This season saw me take over the reins of the 3^r’^d XI after 3 years and 3 consecutive finals appearances under the guidance of renowned tactician and cricketing genius Andrew ‘The Pott’ Potts. They were indeed big shoes to fill and despite the best efforts of myself and the team we fell agonisingly short of making it 4 finals appearances in a row. Just 3 measly points (half a game) away from having another shot at finals glory.

ROUND 1                                  KGCC 7-219 lost to Rowville 7-222

The 2019-2020 season certainly had its ups and downs for the talented (and handsome) team I had at my disposal. We started our season with a Grand Final replay against old nemesis Rowville (who thanks to a quirk of the draw we would play 3 times throughout the season). I actually think that this was a smart move by the FTGDCA as they were trying to maximize revenue by having the best sides play each other as often as possible to get the crowds through the gate. It worked; with my parents, Ryan Metherell’s parents and Bailey Deckert’s parents in attendance as well as two Rowville supporters the crowd numbers swelled into the high single figures. We went down in a nail biter with Rowville passing our score in the 79^th over. Lachie ‘Son of Chris’ Stuckey and Ryan ‘Cheese’ Metherell were the stars with the bat scoring 45 and 41* respectively. While Brett ‘Toot Toot’ Morrison was the pick of the bowlers with 2/19.

ROUND 2                              South Belgrave 9-262 drew with KGCC 4-132

You know, I don’t think I’ve ever played a game at South Belgrave without it raining. This season was no exception. A heavily rain affected match saw us play out a draw. Daine ‘Shane Turnin’ Vernon took 4 wickets while the Stuckey brothers dazzled with the bat to be our 2 highest scoring players with Lach (30) and Spencer (25).

ROUND 3                             KGCC 5-120 lost to Monbulk 6-124

In the first of the T/20 matches of the season we headed up to Monbulk to take on the undefeated Hawks. We (I) won the toss and we batted. Tyler Voulanas scored a solid 48 (this is the first of a few mentions he will get in my write up- he had a good season). But 120 was never going to be enough despite some amazing fielding (Lachie Stuckey took a catch that had to be seen to be believed and the Captain, Sean P Reid, took 4 outstanding catches too). Not surprisingly the pick of the bowlers was young superstar Spencer Stuckey who took 3/17 from his 4 overs.

ROUND 4                         KGCC 9-190 defeated UFTG 113

Much to my relief we finally recorded a win in Round 4 with a comprehensive performance against the Gold Coast Suns of Division 4, Upper Gully. The batting saw the runs spread around evenly with Ben ‘Benny’ Marget scoring 32, Spencer ‘Best fielder at the club’ Stuckey 39, the ever consistent Sam ‘Fishmin’ Fisher 28 and a better than run a ball 13 from Sean ‘The Reidiniator’ Reid. Guess who was pick of the bowlers again…Spencer Stuckey with 3/7. My double barreled pace attack of Bailey ‘B-Dogg’ Deckert and Anthony ‘Niddler on the roof’ Jongen both took 2 wickets each.

ROUND 5                                    Knox City 308 defeated KGCC 173

Wow…this is a tough one. The less said about this game the better. We got murdered and there were a number of things about our performance that were an embarrassment. There were a few positives with Daine ‘Vern’ Vernon taking 5 wickets and Bailey ‘B-Dogg’ Deckert taking an impressive 3/50. With the bat we were always struggling with Sean ‘Doctor’ Reid showing his usual dash with the bat hitting a swashbuckling 47 (44 off which were singles tucked off the hip as he ran down the pitch giggling ‘Don’t bowl there’) and Jason ‘Jase’ Buljabasic scoring an impressive 40.

ROUND 6                                  KGCC 7-321 defeated St. John’s Tecoma 150

The headline- ‘TYLER VOULANAS 114!!!’ He is a real future prospect for the Falcons as he looked amazing in a class innings. It was a fantastic day for the Red and Black at the illustrious Talaskia Reserve. Callum ‘Squid’ O’Connor played an aggressive innings of 61 and looked superlative and Andrew ‘Financial Services’ Potts spent some time at the crease to build a great partnership with Tyler for his 45. With the ball, the 3 young guns were again exceptional with Nibby 2/24, Bailey 2/40 and Spencer Stuckey 3/22 to lead us to a thumping victory.

ROUND 7                               KGCC 3-160 defeated Rowville 9-104

Once again we faced up to Rowville, eager for revenge after their win in Round 1 and to a lesser extent, the soul shattering defeat they handed us in last year’s Grand Final :’(. On this day we were able to get revenge and erase all the pain with a thumping victory! The Brentwood Secondary Brothers, Tyler ‘TV’ Voulanas (46) and Jay ‘Herr’ Wagner (72) got us off to an amazing start of 111 before Hayden ‘Dosman’ Morrison (20) and Ben ‘Carls Jr’ Marget (15) put the finishing touches on an impressive batting display. With the ball, pace was clearly the order of the day with our 3 quicks claiming the wickets Reidesque (3/16), B-Dogg (2/10) and Nibby (2/23).

