Provincial 1st – Heading back to Mornington, the firsts were full of confidence and looking to chase down the target of 263 set last week. The start could not have been worse though, with last games top scorer Matthew Blake back in the sheds for 8 and the score at 1/12. When Luke Herrington was unlucky to inside edge a ball on to off stump a short time later for 12 it seemed it was going to be just one of those days Crib. The partnership that was needed didn’t come as the score went from 2/42, to 4/42 after Luke Chapple fell for 3 and Waide Symes was trapped leg before without scoring. Brad Davidson and Henry Dolphin put their heads down and took the score along to 75 when Dolphin edged one to 2nd slip and was gone for a solid 33. At 5/75 Ricky Thompson joined Davidson and the two set about knuckling down. After seeing off a tricky period to tea, the partnership have travelled along quite well before Davidson, on 34, flicked one off his foot and on to his stumps and was bowled. It was the beginning of the end for Crib as they fought their way to 9/150 before some late hitting moved them along to 190 when the last wicket fell. Thompson was left unbeaten on 80. It was a disappointing day for Crib who now sit at one and one, with a must win game this week against Long Island.

Provincial 2nds – After putting a modest total of 162 on the board, the Seconds returned to the field needing early wickets with Mornington resuming at 1/46. Throwing the ball to youngster Will Lanigan and Neil Clarke proved a master stroke from captain Michael Cook as the early wickets they so desperately needed came. In a disciplined bowling partnership both boys bowled to a plan and forced the batsman into mistakes and put their team in a fantastic position. In a tight finish Crib Point were victorious, bowling Mornington out for 146, 16 runs short of the target. Lanigan bowled with maturity beyond his years to finish with 5/48 from 21 overs, well supported by Clarke who picked up 2/25 from 10 overs. Also in the wickets was Dave Eaton who picked up 2/18 and the “Big Cat” Scott Sparkes with 1/26.
Having to bat again, Crib finished off a fantastic day at 2/81, despite veteran Peter Mereszko being dismissed for a duck. Adam Keulen continued his great form with the bat to end the day on 56 not out and Neil Clarke followed on his great work with the ball making 26 not out.

A3 – After Rosebud scored 208 last week, the Thirds headed out to bat and got off to a shaky start losing Brendon Budd early when he edge one to the keeper with the score on 5. This brought Travis Knott to the crease where he and Captain Heath Lacey built a solid partnership. The 2nd wicket fell with the score on 85, when Lacey was dismissed for 44, an innings which included 5 towering sizes. When Knott fell soon after for 33 with the score on 87, James Cook joined Craig Newton in the middle. What followed was a dominant 127 run partnership which took the Thirds past the 208 required and gave them their first victory of the season. Craig Newton fell 1 short of his 50 for a well compiled 49 and whilst Cook plundered the attack to all parts of the ground and helped himself to 66.

C2 – The fourths finally got a game in as they played Pines in one they’d rather forget. Captained by Kim Symes, Crib batted first and were dismissed for only 83 in the 36th over. Only 2 batsman made it to double figures, Andy Peacock who batted well for his 19 and Damian Moresco, batting at number 9, making 12.
Hoping for a change of luck with ball in hand, the boys were simply outclassed by the Pines outfit as they easily passed the target in the 12th over. The highlight though was the bowling of Branden Wyatt who held up his end with the tidy figures of 0/26 from his 5 overs.

U16’s – The under 16’s first outing for the year was at home where they played Rosebud. Under the Captaincy of Hannah Buur, Crib lost the toss and were put into the field. Nick Lanigan took the ball first and was unlucky with the second ball of the day with a catch behind the stumps not being grasped. Newcomer to the club Steven Beach, playing his first game of cricket, took his first wicket in his second over and got the kids up and about. At the end of the 20 over Rosebud had amassed 3/122 thanks to some great bowling from Hanna Buur and Alex Devlin.
Opening the batting with Keenan Scott and Tyler Lewis the boys started off in a steady and solid fashion. Runs didn’t come easy though, as they moved to 4/39 off their 20 overs. Tyler was patient and impressive with the bat top scoring with 14. A hard first game for the kids but some really positive signs for things to come.

U14’s – The under 14’s played Boneo with captain Jack Marshal winning the toss and electing to bat. Openers Ben Lanigan (4) and Jarrod Waddington (5) got the team off to a steady start. The fall of the first wicket brought Clayton Gay to the crease who retired at 20 with a quick but stylish innings. Other notable scores Jack Marshal 16 not out and Nick Scott 9 not out, finishing of our innings at 3-85 after 20 over.
Despite a good all-round bowling performance, Boneo were able to reach the target on the last ball with a tense finish. Clayton Gay also featured in the bowling with 2/6 of 2 overs, Jack Marshal with 1/2 from his 2 overs and Jess Collins with 1/8 thanks to a ripper catch taken by Victoria Hogan-Keogh. A valuable contribution today from new players Jarrod Waddington and Ruby Hannaford.

U12’ – Crib Point won the toss on a glorious sun filled morning at the cricketing haven that is Peninsula Grammar. We chose to bat on a lush, green and very quick outfield.
Peninsula got off to a great start not losing any wickets with the first four batsmen having to retire. Enter Jack Knott with a beautiful spell of bowling, garnering two wickets in his first over. Special mention to Kane Barton who left the batsmen clueless after landing a couple of overs of beguiling leg spin, Kade Lucy who also bamboozled the opposition with flight and drift into the wind and Ben Schneider also rattling the stumps late. Kade Watson provided a polished performance behind the stumps, Noah Hunt swooping on everything that came his way in the field and Clayton Gay with a blinding catch on the boundary.
We were chasing 106. A steep order, but not impossible on the aforementioned lightning quick outfield.
The run chase got off to a bad start with early wickets going down with not many on the scoreboard. Kade Watson provided the spine of the innings with a dashing 13. Able assistance provided from Logan Jenkins and a late flurry from Noah Hunt and Jack Knott. Both boys batting well above what would normally be required of lower order batsmen. Unfortunately we fell short of the required run rate early and never managed to regain the ascendancy. Crib Point all out for 57.

Overall a solid start to the season with plenty of potential on show. Dust off some cob-webs, consolidate with some line and length bowling and with our ability to bat for the full batting line up I think we should do some damage to the opposition this season. Good effort boys.