Rounds 8 & 9: More Wins for The Bombers

Match Reports Rounds 8 & 9

More Wins for The Bombers!

It was another great weekend for The Bombers with the 1sts, 2nds and 3rds all recording strong wins. The 4ths went down in a rain reduced thriller.

1st XI

Round 8 – St Kilda CC 0-44 – Match Abandoned due to Rain

In the first match of T20 double header at Windy Hill the 1sts bowled first against St Kilda. The saints reached 0-44 before rain stopped play in the 4^th over.

Round 9 – DCC 6-131 DEF BY ECC 5-132

In the second match of the day The Bombers went up against old rival Dandenong. Bowling first the Bombers started well reducing Dandenong to 2-17 and then 3-39. It was seamer Muhammad Abdulrafay who led the way with 3 for 22 from his 4 overs. Seamer Nick McGuane was also dangerous with his off pace ‘turn the doorknob’ slower ball almost unhittable and taking 2/26 from his 4 overs in the process.  McGuane proving that an old dog can in fact learn new tricks. Noman Safder (1/13) also chimed in for a wicket in what was a strong team bowling display. After 20 overs the Bombers restricted to Dandenong to a competitive 6-131.

Nick McGuane 'turns the door knob' on one

Chasing 132 for victory the Bombers were under pressure early with the loss of Trembearth (7) and Markovski (4). It was Englishmen Harry Duke (66*) who against the cultural norms of his country stood up under pressure.  With wickets falling around him Duke starred in a match winning knock that included 2 x fours and 4 x sixes including a brilliant ramp for six to ice the game in the 19^th over.

Harry Duke hits the winning runs

The Bombers recording their 3^rd win for the season and jumping to 14^th on the ladder only 6 points short of 8^th spot and finals cricket.

2ND XI

Round 8 – St Kilda CC 3-91 – Match Abandoned due to Rain

Bowling first at Harry Trott Oval the 2nds started well with seamer Harry Singh striking in the first over of the day through a well held catch by wicket keeper Ethan Brne. The Bombers kept the pressure and Ikroop Dhanoa (2/12) took his second wicket leaving St Kilda 3-91 from 13 overs The Bombers felt they held the upper hand. Unfortunately rain then stopped play and no further action was possible.

Round 9 – DCC 4-130 def by ECC 2-135

In the second match of the day the seconds bowled first in a reduced 19 over a side game against Dandenong. After heavy rain the Bombers won the toss and bowled first. Dandenong started steadily reaching 76 for no loss before spinner Jacob Pawlowicz struck via a well held catch by skipper Tobin. After this breakthrough the Bombers kept the pressure on Dandenong restricting them to 4-130 from their 19 overs. In an all-roud team performance it was spinners Krit Darji (1/24) from 3 overs and now all rounder Simrth Gill (2/6) from only one over who were the standouts.

Harry Singh in the field

Set 131 for victory the Bombers romped home to secure the win 2 wickets down in only 16.1 overs. It was again young gun Simrth Gill (64) from only 41 deliveries who led the way whilst the ever reliable Aidan Salvado (41) continued his recent good anchoring the innings before Ikroop Dhanoa and Harry Singh saw the Bombers over the line. The win brought up with a a massive six from Dhanoa that stopped traffic on nearby Fitzroy St.

The win leaves the 2nds sitting 2^nd on the ladder.

3RD XI

St Kilda CC 8-132 def by ECC 5-134

Looking for a second win on the trot the 3^rd XI faced off against St Kilda in a T20 game at Cross Keys (SPW Oval). Bowling first the 3^rds restricted the Saints to a competitive 8-132 from their 20 overs. It was another team effort from the Bombers, Fast bowler Arin Mishra led the way with 3/23 and he was ably assisted by a super impressive Muhammad Abdul Wasay (1/22 from 4 overs) and some reliable chop out overs through the middle from Henry Robertson.

Chasing 133 for victory were under pressure at 5-51 when skipper Paratrooper Singh joined Jess Bhaddan at the crease. Any fears that the healthy crowd of Bombers fans at Cross Keys may have held were unfounded though as the pair combined for a match winning partnership of 83 to power the Bombers to a resounding win. Jess Bhadhaan finishing with 44 not out whilst skipper Singh finished unbeaten on 39.

The win leaves the 3rds sitting nicely at 6^th on the ladder.

4TH XI

ECC 0-43 def by St Kilda 2-77 (DLS)

It was a case of what might have been for the 4^th XI who were unlucky in a rain reduced DLS effected game at Cross Keys. Batting first the Bombers had powered to 0-43 from only 6 overs before rain stopped play. Pahul Sodhi led the way with and was unbeaten on 28 with 2 x fours and 2 x sixes when rain halted proceedings.

After the rain delay club mathematician Ash Gilbert was again called upon to assist with the DLS calculation with the result being St Kilda set 77 for victory from 6 overs. Unfortunately for the young 4^th XI the Saints were able to power to the target  in the 6^th over. Young gun Zorawar Chohan impressed with 1/17 from his only over but over all it was a frustrating end to what had been a promising start to the day.

George Martindale pictured last season

After the loss the 4^th XI now sit 16^th on the ladder.

The Bombers now look ahead to more T20 cricket next weekend with games against Geelong and Camberwell. The 1^st XI will be at home at Windy Hill.