By Tom Watson
On a beautiful summer day, Monbulk took on Lysterfield in a top of the table clash.
Losing the toss and having a bowl, Monbulk struck well early to have Lysterfield 2/30 in the seventh over thanks to Braden Taeuber’s thunderbolts.
From there, a bit of a partnership pushed the score along to 4/107 with Chris Martin tying up an end as only he can.
Going quite unrewarded, Chris finished with 2/43 off 27 overs with 13 maidens.
With 54 overs done at tea, Lysterfield battled back to 4/248 before losing 6/37 to be bowled out for 285. Shane Cosstick did the job at the end for take 4/20.
In the twos it was a tough day in the sun for the Hawks, with Lysterfield taking full advantage of their overs.
Having Lysterfield at 3/70 at 20 overs and 3/140 off 40, the game was evenly balanced, however the last 30 overs saw 200 runs scored.
Dylan Goldberg (3/48) and Joel Wensley (2/65) toiled hard for wickets, however the Hawks will be chasing 377 next week.
The thirds again have the game in their keeping, bowling South Belgrave out for a paltry 67, with David Jackson (3/15) the chief destroyer.
Junior Jake McKay also bowled well for 2/15.
Monbulk’s bating innings ended on 5/121, with Jason Simmonds blasting a quick-fire 59.
A welcome back went to Craig Heppell, who struck a crisp boundary towards the end of play.
The fours have a fight on their hands against Upwey.
Upwey’s innings ended up on 6/125, with Ben Horlock snagging 3/32 and Luke Rice taking 2/22.
In reply the Hawks were 6/96 with Ben Horlock the key on 40*.
A very big congratulations went to birthday boy Jason Simmonds, who this week was selected to represent Victoria in the over-50s state competition.
He will be taking on Tasmania and South Australia in February.
Junior cricket kicks off next weekend.
Senior scores
Decoite Shield
Lysterfield 10/285 (A. Brolic 37, N. Mckay 92, S. Finch 87, S. Cosstick 4/20)
Division 4
Lysterfield 10/377 (R. Walker 111, N. Samara 36, C. Travers 54, J. Walker 64, S. Beckwith 61, D. Goldberg 3/48)
Division six
South Belgrave 10/67 (D. Jackson 3/15) v Monbulk 5/121 (J. Simmonds 59, L. Mackin 30, N. Kouris 3/8)
Division eight
Monbulk 6/96 (B. Horlock 40*, J. Fisher 3/13) v Upwey 6/125 (P. Nixon 34, P. Dunning 37*, B. Horlock 3/32)
