Round 9 | Moorooduc v Mt Eliza

Mount Eliza 7dec for 326 defeated Moorooduc 9/192
Holland 158, H. Watson 54*, J. Ramm 27, O. Rivett 27, Cleary 3/23, H. Watson 3/27

Returning from the Christmas break we travelled to Moorooduc trying to consolidate our position on top of the ladder. With the weather a humid 37 degrees, the toss favoured us, and we had no hesitation in batting. At 2/14 with both the skipper and Liam back in the sheds the Moorooduc fielders had a pep in their step and we needed to find a way to stabilise the innings. Enter Dutchi at number 4 who set to work with Ollie Rivett to blunt the new ball bowlers. While it would end up being Dutchi’s magnificent 158 that was rightly applauded at day’s end, credit must go to Ollie’s 20+ over stint at the crease in very trying conditions.

This partnership set us on our way as the Moorooduc fielders started to wilt and batting became easier. Even still, at 5/120 we were far from out of danger before Harry Watson showed what he could do with the bat, combining for a partnership of 145 with Dutch to turn the game our way well and truly. Dutch eventually departed, leaving Harry and Josh Ramm to put on a quick fire 61 runs, the innings closed when Harry reached his maiden half century in any form of the game.

It was a sympathy declaration as much as anything, pulling the weary Moorooduc fielders off the ground after 72 overs. This left us 8 overs to prise out a wicket or two, but their openers defended resolutely to finish the day at 0/1.

This would be the theme of the second day with the home team showing very little intent in chasing the total of 326 and seemingly happy to force a stalemate. We were able to pick up regular wickets, with Clears and Harry again the pick of the bowlers. While it would have been nice to pick up all 10 wickets it did give us a chance to get some other bowlers into the game, and rest others with a Sunday fixture the following day.

After the 80 overs, Moorooduc finished 9 down and we had a comprehensive 134 run victory and retain top spot of the ladder.

Round 8 | Mt Eliza v Dromana 

Mount Eliza 2/213 defeated Dromana 85 & 32.
H. Chapman 5/52, H. Watson 3/3 & 5/11, L. Bannan 57*, A. Holland 51*, G. Creffield 48, T. Price 40

Round 8 saw us playing at home against Dromana who were currently bottom of the league. Wary after last week’s scare that ladder positions can be misleading, we approached the game with confidence but caution. Dromana won the toss and elected to bat that probably suited our approach to the game. Connor Macpherson and Harry Chapman bowed beautifully with the new ball, taking early wickets to have the visitors at 2/4. To their credit the next pair showed some resistance although Harry must have beaten the outside edge a dozen times.

With Connor having bowled 10 overs straight, we turned to young Caleb Smith who made the breakthrough that exposed the Dromana middle order. It was then left to the two Harrys to complete the job, Harry Chapman bowling 19 overs straight to finish with 5/52 while Harry Watson finished with 3/3 from his 7 overs, Dromana skittled for 85 from 40 overs.

This left us the remaining 40 overs to make inroads and we were obviously keen to wrap up a first innings victory prior to the close of play. Travis Price and Glenn Greffield wasted no time in meeting that first objective, a scintillating partnership of 90 off just 14 overs. When both fell it was then a chance for Liam and Dutchi to cash in and build a lead, with both reaching their half centuries to push the score to 2/213 at stumps.

With a lead of nearly 130 we declared on the overnight score, keen to wrap the game up quickly and set up for the Christmas party! In a selfless gesture Harry Chapman suggested that we open the bowling with Connor and the left arm spin of Harry Watson and it paid immediate dividends when Haz has their skipper caught behind in his first over. It would be the first of his five, as he finished with 5/11 from 11 overs and a remarkable 8/14 from 18 overs in the match. With Dromana short on numbers the game was wrapped up by 2pm, the Mounties winning by an innings and 96 runs and a game and a half clear on top of the ladder heading into the Xmas break.

Round 7 | Mt Eliza v Seaford Tigers 

Mount Eliza 141 defeated Seaford Tigers 130 & 2-48
Higgins 3/31, A. Cleary 3/26, R. Higgins 38, A. Watson 33, H. Watson 27

Round 7 presented an opportunity to bounce back from our first loss of the season when we hosted Seaford Tigers. With a strong bowling line-up and a slow outfield we opted to send the opposition in after winning the toss. Early wickets from Clears had us in the box seat reducing the visitors to 5/42 before some middle order resistance slowed our progress. However, the boys stuck the task and with Rueben showing his class with the older ball we eventually restricted the total to a manageable 130 from 58 overs.

