The Knox Gardens 1st Eleven have missed the chance to consolidate their spot in the 4 against FTG over the weekend. Skipper Wayne McInerney was a late withdrawal which paved the way for first gamer Dylan Wylde. Dyl was presented with his 1^st XI cap by KGCC life member Travis Mulder who 25 years to the day made his debut in the 1’s. A special moment indeed and upon reflection Saturday night the normally composed, even nonchalant Dylan said he was almost in tears and was super excited to be making his debut.  A great achievement for a young man who was unsure if he was even going to play earlier this year.

Shannon Small was promoted to skipper as FTG won the toss and elected to bat on a very slippery outfield. Ferntree Gully batted well early and took advantage of the conditions. Zach Flintoff took the first wicket removing the dangerous Farrukh who made a century against us in the corresponding game last year. FTG then consolidated and proceeded to build a solid partnership until that was broken on 99. Runs flowed throughout the middle section of the innings and the Gardens started to reel them back with some tight bowling towards the end of the innings. Simon Grasser ended up with figures of 2/43 as Ferntree Gully closed their innings on precisely 200. Probably a touch over par but a very gettable score.

As they have done all year Shannon Small and Jarrod Butcher’s opening stand has been the cornerstone of the team success and their partnership on Saturday will go down in history. Their 150 run stand is the highest ever opening partnership in 1^st XI history and the 5^th highest in 1’s history. Shannon was first to depart with a fine captains knock of 63. Still needing a little less than a run a ball and not for the first time this year the lads snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.

The game was delicately poised when Jarrod was removed shortly after making his century. An absolutely outstanding knock and one that the Garden Army thoroughly enjoyed. Alas, it wasn’t to be and some high quality bowling by FTG saw them 1 run ahead at the end. For our lads, not much to be said, it’s the second 1 run loss for the year and the turkey may taste a little dry this Xmas. Important to note that there is plenty of cricket to be played this year and at 4/4 they are well and truly in the hunt.

2^nd XI

In almost a carbon copy of the 1^st XI our 2’s failed to capitalize on an outstanding opening partnership. Bowling first the boys struck early with Marget of the J variety claiming the first scalp. The home side was reeling at 2/9 but some solid partnerships through the middle overs saw FTG get to 5/188 after their 40 overs. Best bowlers Jack Marget 1/26 (7) & Ash Hawkes 1/36 (7).

Brett Morrison and Rhys Marget opened the batting and the fireworks began. The pair brought up the 100 run stand in the 16^th over and a quick check of the odds had KGCC raging $1.09 favorites. Rhys fell short of his 50 making 47 with the score on 109. Brett kept ploughing along but unfortunately wickets fell around him. Our middle order failed to fire and we lost 8 for 50 . The 10^th wicket fell with 1 ball remaining and 5 required to win, once again proving you are never home, 0/109 to 10 / 184 seemed unlikely but there are some great signs coming from the 2’s.

Congrats to Brett Morrison on a well made 75 and he has almost certainly got the attention of selectors after peeling off some big scores.

3^rd XI

The 3^rd XI lost the toss and batted. After early trouble 1/5 Andrew Potts and Gerard Jongen started to pull back some momentum on an extremely sluggish outfield. Most batsmen got starts but failed to go on with it with only Tim Flintoff 30* and Pottsy 27 impacting the scoreboard. Tight bowling saw the 3’s held to 116 and at tea skipper Jason Buljubasic was confident that his bowlers could keep them in the game.

Unfortunately FTG had some pretty handy cricketers in their line up and they were able to pull the runs in the 21^st over for the loss of only 1 wicket. I am confident wins will come early next year with the return of some very handy cricketers and the continued improvement of Mr Potts has been a highlight.

4^th XI

Report compiled by Greg Bakker

Heading into this game, we knew we had to win to stay in touch with the final 4 and come into the new year at 4/4. Knowing that our batting was possibly the strongest it had been all season, with a handy couple of bowling inclusions in Devo and Z-train (Adrian Zandt), we were pretty confident.

Losing the toss and being asked to bat first on St Joseph #1, I made the point of getting all the players together and telling those that had not played there previously that the wicket played like a trampoline with a vertical bounce that had to be seen to be believed. Soft hands until you were comfortable was recommended. When Z-train chipped a defensive prod back to the bowler from the 1st ball, and survived, it was clear the wicket was going to play a major part in this game!

A good start from Z-train but a lucky catch saw him depart for 25 which brought young Sammy to the wicket to join Josh. The young guns put on 59 together before Josh departed at 93 with a well made 35. Chris came in and unleashed a few big shots before being unluckily given out on 19 to a catch that may have bounced first. Matty T came in and batted very well at the death to finish on 15no. Sammy also finished not out having made his 1st 50 in senior cricket and his highest score in any grade with a well made 52. We'll done Sammy on a mature and confident innings (proud father moment!!)

Finishing on 3/154, we were feeling pretty good with a balanced bowling attack going in to field. I thought it was worth opening with spin to take advantage of new batsmen facing a bouncing, ripping leg spinner and some pace and swing from the other end.

Unfortunately this trampoline wicket was unforgiving on anything even remotely short, especially with the home team experienced in knowing they could play back foot shots with relative safety. They rocketed to 1/82 off 11 with misfielding costing us around 15 of that total. Disappointing doesn't quite describe it. 

What happened from there was very gratifying. Everybody lifted. The run rate was hauled in and wickets were taken with Chris (3/22 off 6) and Z-train (3/20 off 7) doing their best to get us back in the game. We fought back taking 6/74 off 26 before St Johns eventually passed us 7 down with only 3 overs to spare. Playing out the remaining overs, young Adam Wylde managed to secure his 1st senior wicket leaving St Johns winners with 8/173.

So, after another competitive effort that left us disappointed, we'll look to getting back on the winners list on 11 January and see what we can do from there. I was extremely proud of the boys as we fought the game out and showed the comp that we are a team to be respected at all times!

Thanks to all players who have represented the 4ths so far. It's been a privilege to have been a part of it. Have a safe and enjoyable festive season and I'll see you in 2014.

On behalf of the committee of Knox Gardens I would like to wish you and your family a safe and happy Christmas and I look forward to reporting some big results in 2014.

Simon Wilkinson