Bulls 1st XI vs Croydon North 1st XI

With another week of One Dayers the 1st XI were out to prove a point against Croydon North. Things didn’t start out great being asked to bowl on a good day to get runs on the board. That’s exactly what Croydon North did, with the first wicket falling at 94 with Sammy Ridgewell taking a caught and bowled chance – never easy as a big fast bowler. Brother Luke chipped in with 2 wickets, Dan Xan took 1, there was a run out and skipper Leigh Jones hit some pegs to take the final wicket. We were set an imposing 216 run total.

In response Matt Stoikos (53) continued his rich vein of form and was joined by Matt Scott (23) as they put on 64 for the first wicket. Another handy partnership formed as Tom Robinson (28) joined Stoikos. Things started to slip away from there as the scoreboard pressure and need to score quickly meant our middle order couldn’t get settled despite some starts. Ultimately a tough day at the office as we fell 30 runs short. Big response anticipated next week.

Bulls 2nd XI vs Norwood 2nd XI

At North Ringwood Reserve Dan Tucker won the toss and decided to have a bat. All those who got to the crease made good contributions. Nat I’Anson looked sharp again for his 35 and Simon Gray proved too hard to dismiss and needed a run out to send him on his way for 55. The highlight of the innings was the 87 run partnership between those two for the 4th wicket. We managed to put on 161 from our 40 overs, setting the opponents a tough chase of over 4 an over.

Matty Rey and Matty Hep had them on the ropes immediately, both claiming a wicket with the runs only at 5. Their top 6 batsmen were all undone by the lethal fast bowling combination with none of them able to get into double figures. Hepburn finished with 8 overs, 2 maidens, 4 for 11 and Reyment took 2-23 from his 7. At 6/38 we had them up against the wall, so what do we do? Introduce Brendan Leis who quickly has them 7/41 with some handy glovework from Tucker and 8/57. Despite some lower order hitting the early fast bowling onslaught had the game in the bag. Mick Wright chipped in for the last 2 and we bowled them out for just 98 – well done boys.

Bulls 3rd XI vs Montrose 3rd XI

After being asked to bowl first Henri Brook didn’t need to be asked twice, he quickly had them on the back foot at 2/12 and he finished with figures the same. Mark Razdan proved extremely economical taking 1/15 from his 7. With Montrose unable to get him to the boundary. The 4th wicket was a 96 run partnership but Randy Briggs came on to take care of that and then we started to roll through them. Joel Rigby who had been expensive early bounced back in a big way taking 4 for not many in his 2nd spell ripping through the lower order. They set us 148 to win on a fast Norwood.

We got off to a good start with Jordan Buckingham blasting 24 before departing at 1/27. A couple of early wickets saw us need to rebuild and Mark Razdan (22) knew his role keeping us going at one end seeing 4 wickets fall at the other end before he ultimately went. Al Simmons and Randy Briggs both scored quick 27s getting us to within reaching distance of the total which Aaron Leis and Joel Rigby took us to with a couple of overs spare. Another good win.

Bulls 4th XI vs Montrose 4th Xi

Being played on a postage stamp this game was always destined to be a high scoring affair. Flav showed no hesitation in batting first and he and Rhys Matthews got us off to a flyer reaching 76 before Rhys fell for 40. Flavio fell soon after for 34. Simeon Barut blasted 28, Banger Harvey made a fine 41 and James Schultz chipped in down the order taking a casual 26 from one over! We set a total of 219 to be chased.

The first wicket fell to Houston at 1/28 and Banger took one at 2/48 but from there a partnership built and no mercy was shown to our attack. Michael Harvey the only one to escape out and out punishment on a bad track for bowliers taking 1/15 from his 6. Unfortunately 218 didn’t prove to be enough and we were left short. A tricky day in the field, time to bounce back in the long form of the game.

Bulls 5th XI vs Mooroolbark 4th XI

Dave Smeed won the toss and decide to have a bowl. The breakthrough didn’t come until 74 runs were on the board with Pete Ridgewell (2/38) showing how its done. Will Lamont took 2/33 including the prized scalp of the skipper K Trollope who looked in devastating form. Rhys Djohan and Lachlan Gray chipped in for a wicket too. We were set 235 to chase.

Pete Ridgwell continued his rebirth as an opening batsman but the run chase didn’t get off in earnest until ‘Jordan McMaster the New Master Blaster’ got into gear scoring a rapid 63. He was joined by Jackson Clarke who scored 27. We were always behind the run rate and ultimately Dave Smeed and Lucas Jurey were too late to get us back on track and we fell short in the 30th over. A good effort, but scoreboard pressure showed again.

Bulls 6th XI vs South Croydon 6th XI

In a must win fixture for the 6s to play finals captain Dale Gaskell won the toss and chose to have a bat. Whitty fell early, but this brought the star of the day for the Bulls Riley Buckingham to the middle. Riley composed himself to put on a well made 59 runs showing equal measures of aggression and patience when needed. Unfortunately those around him couldn’t seem to get a really solid partnership together. Ending up with 143 it looked like a defendable score.

It wasn’t. Out strode N Kenealy who’s only other game in this grade was a 114no, at Dorset, against the Bulls. He proved he was no flash in the pan, and again made 114no at Dorset, against the Bulls. What made matters worse for the Bulls was that they weren’t able to get any wickets at the other end and ultimately lost by 10 wickets. With the same opponents next week, the 6s are hoping young N Kenealy might get a crack at higher honours.

Bulls 7th Xi vs Lilydale 5th XI

Eddie Boal and his men were sent in at Greenwood park, but unfortunately no one was quite able to get going against a very strong Lilydale side. The bowling proved too lethal and we were bowled out for 72.

Lilydale might light work of the chase getting to 1/100 in the 15th over. Justin Baker was the single wicket taker.