Jonty's Jottings February 14-16

This week's report belongs to Bevan Holder, who made his maiden century in the Under 16 (1) team against Flemington last Friday night. Four sixes as well! Wow! Sensational stuff Bevo, we look forward to plenty more runs from that bat of yours mate!

A huge congratulations to Josh Norsetter as well - how is this for a remarkable achievement?

At the age of just 15, and only 37 months into his senior cricket career, Josh will play his 100th senior game in the 2nd Grade team against Footscray ANA on Sunday. Well done mate, I'm sure there are many more to come.

Unfortunately the senior club went without a win last week, record four washouts and three losses, but the juniors fared better, with two wins, two draws and a no details submitted. We're heading into the business end of the season, so hopefully as many teams as possible can push on into the finals.

A reminder for the dads and mums who enjoy a game of cards - the annual Moonee Valley Cricket Club poker night will be held at the clubrooms on Saturday night.

Further details are still to come, but the senior MVP vote counts will be held at the clubrooms on Sunday night, March 8, so if you have played any senior cricket (or even if you haven't) we would love to see you there! The club's presentation night will be on Saturday, April 18, with further details to come soon.

Here's what happened last weekend:

1st Grade - Two-dayer - Moonee Valley 6/104 drew Melton South 117. 13 runs. That's how far away we were, with no play possible on Day 2. Ladder Position: 1st

2nd Grade - Two-dayer - Moonee Valley 157 drew Melton South 0/18. The rain has made it extremely tough for the 2s to make the finals. An outright win this Sunday is the minimum required. Ladder Position: 5th

3rd Grade - 45 overs - Moonee Valley 9/135 lost to National 4/150 by six wickets with 24 balls to spare. Another disappointing batting display leaves our boys needing two wins from two games to make the finals. Sagar Bhatia (44no) was outstanding to give us a defendable total, but only Alec McIntyre (22) provided other resistance. Four bowlers shared the wickets. Ladder Position: 5th

4th Grade - 45 overs - Moonee Valley 96 lost to Brunswick 5/236 by 140 runs. Insurmountable proof as to why you don't win the toss and bowl, especially in the MCA. Mitch Britton (3/39) was the most successful bowler, while only Mick Bannister (36) put any scoreboard pressure on. Josh Norsetter (1/26 and 14no) did his best to salvage things, being the most economical bowler and having the third top score before being stranded without a partner. Ladder Position: 7th

 5th Grade - 35 overs - Moonee Valley drew Donnybrook. Needing to get on just long enough to get one wicket for the minor premiership, the Shiners did their best, but the weather Gods were against us. Second spot heading into the finals means at least two home finals if we keep winning. Ladder Position: 2nd

 6th Grade - Two-dayer - Moonee Valley 0/15 drew Sydenham Hillside 120. Another potential win nipped in the bud by the rain. The result leaves us in the do-or-die elimination final over the next two weeks. Ladder Position: 5th

7th Grade - 35 overs QUARTER-FINAL - Moonee Valley 5/118 lost to Aintree 4/284 by 166 runs. Last time we played Aintree we lost by 325, so this was a massive improvement, but the season is unfortunately now over. George Manousos (2/20) again took wickets, while Noah Nimorakiotakis (1/32) and Bevan Holder (1/47) were also successful. Luca Nimorakiotakis (0/34) and Tomas Morrissy (0/30) opened together, while Felix Fischer (0/21) also bowled well. Bevan (31) backed up his Friday night ton to top score, while Tomas (26) and Michael Ozbun provided support. Well done on your efforts against higher ranked opposition all season. ELIMINATED - FINAL LADDER POSITION: 7th

Under 16 (1) - Two-dayer - Moonee Valley 3/158 def Flemington 138 by second wickets. Needing an outright win to stay in finals contention, the rain early on Saturday night. With 44 required on the resumption. Bevan Holder launched at the bowlers, smacking four sixes to go with 15 fours to move frm 62no to 101no. What a great knock! Luca Nimorakiotakis (22) shared in a 116-run first-wicket partnership. Ladder Position: 6th

Under 16 (2) - Two-dayer - Moonee Valley 5/191 def Pascoe Vale United 7/133 by 58 runs. Resuming 65 runs ahead, the outstanding bowling made sure of the victory. Nam Nguyen (3/18) was the destroyer, while everyone else bowler great too. Tomas Morrissy (69) went on to an impressive innings and is in terrific form, while Dejan Gilevski (31no) had a big score cut short by the rain. Ladder Position: 3rd

Under 14 (3) - Two-dayer - Moonee Valley 5/100 drew Burnside Springs 8dec/238. After a tough day one, the boys fought hard before the rain came. Unfortunately the day two details have not been submitted to tell you about them. Ladder Position: 7th

Under 12 (4) - Two-dayer - Moonee Valley 3/103 drew East Coburg 5/99. We were on track for a victory, but the rain meant we didn't get any cricket in. Ladder Position: 6th

Under 10 - One-dayer - Moonee Valley drew Taylors Lakes Blue. No play was possible in this game.

Here are the games this week:

FRIDAY

Under 16 (1) - Two-dayer v Doutta Stars at Ormond Park East 6th v 4th. Outright win needed.

Under 16 (2) - Two-dayer v Pascoe Vale Hadfield at James Martin Reserve, Hadfield 3rd v 1st. Finals all-but locked in.

Under 14 (3) - Two-dayer v Aberfeldie at Fairbairn Park 1 7th v 6th. Off the bottom last week, chance to finish strong.

Under 12 (4) - One-dayer v Sydenham-Hillside at Taylors Hill Recreation Reserve. 6th v 1st. Preparing for the finals.

Under 10 - One-dayer v Pascoe Vale United Gold at Wallace Reserve West. Last away game.

SATURDAY

1st Grade - Two-dayer v Footscray ANA at Ormond Park West 1st v 8th. Win and finish top. Lose and could drop to fourth.

5th Grade - QUARTER-FINAL - 35 overs v Aberfeldie St Johns at Ormond Park East 2nd v 7th. Do or die from here on in.

6th Grade - Two-dayer v Pascoe Vale Central at Allard Park, Brunswick 5th v 4th. Elimination final. Win and play finals. Lose and miss out.

SUNDAY

2nd Grade - Two-dayer v Footscray ANA at Aberfeldie Park West 5th v 3rd. Outright win needed.

3rd Grade - 45 overs v Parkville District at Ormond Park West 5th v 7th. Do or die from now on.

4th Grade - 45 overs v Power House at Fawkner Park 4. 7th v 5th. Another chance to knock a rival out of the finals race.

7th Grade - Season over, 7th position.

 GO VALLEYS!

 Jonty (Brendan Rhodes)