Provincial 1st – Following on from last week’s thrilling victory over one of the competitions top sides, Crib Point headed into Round 2 full of confidence and looking to solidify a position in the top 4.
On Saturday, the side which remained unchanged from Round 1, took on Mornington in the season’s first 2 day game.
On a perfect day for cricket captain Luke Herrington once again lost the toss and like Round 1, Crib Point were put into the field.
Opening the bowling with Waide Symes and Luke Herrington, Crib Point set about picking up early wickets and they didn’t take have to wait too long for the breakthrough to come. Luke sneaking one through the openers defence for the LBW in only the 2nd over of the day.
At 1/3 Mornington were one the back foot straight away and Crib Point had the start they desperately wanted. Crib though, were not able to capitalise on the early breakthrough and from that point on, the game turned and Mornington dug in with great concentration and were quick to take advantage of any loose deliveries.
With a partnership of 119 Mornington had moved the score along to 122 when the 2nd wicket finally fell courtesy of Symes, who found the outside edge and combined with wicketkeeper Matthew Blake.
3 balls later Symes, with his tail up, removed the Mornington captain after he scooped a low full toss to Ricky Thompson who took a diving catch at mid-off and all of a sudden the score was 3/122.
Once again though Crib failed to take advantage of the breakthroughs and Mornington gained the ascendency taking full advantage of some wayward bowling moving the score to 191 when the next wicket fell.
At the end of the 80 overs Mornington had amassed 7/263, thanks in part once again to Brad Davidson who toiled without luck bowling 26 overs for 63 runs and Henry Dolphin who returned after taking some early stick to snare 3 for 64 from his 13 overs. The other wicket takers were Symes who ended the day with 2/57 from 15 overs (including one delivery that failed to hit pitch) and Luke Herrington with 1/13 from his 10 overs.
With a more than respectable total from Mornington on the board, Crib will have to bat well to pick up the victory, but with a solid batting line up and a ground that gives value for shots, the 12 points are up for grabs.
Provincial 2nds – Much like the First XI the Seconds were looking to make it 2 from 2 as they hosted Mornington in Round 2.
Winning the toss and electing to bat, Crib Point were quickly on the back foot when opener Peter Mereszko fell for just 8 and the score was 1/12.
That brought Ben Watson to the crease and he along with Adam Keulen put together a solid 61 run partnership moving the score along to 73 when Keulen departed for a hard handed 35.
When Watson was bowled a short time later for 31, wickets begun to fall at regular intervals, with Crib unable to put together the partnerships required to build a large total.
Despite captain Michael Cook’s 20 and Neil Clark again in the runs with 32, Crib were eventually dismissed in the 66 over leaving Mornington 163 for victory.
With 14 overs left in the days play Crib went out to bowl knowing that they needed to take a few scalps before the day was out.
The first of those scalps came early from Dave Eaton and Crib had just the start they were after, with Mornington 1/1.
That was to be the only wicket for the afternoon for Crib, Mornington navigating a nervous finish to the day at 1/46 needing another 120 for victory.
A3 – After a washout last week, the Thirds were keen to get out on to the ground as they ventured to play Boneo.
Under the captaincy of Heath Lacey, the boys took the ball in the first innings after losing the toss and walked out on to a ground no bigger than my backyard.
In a fantastic team effort Crib were able to restrict the opposition to only 208 at the end of the day’s play, which due to the size of the ground is a more than gettable target.
In his comeback to cricket, fiery red headed fast bowler Matt Thloper ripped through the Boneo batting claiming career best figures of 4/47 from 17 overs. Also in the wickets was Mark Harkness who picked up 2/29, youngster Nick Lanigan with a tight spell of 1/15 from his 8 overs and Sam Adams, throwing down 14 overs for his return of 1/30.
The teams fielding was a highlight, 6 catches and 3 run outs in total, the only blemish a straight forward dropped catch by Brendon Budd.
With a quality batting line-up, featuring past First XI players, Heath Lacey, Craig Newton, James Cook and Travis Knott, a win is within sight.