Moe Innings–
Moe won the toss and for the first time in four games, batted first. Randy Straughair (0) was first dismissed at 1/1. Similarly but quicker than last week, Evan Sheekey (17 off 36) got another start. He was second out at 2/30 with both falling to Anton (2/27).
Ash Savige (108 off 130) and Michael Johnstone (58 off 90) added 146 off about 30 overs to put the game well in Moe’s favour. Savige’s knock included 13 fours and a six whilst Johnstone hit 6 boundaries of his own.
With just 3 overs left, trying to score quickly, Atkinson (0) off 3 & & Whitney (1 off 4) didn’t do much to trouble the scorers other than cause wickets to fall quickly. A nice moment with two balls left as Ash Savige, although being dismissed, crossed paths with 12yo son Blake in B Grade debut as the youngster faced the last two balls, probably the quickest bowler he’d ever faced to date. He survived to finish 0* off 2. Brodyn Blandford was 3* off 3 at close, Moe positing 6/198 from their 45 overs.
Toongabbie Innings
A cautious start from the Rams before Hazelman 5 was trapped lbw by Blunt. Bruce was lucky to survive a big lbw appeal the very next ball, before he went on to build a nice start of 26 off 40. Rob Wheildon had done the majority of the damage when Whitney bowled Bruce at 2/88. The run rate required had really crept up and a spread field allowed Toongabbie to score 4-5 an over at ease without ever really looking like completing the chase. Wheildon almost carried his bat, dismissed in the 44th over for an exhausting, but well earned century, 102 off 155 balls. Whitechurch 14, Andjelkovic 8, B.Cooper 12* & L.Cooper 2* saw the Rams close on 5/181 from their 45 overs, 18 runs short. Wickets shared around with Blunt, Whitney, Atkinson, McCartney & Savige taking one each. Blake Savige got a bowl too but the highlight was taking a ripper catch off of his father’s bowling. Big thanks to Lachlan McKenzie who had come to spectate but ended up fielding for Johnstone who got injured batting.
A good win over Top 3 opposition, both sides heavily changed from the prior matchup at Toongabbie. With a tough run home, next week is the first of two away meetings in the final five weeks against league leaders Thorpdale.
