MOE V GLENGARRY 25/01
Moe Innings–
A changed order for the Lions as they cope with an injury to Rob Phoenix last week along with searching for a winning formula, with Jordan Shields & the returning Benn Zomer, now a married man – congrats again Benn & Shelby! – opening the batting.
Shields (6) was first dismissed, lbw to Max Merton at 1/7. Zomer & Andrew Philip dug in for a strong second wicket stand. The pair added 108 by the 30 over mark, with Zomer bringing up his 3rd 50+ score for Moe, first in a one-dayer. After 30 overs, the Lions were 1/115 with the old adage for one dayers being to at least double the score from there if wickets are in hand. That would’ve been the aim.
Zomer took to that task with 6 runs from the next two balls to start the 31st before being caught out in the deep. That wicket started an awful collapse of 4 wickets in 4 consecutive overs for just 4 runs (Zomer 66, Hughes 1, Kane(0), Smith (0). Zomer’s 66 (5x fours, 1 six) means he has 212 runs in two innings against the Magpies.
Evan Sheekey joined Philip for a 9 over stand, during which Philip brought up his 6th half century of the season. The pair added 42, Sheekey (15) posting his highest score this campaign, out at 6/167 in the 43rd over.
Philip was bowled by Graham for 75 (5x fours) in the 46th over, almost posting his 3rd ‘76’ for 2024/25. His wicket started a collapse of the tail, Moe losing the last 4 wickets for 12 runs (Philip, Blandford 1, Taylor 1, Johnstone 16). Ritvik was 1*, Moe all out for 194 with 7 balls left of the 50 over allotment. 5 batsmen found themselves trapped lbw throughout.
Al Jenkin (3/27) cleaned up the tail with Nathan Allen (2/37) & Nat Freitag (2/47) taking two scalps each. All six bowlers used took a wicket with Merton, Mayberry & Graham each claiming one.
Glengarry Innings-
The Lions started on top early, with Al Jenkin caught behind off Keenan Hughes & Frank Marks (7) caught off the bowling of Clint Taylor, reducing the Magpies to 2/12.
Sam Marks (4 off 32) never got going, with Freitag scoring the bulk of the 35 run pairing. Marks was caught at mid off by Philip off Johnstone to make it 3/47 in the 14th over, Freitag on 34*.
From reports, a few tough chances & run out opportunities went begging but Freitag & Ben Marks managed the rest of the innings well for the visitors. Glengarry were 25 runs ahead of Moe at the 30 over mark for the loss of 2 more wickets (3/140). 55 to win from 20 overs. There was no collapse to come in the second innings though.
B.Marks brought up his half century in the 33rd over before Freitag passed his ton two overs later. The pair chased down the victory just short of the 40th over (39.5), earning Glengarry a bonus point by one delivery. Freitag finished unbeaten on 115* off 125 balls, with 13 fours & 2 sixes. Marks was also unbeaten on 63* from 70 deliveries with 5 fours and a six. Hughes 1/35 off 10, Taylor 1/22 off 5 and Johnstone 1/46 off 10 all took one wicket each.
Results elsewhere didn’t go in Moe’s favour, with 4th placed Centrals causing a big upset, knocking off Ex-Students in a low scoring game (97-82). Raiders defeated CATS to close up the bottom part of the standings. Moe sit 5th, almost the same distance behind finals (6pts) as ahead of relegation (7pts). Next round’s match against CATS is massive for the season. That result will define whether battling for a chance at finals or to avoid relegation in the final two matches against Morwell (3rd) & Ex-Students (2nd)
