Magoos Fall at the Final Hurdle
The Magoos were presented with a rare Saturday fixture against Old Carey, a new team to the comp whose results this season suggested they often struggled for numbers. However, the Old Xaverians too were missing a few key players so it was to be a good contest on a small ground with a very nice batting wicket.
Having won the toss and electing to bat, the Old Xavs lost an early wicket before the 110 run partnership of Andrew Seal (46) and Anishka Fernandopulle (71) put the Xavs in an excellent position, sitting at 1/115 after just 23 overs. Despite these two batting beautifully, putting away the bad balls and giving very few chances to the Carey bowlers, once Sealy fell the Magoos proceeded to lose 7-43, with the majority of the wickets due to poor batting rather than good bowling. Between overs 28 and 36 the Xavs managed just 30 runs, which left the tail far too much to do in the final overs. Although Pat Nunan (10* off 6) and Will MacKinnon (9* off 5) put together a handy 21 run partnership, the score of 8-179 was 20 runs short of the initial goal score of 200.
The Magoos knew it would be imperative to bowl tight and be on point in the field if they were to have any chance of winning the game. Aside from a great runout by Alex Eden-Lachowicz, however, there was little to enjoy for the Xavs from the first 20 overs, as the Carey top 3 scratched their way to 1-91 at drinks. Pat Nunan (0-23 off 8) toiled hard for less than 3 an over, but wicket opportunities were few and far between for all bowlers. After drinks, however, with the game in the balance, the Magoos started to bring about chances. Tom Worsnop (1/51 off 8) was unlucky to have the Carey number 3 dropped off his bowling on 3 separate occasions. This batsman, who made 58 off 46 including 5 sixes, was looking like he would carry his team to victory. When Matt Perrett (1/30 off 8) managed to dismiss him, with John Ginnane (2/17 off 5) getting 2 breakthroughs at the other end, the game flipped on its head. Carey required a run a ball for the last 6 overs, and despite Alex Eden-Lachowicz’s (3/20 off 5) best efforts, Carey managed a single off the final ball of the game to secure victory by 2 wickets. Lash, as a part time offie bowling in the 40th over, is to be commended on such a good final over.
At the end of the day, it was clear that an extra 20-30 runs on the board would have forced the Carey batsmen to play rash shots earlier in their innings, which perhaps might have brought about more chances. In saying that, the Magoos yet again let themselves down in the field, dropping crucial catches and allowing misfields to undo the solid work of the bowlers. From here on out there will be a concerted effort at training to raise the standard of the fielding, as it is clearly holding us back. A huge game against Caulfield next week, and seeing how upset the lads were at this loss, there is every chance the boys will bounce back and claim a victory at home on Sunday. Go Xavs!
