In the second game of the Marcellin OCCC 3rd XI's 2017/18 season, and its first game at home, North Balwyn Combined took advantage of the boundary rope to race its way to chasing the 151 set by the 3rd XI in the first innings of the match.
The Marcellin OCCC 3rd XI batted first on a typically cold pre-Christmas Saturday afternoon, with overcast conditions. Captain Paul Chappell, and Tim Rush provided a steady start to the innings, in an attempt to lay the foundation for some big-hitting later in the innings. Rush was the first man dismissed, for 19, while the team score was 38. Unfortunately the foundation set by Chappell and Rush was soon dismantled due to a collapse with Peter Mirabella and Jesse McCarthy both out soon after. Rich Buchanan joined Chappell, and provided an entertaining, and boundary-finding 25, before he too departed. Dave McCarthy, batting at six, and Ron Murray, batting at 10, were the only other players to score more than a duck in the second-half of the batting order. They were able to support Chappell however, who transitioned from the anchor of the batting innings to the aggressor, and provided a critical captain's knock of 61 not out to help the team to a total of 151 from the 40 over innings.
Mirabella and Shane Moloney opened the bowling in the second innings of the match, looking for early wickets, knowing that wickets would be necessary to defend the below-par score. Mirabella claimed the wickets of both opening batsman, supported by excellent catches by wicket-keeper Buchanan, and the pressure built by Moloney. Unfortunately no further wickets were taken. Chappell, Murray, J. McCarthy and Jordan Perillo all bowled admirably, each bowling good areas. However, Mannapperuma and Georgiou for North Balwyn Combined were both able to reach the boundary rope with regularity to pass the set target in 21 overs.
The Marcellin OCCC 3rd XI will chase its second win of the season against North Alphington, at Marcellin College No 3 Oval on Saturday 28th October.
Match Report Written by Peter Mirabella