Bentleigh Uniting 1’s Dominant Win Over East Sandringham Highlights Competitive Team Spirit
Hard-hitting run builder Craig Short and tenacious bowler Harry Zaia unleashed hell, leading Bentleigh Uniting 1 to a stinging victory over East Sandringham 1 in Round 6 of the Longmuir Shield on 12 Nov, 2023, at R.G Chisholm Reserve.
Bentleigh Uniting inflicted East Sandringham’s first home defeat of the season with a shattering display of both high-octane bowling and lit-from-within batting. This performance exemplifies the aggressive and merciless cricket Bentleigh Uniting aims to embody.
The first innings saw the men from Bentleigh Uniting amass an unyielding wall of runs, reaching 194, albeit losing 8 wickets. Captain Craig Short’s well-compiled 56 straddled a lion share of contributions from Callum Cathcart(24) and Campbell James(45). Davidson remained unbeaten, nudging the scorecard along with a gutsy 23 off 18 balls.
Thomas Malan, for his part, toiled on the field for East Sandringham, managing to rattle the stumps thrice, albeit permitting 53 runs in his spell. Henry Munnings joined the fray, tossing back three wickets himself, proving to be potentially dangerous bowling predators whom future oppositions should be wary of.
Chasing a formidable total, with the mercury already nudging menacing heights, East Sandringham buckled under the pressure and could only muster 167 all out. A somewhat notable performance by top-order Henry Munnings (36) and captain Ben Pryor (26 not out) couldn’t prevent the onslaught.
Bentleigh Uniting’s bowling, was relentless, spearheaded by the inspired Harry Zaia, who ended with figures of 3/36 from his 8 overs. Likewise, Malin Silva terrorized the tailenders with his trio of wickets. Chris Lavery didn’t fail to grab the spotlight, seizing 2 scalps, including the pivotal middle-order.
The man of the match could have been anyone from Craig Short for his pivotal fifty to Harry Zaia for his decisive spell of bowling. Yet, in true Bentleigh Uniting spirit, the team performance outshone individual glory. We deserved this win! The victory puts the Bentleigh Uniting warriors in an imposing position in the standings as we push into the latter half of the
Longmuir Shield. We march onto the battlefield shield first, inspired, ready, and unrelenting. East Sandringham? Conquered. Who’s next?
Quiney Shield
Powerful Performance from Bentleigh Uniting 2 in Quiney Shield Match, Round 6
Summary: Bentleigh Uniting 2 won by hard earned runs against Carnegie South 1, with resounding play from contributors Joshua Drummond, Alex Zaia, Aaron Swann, Michael Debono, Ryan Waites, and Timothy Snape.
On Sunday, Bentleigh Uniting 2 demonstrated that cricket is a team game, following the Quiney Shield, Round 6 showdown against Carnegie South 1. They crushed their opponents with excellent batting and bowling performances, running away with a commanding victory.
The match at Lord Reserve was characterized by aggressive posturing from both teams. However, the home team, Bentleigh Uniting 2, had the last laugh. Drummond’s excellent half-century led the batting innings, while Zaia’s solid 35 runs set the tone for what was to be a fruitful innings.
The collapse of Bentleigh at 152 was offset by the commanding performance of Aaron Swann, who posted a crucial 28 runs. Another mention-worthy innings from Ned Cannington, kept the Bentleigh score ticking over until the end. Despite this short setback, the scoreboard read an impressive 206 by the end of the 1st innings, the hands-down hero being Joshua Drummond.
But the match wasn’t won by batting alone. Bentleigh’s bowlers took turns tearing through the Carnegie batting order. James Richards, with 2 crucial wickets and Timothy Snape with 3 scalps, ensured Carnegie South 1 remained on the backfoot.
In reply, Carnegie South 1 struggled with their innings. A series of implosive performances saw Charlie Robinson departing after just 4 runs. Uniting’s Michael Debono, Ryan Waites, and Joshua Drummond seized on the opportunity, each claiming three wickets and leaving South’s batters scrambling for recovery.
Tide turned even more in Bentleigh’s favour when Nikhil Veluru was dismissed at 44 by Drummond, left high and dry with a team score of only 156. Will Nash’s 33 runs effort couldn’t save Carnegie from crashing out, succumbing to Bentleigh’s onslaught and marking a victory margin of huge runs.
But, all was not lost for South. Nick Hulston demonstrated spirit and skill in generating runs on the scoreboard while remaining unbeaten. Concurrently, Bentleigh’s bowling attack never let up. Michael Debono, Ryan Waites, and Joshua Drummond each snatched three wickets, halting Carnegie South’s momentum and ending their innings 50 runs short of the target.
Round 6 of the Quiney Shield saw Bentleigh
Uniting 2 assert their dominance, leaving their mark with an impressive score in the first innings and an equally devastating bowling to wrap Carnegie South 1 with 50 runs short in the second. Thus, highlighting the spirit and strength of the cohesive and skilled home team. A force to be reckoned with, to say the least.
