Round 1 Match Reports

1ST XI

ESSENDON 9-262 DEF BY MELBOURNE 1-266

Taking on the Demons at Albert Park, it was a solid start with the bat after winning the toss for the first XI. Gun left-hander Josh Trembearth set the tone early with a blistering 72 off 99. Captain Liam Molloy (27 off 33) also looked busy early, while youngster Emerson White hit a well-made 60 off 57 in his return from a stint in the UK.

After setting Melbourne a total of 262, it was a tough day in the field on a good batting wicket. Leg spinner Jarrod Parsons took the sole wicket for the game. The home side proving too good chasing the target in the 39th over.

Emerson White hit a well made 60

2ND XI

ESSENDON 5-237 DEF MELBOURNE 5-236

Venturing down to Beaumaris, the home side one the toss and elected to bat on what looked like a flat wicket. The ever-reliable seamer Navdeep Rai (1/38 off 10) was the first to strike, grabbing an edge in his second over with a good catch taken at first slip by captain Tobin. Following the early wicket, Melbourne knuckled down putting together a strong 183 run partnership. It was speedster Noman Safdar who got the crucial breakthrough, he was the pick of the bowlers finishing with 3/36 off his 10 overs. The Bombers doing well to restrict the Demons to just 5-236 at the end of their innings.

Looking to get the boys off to flyer, opener Nicholas Markovski was wasting no time – he made a bullish 62 off 64 before departing. The talented 16-year-old Simrth Gill made an exciting 37 off 48 and after his exit, Essendon were in need of a steadying partnership. Enter Noah Panaia (33* off 37) and Arshit Rajput (53* off 43). The duo put on a clinic. With a 92-run partnership, they both finished the innings not out pushing the seconds over the line in what was a seamless batting display. The seconds proving too strong and registering a great round 1 win.

Nick Markovski (pictured last season) got the 2nd XI off to flying start

3RD XI

ESSENDON 119 DEF BY MELBOURNE 5-120

Sent in to bat at Beaumaris, it was a less-than-ideal start with the bat for the Bombers. Despite losing wickets in clumps, Arin Mishra (23 off 28) and Krit Darji (29 off 60) showed some fight through the middle overs to post a defendable total of 119.

With early work to do, young quick Luay Miraz (1/24 off 4) took the first with an outside edge taken by the keeper. Needing to create their own luck, wily fielder Jacob Pawlowicz seized an opportunity for a run out at point – and in the very same over, Henry Robertson (1/20 off 5) grabbed his first pole of the season with a diving catch from Sean Phillips-Williams. After bowling a few tight overs at the death, Pawlowicz (1/21 off 3.5) and Jaspar Wilson-Keir (1/12 off 3) were able to pinch late wickets. However, little too late. The Demons prevailing only five wickets down.

Speedster Luay Miraz in action last season

4TH XI

ESSENDON 167 DEF BY MELBOURNE 5-304

With Melbourne winning the toss and batting at Cross Keys, it was a tough start for the Bombers. On debut, 15-year-old Muhammad Abdul Wasay (2/46 off 6) picked up the first wicket. Unfortunately, these were few and far between. Off spinner Aaron Cornish (1/39 off 9) was tidy in the face of adversity, so too captain Stephen Buhagiar (1/54 off 9), while George Martindale (1/33 off 6) also showed grit.

George Martindale in action

With the bat, under 18 player Viraaj Aulakh also on debut hit a well-made 30 off 43, alongside Martindale who top scored with 34 off 43. Being the only two scores, it wasn’t enough to get the fourths over the line. Essendon falling short all out for 167.

The Bombers return to red ball cricket this weekend with a two day fixture against fellow north west rivals Greenvale. The 1st XI will be away at Greenvale.