Round 2 saw the Marcellin OCCC 1st XI proudly stride out onto Donvale Reserve’s immaculately prepared number 1 ground to face the other Wright Shield newbies. The cloud formation overhead swirled around and threatened an array of different weather scenarios, however luckily (or unluckily) apart from a light drizzle, the rain stayed away and a ball of play was not lost.
Marcellin OCCC won the toss, as the young skipper, Callan Stewart, and his opening partner, Lachlan Evans, aimed to get the team away to a positive start with the bat. Stewart was unsuccessful in replicating last week’s tremendous innings and was departing early doors, bringing the team's "silver-fox", James Kazalac, to the crease. After blistering the shot of the day through cover, Kazalac was seen trudging back after snicking off as the Eagles were two wickets down for not many.
This quickly became three for not many when English import, Jack Grundy, was not quite able to get on top of a flick off his pads and gifted square leg an easy chance. Enter the younger Evans, Alastair, to join his older brother Lachlan at the crease. The two worked well together to combine for a mature and important partnership of almost 70 that helped get the Eagles back into the contest and able to lay some platform for the lower order to play freely. A controversial run out was the only thing that stopped Lachlan on 38, whilst not even the flu could prevent Alistair from reaching 73. Alistair's innings, coupled with some lower order bat on ball and selfless running between the wickets saw the Eagles amass a respectable total of 169, giving the side confidence going in to a well catered and well earned luncheon break.
After capitalising on an early chance from the seaming bowling of Tristan Black, it was tough going as Donvale put on a clinic of evasive chips, that Marcellin OCCC President Daniel Cimoli would be proud of, among a myriad of solid strokes. Nothing was going the way of the men in maroon, blue and gold as the easy pick of the opposition batsmen, a young opener, took charge and played a mature innings displaying wisdom beyond his years. A luckless bowling innings for the Eagles resulted in Donvale passing the score of 169 just two wickets down in the 38th over.
Onward and upward, next week Donnellans the Tyremen 1st XI will play Burwood at their home ground for another one-day game.
Match Report Written by William Hiser