Round 5 – Week 2 – Weekend Wrap
The 2nds were the only side to have a win in a weekend of one-day games after last week was a wash out across the grades. In the Longmuir Shield, we were always going to have our work cut out for us facing a team that sits on top of the ladder and hasn’t lost a game of cricket for a year and a half. Chasing 250 in 38 overs was going to be tough and became impossible after we again lost wickets early in the piece. Young Lachie Hay stood up at the end at top scored with a steady 32 not out, but it was nowhere near enough as we scored 128 off our 38 overs.
We had our first win in Quiney Shield this season. Taking on the top side in Melbourne Wanderers was a daunting task, but the opening bowling combination of Jake McMahon and Andrew Ferguson produced six wickets in their first spell to put Centrals well on top. When David White and Paul Riordan chimed in for another 3 wickets the score was at 9/67. Once again though, HCCC failed in delivering the knock out blow and the Wanderers managed to post 113. After losing Joe Gee early in the chase, the Centrals settled and got the winning runs one down with 9 overs to spare. It was the Nin Devola show with the bat for the 2nd game in a row, batting out the innings for a superb 65 not out.
The closest match of the round was played out in E Grade. We restricted Le Page to 9/135 off 38 overs thanks to a brilliant 4/25 performance by Andrew Considine. The chase started well with Scott McGregor finding some form opening the batting, scoring 43. When he fell, the score was 2/53 and we were in a strong position. From there though, it was only Darren Clark with 24 that showed any resistance and we ended up being bowled out for 113 with an over to go.
Taking on Chelsea Heights in H Grade we copped a bit of punishment bowling first on Wilson Rec. They posted 4/253 off their 35 overs, which wasn’t going to be totally unchasable given the small boundaries. However, the chase never really got going and we were bowled out for 76 in the 29th over. Taking a positive from the game, promising junior Brendan Layzell continued his impressive season with 1/23 off his 7 overs with the ball.
1st XI – Longmuir Shield
Hampton Central 8/128 def. by Bentleigh Uniting 7/249
Batting: L Hay 32* and D Devola 23
Bowling: S May 2/31 and A Warry 1/37
2nd XI – Quiney Shield
Hampton Central 1/115 def. Melbourne Wanderers 113
Batting: A Devola 65* and K Spratt 21*
Bowling: A Ferguson 3/24 and J McMahon 3/24
3rd XI – E Grade
Hampton Central 113 def. by Le Page Park 9/135
Batting: S McGregor 43 and D Clark 24
Bowling: A Considine 4/25 and I Wilkinson 2/12
4th XI – H Grade
Hampton Central 76 def. by Chelsea Heights 4/253
Batting: L Koedijk 17
Bowling: B Layzell 1/23