Round 16 | Moorooduc v Mt Eliza

Unfortunately yesterday the result didn’t go in our favour but on a brighter side, Tyabb knocked off Seaford Tigers and kept us on top of the ladder. Yes it’s hard writing a report after a loss. I evaluate the game over and over, trying to work out what we didn’t get right and yes I believe at times yesterday, my decision making in the field wasn’t great. We also wasted a few opportunities that would have made a big difference in the game but in saying that, the good thing is we can get better.

We had some great highlights and some great performances. With Flem fortunate enough being able to join us again before he departs overseas. Flem making a very patient 59 on a slow outfield and became the rock we needed in our batting. Unfortunately for Mark, Harey and JP, it wasn’t going to be their day. Mark still hungover from his milestone game last week, JP getting a start and Harey didn’t.

Amazing came in at 5 and with Flem, proceeded to build a solid total. The two of them made it look easy, pushing hard for quick singles, twos and threes. They eventually fell late in our innings with amazing Gracie (37) helped to the steer ship away from the hazards ahead.

MVP ( Mark Vaughan) came in at 6 and like James Bond, had a license to kill. From the first ball, he tried to murder the ball over all parts of the ground and at times actually hit it. Mark and Harves finished off our innings in a blaze putting on a 30 run much needed partnership. The story from the sidelines though, was Harves trying to do a Hobbsy in the last over, trying to protect his batting average, but we all know Harves doesn’t care about these things and always puts the team before his own personal glory. But he is still needing 6 runs to qualify for the batting averages and overtake Mark. 😎😎😎😎 At the end of our innings we made a serviceable 5/180 on a slow ground and feeling confident with our score.

The Trap and MVP took the new ball and the trap grabbing a wicket in his first over and after last week’s performance with the ball, we were hoping to see it all happening again. But Moorooduc’s batsmen weather the storm from our bowlers and started to make themselves at home facing our two bowlers.
Harves brought himself on for an over to try and mix it up a bit and after being belted for 12 in his first 5 balls, we started to think, what the!! But on his last ball of that over, he managed to get a loose shot by their top batsmen and with Amazing Gracie taking a regulation catch.

Mark and the trap eventually bowled out and in Marks last over and Moorooduc starting to look comfortable again until the Wizard took a brilliant running, diving catch and not long after that he took another great catch off JP’s bowling. The wizard, Tom, got his chance with the ball and started to weave his magic. With his dad in the field and not wanting to be outdone by his boy, emulated the running, diving catch his boy took, only a few overs early.

We looked on top and charging towards a victory but Moorooduc were up for the fight. As the game got closer to a result, we wasted a few chances, with a few dropped catches. The game was in the balance and we stumble at the last hurdle. Without Amazing Gracie in the field, the result could have been over a lot earlier than it was, saving many a ball racing to the boundary. He was brilliant all day.

Unfortunately for a couple of others, they can sit back and look forward to knowing we have another game next weekend. Moorooduc eventually making 6/195 in the 39th over. So today we left the ground licking our wounds, realizing our best needs to be on show every time we set foot on the pitch.

Thx to Luke Jones and Tyabb, we keep our dreams in tact.

Round 13 | Mt Martha v Mt Eliza

Yesterday we ventured to citation oval to match ourselves against the fourth placed Mt Martha. Once again it was hot and muggy and after losing the toss, we were sent in to bat.

The Turtle and Glacier opened up and after a slow start, found their rhythm. The Glacier melted in the warmer conditions, hitting the ball down the throat of one of their fielders and the Turtle (Teleskivi) soldiered on. Mark making 24 and the turtle 18.

Windscreens O’Brien cracked under the heat and this gave the Prince (J-P) a chance to bat for the first time for the club. J-P looked at home against their U/10 bowling attack and feasted on whatever was dished up to him. Smacking a boundary off his first delivery and finessing the ball over and through the Mt Martha fielders. J-P finished with an excellent 63.

Harey looked at ease making run’s yesterday and the runs came quickly. So confident was Harey, he thought he could run whenever he wanted. Harey decided to push for a second, even when the bowler had the ball in his hand standing over the stumps. Was this a brain fade moment or was this just Harey being Harey. I’ll let you decide. Robbo fielded well 🦆

Harves went out to bat looking more like Uncle Fester than a cricketer. Grabbing some sunscreen off Leah for a bit of sun protection, only after he applied it on himself and with Leah laughing, found out it was more zinc cream than sunscreen. But unlike Uncle Fester, Harves couldn’t keep the light bulb lit until the end of the innings. Quick fire 25.

