MOOROOLBARK WINS THE INAUGURAL TOPLINE KNOCKOUT CUP
21/2/2000 - Yesterday afternoon Mooroolbark hosted South Ringwood C.C. in the Grand Final of the inaugural Topline Knockout Cup at the picturesque Mooroolbark Heights Reserve. Fielding a genuine club team comprising players from the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th XI's, plus one player who hasn't played all season, Mooroolbark batted first against an almost full strength South Ringwood 1st XI. Lincoln Grigg got the Barkers off to a flying start with a six off the very fisrt ball of the day. However it wasn't long before Mooroolbark were in early trouble when Brad Kesters departed for 2 and was followed next ball by Bryn Jones for a golden duck (an improvement on his diamond duck last week). Brendan Ricci joined Linc at the crease and together they steadied the ship taking the score to 40 before a mix up between the wickets saw Brendan run out on 24. This brought Mooroolbark captain, Ken Trollope, to the crease as the Barkers looked to consolidate. But it wasn't long before Linc was controversially dismissed. He played and missed at a ball outside off stump and was given out caught behind. Replays on the big screen backed up his case showing that he missed the ball by a good foot. Kenny followed soon after and Mooroolbark were in trouble with 5 wickets down and still 19 overs to bat. Travis Jackson and Bryn Griffiths saw out a couple of overs before both departed and were soon followed by Matt Darcy. This left Shane Archer and Shane Donovan to combine for some handy runs. Much to the delight of the Mooroolbark faithfull Donna dispatched one over midwicket for six runs nearly clearing the nets. Donna and Arch went about ticking over the score board until Donna popped up a catch to cover on 13 and Arch followed soon after for a well compiled 20 leaving Murray Dehoon stranded at the other end on 0 no. With the Barkers all out for 115 South Ringwood were looking like red hot favourites to take the cup.
Mooroolbark came out after the interval knowing they had a big job on their hands. Matt Darcy came in breathing fire in the first over and had a catch put down by Jonesy off only the third ball of the innings. But it was only another three balls before Matt gave Bryn a chance to redeem himself. Jonesy took the chance and the Southerners were one down at the end of the first over. Linc didn't want to miss out on wickets at the other end and he wasted no time in having the other opener caught at mid on by Donna. All of a sudden South Ringwood were 2/3 and in real trouble against a fired up Mooroolbark outfit. Matt and Linc continued to bowl tightly restricting the scoring before Matt picked up his second and then followed it up soon after with a run out as they fell to 4/19. Before long it was 5/19 and Matt had finished his spell with figures of 6 overs, 3/13. Jacko and Muzz picked up where Linc and Matty left off continuing to tie down the batsmen before Jacko got himself three wickets leaving South Ringwood at 8/40. Jacko finished his 6 overs with figures of 3/15, another great spell. After needing 4 an over at the start of the innings the required run rate was up around 7 and climbing. A double bowling change saw Donna and Kenny come on and try to pick up the last 2 wickets. Kenny got himself the 9th wicket after a sharp catch from Bryn Griffiths at midwicket. With one wicket needed for victory a ball was hit to Donna on the long on boundary but the catch bounced off his hands and over the boundary for six. Arch came on from the other end but couldn't pick up the final wicket. Finally the tenth wicket fell the next over when Kenny bowled the last batsman, thus resulting in a miraculous victory for the Mooroolbark Cricket Club.
Matt Darcy picked up the Kippax batting gloves for his man of the match performance with the ball. It is a shame he wasn't given a pair of shoes instead to replace Butch's pair that he broke during his match winning spell of six overs.
This was one of the great victories in the history of the club and it was great to see some of the boys take the cup on a lap of honour to thank all of the supporters who turned out. For those who couldn't make it on Sunday you will be able to see the team and the cup during the ticker tape parade through Brice Avenue on Thursday.