Bulls 1st XI vs South Croydon at North Ringwood Reserve.

The 1st XI came up against a strong South Croydon side and it was set to be a humdinger of an affair. South Croydon won the toss and chose to bat, Leigh Jones left them regretting that decision after he claimed both openers cheaply nicking through to brother Ev. They continued to build and play around the key, Michael King who ultimately fell to some Dan Xan wizardry on his way to 5-44. All the bowlers were tight and the end total was 162 which set it up for a great return the following week.

In response we faced a lethal and rampant bowling attack. Wickets fell cheaply leaving us floundering at 5/17. Cometh the hour cometh the men Tom Robinson (66) and Matt Stoikos (45) resurrected the chase combining to collect 81 for the 6th wicket taking us to 98. Dan Xan and Robbo put on another 51 leaving the brothers Ridgwell to finish off the last 15-20 runs with overs to spare. A fantastic fight back from the brink of adversity. Well done to the 1st XI.

Bulls 2nd XI vs Eastfield at Benson Oval

Dan Tucker won the toss and had no hesitation choosing to bat. Mark Razdan and Glenn Ibbot combining to put on 78 for the first wicket until Raz dabbed one too many departing for 26. Glib, Glib went on to bomb them all over the park including one onto the roof. He was finally dismissed for 73 at 3/119. Enter Stuart Moore (39) and Tucker (33) who put on 65 against a dour and defensive Eastfield attack who at times had 8 fielders on the off in attempt to bore the batsmen out. The tactic proved poor and our tail grabbed some late runs with Jay Stoikos (21) launching a massive 6 into the bush taking us up to an impressive 10/246.

The following week it was that man again Stoik who had Eastfield panicking at 2/8. Wickets fell consistently to all the bowlers, Stoik finishing with 3, Hagen Shaw 2, Leigh Rigby 2 and Brendan Leis with 2/5 from his 4 overs. In the end we rolled them for just 141 on their own turf. A truly impressive performance from the rampaging 2s side who are looking in sublime nick.

Bulls 3rd XI vs Warranwood at Norwood Secondary

Bowling first the Bulls were led by Captain-Fearless Hepburn and Banger Harvey who bowled fast and tight and Waranwood were unable to hit them off the cut strip. Houston (2/14) was required to make the first breakthrough at 1/31 but then wickets fell consistently save for the 4th wicket partnership which was eventually broken by Scott Baker. Baker went on to take a career best 6/67 after only being named in the side after postponing his trip to Schoolies. After that performance he’ll be the talk of the town up there on Cavill Avenue, look out ladies. Bowling them out for 196 the 3s knew they could chase it down if they batted well.

And that’s exactly what they did. The first wicket fell at 61 with Nutty and Nat I’Anson combining well. Aaron Leis (35) joined Nat and they put on another 89. Nat finally fell after a very impressive 88. 29 not out from Ben McPhee helped guide the side home in the dying overs. Finishing 6/200 off 70 overs. Interestingly their keeper took 2 catches and made 3 stumpings, with us perhaps looking to hit the dance floor a bit early. Save that stuff for the night club tour boys. Well done, another great win.

Bulls 4th XI vs Waranwood

The 4s made the short journey up to Quambee to face Warranwood. After being sent in Flavio (20) and Rhys got us off to a good start 0/34. A couple of quick wickets meant Tom Logan and Bryan Carrucan (26) needed to rebuild. The boys kept adding runs with Pete Jane who added a few and then Brian I’Anson upped the rate to make 41 and steer the team to a score of 9/192. Even Shorthouse managed a cheeky 12*.

In reply the boys were fired up. 1/6, 2/8, 3/8, 4/8. Will Lamont the man of the hour taking all 4 with a contender for what could be the fast bowling spell of the year. Pete Ridgwell chimed in with a 4/10 in the end Warranwood could only limp to a miserable total of 69. Showing no mercy the General Flav sent them back in. This time he unleashed Shorthouse (3/21) and Schultz (4/19). In the end the brave Waranwood hung on and avoided an outright by just 2 wickets. If only for a few more overs. Well done boys what a bowling performance -18 wickets for less than 170 runs.

Bulls 5th XI vs Templeton

Templeton won the toss and asked Dave Smeed’s lads to have a bat. With contributors right throughout, Adam Partingon was the pick of the bats scoring 60 before being run out. With lots of partnerships around that score we built to a total of 162 before being bowled out.

The following week the boys knew they had to get off to a good start and Jordan McMaster made the breakthrough at 1/19. Andrew Cary (3/24) and Rhys Djohan (5/38) then unleashed a barrage and skittled the middle order leaving Templeton well short at 95 all out. Dave then decided to have another bat. Partington looking unstoppable blasted 54* while McMaster and Mullan the nominated pinch hitters moosed 22 and 20* respectively. At 1/102 off 12 the declaration came. Andrew Cary is showing such great form at the moment he jagged the first two poles as the 5s hotly chased an outright. McMaster (5 overs, 5 maidens) grabbed a couple more as did Djohan. But the real star of the second innings with 8 overs, 6 maidens, 4 wickets for just 2 runs was Andrew Cary. Well played… and Woof Woof for the first innings 5 fa Djohan. Enjoy the 12 points boys.

Bulls 6th Xi vs Yet another Bye….. The boys are back this week though.

Bulls 7th Xi vs Croydon Ranges

Eddie Boal won the toss and elected to bat first on day 1 and chase on day 2 (modified rules). Eddie went hard early making 17 of the first 19 runs before departing. Nam Ngo then came to the crease and made a fine 45. At the end of day 1 we were 3/150 with young Stafford and Lachie Harvey not out at the crease. Harvey then continued that run taking 3 quick wickets leaving Croydon Ranges in trouble at 3/32. Ranges may have picked up day 1 points finishing at 4/164 but losing that extra wicket was to prove costly.

The Bulls continued their bowling attack but a 5th wicket partnership of 167 had us worried. Once the mercurial Dan Whitty made the breakthrough wickets fell and they were bowled out for 264 with Stuart, Baker and Stafford taking multiples. Lachie Harvey and Stafford started the chase in style putting on 120 for the 4th wicket. Stafford finished with 45 and Harvey with a truly fantastic 101* – well played boys. Contributions all down the order including a 22* from Whitty and 18* from Rod Stuart saw us easily pass their score and end up with 8/308. A great win for the 7s and a great day for a couple of future young guns.

What a fantastic round for the North Ringwood Cricket Club. Well done to all the teams and lets back it up again this round.