Amazing Gracie and The Trap continued the runs flowing, smashing a rapid fire 57 run partnership in no time and then Harry Ross belted the ball all over the street to finish off our innings.

Oops sorry, it was Mark Vaughn impersonating Harry. First ball 4, then 4, then 6, then 6. We all sat there thinking we had a deja vu moment, but unlike Harry the next balls weren’t 6’s. Still an amazing performance with the bat from Mark, having the freedom to just go out and see what he could do. We Finished our innings at 8/249 and finding some real confidence with the bat.

Our turn to bowl and the trap and Mark Vaughn started us off, the trap picking up 2/16(5) and Mark 1/9(8), but what we were about to witness was something special. We all decide to grad a comfy couch and sit down and watch the big screen plasma. (TV, THE WIZARD, TOMMMMY VAUGHN).

Feeling relaxed on our couches in the field, the show that was on, was in the highest definition possible. At times we weren’t sure if we were watching a show or what this young man was doing was real.
The Plasma must of been an OLEG because he was simply amazing, taking 6/8(6.4). Sometimes it’s hard to imagine this young man is only 13 and we are fortunate to be able to watch this high quality performance at close range every week.

Not that I really need talk about our other bowlers on the day but after going for 7 runs in his only over, J-P decided his groin was a bit sore and took himself off. Although after making his 63, he did take catch in slips, something the Glacier hasn’t managed to do over the last few weeks and even cat flaps Hare took two catches, one was nicely palmed over to him from Harves in second slip, to help build his confidence. Always a team man that Harvey bloke is. Lol.

Finally after Moorooduc knocking off the Seaford Tigers we now sit on top of the ladder 6 points clear of second and with us playing Seaford Tigers this week and we can really set ourselves up for a big season.

By the way. We bowled Mt Martha out for 63.

Well done guys.

Round 11 | Old Peninsula v Mt Eliza

On a hot and Balmy summer day, we headed of to Peninsula Grammar to take on Old Peninsula, in a 2nd v 3rd grudge match.

The toss was won and we decided to bowl first. We welcomed back ‘Em Taranto, in only her third game in two years and made her feel a part of the team by giving her the new ball. ‘Em didn’t let us down, mesmerizing the Old boys batsmen, like she had never left the game and partnered her with the new ball, was a wizard in Tom Vaughn. They both ripped the heart and soul out of the Old boys.
With only 8 over down, Em and the wizard had them 6 down and not too many runs on the board. It was a masterclass performance by these two jets of the game, with Em finishing up with 4/29(8) and Tom 2/25(8).

Not only did we battle with the old boys, we had two brothers fight it out on the field also. Our very own ‘The Turtle Neck’ Jensen Teleskivi, and his younger brother Boomer playing for POB. As we all know having bragging rights in the house hold, is a chance you never want to lose. These two boys put up a great fight for their respective teams, with Jensen getting his brother out and later going on to make some runs. On this occasion Jensen took the chocolates but I know Boomer will store it away for their next encounter.

Mark and Harves finished off the tail and if it wasn’t for baby oil some of our players rub on themselves to get a extra sun tan, we might have finished POB off bit earlier than we did. Four dropped catches in one over, which included a dropped hat trick. It wouldn’t be fair of me to mention the culprits but Robbo, Harey and Harves might be able to help inform you who it might have been.

We eventually bowled POB out for 116 with Harves and Mark combining together for the last wicket run out and walked off to tea being greeted by our 11th player, who managed to miss our fielding, Windscreens O’Brien.

The Glacier and The Turtle opened the batting for us today and got us off to a great start. Mark was first to fall to possibly a bump ball for 22 but The Turtle hung in to help run down their target.

The torch (Chris Oliver) came in at 3 and soon made his presence felt. The torch set the pitch alight and belted the 10 year old, peninsula players all over the park. It seemed nothing was going to stop this Goliath of a man. As the story goes in Greek history, every Greek god has a weakness and like Achilles had his heel, Chris had his calf. POP.

