B Grade vs Kilmore

Our B Graders went down the highway to take on Kilmore in their first clash since last years grand final. Although both clubs were fielding vastly different sides, the match was still tipped to be a close one.

After losing the toss, we were sent out to field. Although being a player short early on, and being rather flat in the field, Kilmore hadn’t taken advantage as much as it would have liked by the time Kyle snagged the first wicket of the day. Some poor fielding and catching followed, as the Kilmore batsman built their way to 3/162 from their 45 overs. Kyle and Damo both took one each, with a run out being the other wicket.

In reply, openers Pete Campbell and Joey Ryan built a solid opening stand of 47, before Petey popped one back to the bowler for 29. Joe followed soon after for 19, and all of a sudden two fresh batsmen were out in the middle. CJ Wittig and Jamo Pryor put on a small partnership, but both had difficulty rotating the strike, opting for boundaries to try and keep the team in it. After 22 runs, Jamo got bogged down, and got caught on the boundary at square leg. The score sitting at 3/86. Damo Zoch joined CJ, as the pair put on 18 before Damo was caught for 5. CJ headed back in the next over for 28, and all of a sudden we had gone from a steady start to leaving the tail with some work to do. Late order hitting from Pat Ryan (15), Matt Lane (9no) and Wilko (10no) got the score closer, but at the end of the day, Pyalong had fallen short by 23 runs.

Our B Graders now sit in 9th spot, with a lot of work to do if we are to push for finals this season.

Kilmore 3/162
K Ryan 1/26
D Zoch 1/39

Pyalong 6/139
P Campbell 29
C Wittig 28
J Pryor 22
J Ryan 19

C Grade vs Puckapunyal

Captain Mark ‘Grassy’ Zoch won the toss and made Pucka bowl first. Seany D and ‘Sheepy’ Ure went into get things started, with some poor bowling the boys got off to a good start, scoring 19 runs of the first two overs. The third over sees Sheepy going out to a good ball that had him in two minds and he edges it to the keeper, bringing Jakey ‘JD’ Delaney to the crease. JD buckles down grinds out a healthy 40 run partnership with Seany D (39) to keep the run rate at a steady pace. JD losses his wicket and the score is 2/59 which sees Pyalong have a mini slump and the next three batsmen loss their wickets for only two runs and all of a sudden we are 5/60. Ross Fairweather and Grassy start a innings rebuilding partnership with Grassy holding down one end and Rossy picking off the bad balls at the other. This partnership of 71 sees Pyalong at 6/131 and Grassy departing after 18 valuable runs and getting the boys back on top after some very good bowling from the Pucka boys. With Rossy continuing his batting form and scoring a hard earned 49 runs left Pyalong in good stead and a respectable score at stumps with the boys at 9/159.

With runs on the board the boys went into the field confidently. Mikey Fairweather and Sheepy opened the bowling. Mikey ripped through the top ordered batsmen smashing stumps everywhere and Dave ‘Rooster’ Clark ripping catches out of the sky had Pucka 4/33. Sheepy keeping the pressure on at the opposite end kept Pucka under the pump and got his first rewarding wicket at 1/10 off 6 with Pucka at 5/33 after the 12th over. The next two bowlers to come in was the two young up and coming under 16 players ‘Jacko’ Ruddick and ‘Matty’ Pratt. These two boys bowled like seasoned veterans bowling the ball outside the off stump with varying lengths from Jacko (0/9 off 4) and Matty (2/22 off 4) bowling stump to stump and knocking the middle out of them on both occasions. With this bowling and some excellent fielding the boys had Pucka 7/51 after 15 overs. Again the bowlers brought more tight bowling from JD and Grassy. JD ( 1/5 off 3) knocked over Pucka’s top scorer that smashed out his middle stump as Grassy (1/19 off 4) did to S.Stocks 6 runs later, leaving Pucka puckering at 9/86 and leaving the last batsman having to face the steam of Mikey Fairweather. Along with his valued 14 runs Mikey (as always) puts in 110% to bowl out the last batsman to close out Pucka’s innings for 10/93 and his own figures at 5/26 off 7.2 having had a great day out.

Today’s win was a excellent result for the boys because of an all rounded team effort in the field and batting. Boys next week we have Kilmore White for our next challenge so get to training, train hard and rewards will follow. Keep up the positive cricket.

- Seany D, C Grade Vice Captain

Pyalong 9/159
R Fairweather 49
S Delaney 39
M Zoch 18

Puckapunyal 93
M Fairweather 5/26
M Pratt 2/22

U16s vs Broadford

Our Under 16s took on Broadford on Sunday, and our kids started off the day in the field. The kids had Broadford 9/67 before the tail wagged and got the to 105 all out. Matty Pratt was the pick of the bowlers with 3/5, Jacko Ruddick (3/25) and Brodie Hemphill (2/4), also bowling well.

In reply, Pyalong were all out for 41, with Matt Pratt carrying his bat, top scoring with 13 not out.

Broadford 105
M Pratt 3/5
J Ruddick 3/25
B Hemphill 2/4

Pyalong 41
M Pratt 13no

Next week:

B Grade vs Yea @ home

C Grade vs Kilmore White

U16s vs Eastern Hill @ Kings Park