Monday, December 5, 2011

1ST AND 2ND XI COLLAPSE WHILE 3RDS AND 4THS POWER ON

Round 5 was built as one of the most important rounds of the season for the Snowdogs, with only one more game before Christmas the final two rounds would of 2011 prove pivotal in consolidating top 4 positions.

The first XI played host to the side who last year bundled them out of their first Senior Division finals appearance in over two decades - Bentleigh. The visitors won the toss and chose to bat on the first Saturday of summer for the season - a cool one at that. The snowdogs were able to pick up wickets at regular intervals throughout the innings restricting the visitors to 7/129(cc) with the in-form Luke Davis continuing his recent string of wickets taking 4/19 off 11 and was well supported by Jordan Mills who took 2-25 off his 10. The chase got off to a good start with newly promoted opener and in-form Jordan Mills making 70 and Nick Linton 24 as the two combined for a 63 run partnership bringing the score to 3-102 needing only 28 to win. From then a complete and utter capitulation to be 9-122 with the final wicket being able to put on 7 runs to salvage a tie from what should have a been comfortable victory - a very disappointing result for the 1st XI who find them self 9th on the ladder instead of 6th.
The 2nd XI travelled out to Bentliegh via Stereosonic to soak in some last minute phat beatz before they took on last seasons Senior Seconds runners-up. Losing the toss and being asked to bowl was not the worst result for the dogs with overcast conditions and a green tinge to the wicket the barely pubescent opening pair of Riley and Turner were able to get the best of the conditions. Some tight early bowling by both of these meant Bentleigh were on the back foot almost from the first over, both bowlers having tidy one day figures with Riley (1-29 off 10) and Turner (1-13 off 7) picking up his first 2nd XI wicket with a ball that jagged back from outside off to take the top of middle. With the hard work done early it meant the dogs could attack the middle/lower order with the spin of Kevin & Pat O'Connell who were able to pick up 6 between them bowling the hosts out for 117. The run chase got off to a good start being 2-40 at drinks (both openers in the shed Jordan 5, and P.O'Connell 22) with a further 23 overs to get the remaining runs. Kevin O'Connell and James Davey were able to put on a little partnership before James was dismissed for 16 and Kev for 22 it was going to be tough for the dogs to claim victory. Tom Chrystie showed stiff resistance but it was not enough with the dogs falling 8 runs short of victory. Same old story for the 2nds with guys getting starts and not going on with it.
The undefeated 3rd XI played host to rivals Hoppers Crossing on oval two under the captaincy of Jason Bourke for the 2nd time this season. Hoppers won the toss and sent the snowdogs into bat - a decision they would late rue, after Jason Bourke put on a batting display to behold, smashing the quality Hoppers attack to all parts of the ground en route to his 2nd century in as many seasons in the 3rd XI - 107* in the impressive total of 5-173. Sean Hefter and Matt Bergin also chipping in with 22 & 14 respectively. Hoppers got off to a reasonable start in their chase with the score at 2-82 were looking comfortable before Jarrod Cowan claimed one of his 3 wickets to be the best of the bowlers in what turned out to be a comfortable 23 run win.
The 4th XI drew the short straw this season having to play away to Hoppers Crossing twice in the first 5 rounds. Batting first they were able to post a highly competitive target of 4/161 with Mark Casltes making 54, Ross Rodgers 32 and Captain John Jordan 43*. Pat Comerford starred for the snowdogs with the ball taking 3/13 off 7 putting Hoppers on the back foot from the word go. The dogs running out 36 run victors.

Big week of training awaits.