CRICKET has returned to Warrandyte for the 2016/17 season, but due to some bemusing league decisions and wet pitches, there have only been six results from a possible 20 games.
Despite a few sunny forecasts on Saturdays, the RDCA has elected to call two different rounds off across the league to ensure fair competition, with varying quality in grounds. On the positive side, Warrandyte’s seniors had only lost one game by October’s end.
In the available games, Warrandyte showed extremely promising signs. The First XI and Second XI both took victories in Round 1. For the First XI, Dave Mooney started off yet another season in fine nick, posting 47 not out to guide Warrandyte to a very defendable 170 at a slow Dorset Oval.
In doing so, Mooney became the highest all time First XI run scorer, setting another record in his golden career with the club.
South Croydon was under pressure from the start, with Daniel Barry and Alex McIntosh taking apart the batting lineup with three and two wickets respectively.
Warrandyte went on to win by 45 runs.
In Round 2, Warrandyte faced a tough task at home, chasing 351 after Templeton thrashed the bowling attack around the Warrandyte Cricket Ground. Warrandyte’s coach Jake Sherriff (6/76) was reliable with the ball on a tough day, taking late scalps to peg back the wickets before Warrandyte was saved by the rain.
The Second XI was also victorious in Round 1, recording a strong home victory against Warranwood. Dale Lander led from the top of the order with 62, while new skipper Campbell Holland slashed 47 to give his side an excellent start. Lander would be promoted to the First XI the following round and Warrandyte knocked out 207 before sending in the bowling attack.
The home side was able to dismiss the Warrandwood batsmen in quick order on a fast wicket, taking a 50- run victory thanks to tight bowling from Tom Ellis (3/10) and Campbell Holland (3/13).
In other results, Warrandyte’s Third XI thanked Tyson Brent and Josh Aitken for providing 264 in their first game of the year.
On a postal stamp ground against Montrose, Brent’s batting was exceptional considering it was his first knock of the season, giving the team good faith in their batting lineup.
The Fourth XI cruised to victory in its run chase against Heathmont Baptists, returning to the holy grail ground at Stintons Reserve.
Patient batting from Dave Molyneux and direct bowling from John Prangley and Daniel Woodhead made the difference.
The Fifth XI was unable to chase down Ainslie Park, despite some strong individual performances. Ben Sprout pegged back the Ainslie Park batsmen with a ve-wicket haul, effectively closing out the innings with late strikes to hold the batters to 207.
Stephen Grocott provided hope for Warrandyte with 41no, but they eventually fell 42 runs short.
Results:
First XI: Round 1 – Warrandyte 6/170 (Mooney 47 not out) d South Croydon 8/135 (D Barry 3/20, McIn- tosh 2/16). Round 2 – Warrandyte drew Templeton 8/351 (Sherriff 6/76)
Second XI: Round 1 – Warrandyte 6/207 (Lander 62, Holland 47) def. Warranwood 157 (T Ellis 3/10, Holland 3/13). Round Two – Warrandyte drew with North Ringwood.
Third XI: Round 1 – Warrandyte drew with East Ringwood. Round 2 – Warrandyte 3/264 (Brent 106, Aitken 59 not out) d Montrose 135 (Smead 3/16, Ison 2/16). Round 3 – Warrandyte drew with Norwood.
Fourth XI: Round 1 – Warrandyte drew with Warranwood. Round 2 – Warrandyte 3/135 (Molyneux 60) d Heathmont Baptist 7/130 (Prang- ley 3/17, Woodhead 2/19). Round 3 – Warrandyte drew with South Warrandyte.
Fifth XI: Round 1 – Warrandyte drew with Croydon North. Round 2 – Warrandyte 165 (Grocott 41 not out, Jackson 32) d by Ainslie Park 7/207 (Sproat 5/34). Round 3 – Warrandyte drew with Heathmont Baptist.
Sixth XI: Round 1 – Warrandyte drew with North Ringwood. Round 2 – Warrandyte d by Heathmont Baptist (forfeit). Round 3 – Warrandyte drew with North Ringwood.
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