With scorching temperatures predicted on Saturday, many competitions abandoned play for the safety of players and officials. The Ringwood and District Cricket Association was one such association that cancelled all senior cricket, leaving the junior cricketers in the spotlight during cooler times.
Under 16s
Current Ladder Position: Third
Leading Run Scorers: Chase Missen – 151 runs, Billie Laird – 133 runs, Jake Rigg – 129 runs
Leading Wicket Takers: Chase Missen – 11 wickets, Caleb Doyle – 8 wickets, Billie Laird – 7 wickets, Liam Glover – 7 wickets
The Mt Evelyn U16s have been slowly building their season after a tough draw before Christmas and with a kind run over the last few rounds, they should see themselves feature in finals action. The team has had an even contribution with both bat and ball, which is an encouraging sign in the lead up.
This week, they hosted Eastfield, who are battling with the Mounters for a place in the finals. The Mounters put their best foot forward with a comprehensive display on day one of their split-innings contest. Mt Evelyn bowled first, and after a quick brace of wickets from captain Billie Laird with the score on zero, the Eagles settled in for the fight courtesy of an excellent 59-run third-wicket partnership to put the pressure back on the Mounters. As it looked as if Eastfield would take the game away from the Mounters, first-year players Jacob Glover (2/5) and Ben Dunstone (1/13) would turn the contest quickly, and when Laird (3/6) and Chase Missen (1/6) returned to the attack, the host turned the screws on a faltering middle order. When the split was closed, the Eagles found themselves in a spot of bother at 8/96.
In a repeat of Eastfield’s innings, the Mounters also found themselves at 2/0 in the first over and their stronghold in the contest soon disappeared. Missen would join Jake Rigg at the crease, and the pair would expertly navigate their way through a masterful century partnership. Calm and steady at the start, so as not to place further pressure on the middle. This was replaced with devastating strokeplay as the pair established themselves at the wicket. The only blemish would be the fall of Missen for 30, unfortunately, short of retirement. Rigg would be the star, scoring 64 before reaching retirement. His innings were littered with 10 fours and two sixes. Surprise packet Elisha Whitelaw (24 not out) continued his good form with the bat to ensure the home side would not relinquish their advantage to reach 4/152 at stumps.
Under 14s
Current Ladder Position: Sixth
Leading Run Scorers: Harry Dunstone – 141 runs, Ezra Joyce – 136 runs, Tyler Smith – 104 runs
Leading Wicket Takers: Amos Flavel – 8 wickets, Harry Dunstone – 8 wickets, Jacdan Mikaelian – 8 wickets
The Mt Evelyn U14s have found the competition tough this season as they have stepped up a few grades after their premiership last season. This being said, there have been many encouraging signs from a team full of first year U14s, and with continual improvement, they look well set to make many gains, both individually and as a team.
This round, the Mounters travelled to Wonga Park against a much improved line up and had to work hard in hot conditions. Wonga Park batted first and early on it looked as if it was going to be a long morning of toil for the Mounters. To their credit, they would stick to their task manfully and their would be rewards for good bowling along the way. Late wickets to Bailey Okeefe (3/35) and Ezra Joyce (2/25) would keep the total in check, and a chase of 255 is not out of the realm of possibility with a positive and measured approach with the bat.
Under 12-1s
Current Ladder Position: Fourth
Leading Run Scorers: Bryce Johnson – 233 runs, Luke Hanley – 177 runs, Toby Kenins – 128 runs
Leading Wicket Takers: Jack Lorkin – 10 wickets, Bryce Johnson – 10 wickets, Ali Lazarus – 5 wickets
The top Mt Evelyn U12 team have been thrust into the top level of competition this season, a first for the club, and they have measured up with most thus far. Sitting in the top four with just a few rounds remaining, they have a great chance to press for finals action.
This week, they are pitted against a strong Mitcham line-up and have found the going a bit tough against one of the competition’s best teams. Mt Evelyn would open up with the bat and would find it difficult against the skilled bowling unit of the Tigers. Early wickets left the middle order to fight to avoid a collapse. The pressure was relentless with each new bowler. Fighting innings from Luke Hanley, Joel Walsh and Toby Kenins ensured the Mounters wouldn’t be bundled out, and with Jack Lorkin and Ali Lazarus at the wicket, and Walsh retired, there is plenty left to build the total beyond 5/85.
Mitcham took up the challenge with the bat and promptly put the Mounters to the sword. Across their first 23 over split, the Tigers were able to compile a more than useful score of 1/127. The Mounters were able to stem the flow of runs through the middle of the overs, but wickets in hand give the visitors much scope to build a big total.
Under 12-2s
Current Ladder Position: Third
Leading Run Scorers: Xavier Flavel – 176 runs, Gabriel Joyce – 133 runs, Ranen Gereg – 132 runs
Leading Wicket Takers: Xavier Flavel 15 wickets, Gabriel Joyce – 8 wickets, Brodie Trobbiani – 6 wickets
Mt Evelyn’s second U12 team are having a ball playing some great one-day cricket and improving individually, and as a team, each week. Their efforts look likely to bring the reward of finals action should they continue the way they are progressing.
This week’s game was set up to be a classic with Mt Evelyn and Chirnside Park sitting in the top four on equal wins. A classic contest it would prove to be. Chirnside Park would bat first, and the innings would be a true arm wrestle as neither team could claim the front running. Mt Evelyn would take regular wickets, courtesy of Brock Mikaelian (three wickets) and Gabriel Joyce (two wickets), but the scoreboard would continue to tick over, and the Panthers would score 7/140.
The Panthers would take a couple of early wickets to put the pressure on the Mounters’ chase, but excellent batting from Joyce (33 not out), Brodie Trobbiani (20 not out) and Jett Graham (21 not out) would ensure this game would go down to the wire. Eventually, it would be Chirnside Park who would hold their nerve with the ball and hold things together for a four-run victory as the Mounters fell short on 3/136.
The Mt Evelyn youngsters have also been strutting their stuff on the big stage during the VMCU representative carnival held in early January. Bryce Johnson, Luke Hanley and Jack Lorkin represented the RDCA U12-1 team, Ezra Joyce represented the RDCA U13 team which featured in the semi-finals, and Ali Lazarus represented the RDCA U12 Girls team which made it all the way to the Grand Final. The Mt Evelyn Cricket Club congratulate all of these players on their efforts during the carnival; they all represented the club with great skill and sportsmanship.
Whilst on the subject of representative cricket, young gun Lachie Morrow, who has represented the First XI this season, was chosen to lead the Kew U15 Craig Shield team in their recent VSDCA tournament. Lachie led the team with aplomb, with excellent tactical nous and backed that up with crucial contributions with both bat and ball. Unfortunately, Kew would miss the finals by net run rate, which curtailed Morrow’s tournament.