This was highlight of his good mate Matt sitting on the sidelines watching and filming his mate being helped off the ground. I heard Matt even had a tear running down his cheek, but somehow I don’t think it was because he was upset for his mate.

The torch finished 47 retired hurt and with The Turtle making a very good 30, we were soon sitting down in the shade enjoying a well earned beer. 2/127.

In a geographical position, The Old Boys are on top of the hill but today we climb it and took control and showed them who the real Kings of the mountains are.

Well done guys and now we are 2.5 games ahead and sitting well in the top two.

Round 10 | Somerville v Mt Eliza

Oith a new look side after 5 changes from the previous round we took on the Fruit growers from Somerville. The day started well when they sent us in. New openers Harey and the Evergreen (Jack) got us off to a reasonable start but the fun started when they departed with the score on 64.

Windscreens O’Brien plundered a quick 45, before debutant Chris Oliver playing his first game for a decade and a half took over smashing a run a ball 50. The Glacier swung lustily for 30 and Robbo (39) and the returning Skipper (55) added an unbeaten 99 stand to see us end on 6/254.

13 year old Liam Bowler opened the “bowling” as you would expect and as they got away to a flyer he maintained a great line and was unlucky not to pick up a wicket. Ash was steady at the other end but we could not break their openers up and at drinks they were 0/107.

The introduction of the skipper saw wickets fall regularly after the break, in between the bowling was a mixed bag with 38 extras providing them with a slight sniff of a win. Jack bowled great lines and picked up 3/35 from his 8 overs and Fletch cleaned up the last 3 to get us home by 36 and consolidate 2nd spot at the Christmas break.

Thanks to Michael West for filling in and he will be better for the run and thanks to Bakes for scoring.
Hope you all have a great and safe Christmas and will catch up with you all when the business end of the season returns in January. Man of the Match – John Harvey!

Round 9 | Mt Eliza v Moorooduc

Awaiting report

Round 8 | Carrum v Mt Eliza

Yesterday was a day of missed opportunities. After winning the toss and decided to bowl first. The Trap and Bailey took the new ball. The Trap bowled another great spell but unfortunately without luck. Bailey soon found his rhythm and picked up two wickets.

We were lucky to have Al Wardlaw join us this week and after coming on first change, he had an instant impact, grabbed a couple of wickets. Al finished with 3 wickets and with a run out from Fletch, we had Carrum on the back foot. Clears, Al Hunter and others got a chance with the ball and at once stage we had a chance for a hat trick. But unfortunately the Carrum umpire didn’t agree the LBW appeal, that may of been hitting, middle and leg was out.

We bowled Carrum out for 121, had an early tea and prepped ourselves for a bat.
Fletch and the Glacier opened the batting but this week it was Marks turn to not trouble the scoreboard. Fletch soon joined Mark back in the pavilion. Jimma had a chance to bat at 3 this week and Jensen came in at 4.

We managed to put up a fight and get ourselves back into the game. But when Jensen unfortunately got run out, things just seemed to go pair shaped. Harey only managed 1, Bakes, Clears & Al Wardlaw, all had a chance to put their names up in lights. But couldn’t find the switch to turn it on.

So it came down to Stamatis and Hunter. Both young men showed they had ice in their veins and started to tick off the runs. Both boys look comfortable at the crease. As we got down to a handful of runs to win, our luck run out again.

It was a chance we unfortunately couldn’t finish off but another excellent performance in the field and just wasted our opportunity with the bat.

Round 7 | Seaford Tigers v Mt Eliza

Yesterday we took on Seaford Tigers @ Seaford and after the toss, Seaford Tigers decided to bat first.

In blustery conditions, the Trap took the new ball with the breeze behind his back. The Trap once again bowled superbly and had the Seaford batsmen unsure what to do. Ball after ball flew past the edge on the bat and stumps and luck early wasn’t on his side. He finished his 8 overs, 2/19 in another quality bowling display of pace bowling.

Bailey had the first over into the breeze in very challenging conditions, we decided to change him and give Paul Goddard the ball. This move brought about our first wicket. With a couple of quality top order batsmen from Seaford, they manage to jump out of the gates well and at drinks were in a solid position of 2/99. After drinks though we slowly changed the game.

