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Hoppers Crossing 1st XI came agonisingly close to their first win of the season on Saturday, however close enough is still not quite good enough. Playing Parkville District at Hogan’s Road in yet another one day encounter, the visitors drew first blood by winning the toss and electing to bat on a wicket tailor made for big scoring.
As has been the case for the best part of the season the Cats attack has been under the pump with Parkville getting away to a flyer, only losing their first wicket in the fourteenth over with the score at 79. After the initial onslaught the bowling tightened a little and the scoring rate dropped somewhat but on the flat deck, wickets were hard to come by.
In the latter stages of their innings Parkville again tried to up the ante to ensure they posted a score which would be difficult to chase down. At the conclusion of their forty overs the visitors were 6/219. For the home side Darryl Carrington (2/59) and Shane McEachran (2/66) were the pick of the bowlers.
The Cats got away to a good start in their run chase with openers Shaun Borlase and Jamie Morgan posting 35 for the first wicket, when Morgan fell recalled club veteran Adam Brodie strode defiantly to the crease.
Borlase and Brodie set about restoring some club pride as they valiantly chased down the imposing target. With both players looking decidedly comfortable and scoring at ease, the assembled crowd started to contemplate a much needed win.
With six over’s remaining and 47 runs required the equation looked very possible until a costly mix up which saw Brodie run out for a valuable 74. The pair had put on 137 for the second wicket. The dismissal of Brodie caused a hint of panic in the home camp as the Cats lost two more wickets in the next over. The big loss undoubtedly was the dominant Borlase for a season high 83, again to a very ordinary yes, no, yes, no run out, which spelled the end of the Cats chances. Captain Trent Said and Will Gardner tried hard to get the side home, but the task got too great in the end, with the home side falling 11 runs short, finishing the afternoon at 7/208.
The upside for Hoppers is that the batting department is looking decidedly stronger in recent games however the bowling is still lacking consistency and the task ahead is to improve this aspect of their game and quickly to turn their horror start to the season around.
The Seconds posted a strong win in their two day encounter away at Parkville District. After the Cats last week posting a strong 9/202, the home side were decimated by young swing bowler Matthew Muhar (5/19) who ripped through their top order. Also encouraging for the Cats was demoted First’s player Gavin McCallum who has struggled all season with a debilitating knee injury which has meant he has not been able to bowl, bowled eleven over’s, claiming figures of 2/10. Parkville was bowled out for a paltry 73.
The Cats enforced the follow on and sent the home side back in with still forty eight over’s left to bowl in the day. Hoppers tried hard but Parkville dug in to avoid an outright defeat finishing the match at 7/134 in their second innings.
The Thirds continued on their winning ways and pulled further away at the top of the ladder in North C1 with a commanding win over Spotswood at Hogan’s Road. After winning the toss and batting the home side posted 149 after their 36 overs. In reply the visitors were bowled out in the 31st over for 99. Pick of the bowlers for the Cats was Greg Shaw (3/27) and Travis Waring (3/31).
The 4th XI also retained top spot on the table with a big win away to Spotswood. After Spotswood won the toss and batted the visitors bowled them over for 106 in the 30th over with Shankar Rao (3/8) and Andrew Caleca (3/15) doing the damage.
In reply the Cats posted a formidable 4/155 with veterans Andrew Bennett (70) and Mike “Brick” Wall (42) leading the charge.
The Fifths also continued their winning ways with a commanding 34 run win in their two day encounter against Melton South PS at Melton. Chasing Melton South’s 173 from last week, the Cats finished their afternoon at 8/207 with skipper Neil Dey 43 not out and Keith Roga 34 ensuring the target was reached.
The 6th XI had a day to forget losing their two day encounter to Melton Centrals at Warringa. In reply to Centrals 273 from last week the Cats could only manage 119 in reply. Anthony Breen (33) was the best of the Cats batsman.
The newly formed Hoppers Crossing 7th XI got away to a first up win in the WDCA One Day Competition, fielding no less than six Under 15 players. Playing Spotswood away, the home side won the toss and batted but were dismissed for 212 in the last of their 35 overs. Best bowling for Hoppers Crossing was youngster Brandon Gulas with 4/32 in his first senior game.
In reply the Cats easily reeled in the target posting 5/221 with three over’s to spare. Paul Gulas got the Cats away early with 53 ret. Also starring for the Cats were 13 year old first gamers James Grubb 51 ret and Daniel McNamara 31 who put on an 81 run partnership to guarantee the win for the Cats.Regards,
Steve McNamara - Photo
HCCC President
president@hopperscrossingcc.com.au