Jonty's Jottings - November 29/December 1

Well rain had a fair bit to say about our Friday and Sunday games last weekend, but we still managed to put in some fantastic performances, headlined by a team stacked with juniors scoring a gutsy win against a much higher-ranked opposition.

The seniors had two wins for the 1s T20 and the 6s, four draws and four losses over the week, with some work to do for a couple of teams to get back on track, while the juniors recorded one win from the U16 (2), three draws and one bye.  

 

Here's the results from the past few days:

 

1st Grade - 40 overs - Moonee Valley drew Sunbury. With the pitch still wet from Friday, this was the only team not to play on Saturday.

 

1st Grade - 40 overs - Moonee Valley 99 drew Jacana 1/15.  In a catch-up game from an earlier wash-out, the Valleys proved just how fickle cricket can be. After breaking the club record with 466 last time out, the 1s failed to even crack 100. Nadeera Thuppahi (who made a duck in the record), topscored with 31no before the rain came again and ended the contest. Ladder Position: 3rd

 

1st Grade VTCA Twenty20 - Moonee Valley 6/207 def St Andrews Footscray 125 by 84 runs. We needed a big win to overtake St Andrews for top spot in the group, and duly delivered - led by an unbelievable performance by our guest player from Carlton, Donovan Pell. Donny smashed 103 off 55 balls in a 66-minute masterclass with five fours and 10 sixes! Geez, I wish I could bat like that! Hopefully the U16s took some of it in while they were training on Tuesday night. Suraj Weerasinghe (31no) and Sohail Hussain (28no) then lifted us over 200 before the bowlers took over, with Dan Comande (2/9), Anthony Cafari (2/13) and two sharp runouts sealed the win. Unfortunately, the third-placed team won by more and we remain second, needing results to go our way to advance from the group as one of the best three runners-up. Ladder Position: 2nd

 

2nd Grade - 40 overs - Moonee Valley 109 lost to Sunbury 114 by 5 runs. A game dominated by the bowlers, with our trundlers never letting the Roar get away. Mark Gauci (2/15) and Jim Polonidis (2/18) set it up before Mohammed Ashraf (5/5) destroyed the tail to give us what looked like an easy chase. Unfortunately it proved to be anything but, with five players passing 15 but none getting 20. It proved crucial as the tail collapsed to lose a thriller. Ladder Position: 5th

 

3rd Grade - 45 overs - Moonee Valley drew Youlden Parkville 6/127. This match was in the balance when the rain came, with our 3s maybe being slightly in front. Matt Esmore (2/12) and Paul Bannister (2/22) led the way with the ball. Ladder Position: 3rd

 

4th Grade - 45 overs - Moonee Valley 4/106 drew Charles Sturt University. After top order collapsed to 3/9, second gamer Jay Patel (57no), veteran Murray Price (20) and coach Tony Gleeson (21no) lifted us back into the game and our second-highest score of the season before the heavens opened. Ladder Position: 8th

 

5th Grade - 35 overs - Moonee Valley 8/206 lost to 9/209 by two wickets. Consecutive losses to the Shiners as they went down in heartbreaking fashion to prove nothing can ever be taken for granted. After Sam Gunther (50), debutant Sam Kater (48) and Paddy Shelton (41) combined to knock up a run-a-ball target, the bowlers overcame a poor start to be in good shape after Liam Farrell (4/46) took out the middle order. But the Saints' tail wagged and they got home with a 61-run ninth wicket partnership that ended after the target was achieved. Ladder Position: 3rd

 

