Premier A Grade vs Toongabbie
Moe resuming at 1/44 chasing Toongabbie’s 204
Rob Phoenix (30*) & Andrew Philip (6*) continued at the crease, adding 24 off the first 11 overs of the day without loss. Things opened up first change at the Main St end, the pair taking 29 off Barry’s first four spell, Phoenix hitting 22 of them. Veneman tried his luck at that end without success conceding 23 off the first seven deliveries.
It wasn’t at Athulathmudali’s pace (72 off 42 the week before) but Phoenix & Philip laid out a strong pairing putting on 156 for the second wicket, with 134 on day 2 in just 30.5 overs.
Phoenix ticked over 5000 1st XI runs for Moe on his way to 98 off 142 balls (14 fours), caught behind at 2/178 on his leg side on the 9th ball faced since moving within two of his century.
Moe wrapped up first innings points in the 38th over of the day and played through to tea as mandatory. Philip (84 off 150, 9 fours) was dismissed chasing a ton before tea, still needing 16 in two overs before the break. Evan Sheekey’s (1) dismissal brought the interval forward two balls. 4/234, lead of 30. With no bonus points up for grabs, the spoils only increased in the event of a full outright, it was deemed unnecessary to continue, Moe take the 6 points for first innings and players could pile into the lunch offering without physical exertion required following it. Some of the Moe team then headed to Traralgon to see the run chase in B Grade (more to come below).
Moe move within 2pts of 4th at the Xmas Break and face 4th placed Centrals away in a one dayer next up, on 11th Jan. The Lions play top four opponents in all but one game (CATS two dayer) after Christmas so finals destiny will be in their own hands. Although the table isn’t as tight across the board as last season due to Glen & Students holding quite a buffer, Moe – sitting 5th – are within a first innings win of third, but less than an outright result off the bottom.
B Grade – Rovers v Moe
Rovers Innings–
Rovers batted first and it was one of those innings where neither team was necessarily on top for long periods. Batters got starts with the top 5 all making double figures, but the bowlers took wickets often enough with no partnership greater than 25.
The run rate was under two at the 24 over mark before Dodd took Edwards for 18 off an over (2x 6+nb & a four). Dodd was ran out for 17 off 14 the following over. Shaun Boyes batted through from 1/22 until he was run out on the final ball of the innings for 49 off 92. Van Zuyden 17, Dodd & J.Carney 16 all got starts.
For Moe, it was pretty good reading on the bowling card, a strong opening pairing from Aaron Johnstone (1/10 off 9) & Josh Pickering (1/17 off 7). Daniel Farmer was also economical with 0/17 off 9. Haydn Edwards’ figures were only tainted by the one over, 15 off the other five for 1/33 from 6. Jarryd Atkinson 2/30 off 9 put on a solid performance as usual whilst Ben McCartney had 0/20 off 5, not bad figures either on a small ground for a spinner. By all reports told, the Lions could’ve been chasing less but a few chances went begging in the field.
Moe Innings–
After Straughair (16) & Semmens(0) departed in the 5th over, Mark Whitney & Troy Oakley steadied the ship, adding 49 from the next 20 overs. Oakley was caught for 25 off 61 in the 25th over. Whitney’s cautious 30 off 80 was ended in the 28th & the collapse became 3/4 in four overs when Atkinson (11) quickly joined him back in the pavilion. 53 required off 16 overs.
Johnstone & Kye Micallef added 33 off the next 8 overs to get the run rate under control. Micallef (16 off 29) just needed to continue to rotate the strike to Johnstone but found himself caught trying to force the issue, something the promising youngster will learn from. Johnstone (32* off 38, 4x fours) & Shannon Murphy (4* off 7) saw the Lions through to victory in the 41st over. Carney was Rovers best with 2/22 off 9 with Brown 2/17 off 4 taking the early wickets.
Moe move level on points with Centrals (34), just half a game behind Raiders (36) who sit top and are Moe’s first opponent back after the break, despite just playing them last week. Imps sit just one game behind Moe in a clear top 4. Willow Grove sit 5th, 3 & a 1/2 games outside the top 4 but did beat Centrals.
