Monbulk falls in late collapse

Firsts: Travelling to St John’s Tecoma to play on the small Talaskia oval, Monbulk elected to bat. Getting off to a reasonable start, with opener M. Coen making a patient 28, Monbulk were 3/89 at the tea break.
The score moved onto 120 before the next wicket, with P. Utting top-scoring with 42. Resistance was found in C. Coen (31), but the tail failed to wag, with Monbulk losing 5/5 within 6 overs to be bundled out for 157 off 69.
With eight overs to bowl at the opposition, the opening bowlers failed to make a breakthrough, as St John’s reached 0-22.
Seconds: The seconds played host to Rowville and were sent in to the field with immediate success through the partnership of C. Defina and S. Reynolds. Both were able to snare two wickets quickly, with a lack of respect shown by the Rowville top order. Having Rowville on the ropes at 5/30, the following bowlers were able to produce tight spells to build pressure on the inevitable partnership.
A. Bowen was able to grab four wickets with good bowling and Rowville were all out for 116. Reynolds and T. Watson opened up the Monbulk innings of 23 overs and had pushed the score at 45 before Watson was out for 23. Reynolds was out soon after for 43, and at stumps Monbulk was 3/70.
Fourths: The fourths travelled the Baynes to play Knox Gardens and chose to bat first. The star of the show was opening batsmen, D. Hilton, falling short of retirement with 44. L. Kelly provided able support with 31, but there were too many starts and not enough runs, with Monbulk being bowled out for 162. Knox Gardens only lost three wickets in the chase, making the runs in 32 overs, with single wickets going to J. Jarvis and P. Haynes.
Fifths: Monbulk were scheduled to play South East Wanderers but won through a forfeit.