BARKERS BUGLE
Volume 3 No. 1 16th October 1999
WELCOME TO SEASON 1999/2000
Round 1
Chandler 1
Mooroolbark 9/315 vs Croydon North 9/267 cc
Day One - After we gained the early advantage, Croydon North dug in and batted purposefully setting the scene for some excellent late order hitting. Our bowling lacked penetration although Freezer maintained a steady line and length. A number of run out opportunities went begging which hampered our cause. At the end of the day’s play a challenging target of 267 had been set. Freezer toiled as usual bowling heaps of overs for very little and 2 wickets.
Day Two - With the normal Croydon North confidence regarding our inability to reach their target, our opening pair dented the oppositions dreams with a superb century stand. Newcomer, Hoppy, and Dicky matched each other run for run, both reaching well deserved half centuries. Jason contributed an aggressive 31 whilst captain Brendan Ricci, returning to lead the club after many successful years of district cricket, plundered a classy 92. Incidentally Brendan is the first Mooroolbark product to grace the MCG wearing the "Big V." Whilst we lost a few wickets at the end, our score of 300 plus provided an excellent start to the season.
Chandler 2
Mooroolbark 116 & 0/14 vs Croydon North 164
Day One - We could write about the ground, but you’ve heard it all before. A score of 116 might not seem healthy, but as they say, "you had to be there." One four for the day tells the story. Three runouts for the day was disappointing, although Gavin Donovan was stiff - off the bowler’s hand. Newcomer, Trevor Blackley (from Warnambool) asked for a nine iron when a well connected pull shot plugged in the dirt beside the pitch.
Day Two - Defending a modest total was always going to be difficult, however all out attack against the Notherners was called for. Butch’s bulldogs threw themselves into the battle and dispatched a succession of batsmen to the pavilion. At 8/96 we were a real chance to snatch an unlikely victory. However, as does happen on occasions, a catch is grassed and the impetus flows in the other direction. To their credit Croydon North dug deep and managed to get up by a small margin. Congratulations to Butch’s boys on the manner in which they never accepted 120 as a lost cause. Perrett with 5 and Muzza with 3 bowled well.
Chandler 3
Mooroolbark 209 vs Croydon North 6/221
Day One - Arch won the toss and batted, and at 8/64 we looked like being embarrassed. However, the fighting qualities of Bryn Griffiths (76), Matty Mitchell (46) and Dash (20 n.o.) lifted the total to a respectable 209. Interesting to see two young leggies operating in tandem for Croydon North.
Day Two - At 3/70 at tea the game was hanging in the balance. Matty Mitchell had bowled well early on for two wickets and Matt Gale was halfway through a magnificent spell. After tea though the Barkers came out and dropped three important chances giving the Northerners the break they needed. Wickets though from Matt Gale, Dasher and Brendan Fay pegged Croydon North back and we were still in with a chance. But with 6 down we were unable to make any more inroads and our score was passed with two overs remaining.
Chandler 4
Mooroolbark 148 vs Croydon North 74 & 6/133
Day One - Rossco had a dream debut as captain - a first innings lead on the first day. Everyone who bowled did well. Everyone was surprised when Donna bowled a bloke with his first ball - except Donna of course! Sammy Russell is back but Patch reckons he should leave again. The Barkers had ripped into Croydon North and we had already achieved 1st innings points.
Day Two - Batting on, the team suffered 2nd day blues and were dismissed cheaply. With a first innings lead of 74 runs the bowlers pressed for an outright. Whilst not successful, they did manage 7 wickets and indicated that their prospects are good for the rest of the season. Patch snared 4 wickets in the 2nd innings
Trivia Question: What was significant about match 4 of the recent World Cup?
Fifth XI
Mooroolbark 111 vs Norwood 250 & 3/148
Day One - Tony’s troops toiled all day with the opposition making 250. Kim Blake’s first spell of 6 overs (0/27) included 14 wides/no balls. Trevor Keogh managed two wickets but dropped a catch - try using your hands rather than your head Trevor! Two sixes off the last two balls was an interesting finale to the day’s play.
Day Two - A disappointing start to the season with the batsmen failing to deliver.
Sixth XI
Mooroolbark 170 vs Croydon North 133
Day One - A score of 170 on a very slow outfield looks good although losing 7/6 was a tad disappointing. Woodsy showed early form and Peter Mitchell was his normal stodgy self. Eathen Cassidy had the distinction of being bowled by a delivery which bounced twice. Keith Bull displayed gritty determination (but failed to trouble the scorers!).
Day Two - An undermanned Croydon North were always going to struggle and their score of 133 was respectable. Our bowlers bowled well with the wickets spread evenly. Young Chris James bowled an excellent line and had one of those days when everything beat the bat, but no edges.
Seventh XI (One Day Game)
Mooroolbark 5/198 vs South Ringwood 9/137
A slightly strengthened side took on South Ringwood 5th’s. We racked up 5/198 with Mark Ross striking a crisp 50 while veteran Piggott clubbed a brutal 90. Our opening bowlers softened up their openers allowing Jacko to clean up the tail with 7/45. He was shown however that reputations mean little to lower grade batsmen (one over - dot, dot, 4, 4, 6, 4). He was heard to mutter something about a lack of respect!
We won’t dwell on Piggott’s sensational catch - you should have already heard about it by now. Thanks to Troy Cassidy (12th man) who turned up. we made sure he got to field. Mark Ross was glad to go off - probably still recovering from the footy trip.
Round 1 Highlights
Batting
B.Ricci 92, M.Piggott 90, B.Griffiths 76, N.Woods 67, B.Hopkins 63, M.Ross 56, R.Ellisdon 53.
Bowling
T.Jackson 7/45, C.Perrett 5/30.
Over The Boundary
• Someone should tell Patch what time the game starts.
• Rossco’s 4th’s need 5 for a first innings lead and Donna was on strike. What did he do? He donked a six and offered his usual word of encouragement to the bowler.
• Jarrod Dawson has batted three times in the seniors but is yet to have an average (this information was provided by a close relative who is captain).
• Scoring 300 runs in the 1st’s and beating Croydon North is the stuff dreams are made of!
• Mick Piggott got a wicket on Saturday - but it was dark and raining.
• The Barker’s answer to stat legend Jack Cameron has fronted for another season of scoring.
• Roper wants to score 50, seeing he is!
• Fancy getting bowled by a full toss in sight of a century.
• Last Saturday night a banana was found down the club with Paul Brush’s name written on it. Good to see Brushy still writes his name on his toys (oops, I mean lunch).
Trivia Night
Trivia night is coming up soon on Saturday 23rd October. Make sure you get in early and book a table as this promises to be an exciting night. It is the first of many events on the Barker’s social calendar this year.
come.to/thebarkers
A new web site has recently been launched to take the Mooroolbark Cricket Club into the new millennium. It currently contains match reports from recent years, stats from last season and Al Murrays’s recollections of memorable games of years gone by. As the season progresses more things will appear on the site such as the Barkers Bugle. If you have any ideas or material please pass them on to Bryn Griffiths or email them to [email protected]
Trivia Answer: The match meant that ODI played now exceeds the total number of tests played.