After a clean sweep over Prahran Uni headed into their Round 15 clash with the Bulldogs keen to keep the momentum going with only 3 rounds until finals.
MUCC Match Reports – Round 15
First XI: MUCC 4/367(dec) (T Rogers 141, JL McNeil 100 ) defeated Footscray 240 all out (L Scammell 4/15, WA Agar 4/86)
James McNeil had no hesitation in batting first on a flat, hard pitch at Merv Hughes Oval. He was duly rewarded with a 50 run opening stand by Dan Hutton (32) and Tom Rogers (141) which laid the foundation for Uni’s highest total in some years at 4/367. Tom Rogers batted with great discipline and poise to post his maiden 1st grade century whilst posting a 170 run partnership with his captain James McNeil (100). Continuing their fine recent form together, Andrej Yaksender & Liam Scammell both finished on 34 not out allowing a few overs at the Dogs before the end of play.
Presented with an even flatter pitch day two, Uni knew 10 wickets was going to be hard work and after consistent line and length were rewarded just before lunch with Liam Scammell (4/15 of 17 with 11 maidens) and Fawad (1/58) picking up vital wickets. With stiff resistance from Russ, Kight & Buszard the win looked like it might elude MUCC with Footscray 6/206 when the second new ball was taken. Summoning a huge effort Reid (1/55 off 18) and Agar (4/86 off 22.2) bowled with great pace and aggression for a final push. Agar trapping Buszard in front LBW was quickly followed by a team hatrick with Wes smashing the stump two balls in succession to send the Uni boys into excited celebrations. The spectacular finish ended what was a dirty day for the dogs, with MUCC completing another broom with victories in all Premier grades.
The 1st XI still needs to continue their winning form to be certain of playing finals with three outright victories in other games leaving the ladder extremely tight.
Full match scorecard here.
Second XI: MUCC 232 all out (HS Emms 93 E Karageorgiou 50) defeated Footscray 211 all out (M Stafford 5/44, B Rolfs 3/58))
Under ominous clouds, Mark Simpson sent Footscray in at the Uni Main and got the start he was looking for with Mark Stafford (5/44 off 19) striking with the second ball of the match. With another caught at gully soon after and a peach of a delivery kissing the off bail on its way through to the keeper, Squid had the first three and Footscray were in trouble at 3/17. With some stout defence, Footscray scragged their way back into the match and scrapped their way to 211 before being dismissed shortly after tea on day one. Ben Rolfs picking up 3/58 and James Horn enjoying 4 catches and a stumping with the gloves. At stumps at day one, MUCC was well placed at 1/62.
Emms & Iqbal continued their fine work getting through the first hour of day 2 before some tight and persistent bowling saw 3 quick wickets fall leaving the twos four down with 100 still required for victory. A fine 80 run partnership between Emms (93) and Karageorgiou (50) broke the back of the target and the victory was secured 7 down with Uni being dismissed for 232 and securing an early finish.
The 2nd XI sits third on the ladder and well placed for a push deep into March.
Full match scorecard here.
Third XI: MUCC 9/189(dec) and 2/39 defeated Footscray 127 all out and 97 all out)
The 3rd XI headed to Tony Dodemaide oval to find a green seamer after a watering mishap during the week and promptly sent the home side in after winning the toss.
Lead by left arm quick James Browning the Uni boys dismissed Footscray for 127 but found themselves in early trouble in reply. At the end of day one the game was still finely in the balance with MUCC 6/75.
With the captain Tom Polkinghorne and the experienced Sam Skinner leading the way Uni managed to pass the 1st innings total 7 down and pushed for a small lead with outright points in mind.
Declaring 62 runs in front the Dogs again found themselves in early trouble. Browning (4 wkts) again striking early with two in two balls as Footscray slumped to 4/48. Jack Wrigglesworth (4 wkts) hitting the wicket hard impressed and when the dogs were dismissed with 13 overs left in the days play Uni needed only 36 runs. Outright points followed which cements top spot with two rounds still to play.
Full match scorecard here.
Fourth XI: MUCC 7/316(dec) (E Durrant 115, R Epstein 97) defeated Footscray 116 all out (F Coxon 3/20) and 5/176 (E Durrant 3/45)
The 4th XI took on the higher placed Dogs at Princes Park #3 and batted first in a hotly anticipated Sat/Sun clash.
After an early wicket Durrant (115) & Epstein (97) combined for the 4s highest partnership of the season. With selfless batting in pursuit of quick runs from the lower order the 4s were able to declare on 317 leaving 20 mins before stumps. They were duly rewarded with the Dogs 2/19 at the close of play on day one.
Day 2 saw Frank Coxon (3/20 off 12) pick up early wickets and with great intensity in the field, Uni picked up 2 run outs on the way to rolling the Scraggers for a meagre 116. The Dogs performed better in the second dig at 5/176 with Durrant picking up 3 second innings wickets rounding out a fine game from the centurion.
Full match scorecard here.
Leave us a reply