Premier A Grade Match Report Day 1

Premier A Grade Match Report Day 1

3rd February 2025

Moe vs Cats 01/02/2025

With Centrals (4th) beating Ex-Students last week & having a favourable run home on paper (last 3 matches against bottom 3 sides), Moe (5th) desperately needed points from their only remaining match against a team below them on the ladder.  It can be dangerous to think about an outright before securing first innings points, but in reality, an outright result is necessary to keep the hunt for finals alive.

CATS 1st Innings-

Moe sent CATS in to phenomenal effect. Keenan Hughes removed CATS’ top scorer Palmer (5th in league) without scoring to start the day. CATS’ top 3 run makers for the season so far were gone with just 5 runs scored (3/5 – Cochrane 2, out to Hughes & Harrup 3, dismissed by Clint Taylor).

Porigneaux (3) & Panyangara (27) added 33 for the 3rd wicket before the former became Hughes’ 3rd victim, bowled without offering a shot. Panyangara was bowled by Laytten Smith at the other end, 5/38. 

Hughes & Smith ran through the tail for a further 26 runs, Ben Hagley (10) the only bat other than Panyangara to make double figures. Hughes finished with his first five wicket haul for Moe, claiming 6/38. Smith had outstanding figures of 3/3 from 7.1 and Taylor took 1/18 from 7. CATS all out for 64.

Moe 1st Innings-

Rob Phoenix blasted the opening delivery for four, setting the tone for the Lions innings – secure first innings points then build a lead with a whole day 2 to target an outright. 

Smith (0) opened for the first time this season, but found himself back in the pavilion early. Pass’ first over saw Phoenix hit him for three consecutive boundaries, before fighting back, trapping the opener LBW Phoenix was out for 17, at 2/17.

Benn Zomer took 14 off Pass’ second over to continue the intent. Andrew Philip & Zomer added 54 for the third wicket, Zomer making 42 of them off 39 balls, including 7 fours. First innings points were wrapped up after just 10 overs, Zomer dismissed 7 runs after Moe took the lead by Hagley. Evan Sheekey made 12, becoming Hagley’s second victim at 4/91.

Enter Keenan Hughes, not content with just 6 wickets, he was hungry to build the lead and potentially bowl again in the same day. He joined Philip (on 20*) in the 18th over. They added 28, in the next 4 overs with Philip contributing 21 to be on 41* & Hughes 6* off 13.

Then Hughes unleashed, hitting 24 off McGill’s next two overs, 8 dots & 4 sixes. Keenan reached his half century with Philip on 43*. 

Not to be outdone, Philip brought up the team 200 and his 62nd 1st XI half century with a six (Hughes 74* at the time). That six, also saw Andrew surpass yet another ridiculous milestone – 11,000 1st Grade runs. His 4th run of the day also ticked over 11,500 club runs. This is after reaching 10,500 1st XI & 11,000 club run milestones earlier this same season –  to date, this campaign he has 643 runs @ 58.5). Following reaching these milestones, he was bowled the next ball, out for 55 (three fours & two sixes), 5/204.

Noah Kane (24*, 4x fours) rotated the strike to start with before getting in on the boundaries action himself as Hughes’ neared triple figures. Hughes brought up his first career A Grade century to end the 39th over and a declaration was called immediately. Unbeaten on 100* from 68 balls, eight fours & nine sixes. The innings was called at 5/254d, a lead of 190. Moore & Hagley took 2 wickets each in a tough session for the hosts.

CATS 2nd Innings-

CATS had to survive a nervy 16 overs to finish the day  and did just that. 28 without loss, with Palmer & Cochrane still at the crease. A positive finish for the day for CATS.

They will resume next week, trailing by 162.

An excellent day by Hughes & Moe sees them in a commanding position at stumps, looking to convert 6pts into 10 next Saturday.

Records & Awards