“Early drinkin means quick drunken.” – Ted Lasso
After rain fell consistently overnight and into Saturday morning, wet pitches and drenched outfields meant that the Third and Fourth XI’s would not get a ball bowled. Whether they took heed of Ted’s advice once the matches were called, remains to be seen.
FIRST XI
A monumental effort to get the Main and the wicket in pristine condition on Saturday morning, Ryan and Jez might soon be summoned to Rawalpindi by the ICC. Their efforts ensuring a 45-over match, the Students would capitalise in a comprehensive performance against the Dragons.
Donkey and Larry – Premier Cricket’s favourite opening combo – were back together on Saturday. MUCC’s own Woody and Buzz, the pair took the score 50 and beyond; their opening stand worth 63 before Croes (26) was dismissed, “so long, partner.” Meanwhile, Emms, whose capacity to set a platform is more reliable than bank interest (and arguably more valuable) managed 44.
As ever, McKenna and Yaksender found a rhythm together in the middle. Their styles found at either end of the cricketing textbook, runs don’t discriminate, and they added 70 for the third wicket. Yak (52) was in full command clocking yet another half century, while the skipper (49) was cruelly run-out one short of the milestone. Moving the score beyond 200, Prakash (13 from 10) did his fast hands slap thing, as Uni posted an impressive 7/205 from their 45 overs.
A classical “mature age student” (at the ripe old age of 21), JP noted during the week that he “can’t keep up,” with the first years at college. With ball in hand however, few can keep up with him; the seamer rolling through the Northcote top order with ease. As Prakash went to work from one end, claiming his best figures as a Student of 4/33, Hatzoglou did his thing at the other. Thumping around and testing the speed gun, Pete stormed through for 3/39 as he dismantled Northcote’s middle order. Warren (1/23) and Mackin – who made his Premier Cricket TV debut during the week – (1/25) also picked up wickets as the Uni bowled the Dragons out for 146.
Season alive thanks to an invaluable bonus point, school is still in session for the Students!
SECOND XI
“That right there – that’s a scone. It’s like a muffin except it sucks all the spit out of your mouth.” – Ted Lasso
There was no such issue at Bill Lawry Oval on Saturday; fresh cinnamon donuts freely (I think?) available at the canteen. The boys happy to make hay on that front while the sun didn’t shine – a rain delay the perfect chance to tuck into a yummy.
Following a phone call at 9:30, Max Hatzoglou made his way to the inner-north to play for the Students for the first time since 19/20. A welcome addition to any change room, Hatz would take up a position in the middle order and behind the pegs.
Finally under way at 1:20pm, the Students would play a 35-over game in tricky conditions. Batting first, it was Hahnel and Hutton who made the fast start. Josh made a valiant claim at the biggest MUCC pull shot on film in his rapid fire 19, while the coach was immovable at the other end. Though wickets continued to tumble, Diesel kept showing the way; balancing patience on a difficult wicket, with power when the opportunity presented. A controlled and composed innings, D crafted an invaluable 60 as he batted for two and a half hours, holding the innings together. The innings closing at 8/138, Uni would need to bowl well to take the points.
Impressive up the top, JB and TJ made scoring difficult as they nipped the ball around under overcast skies. TJ was able to break through to get the Students underway, before Jeremy Peacock was thrown the ball. Campaigning hard for a Red Bull sponsorship, Jezza continued a rich vein of form on the weekend. A wicket in his first over, two in two balls shortly after and a fifth in his final set, Jezz was always in the game; his stump-to-stump style invaluable as he claimed 5/18 to secure his second Player of the Week honour. With 28 wickets to his name, Peacock might have Scholars’ Cross sewn up…
Though Uni were well on top, some resolute batting from the Northcoate lower order hauled them back into the contest, and eventually over the line. A last ball loss a bitter pill to swallow for the Students. Nonetheless, a valuable lesson before they head into Finals.