H Grade
Stephen Montgomery was the lone shining light for Bentleigh Uniting 3 with 53 not-out. Aspendale 3 clawed their way to a victory with top scores from Danny Clark, Brendan Bennet, and Mitch Smith. Benjamin Williams and David Bregazzi starred with the ball nabbing vital wickets.
The Battle at Glen Street Reserve was a bout of cunning cricket, a sizzling show of raw strategy and unadulterated aggression. The H Grade Round 3 saw Bentleigh Uniting 3 and Aspendale 3 pitted against each other, with the latter emerging victorious.
Aspendale 3 allowed Bentleigh to take first bat and the game unfolded with a heady mix of anticipation and anxiety. The begun started on a low note, as Jack Zaia was sent back to the pavilion with just 9 runs to his name, courtesy of a lethal delivery by Benjamin Williams.
The game reached a grim climax when Michael Debono and Chris Manakis were sent packing back to back, at team scores of 58 and 59 respectively. However, Stephen Montgomery appeared as Bentleigh’s beacon of hope, weaving an innings of 53 that considerably bolstered the team’s final total of 142, while holding his wicket intact.
Aspendale 3’s bowling execution was pacy and precise. Benjamin Williams, Mitch Smith, Connor O’Shea, and Oscar fox among others, exacted a toll on Bentleigh’s batting contingent. Williams’ 3 wickets, in particular, marked a pivotal point in the game turning the tides in Aspendale’s favor.
Transitioning into their innings, Aspendale initially grappled, with their top-order contributing lesser than anticipated. Despite Brendan Bennet’s valiant 26 and Mitch Smith’s sturdy 23, it was Danny Clark’s lightning-fast 39 and Thomas Sullivan’s steady 17 runs that helped Aspendale clinch victory. The winning total was anchored by a lower-order surge, with a resounding message that the tail can indeed wag.
Also worth mentioning is David Bregazzi’s commendable bowling performance for Bentleigh, earning him 3 wickets. Despite his stellar performance, Aspendale, with a partner in crime Mason Martinez, claimed a disconcerting middle-order collapse that saw Aspendale losing wickets in quick succession.
It’s worthwhile to commend Stephen Montgomery’s valiant effort but cricket, after all, is a team sport. While Bentleigh wielded a promising weapon in the form of Montgomery, they failed to match up to the balanced, all-round efforts from Aspendale 3.
J Grade
“Unyielding Bentleigh Uniting 4 Demolishes Cluden 3; Key contributors include Craig Howard, Anthony Wiseman and Ryan Davidson.”
In a jaw-dropping showdown on Saturday, 11 Nov 2023, the formidable Bentleigh Uniting 4 emerged victorious, leaving Cluden 3 to nurse their wounds. The battlefield, the Duncan Mackinnon Reserve’s South Oval, witnessed a roller-coaster cricket match where the home team, Bentleigh Uniting 4, gloriously emerged as the victors.
The first half of the match saw Cluden 3’s steadfast batting performance, led by standout half-centurions Craig Howard and Anthony Wiseman. They put up a considerable total of 221, losing four wickets in the process. The middle order greased the skids, offering decent backup, though the top order provided minimal contribution. A noticeable wobble occurred at a team score of 191, but Mark Hill (vc) gallantly held the fort with 32 runs. The twitchy duo of Jason Burgess, who remained not out at 21, and Joshua Ginnane with his determined 17 must be praised for their spirit.
On the bowling front, Bentleigh Uniting 4 showed laser-focused determination. The robust Rod Mikkelsen claimed 2 wickets, followed by a consistent performance by Guy Aloi (c) and Ryan Davidson, who took 1 and 2 wickets, respectively. Bentleigh’s iron-willed approach did not falter here, as Ryan Davidson specifically targeted Cluden’s top order, destabilizing their momentum.
As the second half dawned, Bentleigh Uniting’s batsmen stepped in to chase the target of 221 runs, their spirits unbowed. And boy did they deliver! Joe Aloi and Guy Aloi (c) blazed away, both achieving a half-century, with James Bruce and Rod Mikkelsen adding a respective 41 and 24 runs to the tally. Guy Aloi and Joe Aloi shared a thumping partnership of 88 runs which plummeted Cluden’s morale. The wind finally blew in Bentleigh’s favour as they accumulated a winning score of 222, dropping only 4 wickets in the process.
Back at the bowling end, Cluden 3 could not replicate the magic weaved by Bentleigh Uniting. Though Jason Burgess and the versatile Fill-In claimed 2 wickets and 1 wicket respectively, they were unable to stifle the rampage of Bentleigh’s batsmen. The Bentleigh Uniting 4 clinched the victory, eviscerating the opposition with their aggressive style.
This seismic showdown on the sunny afternoon of November 11 encapsulates all that makes cricket a spectator’s delight: the game’s twists and turns, the stamina and steady nerve of the players, and the final thrill of a well-fought victory. Today, Bentleigh Uniting 4 emerged as the warriors, battering Cluden 3 into a corner. With this victory in their belt, they prepare to move onto the next battlefield buoyed by the confidence of their triumph.
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