This left us 22 overs to make inroads into the total on Day 1, but with Billy Ross and Ollie Rivett back in the sheds early we had the early wobbles at 2/6. Coming in at four, Rueben went on the counter attack, riding his luck but turning the tide as the day came to end. Liam Bannan showed great patience at the other end and at stumps we were in a strong position at 2/48.

With the sun shining on Day 2 we had grand plans of quickly knocking off the runs, building a lead and pushing on for an outright victory, but the Seaford Tigers had other ideas. Playing a man short on the first day, we were caught somewhat off guard when their 11^th player proved to be a fired up quick bowler coming down from the first X1. It wasn’t long before we were reeling at 6/67, having lost 4/19 in a disastrous first hour.

Enter Harry Watson. The last time he had a chance to bat with Dad, he managed to run himself out without scoring, but this was to be the best knock of his life. Weathering the quicks and taking the opportunity to attack the spinners, we pushed the total closer and closer. When the skipper was out with still 8 runs to win, the game could still have a later twist, but Harry stepped up smashing back to back boundaries to get us over the line. The tail failed to wag, bowled out for 141 for a narrow but special victory.

Round 6 | Somerville v Mt Eliza 

Mount Eliza 125 lost to Somerville 7/213
Price 21 | W. Ross 27 | A. Watson 47 | H. Watson 3/31

Round 6 saw us travel away to Somerville for a top of the table clash of the two remaining undefeated teams. Winning the toss and electing to bat we lost Ayden Macpherson in the first over to a run out before Travis Price and Billy Ross saw off the new ball with an excellent partnership of 42.

Unfortunately, when Travis fell for a patient 21 it sparked a collapse of 6/18 leaving us reeling at 7/60. An eighth wicket partnership of 60 helped build a respectable total and credit must be given to Josh Ramm in this partnership. Josh looks right at home at this level and batted with perhaps more discipline than his captain who was out the ball before tea!

Defending 125 was always going to be tough and with their openers getting off to a fast start the first inning loss was locked in before the close of Day 1, Somerville 3/135 off 36 overs.

Facing the prospect of having to stave off an outright defeat on the second day we looked for early wickets and tried to slow the scoring. Josh Ramm and Ollie Rivett were able to find a good line and length in the opening overs, restricting the scoring as best as possible as the rain started to arrive. Harry Watson then chimed in wickets in consecutive balls to finish with the excellent figures of 3/31.

With the continual rain and conditions deteriorating both captains agreed there was little prospect of further play and stumps was called. Credit must go to the Somerville captain for this sporting gesture as he would have been well within his rights to have us remain at the ground to try and force the outright later in the day.

Overall a disappointing outcome but we’ll back ourselves to bounce back strongly next week against Seaford. #GoMounties

Round 5 | Mt Eliza v Heatherhill 

Mt. Eliza 8/165 defeated Heatherhill 123 

Glen Creffield 68 | Anthony Cleary 24*

Harry Watson 4/28 (8) | Anthony Cleary 3/23 (8)

With the frustrations of wet weather over the last month behind us, we hosted Heatherhill on the Footy Oval with a slow outfield but finally a dry afternoon.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, we were able to navigate the early swinging ball and a positive opening partnership of 44 between Glen Creffield and Travis Price set the foundation for the innings. While the middle order never really got going, everyone played their role, running well between wickets and supporting the Rat who finished with a classy 68.

While we would have been happy with a 140ish total given the conditions, a big last couple of overs pushed the total out to an imposing 8/165. Just like in Round 1 it was Anthony Cleary with the big hitting heroics, smashing a quick-fire 24 not out, including his first ever six! The big fella now has 57 runs for the season and is yet to be dismissed.

An early Heatherhill wicket had us thinking an early finish might be in store, but their experienced top order set about the chase moving the score to 1-53 and the game was in the balance. With the shine off the ball, it was time to introduce spin, and Harry Watson in his first game in the 2s quickly found a tight line and length. The pressure brought about a false shot and a chance of his first wicket, but a simple dropped catch at short midwicket was an anticlimax. Not deterred, he kept his patience and was rewarded with four quick wickets, leaving Heatherhill reeling at 5/65.

