Darwin Tour – Match Reports Part 2

After a hectic day off yesterday, which included a visit to Crocosaurus, a walk around Darwin, 2 hours in the wave pool, buckets of balls at the driving range, putt putt, dinner out and the State of Origin, the boys were tired at days end!!!

Game 4 – Elite Cricket vs Darwin Bulls

Day 4 saw our fourth game vs the Darwin Bulls back at Marrara Number One.

Elite Cricket won the toss and decided to bat. After losing both openers early we staged a great partnership of 80 runs between Sam Pointer and Sam Evans which saw our 2 for 17 in the  6th over go to 2 for 97 in the 33rd. Sam Evans was caught just after he reached his 50 and Sam Pointer formed a valuable new partnership of 94 with James Dunn (42) and we finished with 201 four our 50 overs.

The Darwin Bulls started shakily and lost their openers early to good deliveries for Matthew Maittlen and Matthew Saleh. Their number 3 was a very capable batsmen who challenged the field before being ably caught and bowled by James Dunn. Louis Schirato claimed (another) fine stumping off Lachlan J Stewart who then followed up by completing a great run out.  The Bulls chased hard but in the end were halted in their charge to victory by a brilliant spell of bowling by Lachlan Hodson who claimed 3 for 25 for eight overs and some great catching from the redoubtable James Dunn and ever present Matthew Wilkins!

The side was once again well captained by Charlie Booth and ably supported (in no particular order) by the Schiratos, the Riddles and Steve Hodson, which has been fantastic for the boys!

Tomorrow sees us looking to maintain our unbeaten run in order to claim the championship!  Exciting stuff!  Well played boys!

Elite Cricket 201 – Pointer 69, Evans 50 and Dunn 42 defeated Darwin Bull 164 Hodson 3/25

Day 5 Darwin Cricket Festival

Game 5 – Elite Cricket XI vs Kormilda College

The last game of the tournament was played at the picturesque school ground adjacent to our accommodation at Kormilda College

We lost the toss and Kormilda elected to bat. The Kormilda team were younger than our boys but had a couple of gutsy batsmen in their ranks. Unfortunately one of their openers had to retire hurt in the 3rd over after a rising ball from Ben Riddle winded him. A great spell from Matthew Maittlen delivered an lbw in the second over to leave the score at 1 for 3. They scored at a very slow rate and their second wicket didn’t fall until the 22nd over when their number three batsman was bowled by Charlie Booth with the score now at 2 for 39. They hung in there to still have plenty of wickets and plenty of time at the 25 over half way mark. (2 for 41) The captain was concerned and the boys received some “no nonsense, no frills” advice from the coach along the lines of “….it’s up to you now boys – you know what to do – if you want to win this – do it!” The captain took up the mantle himself and in combination with Lachlan Hodson and James Dunn took the 8 remaining wickets and Kormilda were dismissed with 4 overs remaining for 62.

Matthew Wilkins and Louis Schirato opened our innings and the two batsmen made their intentions clear with some aggressive batting. Unfortunately this cost Matthew his wicket when he was on 10, to be replaced by Sam Evans. Louis and Sam quickly and efficiently went about passing the Kormilda total and did so in the sixteenth over.

Elite Cricket 1/63 defeated Kormilda College 10/62

Louis Schirato 33* Sam Evans 13*
C Booth 5/7 L Hodson 2/5

This victory left the Elite Cricket XI undefeated and therefore tournament champions. The presentation ceremony was held back at Marrara Oval where the captain having been presented with the winners trophy proceeded to call up the team individually to receive their medallions.

Three of our team Charlie Booth, Ben Riddle and Matthew Saleh were also selected in a Team of the Carnival XI from the tournament.

Cheers

Mark