Our season has come to an end with semi-final losses against St Kilda and Dandenong on Saturday.
The second Xl faced off against the top team, St Kilda on Saturday. After winning the toss and
electing to bat on a juicy Harry Trott wicket, Camberwell was tied down and struggled to put
together any meaningful partnerships against some very tight and disciplined bowling.
We soon found ourselves in trouble at 6/75 after a spree of quick wickets. James Wiseman (35) and Griffin McComb (20) provided a 41 run 7th wicket partnership to give the innings some hope, however when both were dismissed in quick succession, the side was bowled out for only 134 in the 49th over.
With a low total on the board, the boys had their work cut out for them. Tom Nelson (1/21 - 10 overs) continued his fine form since returning from injury as he snagged an early breakthrough, backed up soon after by Reuben Jamieson (1/39) clean bowling the St Kilda number 3 to put the Saints under pressure at 2/17.
Kevin Prior (0/31) continued his fine season, bowling very well and maintaining the
pressure through the middle overs to keep the pies in the match. However, Camberwell was unable to extract any further wickets as an experienced St Kilda duo withstood the pressure cauldron to reach the total in the 40th over.
The Fourth XI came up against Dandenong on Saturday and were sent in to field with a flat Shepley reserve wicket offering little assistance to our bowlers. Dandenong started slowly with the first wicket falling in the 16’th over for 57 runs. As usual, Anton Ponnamperuma was incredible efficient with 1/23 from his 9 and consistent wickets throughout the middle overs from skipper Bobby Capstick (2/47) off 8, meant the boys were able to restrict Dandenong to 194 after 45 overs.
Camberwell’s innings started with a flash, racing to 15 off 3 overs before the loss of our first wicket, quick runs also bought wickets and Dandenong took wickets at crucial periods
not letting our batsmen settle in and build an innings.
Kane Scanlon 33 put on 40 with Swapnil and at that stage it looked like the match was turning in our favour. Kane departed and then a run out next over had us slump to 6/111 and the task was getting harder.
Swapnil Challa 47* was the pick of the batsman and his partnership with Josh Nevett (19 off 43) for the ninth wicket brought us close, however, we, unfortunately, fell 18 runs short in the 41’st over to hand Dandenong the match and bring the season to an end.
It's been a good last six weeks for the young side and hopefully they have learnt much to take into the preseason.
Some great news from the weekend was the under 14 boys are 2021/22 Premiers after Burwood Cricket Club posted 7/91 (21) we replied with 7/95 in 16.3 to end the season with a flag for the Little magpies. Congratulations from the whole club lads.