This all started with the very capable hands of Bailey Stamatis. Bailey took 3 brilliant catches and this set the scene for our fielding for the day. We were up and about and apart from one chance we missed, everything that came near us, stuck. The Gods were starting to shine on us and Paul continued to create chances for us and we never let him down. Gods finished taking 4 wickets in his 8 overs and was a welcoming addition to our side this week and hopefully for many more.

We mixed the bowling around and another addition to our team, this week, was Chris Cleary. Clears only took a few balls before he started to find his rhythm again. Once it he did, he had the Seaford batsmen not quite sure what his was going to send down at them, mind you, I’m not fully sure Clears knew what he was going to bowl at them either.

Ryan Gracie got a couple of overs in and Bailey also came back for another chance with the ball and after a quality fielding performance and bowling, we managed to bowl Seaford out for 145. Bailey finished them off with 2 wickets, which added to his earlier catches.

Now it was our turn to bat. Fletch and Mark opened the batting for us again. As we went searching for runs and with Mark looking as solid as an iceberg and at times as quick as one, we fought hard against some quality bowling for Seaford. Today wasn’t going to be Fletch’s day unfortunately not troubling the score book. Gods came in at three and looked very comfortable at the crease. After hitting a beautiful drive down the ground, we started to feel as we might slowly break them down. Unfortunately Gods got caught and the pressure started to build on us again.

Jensen and Harey, came and went and Mark still anchored at the other end. Bakes got his chance but once again our bucket had a hole in it and we continued to leak wickets. The trap was next to arrive, rested after his bowling performance, helped block the hole for a period of time but unfortunately the hole continued to leak.

Ryan Gracie and Clears tired hard to fight us out of the position we were in but unfortunately Seaford’s bowling attack on this day got the better of us. We battled hard but succumbed to the pressure of Seaford’s bowling. We finished all out for 92 and if we can take one thing out of this game and use it to move forward, it will be, to keep batting in partnerships, like we bowled with them.

Round 6 | Mt Eliza v Mt Martha

In a day that was better suited to playing winter cricket, we brave the elements and proceeded to play out a game of cricket. We won the toss and decided to bat.

Mark opened the batting with Fletch and got us off to a solid start in the rain. Mark made a quick fire 20 and Fletch once again built his fortress and made a compelling 25. Jensen came in at 3 and we continued to battle on through the weather. At drinks we were running at 4 an over and with only two down.

This week fortunately for us, the 6’s received another forfeit and this gave Ashwin Subramaniam an opportunity to play a game for us. Ash showed his class and helped steer us towards a solid score, while unfortunately others around him fell.

We had Sam Shinsky return to playing cricket and in his short innings, showed it’s only a matter of time before it all clicks again for him. At the end of our innings, we unfortunately got bowled out for 143 but feeling happy we managed to put a reasonable score on the board.

After tea the sun started to slowly break through the clouds and after Jensen’s diving catch off Mark’s hands in the slip cordon, we started to feel the sun was going to shine on us today.

Big Jack and Ashwin with the new ball, had the Mt Martha batsmen tangled in a web of pace and spin bowling. Jack bowled an excellent spell of line and length and was unlucky not to pick up early wickets and Ashwin controlled the other end, making the most of every chance that came our way. Ashwin finished with 2/22 off his 8 overs.

Bailey Stamatis got his chance with the ball and continued the perfect line and length, he witnessed from Jack, picking up a couple of good early wickets in his spell. Both Jack and Bailey came back on later in Mt Martha’s innings. Jack finished with 1/16(8) and Bailey 3/19(6).

We continued with a spin attack and Askay & Alister both had their chance to bowl.
Alister has really started to develop his craft. He bowled with the patience of a well seasoned bowler. Alister picked up an excellent stumping from the great gloves-man, Anthony Hare. Alister dragged their batsmen forward and as quick as a flash Harey completely destroyed the stumps.

I thought our fielding was excellent all day, highlighted by some brilliant arse work by Mark in first slip. This probably cause the biggest delay in the game, as it took several minutes to try and retrieve the ball. That is a place only the brave would venture.

In the end we had bowled Mt Martha out for 102 and taking the points in an excellent team performance by all. Just a couple of thank you’s. Firstly to Ashwin for joining us and secondly to Dallas Teleskivi for his brilliant job doing the scoring. Curly you are a jet.

