2s lose to South Caulfield on Motel 13/11 Match report
On the Jackson Oval (formally the Motel Oval) for the first time in many moons, the OXCC 2nd XI would be facing South Caulfield for the first time this season. It was 1-1 in battles against this mob last season, not without considerable sting and a fair bit of lip. For this reason, the Magoos were eager to get out there and fight for a win.
Batting first yet again, the Xavs struggled to get moving from the first, and this proved to be the theme all throughout the day. On a small ground with a nice, firm wicket, 200-220 was clearly par, but due to the very tight bowling of South Caulfield, the Xavs never looked like getting to those heights. Andrew Seal (42) continued his great run off form at the top of the order, building a calm and composed innings as he so often does. He put on two solid partnerships with Matt Perrett (25) and Alex Eden-Lachowicz (22), but South Caulfield managed to get these 2 partners out at crucial times just as they had got themselves in, which limited the acceleration of the innings. Callum Abrahams (20) assisted towards the end with some lovely strokes of the willow to help the magoos reach 153 by the fall of his (the 10th) wicket. Runs on the board is crucial and the Xavs were certainly within a chance, but with the knowledge that South Caulfield had a couple of English imports at the top of the order, the bowling was going to have to be at its absolute best if the win was to be taken by the red and black.
Due to a malfunction with the OXCC iPad, the exact figures of the bowlers are still up in the air, but I will do my best to provide an accurate account. Hayden Ellis (1/25ish off 5) was welcomed back into the fray and bowled well against a couple of very aggressive batsmen. At 1/60 off just 10 overs, it was looking ominous for the Magoos, but they stayed patient, and the wickets began to come. Debutant Jimma Bell managed to take his first wicket for the club, and a crucial one at that breaking a 50 run partnership. Another 40 run stand was put on from here, before the mercurial D’arcy O’Shannassy’s second over witnessed a successful LBW shout and a destruction of middle and off stump the following ball, seeing him on a hattrick. Skipper Matt Perrett (2/22 off 5) took the ball next, and was able to spin a couple of quick wickets himself, which saw south Caulfield fall to 6/131 still needing 23 to win. Callum Abrahams bowled his last 5 overs for the season at extremely tidy figures, but could not dismiss the final 4 batsmen, seeing the Magoos lose by 4 wickets in the end.
With the knowledge that South Caulfield have a number of players who play Saturday and Sunday, we at OXCC HQ thought this was a respectable effort, and set our sights on a tough Melbourne Uni next Sunday.
