With just one change to the side, Peter French for his first game this season in the 1st XI, the Marcellin OCCC 1st XI arrived at a beautifully sunny Burwood. The wicket and outfield looked like they would be a joy to play on, and after winning the toss Captain Callan Stewart elected to bat.

Callan Stewart and Lachie Evans opened the batting, but Evans was out on the second ball of the day, looking to get off the mark through the covers. With the score at 1/0, an in-form Al Evans joined Stewart at the crease and proceeded to share an 88 run partnership before the next wicket, Stewart, fell. Evans continued strongly, with support from Jack Grundy, and eventually departed for a finely made 83. Contributions from the rest of the line-up and some late-innings hitting from Vice Captain, Joel Donnellan, saw the Marcellin OCCC 1st XI finish with a total of 194, a score that was a few runs short of what was desired, but considered a defendable score.

The Marcellin OCCC 1st XI's bowling effort started perfectly with Tristan Black striking in the first over, and putting Burwood on the back foot. Black struck twice more in his usual opening spell of eight overs straight, and Grundy bowled with great pace and continued to apply pressure on Burwood. Peter French bowled beautifully in his return to the side, and was rewarded with two wickets. Future club legend Al Evans was then thrown the ball and impressed, bowling eight overs 0/22, his only blemish being that he spilling a catch off his own bowling. Grundy was sensational in the field with two runouts, and when Will Hiser took his second catch behind the stumps the Marcellin OCCC 1st XI looked to be heading safely for a win. The Burwood Captain did cause a late scare when he started finding the long Burwood boundaries with ease, but Grundy claimed his wicket and delivered the Marcellin OCCC 1st XI with a 20 run win, in a game that was played in great spirit.

The Marcellin OCCC 1st XI will play away against Glen Iris at its leafy ground on Saturday 4th November, and are looking to cement a position in the top four.

Match Report Written by Callan Stewart