On November 14th and 21st, the Planning Partners 3rd XI took on East Doncaster 3rd XI at McCutcheon Oval.
East Doncaster won the toss and elected to bat first on a good wicket. Ron "The Big Ship" Murray was again in fine form, taking the first 2 wickets of the game - both bowled, and ended up with figures of 3/27 off 18 overs; including 5 maidens. With Tony Beltrame pulling up sore after just 6 overs, Rowan "Thunder" McKenzie happily took the ball and quickly all day with end figures of 4/50 off 16 overs. At tea East Doncaster were in a spot of bother at 6/80.
Both Chaps and Matt Coloe bowled well taking 1/23 off 9 and 1/23 off 12 respectively. Unfortunately MOCCC were unable to close out the innings as quickly as hoped, due to the efforts of East Doncaster batsmen Bourke who came in at 9 and scored a stubborn 40. East Doncaster were finally dismissed for 173 off 70 overs, leaving MOCCC 7 overs to bat before the close of play on day 1. James Carey and Rowan McKenzie both batted solidly, closing out the days play at 0/22.
On day 2 the covers were down until 20 minutes before the start of play was due to start, luckily no water had leaked onto the pitch. McKenzie and Carey looked good early, but unfortunately Carey was bowled trying to play across the line to a bowl that was dead straight. Rowan was joined by Beltrame and put on 20 runs before Rowan showed a little too much of his leg stump and was bowled for 29. Next was Hiser who put on 33 runs with Beltrame before Tony was out caught. Mick "Cow Corner" Lowry was next in, and as the nickname suggests was caught trying to hit the ball into Yarra Bend Golf Course 4 balls before tea.
At tea, the game was in the balance with MOCCC 4/97.....But East Doncaster was unprepared for MOCCC's skipper Paul Dinneen who with Hiser managed to pass East Doncaster's score in the 59th over. It was decided Marcellin would use the extra batting practice and this gave Paul and Hiser to keep batting before both being caught; Hiser finishing with 77 and Paul with 70. Dave Serong was his disciplined self and batted out the remaining overs adding 22 to the score, and Emmett O'Donnell made 6 runs and Matt Coloe finished 8 Not Out to close out the innings.
With this win, this not only sees the 3rd XI enter the top four, but move to second place; 1 point behind Richmond City (But with a superior percentage).
Let's make sure to continue the streak against our next challenge of Donvale.