By STEVE UTTING
THIS weekend saw the last matches of the season for most of the Monbulk cricket teams.
The under-13s won their semi-final while the thirds finished the home-and-away season with another win and on top of the ladder.
All the under-10 and under-11 teams also finished the season with some of their best cricket.
The under-13s, which snuck into the finals in the last round, defeated top team Johnson Park.
A great team performance, which included tight bowling and gusty batting, saw them in to the grand final.
Not too many other wins among the competitive junior and senior teams, but a few close games and, as always, the cricket was played in good spirits with great Monbulk sportsmanship.
This was highlighted by the under-15s in their two-run loss in their last match on Wednesday night.
The club received an email from the umpire of this match, congratulating the under-15s on their conduct and sportsmanship. Credit must go to Tom Watson, Bronwyn Badgery and all of the under-15 parents, but I also believe this email (seen on our website) sums up the entire club. The club has a wonderful culture built up over a long period of time, and these positive values mentioned is what our club is all about.
Thanks to everyone involved in this great club.
Meanwhile, this week, the under-13s play in the grand final on Thursday and Friday night at Rowville (Stud Road), starting at 5.15pm both nights.
Then, on Saturday and Sunday, the thirds play in their home semi-final on the main ground.
Good luck to both teams.
Presentations for seniors are on Friday 17 April, 6.30pm, at the Yarra Ranges Estate; and for juniors on Sunday 22 March, 3.30pm, at the Logcabin.
Scores
Firsts: The Basin 4/122 (C. Broekhof 3/28) d Monbulk 8/117.
Seconds: The Basin 8/182 (D. Cleary 3/37) d Monbulk 45.
Thirds: Monbulk 4/146 (A. Attwood 55, M. Gregory 49 not out) d Knoxfield 7/120 (R. Lamers 4/14).
Fourths: Lysterfield (no details provided) d Monbulk 9/104 (B. Badgery 50 not out).
Under-17: Mazenod 6/112 (A. Gillard 4/8) d Monbulk 9/100 (J. Rak 22, T. Wills 21).
Under-15: Bayswater 8/89 d Monbulk 7/87 (D. Rak 25 not out, T. Badgery 25 not out).
Under-13: Semi-final – Monbulk 9/131 (J. Spencer 32 not out, S. Farmer 18) d Johnson Park 94 (S. Farmer 2/7, T. Fleischer 2/7, C. Dennison 2/14).
