Round 14 Match Reports

It was a big weekend of cricket against Melbourne University with action a plenty.

1^st XI MUCC 8-385 drew ECC 9-356

It was a high scoring thriller at Windy Hill. Bowling first on Saturday in what proved to be great batting conditions it was Noman Safdar who got the ball rolling getting the first breakthrough. From there the Students got to work compiling a very competitive 8-385 dec. It must be said though the Bombers bowlers toiled all day didn’t give an inch, leg spinner Ikroop Dhanoa 2/52 was the pick with honorable mentions to Safdar (1/49), Noah Guida (1/52) and Skipper Liam Molly (1/34).

Liam Molloy sends one down

The Students declaration gave the Bombers opening pair of Trembearth and Shah a nasty 6 over stint before stump however the pair were resolute and reached stumps unscathed at 0/13.

Requiring a further 373 for victory on Sunday The Bombers batsmen gave as good as they got and in what was a great day of cricket at Windy Hill were in the game right up until the final 10 minutes of play. The run chase was led by skipper Liam Molloy who batted brilliantly for 78 from 138 balls to anchor the innings. He was ably assisted by a magnificent  82* from wicketkeeper Connor Poulton and then a fast paced 52 from Arshit Rajput. The pair combined for a brilliant 103 run 6^th wicket stand to have The Bombers closing in on victory at 6/318. The dismissal of Rajput though and then the loss of Guida and McGuane The Bombers were under pressure at 9/320. The focus then changed to securing the draw and last pair of Noman Safdar and Poulton hung on to secure a valuable point, the draw a fitting result after two evenly fought days of cricket.

The draw sees the 1sts sit 16^th on the ladder ahead of a big game against Northcote next week.

2^nd XI ECC 135 & 5/159 def by MUCC 224

It was a disappointing weekend for the 2^nd XI going down to MUCC at University Main Oval. Sent in to bat the 2nds were bowled out for 135. Wicketkeeper and Cold Chisel enthusiast Ethan Brne the only man to show any resistance with a gritty and well compiled 42.

With ball in hand the bowlers fought hard and kept the Students under pressure for the duration of the day. Lachie Busk 2/45 and Nav Rai 2/31 were lion hearted whilst Arin Mishra showed his class with a fast and fiery spell of 1/19. It was spinner Krit Darji who was the pick of the bowlers though mopping up the tail with 4/39 in what was a classy display of spin bowling. The Students ultimately dismissed for 224.

Lachie Busk in Action

Batting a second time the Bombers reached 5/159 with Paul Wasiewicz 54* and Brne again impressing remaining unbeaten on 38* at stumps.

The loss sees the 2nds drop to 13^th on the ladder.

3^rd XI MUCC 5/220 def ECC 118

Bowling first in a One Day Game at Cross Keys the 3rds bowled well to restrict The Students 5/220 from their allotted 45 overs. Returning from U/17 State duties Luay Miraz was the pick of the bowlers with 2/37. Spinner Aaron Cornish also impressed with 2/35.

Set 221 for victory the 3rds collased to be all out for 118 in what was a disappointing run chase. Vihanga Fernando impressed with 40 whilst Sean Phillips Williams (21) and Para Singh (23) the only other contributions of note.

The loss sees the 3rds fall to 9^th on the ladder.

4^th XI MUCC 142 def by ECC 6/145

The young 4^th XI recorded their 4^th win of the season in a commanding performance at Princes Park. Bowling first it was young gun Muhammad Abdul Wasay who did the damage early collecting 3/31 in a impressive display. Stand in skipper Prageeth Edirisinghe also impressed with 3/21.

Set 143 for victory the Bombers batsmen reeled in the target with ease breezing to victory in the 35^th over. Diliwar Ali (54) was the pick of the batsmen whilst young gun Sandula Edirisinghe (21) continued his impressive start to his Premier Cricket Career.

The win sees the 4ths climb to 13^th on the ladder.

The Bombers now look ahead to more red ball cricket with a two day fixture against Northcote starting on Saturday. The 1^st XI will be away at Bill Lawry Oval while the 2^nd XI will be at home at Windy Hill.