Round 15 Wrap Up: 1s go down, 2s win a thriller and tough days for the 3s and 4s.

 It was a mixed bag for the Bombers in Round 15 however there were good signs across the grades.

1ST XI

ECC 172 DEFEATED BY FITZROY DONCASTER CC 8-209

Hosting Fitzroy at Windy Hill, Essendon won the toss and sent the Lions in on a green wicket. Looking to make early inroads, leg spinner Jarrod Parsons (2/48 off 10) claimed the Bombers first of the day. A disciplined bowling display from the home side with contributions from Captain Liam Molloy, and left arm opener Nick McGuane (Both 2/41 off 10) held the Lions to just 209 after 50 overs. 

With slight overhead conditions, the stage was set for a tough second innings chase. After losing two early wickets to Victorian speedster Sam Elliot, it was 20-year-old Vihanga Fernando who starred for the bombers. In only his sixth first XI game, Fernando was the highest scorer for both teams on the day. His resilient 70 off 116 included four fours and one maximum against a strong Lions attack. Despite his fighting innings, it wasn’t enough to get the Bombers over the line. The 1sts eventually bowled for 172.

Although falling short of the required total, the firsts head into the Christmas break withplenty of promising signs.

2ND XI

ECC 169 DEF FITZROY DONCASTER CC 160

Coming off two tough losses and needing to bounce back, skipper Liam Tobin won the toss and elected to bat first. Proving to be a slow and tricky wicket, the Bombers found themselves two down early. With both Essendon openers out, it was time for a solid partnership. In form veteran Sean Phillips-Williams (47 off 68) and young gun Prasanna Ketheeshwaran (25 off 54) put together a crucial 74 run stance, to get the 2nds to a defendable score of 169. 

Needing early wickets, Navdeep Rai obliged claiming the first for the Bombers in his second over. The evergreen Rai now has 16 wickets at 19.81 for the season. Reading the conditions, the Captain turned to spin early with Jacob Pawlowicz the hero keeping the bombers in the game with an impressive 4/26 off 10. He was abley assisted by his spin twins Jackson Martin (1-26 from 10) who continued his impressive start to his premier cricket career and Prassana Ketheeshwaran (1-28).

With Fitzroy 7/95 after 30, Essendon seemed to be in control. However, and eighth wicket stance of 59 put the Lions right back in contention. With the game in the balance it was big quick Agam Sandhu who ripped through taking the edge of key batsmen Mcllveen with a smart catch behind the stumps by Ethan Brne to wrest the momentum back to the Bombers.

Jacob Pawlowicz (left) (4/26) and Sean Phillips Williams (47 runs) (right) were the keys for the 2s.

The match coming down to the wire, the home side needed only 10 off the last three overs with one wicket left in the shed. Despite Archit Bhatia claiming it was his “bail rearranging”, it was a direct hit run out from gun fielder Kethesheewaran to snatch the 10th and final wicket for victory. Fitzroy Doncaster all out for 160, granting the seconds a stunning win.

It was all smiles for 2nds in the rooms after play

3RD XI

ECC 84 DEF BY FITZROY DONCASTER CC 8-222

Batting first at Cross Keys Reserve, the away side came out strong with a solid 67 run opening partnership. Krit Darji lead the attack with the ball, snaring the first two wickets of the day for the home side. Supported by Brad Porter who lead the wickets in the first innings (jagging a crafty 3/49 off his 8) they restricted Fitzroy to 222 after their 45. 

Set up for a tricky chase and losing early wickets, the Bombers had their backs against the wall from the get go. With runs only coming from 15-year-old Vanshjot Sandhu (18 off 21) the Lions proved too good. The thirds all out for 84.

4TH XI

ECC 104 DEF BY FITZROY DONCASTER CC 5-279

Winning the toss and batting first on Schramms Reserve number two, the home side posted a strong total of 279. Only taking five wickets in a tough innings for the Bombers, CaptainKrishna Chandak claimed 2/59 off his 9.

A solid first few overs from opener Stefan James (17 off 19) gave the Bombers the start they needed. Dismissed shortly after and in desperate need of some individual brilliance, Jordan Linehan (27 off 51) showed some fight through the middle order, however Fitzroy’s score proving to be too great. The fourths falling flat all out for 104.

The bombers will now break up for the Christmas Break. Cricket returns January 11 with the 1s away against Richmond CC at Col Wrigglesworth Oval (Bundalaguah Cricket Club, (Sale) and the 2s at Windy Hill.