Batting Woes as Magoos Fall at the hands of Old Melbourne High
A beautiful day and a beautiful wicket greeted the Old Xaverians 2nd XI as they arrived (on time for once) to Melbourne High School for the second time this season. With a poor effort against Old Melbourne High in round 1 saved by rain in the back of their minds, the Xavs knew they would have to perform to a much higher standard on this occasion if they were any chance of knocking off the undefeated Unicorns.
Winning the toss and electing to bat, Andrew Seal (3) and Anishka Fernandopulle (9) were met with quality line and length bowling from the Old High openers, and when Sealy fell in the 9th over the Xavs had mustered just 13 runs. The big wicket of Michael Clark (0) fell in the same over as the Seal, and early signs were bleak as very few bad balls were being bowled. Nish soon fell to a very stiff decision, as did Nick Terry (13), who looked promising but was again dismissed to more good bowling. Pat Nunan (0) didn’t trouble the scorers and at 5/34 off 16 overs the Magoos were in serios trouble. The good line and length bowling seemed too much for the Old Xavs, but it wasn’t over yet. Hayden Ellis (26) was given a chance up the order and did not disappoint, proving to be the anchor the Old Xavs’ innings desperately needed. He partnered with Callum Abrahams (10) to add a steadying 20 before Gollum lost his head and skied one. Matt Perrett (36) provided some much needed tail end runs, dispatching the bad balls and putting the pressure onto the Unicorns for the first time in the game. Pez and Haydos combined for 52 vital runs which would allow the Old Xavs’ bowlers a chance of winning the game. Whilst Pez lost his head a few overs early, Haydos managed to stick around until being dismissed on the final ball, helping the lads claw their way to 118 after the 40.
Defending 118 runs against the top team was never going to be easy, but the opening bowling partnership of Mark Dowling (0/22 off 7) and Will MacKinnon (0/10 off 4) showed Old Melbourne High that the Xavs weren’t going to roll over. Pat Nunan (1/15 off 5) was brought on and immediately made an impact, claiming an LBW and giving his famous “double cobra” celebration. This saw the score hit 1/23 off the first 10, and the game was on. Nunes and Callum Abrahams (1/28 off 6) bowled in a nice partnership, and after a shaky start Gollum found his rhythm in his 3rd over, claiming an important wicket of their opener on 24. The unicorns were 2/65 at the 20 over mark, however, and despite the Magoos bowling quite well it was obvious that 118 was not enough on this wicket. Matt Perrett (0/28 off 7) and Tom Worsnop (0/11 off 5) again bowled in a good partnership, with Snoppa continuing his fine form with the ball. Pez was back in form, however 3 full tosses ended in two 6’s and a 4, proving to be costly. A great runout from Hayden Ellis was not enough to get the lads over the line, and Old High succeeded in chasing 118 down on the final ball of the 34th over. 2 costly dropped catches of Old Highs number 3, when he was on 17 and 41, did not help the situation, and that batsman’s 62* proved to be the difference in the end, as he was the only batsman all day who managed to make a big score.
Despite losing, the Magoos are not disheartened. Old Melbourne High are the barometer for the competition this season and there is a belief within the side that, after ironing out some batting issues in the nets and on the coming Sundays we will be able to take it up to the Unicorns come March!