Round 5 | Tyabb v Mt Eliza

After weeks of excitement, forfeits, wet weather, cancellations and a massive build up, it happened.
WE GOT TO PLAY CRICKET. YEAH BABY.

We headed to Graydens Rd to play Tyabb and when we arrived, we weren’t sure if we were at the right ground. Tyabb were out on the ground warming up and it looked as if they had brought their U/12 team to compete against us. We really didn’t care though, we were just excited to be playing.

The coin was tossed and we decided to bat first. Mark and Fletch opened the batting for us. As Mark went out to bat he realized we had a bag of riches sitting in the shed and was more interested in watching them bat. It wasn’t long before he was able to sit with them, after having his stumps explode. Harey was in next and must of had a similar train of thought. Unfortunately for Harey, he too had his stumps suddenly combust on him.

Tyabb had us on the back foot early, two down and not many runs on the board but little did Tyabb know we had a trump card in the shed. Macca. Macca strode to the crease with the excitement of a kid on Christmas eve. Eager to get a hit in before he took off to represent Victoria in the Veterans.
So after losing a couple of early wickets, Macca and Fletch steadied the ship.

Fletch has really found some confidence in himself and in his new role as our opening batsman. Once again Fletch batted brilliantly. Finally falling for a well deserved 28. Bakes came in at 5 and with a bigger defence than the Chinese army, held the fort while Mr Victoria at the other end kept blasting the ball all over the park. Unfortunately for Steve, he eventually got raided and had to head back to the bunker, with the rest of us.

Smithy and Maxi were the next two batters in. Smithy tried to blast the ball all over the park and got caught and Maxi, like Mark and Harey was keen to see some of the other weaponry we had in the shed.

Next in was our 7’6″, 15 year old, Jack Vaughn. Big Jack is going to be someone we can all admire his cricketing talents. He has a solid technique and looked at home with a bat in his hand.
As our overs left dwindled and big Jack pushing for runs, came a cropper to the Tyabb bowlers.

With just over 7 overs to go and chasing a target over 200 runs, Mr Victoria set about achieving that target. To be honest, watching Macca bat was simply an enjoyment for everyone who was there. The only thing that was danger of his performance, was the wildlife in the surrounding area and the ball. Mr Victoria belted the ball all around the park for an unbeaten 110 and gave himself a real boost in confidence, for his challenges ahead.

We finished our innings 8/208 and at tea was pretty confident we had set a good score we thought we could defend. The Fly Trap and Matty G, the only two not to get a bat, had the chance to take the new ball. Jimma bowled with the vigor and talent of an opening spell at an ashes series and Matty kept the Tyabb batsmen on their toes. The Trap finished his spell taking a late wicket but had more tricks on the ball than Merlin.

The 7’6″ giant got his chance to bowl and I know I mentioned his technique with the bat, but this young man with a ball in his hand is something else. I can’t wait to watch this young man bowl, when he actually believes in his talent. Today we had two country week opening bowlers in our team and both of them, marvelled at the control and pace of this young man. Big Jack finished with 2 brilliant wickets and only concede 25 runs off his 8 overs. Jack you are a Jet mate.

We continued to pick up wickets with some excellent early bowling and decided to give the ball to our ton maker, Mr Victoria. Tyabb had their best batsman in and captain Luke Jones at the crease. Macca constructed a brilliant 14 ball over to eventually have Jones walking after a ball he finally got on the stumps. LBW. Only other person I have seen such a well constructed over, was Mark Curwood’s 16 ball over against Boneo.

Maxi, Fletch and Smidders all got a late chance to bowl. Fletch grabbed a wicket to go with his batting performance and Smidders also got one too but unfortunately for Maxi, like his batting, the only highlight for him for the day, was when he got stung by a bee in the field, on the nose. We soon were able to celebrate a milestone victory, bowling Tyabb out for 121.

It was a great team performance and thank you all for making it so much fun. It is a game, I will remember.

Round 4 | Mt Eliza v Old Peninsula

Win – Old Peninsula forfeit

Round 3 | Mt Eliza v Somerville

Washed out.

Round 2 | Mt Eliza v Moorooduc

Washed out.