6th Grade - 35 overs - Moonee Valley 4/172 def Sydenham-Hillside 6/167 by six wickets with eight balls to spare.  So proud of this victory, achieved with four juniors in the team, who all contributed strongly. Somebody (looking in the mirror) fielded badly to help allow the Storm to make more runs than they should have, but the bowling combined well to share the wickets and pull them back. Josh Norsetter (1/5), Luca Nimorakiotakis (1/21) and Dejan Gilevski 1/55 got among the wickets and Felix Fischer took a great catch behind the stumps. With the bat, that bloke in the mirror, yours truly, finally pulling my weight for the first time in weeks. I made 61, with great support from everyone before Dejan (18no) came in at the end and helped seal the win. Felix got the chance to go in and whack the winning runs off his first ball, and we're off the bottom of the ladder! Congratulations also to Bill Nimorakiotakis on your first win for the club, achieved playing with your son. Noah next! Ladder Position: 5th

 

7th Grade - 35 overs - Moonee Valley 84 lost to Jacana 0/87 by 10 wickets with 180 balls to spare. Another tough day at the office for the 7s, but it was great to see youngsters Zac Nilsson (7 and 0/11) and Max Talone (0 and 0/11) get another senior game in, with both their dads, Tony (10) and John (4), also in the team, while the enthusiastic youngster Tristan Berge also had a game. Well done to all of you!  Ladder Position: 8th

 

Under 16 (1) - One Dayer - Moonee Valley 2/25 drew Sydenham-Hillside 5/108. This game was in the balance when the rain arrived. Unfortunately, once again no scores have been submitted, which is disappointing as I can't pump any of you boys up! Ladder Position: 6th

 

Under 16 (2) - One Dayer - Moonee Valley 5/104 def Brunswick 7/95 by 9 runs. A great effort to back up the outright win with another victory. Excellent bowling from Tomas Morrissy (3/9) and Max Pickering (3/19) set it up before the returning Nam Nguyen cracked 48no in his first game since returning from a short stint at Youlden Parkville to seal the win. Welcome home mate, it's great to have you back! Tomas (16), Leo Zabarauskas (15) and Dejan Gilevski (10) gave strong support.  Ladder Position: 3rd

 

Under 14 (3) - One Dayer - Moonee Valley bye. Great news during the week, with the NWMCA agreeing to regrade our boys to a level where they can enjoy their cricket again. I look forward to writing some great things in coming weeks. Ladder Position: 8th

 

Under 12 (4) - One Dayer - Moonee Valley 7/117 drew St Bernards Gold 0/5. Jeremy Sevenson (14no) and Angus Hughes (11ret) led the boys to their second highest score of the season and a real winning chance before the rain unfortunately put paid to that. Ladder Position: 5th

 

Under 10 - One-dayer - Moonee Valley drew West Coburg. No game, unfortunately, for our newest champions. Hopefully you get back on the park this week.

 

Saturday seems to be the day this week when we might be able to give a few boys a game, and we would love to see you back again for another hit. Please let Charlie or myself know if you are available, and good luck in your games on Friday night.

 

Here are the games this week:

 

FRIDAY

Under 16 (1) - Two Dayer v Doutta Stars at Buckley Park South 1, Essendon 6th v 4th

Under 16 (2) - Two Dayer v Greenvale Roos at Barrymore Rd Reserve, Greenvale 3rd v 7th

Under 14 (3) - One Dayer v Strathmore Heights at Debneys Park 8th v 3rd

Under 12 (4) - One Dayer v Keilor Park at Ormond Park East 5th v 1st

Under 10 - One Dayer v Airport West-St Christophers at Ormond Park West

SATURDAY

1st Grade - 40 overs v Bellbridge at Mossfiel Reserve, Hoppers Crossing 3rd v 7th

2nd Grade - 40 overs v Bellbridge at Ormond Park West 5th v 7th

5th Grade - 35 overs v Maribyrnong Park-St Marys at Maribyrnong Park 2 3rd v 2nd

6th Grade - 35 overs v Burnside Springs at Ormond Park East 5th v 1st

SUNDAY

3rd Grade - 45 overs v Indigos at Ormond Park West 3rd v 1st

4th Grade - 45 overs v Parkville District at Brens Oval, Parkville 8th v 4th

7th Grade - BYE (Shakti Lions have withdrawn from the competition) 8th

 

 

GO VALLEYS!

 

Jonty (Brendan Rhodes)