Mindful that only a week ago we had recovered from 5/32 to beat Flinders, we knew there was work to be done after the drinks break. Anthony Cleary returned for his second spell and attacking the stumps took two quick wickets to leave Heatherhill 7/93. A spirited lower order fightback threatened briefly to bring the game back to life, but we held our nerve and closed out the innings in the 36^th over for our fourth straight victory.

A fantastic team performance with some great individual contributions. The win against one of the flag contenders keeps us top of the ladder with a crucial game against Somerville next week to come. #GoMounties

Round 4 | Flinders v Mt Eliza 

Flinders 5/123 (40) lost to Mount Eliza 5/129 (31)
Cleary 0/9 (8), W. Ross 2/15 (4), Higgins 41*, A. Holand 29*

With the wet weather all week the first surprise was the morning announcement from the MPCA that all teams should report to grounds. Despite lingering doubts about the prospect of play, upon arrival to Flinders it appeared to be a great call with the ground soft but certainly not wet. Flinders won the toss and elected to bat first which wasn’t a bad outcome as it would have been tough to know what would have been a good target given the conditions.

A couple of unwelcome showers just before the start of play made the run-ups tricky and Cleary and Connor did a great job to keep their feet and control the wet ball. Cleary was again magnificent, bowling his 8 overs straight, 0/9, with four valuable maidens. While we weren’t picking up wickets, the run rate had stalled and at the drinks break they were going at less than two an over.

After drinks Billy Ross struck twice and we had visions of keeping the score under 100. To their credit however the experienced Flinders’ middle order knuckled down to post a competitive but not overwhelming total of 5/123 from their 40 overs. It was a great all round bowling performance and well supported by great energy in the field.

Chasing 124 for victory we needed a good start, and Billy Ross put his hand up to bat in the top order was given an opportunity to open with the Rat. Both looked well and truly set and at 0/20 after six overs we were certainly in control. However as often happens one wicket can change a game, and after a somewhat unlucky but nevertheless disastrous half hour we were left reeling at 5/32 and facing an uphill battle to secure the win.

Enter Dutch and Rueben who set about stabilising the situation, making the most of some early chances to put us back in control. After navigating the remaining overs from their wily opening bowler, the pair then set about attacking the lesser lights in the attack. Rueben relished the opportunity to smash an old school mate over the fence on multiple occasions and finishing on a rapid 41 not out. Dutchy provided great support in the partnership and his 29 not out was full of class.

In the end a convincing scoreline winning with nearly 10 overs to spare, but we need some big scores out of our top order if we are to extend the winning streak. #GoMounties

Round 3 | Mt Eliza v Mornington

October’s wet weather played havoc with both weekends of this two-day match washed out and the points shared. Disappointing outcome, with a strong team available we would certainly have backed ourselves to get the points in this fixture.

Round 2 | Mt Eliza v Moorooduc

Moorooduc 9/99 (40) lost to Mount Eliza 6/101 (32)
Cleary 2/19 (8), R. King 2/17 (3), C. Macpherson 1/3 (6)
Price 24, A. Watson 18

Our first home game of the year saw us take on Moorooduc on the Footy Oval. Having lost the toss, we were in the field looking to restrict the visitors with our strong bowling. Off the back of his opening round heroics, Anthony Cleary again found early break throughs but was ably assisted by Connor who finished with the miserly figures of 1/3 from his six over spell.

Such is the depth of our bowling we were able to rotate through eight different bowlers, everyone contributing and keeping a tight line that allowed aggressive field settings. While we weren’t quite able to take the final wicket, a score of 9/99 was well below par and had us in the box seat at the tea break.

The chase began well, with Travis Price particularly aggressive on any loose deliveries. At 0/52 it was looking like a very early finish but with two quick wickets and the openers back in the sheds there was still work to do. A couple of run outs didn’t help the cause and at 5/80 with the runs drying up there was a few nervous moments. Cool heads prevailed in the end with Ollie McGinley and Adam Holland taking their time to get us over the line.

Overall, an excellent all-round performance but a collapse of 6/40 left the dressing room a little flat at the end of day. Regardless, we’re two from two and winning form is good form! #GoMounties