TWO FLAGS & ONE TO COME
Mooroolbark Cricket Club has emerged from grand final weekend with it's first senior flag since Chandler 2 in 1995/96.
The weekend didn't start off too well with the under 16/1's and under 12/4's unfortunately losing their games, but congratulations must go to them on both having terrific seasons.
In the seniors the Barkers won two flags and are awaiting the outcome of the Chandler 1 game with 8 overs still to be bowled in it. The 6th's got the ball rolling by dismissing Wantirna South for 167 on day one. They then managed to pass them with 9 wickets down thanks to Mark Duckworth 66 and Mick Fay and Chris James who put on 30 for the last wicket to win the game.
In the 7th's the opposition were dismissed for 197 on day one before Dick Linley (70) and Ben Woods (56) both found themselves in the runs again to give Mooroolbark a comfortable grand final victory.
Commiserations to the 4th and 5th XI's who both went down to Wonga Park over the weekend. Both teams had a great season. Going into the game undefeated the 4th's were up against it early with Wonga 1/150 at tea on day one, but to their credit they fought back to bowl them out for 279 with Hollywood picking up four scalps. Unfortunately it proved too much to chase. The 5th's were dismissed for a disappointing 104 and were always going to have trouble defending that.
Chandler 1 is still hanging in the balance as we speak. After being bowled out for 169 (Plugger 47no and Brad Guan 42) on day one Mooroolbark struck early on day 2 to have Ainslie 5/20. Freezer was in fine touch as he picked up 4 of the first 5 victims. Warren McKenzie and Col Perrett also picked up two wickets apiece and Ainslie Park were in real trouble at 8/80. But then the rain came. After a one hour delay Mooroolbark went back into the field with a damp and soggy ball and couldn't get the next breakthrough. Play finally stopped for the day at 7pm with the score at 8/142 and 8 overs still to be bowled this Saturday.
Now that all other games have been completed I urge everyone of you to be at East Ringwood at 1pm this Saturday to throw your support behind the 1st XI. It would be great to see everybody there getting vocal and giving their support to the boys as they strive to win the club's third premiership of the season. We can all then head off to the presentation night later in the evening with something extra to celebrate.