Thirds claim flag

IN AN entertaining weekend of cricket, the Monbulk Cricket Club third XI emerged premiers over The Basin Cricket Club.
A generous crowd witnessed a great display.
In the first innings, Monbulk batted first and the Basin really controlled their bowling innings well, restricting the Hawks, led by Tim Fogarty to a first innings of 4/85.
Hamish Emmett batted with maturity, opening the innings and weathering the Basin’s opening bowlers.
Monbulk then took the field and worked really hard with the ball against a respectable batting line-up.
Monbulk worked hard in the field, while the bowlers built pressure on the Basin batsmen.
Rick Lamers was the pick of the bowlers with four wickets.
The evergreen David Williams took two amazing catches behind the stumps.
Steve Utting also chimed in with two wickets.
Ryan Howard took the first wicket of the day, finishing with two wickets.
Josh Rak’s diving one-handed catch in the gully needs a special mention.
At the end of day one, Monbulk had the Basin at 8/ 83, leaving Monbulk slightly ahead in the game on wickets.
On day two, Monbulk came out to bat and meant business.
Matt Greggory and Rick Lamers looked settled from ball one and held off the Basin openers.
The pick of the batsmen was allrounder Rick Lamers, who finished on 61 not out.
Rick’s innings was well-balanced and ended with some big hitting towards the end of the innings, in conjunction with skipper Tim Fogarty.
Monbulk was able to build consistent partnerships and bat the full 35 overs of the second innings.
Monbulk lost four more wickets and finished at 8/203.
Lamers claimed the final wicket, finishing with five for the match.
Monbulk third XI finished off the year in grand style after being the team to beat all year.
The junior presentation night is on Sunday 22 March, and the senior presentation night is on 17 April.