Moe v Centrals
The battle of the Lions was split down the middle overall across the 3 grades, with Centrals winning the day with the 1st XI major result in a thriller, by 3 runs. The night closed under lights with Moe taking the C Grade result by 2 runs, after B Grade was abandoned/drawn on time following rain delays throughout the day. Moe were sitting in a good position and would’ve taken the win if DLS applied further than just A Grade, but as it stands, it doesn’t and the points were split.
Premier A Grade
Mark Rawson (96 off 91) single handedly got Centrals to a defendable total, with the rest of the team scoring 50 off 202 balls. Only Jake Littleton (17) made double figures in the rest of the batting card. Keenan Hughes had his best bowling performance of the season taking 4/20 from his 10 overs. Benn Zomer took 2/44 from 9. Rob Phoenix 1/20 off 10 & Laytten Smith 0/24 off 10 had economical contributions. Jordan Shields had figures of 1/30 from 7 and Ritvik Ritvik on A Grade debut got the final wicket. Brodyn Blandford, wicket keeping on debut took 4 catches and participated in a run out. A great effort. Noah Kane still took 2 catches for the day without the gloves.
After falling to 4/43, Andrew Philip (53) & Noah Kane (32) put on 60 to give Moe a chance. Although the home Lions had wickets in hand, time in terms of overs was running out. Kane & Hughes had it down to 22 required off 24 balls with 5 wickets in hand when it all spiralled, a lot happening both ways in the grandstand finish. Hughes (11) was dismissed in over 47, Kane in over 48, 18 required off 12. Ten scored off the 49th without a boundary (1,1,3,1,2,2) saw 8 required off the final over. 2 wickets and 4 runs was all Moe could muster, closing at 9/143, Centrals by 3 runs. Gamage took 4/24 from 9, Fenech 2/31 & Pradeep 2/32 from 10 each.
Moe sit 6th, 3 points above relegation, 5pts behind finals. A crucial game before the Christmas break next up, against 7th placed Toongabbie.
B Grade
Rain delays cost Moe in the morning game of the double header. Centrals sent Moe in, with the hosts posting 9/173 from their 45 overs. Braden Finn (29) & Mark Whitney (31) set Moe up strongly. With wickets in hand at 4/139, the Lions had freedom to chase quick runs, losing 5/34 in the final overs but at a solid pace to post a good score. Atkinson 27 & Johnstone 21 made solid contributions. Shankland took 3 wickets for Centrals, Williamson & Hughes nabbing 2.
Only Hayden Berry (11) cracked double figures before the rain delay at 5/61 off 26 overs with Moe well on top. Centrals needed 113 off 114 balls with only 5 wickets in hand. Aaron Johnstone took 2/12, Blunt, Pickering & Atkinson with 1 wicket each. Following the delay, there was an eventual 15 minute period of play – including a dropped catch, a free hit non-wicket and 33 runs scored – to see Centrals hit out to take the score to 5/94 (Downs 27*, Doble 17*) at the cessation of time and match drawn/abandonment, over 30mins following scheduled stumps of a full days play.
Centrals drop to 2nd, Raiders move top.
Moe (4th) face Raiders next week.
Premier C Grade
A 3.45pm start on an overcast day meant this one was always likely to finish in darkness. It looked like that might not be the case when Moe lost 4 early wickets for 38 runs. Troy Oakley hit an unbeaten 80* (126) to see the Lions recover to 7/162 from 40. Oakley was supported by Garry Edwards (28) & David Biggins (14). Perera was Centrals best with 3/17 from 8. Pettie took 2 wickets albeit more expensive conceding 38 from 8.
Centrals were travelling okay at 2/59 with Rajapakse & James Poursanidis (25) at the crease. A 4/12 collapse to 6/71 flipped the script to have Moe on top. Rajapakse & Hamish Pettie (40 off 52) gave the match another twist under lights bringing it down to 16 off 15 balls before Pettie was dismissed. Matt Burridge bowled a great penultimate over, conceding just 5 leaving 8 to win for Centrals. Similarly but opposite to the A’s finish. 5 runs & 2 run outs in the final over chaos, Moe winning by 2 runs. Rajapakse finished 54*. Biggins took 3 wickets, Cake 2 and singles to Manduci & Edwards.
Moe, Ex Students & Toongabbie all sit level top on 26 points. Next week is two rounds of 20/20. Moe play Ex Students & Imperials on Racecourse Turf. Those opponents face Mirboo North on Racecourse #2 on the same day.
