Records tumble to the Stupendous Sixths

Mighty Fighting Sixths

Moonee Valley’s Sixth Eleven rewrote the record books when it compiled a massive 6/540 declared against Ascot Vale.

The October 19 score was the highest scored by any Moonee Valley team since we first took to the park in 1971, and our three centurions in the one innings was also a first.

Ironically, the record knocked off the previous mark set by the same squad in 2008/09.

Incredibly, three players from the squad – Brett Curran, Dean Lawson and Paul Hobbs – have featured in three of our record-breaking feats.

Above: Our record-breaking team: From left: Back - Sam Carbone, Brett Curran, Dino Sapuppo, Mark Gauci,
Sean O'Kane, (who was not able to field due to injury), Dean Lawson, Norm Wright and Will Agius. Front - Paul
Edwards, sub fielder Bede Gannon and Paul Hobbs. John Petropoulos was absent in hospital.

Brett, Paul and Dean were also part of the Sixths team which set the previous club-high mark of 3/475cc against Buckley Park in 2008/09, and which kept Craigieburn to what was at the time an all-time low of 29 all-out in 2011/12. 

Steven Ball would have also joined the trio in the three-peat of records on Sunday, but stepped aside to enable Paul Edwards to resume his career at Moonee Valley after more than 20 years out of the game.

And big Norm Wright was part of the record feats of 2008/09 and this season, but made himself 12^th man for the Craigieburn match so that son Peter could get a game in. 

Past skipper Brett Curran, who has captained the squad from 2006 until he stepped aside this season, said the Sixths knocked up the massive score on our Ormond East oval with a combination of brutal hitting and classy batting.

Brett, who in recognition of his leadership service has retained the Latin honorific Skipper Emeritus, Omnipotens Pugnaces Sexti (translated as “former Beloved Leader of the Mighty Fighting Sixths, recently deposed in a bloodless coup by his long-scheming followers”), said Ascot Vale’s bowlers were put to the sword.

“The Skipper (Mark Gauci) led the way with a superb hundred before afternoon tea,” Brett said.

“The first ball he faced was slapped to mid off for four, and that set the tone for his innings.

“It wasn't all big hitting though – Gauch combined the boundaries with solid defence and deft placement. His 17 fours and 4 sixes were all impressive, but successive cover drives for boundaries late in his innings were memorable for their class.”

Above: The three century-makers: L-R Sam Carbone, Paul Edwards and Mark Gauci.

Brett said fellow opener Sean O'Kane was relatively subdued for his 64, with 9 fours and 3 sixes.

“His century seemed inevitable and it was quite a surprise when he was out caught – his first dismissal this season,” Skipper Emeritus said.

“He just happened to mention that this leaves him with an average of 208 for the season.

“Sniper (Dino Sapuppo) joined Gauch and they went about destroying the bowling, although the Skip had to recalibrate his urge for quick singles early on.

“He carried on with MF debutant Paul Edwards and had the bowling at his mercy when he skied one to be caught for 73, which included 13 fours and a six.

“Eddo came into the side as a replacement for Juka (Dean Jukic) and to many, including the Pelican he looked very much like Juka out in the middle.”

Brett said Eddo hadn't played for decades, and was quite nervous as he and Possum (Dean Lawson) gave him some throw downs in the nets.

“He displayed no nerves in the middle, belting 137 with class and verve,” Brett said.

“He played in borrowed gear, and was particularly taken by Possum's Excalibur, which on the day scored 144. I'll leave you to do the maths on what Possum contributed to that total.

“You would have thought that the innings above would fill any 70 over game, but that wasn't the end of it. Sam Carbone had other ideas.

“His placement square of the wicket on the off side was exquisite and many of his 15 fours came in that region. Sam scored his runs extremely quickly and raced through the 80s and 90s – and was bowled selflessly trying to score more fast runs. He also hit 3 sixes in his 119 and his running between the wickets was amazing.”

Captain Gauci put Ascot Vale in for four overs at the end of the day, and young Will Agius from the Under 16s drew a skied shot that almost went to hand.

Moonee Valley wrapped up the match on Day 2, but not without a bit of drama after a ring-in Ascot Vale player made a hundred, and our John Petropoulos took a ride to hospital in an ambulance.

Johnny took a spectacular, tumbling outfield catch to dismiss their century-maker, but hit his head on the ground while completing it. But he held the ball, even if he doesn't remember the proceedings for the day.

For the record, Ascot Vale made 264 off 48 overs in reply.

Well done guys! We’re proud of you.