Round 17: Day One Report

The Bombers put in a good show against Fitzroy-Doncaster on Saturday with all 4 XIs in strong positions at stumps on Day One.

1st XI: ECC 221 LEAD FDCC 2-30 by 191 runs

Losing the toss and batting first at Schramms Reserve the 1st XI were under early pressure 5/49 after some good bowling from the Lions in the first session. The Bombers needed a partnership and it came in the pair of Connor Poultan (65) and Arshit Rajput (26) who put on 50 for the 5th wicket and then another brilliant partnership between Poultan and Ikroop Dhanoa (75*) who combined for a 90 run 6th wicket partnership. Under immense pressure the pair batted the Bombers back into the game and at 6/195 it seemed the Bombers may have been edging ahead. However luck went against Poultan unluckily caught down the leg side and after his dismissal the tail was wrapped up quickly and The Bombers dismissed for 221.

Nick McGuane in Action

With 14 overs until the scheduled close of play the opening bowling pair of McGuane and Safder were brilliant and wrestled the momentum back into the Bombers favour. Safder claiming two wickets with his old mate McGuane at the other end constantly beating the outside edge. The Lions finished 2/30 at stumps and an exciting day of cricket awaits next weekend.

2ND XI: ECC 5/256

After a tough loss last week the 2nd XI returned to Windy Hill for the final game of the season. Winning the toss and batting the 2nds were under early pressure with the loss of Salvado, Fernando and Wasiewicz to sit 3/51 just before lunch. In need of a partnership Simrth Gill returning after his brilliant century in the 3rd XI the week prior combined with skipper Tobin to put on 67 for the 3rd wicket. Gill hitting a powerful 41 from 64 deliveries including 2 fours and 5 whopping sixes. With Gill's dismissal the Bombers were again under pressure at 4/121 at tea with skipper Liam Tobin 73* and doing the majority of the scoring. The loss of the 5th wicket of Martin soon after tea saw the Bombers again under pressure at 5/121. Needing a partnership skipper Tobin and wicket keeper Ethan Brne combined for 135 run 6th wicket partnership, Brne finishing 58* at stumps. It was skipper Tobin who was the star of the day though, opening the batting and carrying his bat through the day he scored a brilliant 122* from 283 deliveries including 13 boundaries and finished the day unbeaten. The 2nds finishing the day at 5/256 with the option to bat on next week if they choose.

Skipper Liam Tobin batted through the entire days play to finish122*

3rd XI: FCDC 6/304

Needing a win to lock in their spot in the finals the 8th placed 3rds ventured out to Schramms Reserve #2 for a do or die fixture against the Lions. Losing the toss and bowling the 3rds toiled away manfully all day. It was Henry Robertson who was the star of the day taking 4/74 from 16 overs keeping the Bombers in the game all day much to skipper Paratrooper Singh's delight whilst young gun Muhammad Abdul Wasay again impressed with 1/43 from his 12 overs. The days play sets up an exciting days play next week with everything on the line for the 3rds.

4th XI: FCDC 8/329

Similiar to the 3rd XI the 4ths faced a must win game at Cross Keys (SPW Oval) to secure their spot in the finals. Bowling first the young side stuck at it all day and restricted the Lions to 8/329. Skipper Prageeth Edirisinghe lead the way with 3/81 from 20 whilst young gun George Martindale was also tidy taking 1/60 from 16 overs. Its all ahead of the young 4th XI with an exciting run chase ahead next week.

Play will resume at 10:30 next Saturday in all four grades.