ROUND 8                        Knox Gardens 9-173 lost to Knox City 4-177

Losing B-Dogg in the warm up saw Rhys ‘Father of Ben’ Marget called into the side at the last minute. He did pretty well, scoring 50 off 38 balls to show that he still has it. From there the innings lost momentum but some late order hitting from Gerard ‘Swanny’ Jongen (37) and Ryan ‘Brother of Adam’ Metherell (24 off 15 balls) saw us post a competitive total. Some dropped catches in the field cost us as they reached the score without too much trouble. The only shining light with the ball was Tyler taking 2 wickets.

ROUND 9                       Mountain Gate 118 defeated by KGCC 4-121

It’s always a treat to head out to HIV Jones Reserve to experience the atmosphere that one of the premier grounds in the competition has to offer. I know that most cricketers’ mouths begin to water at the thought of what delights will be served up at the tea break! But before we could get into the BBQ shapes and Zooper Doopers we had to play some cricket. We bowled first and it would be fair to say that it was an impressive effort with all of the bowlers doing a great job! Spencer ‘bowling prodigy’ Stuckey claiming 5/22 from 18 overs, Drew ‘The Moi’ Withers went for a few early but recovered to have 0/3 off his 7 overs including 5 maidens. Anthony ‘Son of Ian’ Jongen picked up another 3 wickets to add to his tally. We chased the runs down losing only 4 wickets with some solid contributions from Potts (22*), Pertovski (23) and Dyllan ‘Skilligan’ Milligan (36*).

ROUND 10                        KGCC 6-187 lost to Olinda 8-190

This game effectively saw the end of our season. So I will be brief…Sam ‘Musical Genius’ Fisher (63), Jimmy ‘Petro Civoniceva’ Petrovski (54) and Ben ‘Brother of Jack’ Marget (33) were the shining lights with the bat. 187 should have been enough but the greatest batsmen that has ever lived bats at number 6 for Olinda. Roger Oates (97) (remember that name- he’s gonna be huge). He took the game away and despite a brave effort in fighting it out to the last ball, we went down.   

ROUND 11                      Knox Boronia Churches 8- 174 defeated by KGCC 5-179

Bailey ‘The dogerman’ Deckert was back to his fiery best taking 3-31 while Ben ‘SEDA’ Marget took Richie Benaud’s favourite figures of 2/22. Some tight bowling from the Cheeseman was also impressive with 0/14 off 7 overs. 174 was always going to be a tough chase but a couple of young guns Hayden ‘Champ’ Morrison (46) and Tyler ‘Friend of Herr Wagner’ Voulanas (24) set us up well. At the end Jimmy ‘Petrevski-Seton’ Petrovski (51*) hit a 6 to win the game!

ROUND 12                     KGCC 8-151 defeated Rowville 9-128

For the 3^rd time of the season we played Rowville. Such was the frequency of our meetings that all of the players were now on a first name basis and I’ve been asked to Best Man at one of the Rowville player’s weddings in the off season. We batted first and made a competitive score. Andrew ‘Brother of Mitchell’ Potts was the outstanding batsman with 49. Our bowling was exceptional in this game. Anthony ‘Hard Hitting Nibby’ Jongen was at his absolute best with the ball taking 3/17 including an amazing catch by Ryan Metherell’s brother, Adam. The Spin Triplets of Daine ‘Shaggy’ Vernon, Adam ‘Crystal’ Metherell and Ryan ‘Meth til Death’ Metherell being the difference and taking Rowville out of the game. 

What a season! There were some ups and downs but overall a lot of positives to be taken out of it. Namely the fact that so many of our young players were able to take their chances this year and improve their cricket. Lachie, Jay, Tyler, Spencer, Ben and Haydos all showed that they have bright futures! Another year of development for Nibby and Bailey under their belts and they will come back another year older and another year quicker! Ryan Metherell and Sam Fisher have both been a breath of fresh air with their attitude but also with their abilities to be excellent contributors in all 3 facets of the game. Pottsy with his competitive attitude and knowledge of the game has been a great help to me as captain and I would also like to thank Rhys and Daine for filling as is captains when I was injured.

And with that, dear reader, I would like to say ‘Thank You’.

‘Thank me?’ you ask. Well yes, because I have enjoyed writing this as much as you have enjoyed reading it.

Yours,

Dr. Sean P Reid

P.S. I know it is long but what else are you going to do? You’ve got plenty of spare time!