1 From 2 as rain intervenes yet again

As rain reared its head again this week, all first and second grade matches were reduced to a one-dayer on Sunday, while all third and fourth XI cricket was abandoned, and points were shared. 

FIRST XI

On a chilly morning, Uni President, Derek Bennett had the privilege of presenting Abdul Haseeb with cap 968, as the Students prepared to take on Geelong at the Main. 

After losing the toss and being sent in on what looked a good wicket, Uni found themselves in a sticky situation early at 2/37 after Emms (0) and Gregory (15) fell inside the power play. At the other end, meanwhile, Jarrod Martignago, complete with full handlebar Movember moustache, batted with composure and class to keep the scoreboard ticking over. Joined by the endlessly effective Andrej Yaksender (33), the pair added 70 for the third wicket, two more quick wickets saw Uni teetering at 4/122. Jazz continued to manoeuvre the ball to all parts on his way to a valuable 82, before he was caught at fine leg. Cameos from Young (33), Scammell (29) and Rolfs (13) helped push Uni above 220, but they felt the pinch of not having a set batsman in at the end, ultimately managing 228 from 50 overs. 

Mark Stafford was quick to get the Students off on the right foot in the field, completing a tumbling caught and bowled to have Geelong 1/4 in the first over. Haseeb was impressive in his first few overs, beating the bat of Geelong’s top order on numerous occasions, before Fawad Ahmed came into the attack and really put the breaks on. Bowling an excellent spell of 1/30, the wicket courtesy of a nice catch from Emmsy running back with the flight, Fuzzy tried to wrestle back the momentum, as his leg-spinning partner in crime Ben Rolfs also managed a wicket at the other end. It wasn’t enough, however, as Geelong batted sensibly and capitalised on any Uni errors, as the passed the total with seven overs to spare.

A disappointing result, Uni will be hoping to make amends next week against Kingston Hawthorn. 

SECOND XI

Having seen Geelong superstar Patrick Dangerfield on his way into the ground, Ben Roughsedge and his Second XI teammates were primed for a big day down at Kardinia Park. 

Bowling first, it was the recent VCE graduate, Lachie Melican who was first to strike, with and LBW to have Geelong 1/34. As wickets continued to fall steadily enough throughout the innings, Yousaf Iqbal (3/24) was the standout for Uni with the ball, while wickets were shared evenly amongst the rest of the attack. On a notoriously quick ground that has developed a reputation as a batsman’s paradise, it was a terrific effort by the Students to restrict Geelong to 213 from their 50 overs.

After the early loss of Roughsedge (6) the Students steadied, as Isaiah Borgas, in his 50^th match for MUCC and Yousaf Iqbal put the momentum squarely in Uni’s favour. Sharing a 133 run partnership, the two experienced players put the result just about beyond doubt. Borgas (82) managed his highest score for the season, while Iqbal’s 61 backed up his excellent performance with the ball, as he secured the mantle as Resilience Project Player of the Week. James Bett’s 30* saw the Students over the line in a comfortable victory, which puts the Second XI 2^nd on the ladder after 6 rounds.