Close but no cigar for MOCCC 2nd XI in their first 2 day game of the season. Losing the toss and bowling first in our away game at Mont Albert wasn’t part of the plan but a few early wickets to Day and Watty had us in a good position early at 5/56. Mont Albert’s lower order batted quite well as we dropped off a bit after tea and they ended up making 207 all out. Nick Watty was easily the pick of the bowlers taking five wickets, while Danny and Rushy bowled tightly all day.

Day two got off to a flyer with Fally hitting boundaries to all parts of the ground and some vintage Cimoli chipping away like old times as we raced to 0/65 off about 13 overs. The collapse that followed was as predictable as one of Trev Keogh’s jokes as we lost 5/20 including 4 wickets in the space of 3 overs at one stage. Lowza and Maz came in to steady the ship for a while until just before tea when Maz got done by a straight one, and Watty followed soon after. 7 for about 130 at tea wasn’t an ideal position but with Lowza and Rushy in we were a slim chance. Unfortunately they didn’t hang around for long after tea and 55 runs were required from the last pair, Day and McCarthy. Danny’s plan of, “Don’t go out and let’s hope for a miracle” almost paid off as we managed to get six runs short with a score of 201.

A tough 2 dayer against top of the table Mazenod this week will be a big test and could see us move to 2nd or out of the top 4.