give us a competitive score of 5/112.
Before heading out to field we spoke about how they let us turn ones into two’s and we can’t afford to let them do that, so we have to be on our toes and working hard and that’s what we did.
Tom Niven opened the bowling with a three over stint and bowled very well and having 1 for 9 off 3 but was a little unlucky not to get another one he finished the day with 1/18 off his 4 overs.
TV bowled four overs straight and they couldn’t hit it off the square and got 1/8 with a great catch from Finno with the gloves.
With tight bowling from the openers Josh Excell came on first change, and let’s just say wasn’t warmed up and bowled a few lose ones but managed to get a wicket with a short ball which was a lucky wicket.
This came at a good time for the young fella who might have got a fair dish of constructive criticism from a couple of old boys that wanted more out of him.
All credit from here on goes to Josh because he copped the kick in the backside and bowled a great spell. He had five loose deliveries in the first over and then not one for the rest of his spell which was great to see the young man has an attitude like that.
He didn’t drop the bottom lip; he lifted and delivered, finishing with 2 for 10 off four overs. Great to see.
Big Man pushed up the Hill because he loves doing the hard work up hill and bowled a great spell of 2/9 off 4 and bowled a great line and length.
Dayson bowled 4 overs 1/25, his first over went for 10 but then bowled a much better line and length.
Korumburra finished their 20 overs at 7 for 76.
Kev Taylor took the three votes for the day with his 38 and 3 great catches in the field.
Well done to the B grade side who has finished the year off with back-to-back wins. Let’s use these three weeks off to get a few boys back from injury and let’s hope the winning form continues.
Merry Christmas to all and a safe and happy new year
C1 Report
The Sharks took on Wonthaggi Workmen in a 20/20 at Newhaven.
The Workmen won the toss and sent the Sharks in to bat.
O’Brien and Epifano opened up taking their time to get in, Epifano batting like he was at Adelaide in the test match to some tight bowling.
O’Brien started to pick up the scoring dragging Epifano along before Epifano was out for 15.
Hornsby joined O’Brien at the crease scoring at rapid pace before being caught behind to leave the sharks 2/64.
Odgers was in next turning the strike over to O’Brien who was smashing four at will but was soon out for a well-made 42.
Parsons joined Odgers rotating the strike looking for quick runs to build a defendable score with not many overs left. Parsons and Odgers fell within a short space to have the sharks 5/98, Prashant and Young finished the innings off, the Sharks making 5/108 of their 20 Overs.
It was the Sharks turn to take to the field looking for early wickets with some tight bowling.
Young and Parsons opened up with Parsons getting a wicket second over to have Workmen 1/3 off two overs.
Next over Young grabbed one to have them 2/6. Next over Parsons had two more wickets to have the Workmen 4/6.
Tim Niven was on next bowling in tandem with Prashant.
Prashant was bowling quickly with the wind behind him getting a couple of edges to Hornsby at first slip which he didn’t get a hand on, hitting him in the knee cap.
A couple of our other young kids came on to bowl with Womersley picking up a wicket caught Walker (who took three catches) and Max Arceo.
Arceo took his first senior wicket for the Sharks and ended up with 4/10 off three overs, to have the Workmen end up 9/47 off their 20 overs.
It’s been a great start to the year for C1 with a lot of young kids playing and getting experience with a mix of older players.
C2 Cricket
Phillip Islands C2 cricketers travelled to the picturesque ground at Koonwarra to take on Koony’s best.
The captaincy was temporary handed over to Peter Francis to see how he handled the pressure.
He started well by winning the toss and elected to bowl.
A master stroke by throwing the new ball to 13-year-old George McCausland who accepted the challenge and with his first ball at senior level, took out the off stump.
What a way to start his senior career!
Not to be out done Steve Burchill chimed in with the second wicket in his first over. 2-0.
The batsman dug in and as the overs went by, we started to get a bit sloppy in the field, missing some catches and run out opportunities.
Consequently, this allowed the Koonwarra bats amass a total of 3-137 off their 20 overs.
A good fight back by them and the Island bats with the job ahead.
Kenter and Mick Cleary opened, and Dave’s intent was obvious with an opening stand of 35 with Kenter out on 32.
The out of form batsman Manning went to the crease determined to make amends from earlier and uncharacteristic mishaps whilst fielding.
These two put on 50 run partnership with Mick out for 25.
The president and very proud father, Dan McCausland strode to the crease and straight away started to push the ball into gaps and rotated the strike with the ”Joe Burns” of C2, Mr Manning. Again another 50-run partnership this time Manning out but back in form 46.
Guest appearance by Max Francis, son of Peter didn’t last long as he was bowled by a 10-year-old.
“Good bowler” said Max, keep an eye on him, he’s going places!
We passed the score with two overs to spare with Danno 25.
A good game and well-done boys.
Merry Xmas to all, a safe New Year and see you back in January.
Go Sharks.
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