Whilst there were promising signs against the strong Magpies the Bombers went down in the 1sts, 2nds and 4ths. The 3rds continued their strong season recording another strong win to keep themselves in the running for a finals birth.
1ST XI: ECC 220 DEF BY CAMBERWELL 5-224
After posting 220 last week through a Connor Poultan masterclass, the firsts needed someone to take control early with the new ball. It was the ever-reliable Nick McGuane who pinched the first of the day with a good catch in the slips by Aidan Salvado. Only moments later, young up and coming quick Muhammed Abdulrafay joined the party to help dismiss both openers and have the Magpies in early trouble at 2-8. With his tail up, Abdulrafay snared his second wicket with a short ball caught in the deep. Despite the hot start from the home side, Camberwell were able to steady the ship through a 119 run parternship that saw them chase the Bombers total just five down. Nicholas McGuane (2/62 off 22) and Muhammed Abdulrafay (2/51 off 10) were the pick of the Essendon bowlers in a tough loss for the firsts.

2ND XI: CAMBERWELL 9-325 DEF ECC 250
Hoping to jump into the top ten and creep a step closer to a finals birth, the seconds were eyeing off a big run chase at Camberwell. After what was looking like a solid a start, the home side did some early damage with their opening seamer taking three quick poles on a bouncy wicket. With the Bombers under the pump early, they were in desperate need of a hero. In only his third game of the season coming back from injury, off season recruit Josh Trembearth made a chanceless hundred smashing 111 off just 163 balls. Supported by his Captain Liam Tobin (35 off 106) in a 96-run partnership, the explosive left hander together with Tobin was able to put some pressure back on the Magpies. However with the dismissal of Tobin and then Trembearth's valiant knock coming to an unfortunate end after the tea break the run chase lost momentum. A late cameo from Archit Bhatia (34 off 73) and handy contributions from the lower order kept the dream alive into the 30 minutes of play ultimately it was not enough to get the seconds over the line. They fell shy at 250 going for the win in the last session.
3RD XI ECC 254 DEF CAMBERWELL 229
With a hot start to their bowling innings last week, the thirds already had Camberwell 2-10 heading into the days play. Brad Porter (2/45 off 14) continued where he left off picking up the Bombers first in the second over the day. Continuing his recent form, new recruit Arin Mishra (3/41 off 9.1) impressed at the other end picking up the back-to-back wickets of number four and five in quick session. With the home side looking in full control holding the Magpies at 7-83, the away side fought back well with an 86-run partnership in the last session to wrestle back some momentum. With the game back in the balance, skipper Sean Phillips-Williams turned to his spinners to get the job done. Young leggy Pawaan Sharma (2/49 off 17) and off spinner Arshit Rajput (2/33 off 14), both took two apiece to help close out the last session and bowl Camberwell all out for 229. A gutsy win for thirds which leaves them 10th on the ladder, well and truly in the mix for finals.
4TH XI: CAMBERWELL 6-279 DEF ECC 194
Following a big first innings from Camberwell, the fourths were looking to be positive early in their pursuit of 280 for victory at Ross Gregory Oval. After a less than ideal start for the Bombers, losing both openers in the first hour to a fit and firing Magpies side it was up to the middle order to steady the ship. Despite a rough first session, a trying knock from Gurnoor Singh Gill (35 off 87) and another solid innings from 16-year-old George Martindale (46 off 99) showed some resilience in the second session. However, with the two being the only scores for the Bombers and losing consistent wickets throughout the day, unfortunately it was not too be for the fourths. All out for 194 against a strong Camberwell side.
The Bombers look ahead to next week to another Two Day fixture against local rivals Greenvale. The 1sts will be at home at Windy Hill. Play will commence next Saturday 08/02/25 at 11:00AM.
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