This weekend we saw dominant displays across the board, with all teams having good overall performances. The First XI had one of their best bowling performances in the club’s history, rolling Heathmont for 48 runs and chasing down the target with eight wickets remaining. The Saints finished off the day with four wickets lost and a handy lead. They’ll be looking to make a bigger lead and then aim for an outright next week. The Second XI is on track to win their first game of the season after an incredible team effort as well as some individual brilliance by some players. Only 20 runs are required next week. The Third XI had another big win as the team is really starting to gel and find their winning form from last year. Some big batting scores helped the Saints set a big target for Hartley. The Fourth XI was the only team who lost this week, losing to the top team by four wickets after a huge fight back with many players suffering injuries. Many positives to take despite losing. The Fifth XI (Sunday Turf) now has two straight wins, with a convincing run chase against East Doncaster at home.
First XI
Coming off their first win last week, the First XI were fired up and ready to play. Losing the toss, the Saints were sent into the field. Max Murphy and Jonah Dillon were both unavailable this week which saw fast bowlers John Collopy and Madhur Ghai make their way back into the First XI as the opening bowlers. Collopy and Ghai bowled superbly making it hard for the Heathmont batters to score. Collopy finished with 2/15 off 16.3 overs and Ghai finished with 5/17 off 20 overs. Joel Watts and Ranga Brandigampola also contributed taking one wicket each, but it was the opening bowlers who put on a clinic, cleaning up the Heathmont lineup. The fielding was also top-tier from the Saints, with some lovely catches and runouts. The Saints rolled Heathmont for 48 runs from 43 overs in what was a bowling innings to remember for the ages.
After lunch, there were still 37 overs remaining in the day. With the time on their side, the Saints came out to bat with a small target to chase down. Madhur Ghai not only opened the bowling but also the batting alongside Thomas Torresi. Ghai went on to make a game-high 39 runs, with the Saints chasing down the runs with only two wickets lost. The First XI finished off the day at 4/83 with Anis Bugti (9* runs) and Ranga Brandigampola (6* runs) at the crease. With the win secured, the First XI will be looking to make a bigger lead next week and then aim for an outright.
Second XI
Playing away once again, the Second XI were matched up against Hawthorn. Winning the toss, the Second XI elected to field first on a small St James Park. Damien Argenti, Claude Bisinella, Paul Fisher, and Hemal Sharma all contributed with the ball taking wickets however, it was the underrated Matthew Zini who dominated with the ball taking 4/35 off 10 overs. With this game only being Zini’s second game of the season, he has well and truly found his groove, making him a weapon in the Saints’ side. The boys bowled Hawthorn all out for 156 off 42 overs.
Like the First XI, with overs remaining in the day, the Saints went into bat, with Damien Argenti and Christain Zini opening the batting. Both batters put on once again another incredible opening partnership, with Argenti batting like prime Chris Gayle smashing a rapid 87 runs and Zini also contributing and working around Argenti, making a solid 32 runs. This partnership has set up the Saints for their first win of the season, with only 20 runs required next week to win the game. The Saints finished off the day at 3/136. Hopefully, the weather holds up next week and the Second XI can easily chase down the runs and put the game to bed.
Third XI
That’s now two convincing wins in a row for the Third XI, with an 80-run win against Hartley CC this weekend. Batting first, the Saints got off to a great start, with Hamish Pym scoring big once again with 56 runs. Gary ‘Gaz’ Billings showed his aggression and power batting in the middle order and scoring 40 runs from 37 balls. With a team total of 183 runs, the Saints were going into their bowling innings confident. All bowlers delivered with the ball, with each bowler taking at least one wicket. Jacob Jacob, Shakir Siddeek, and Julian Georgiou all took two wickets each, which contributed to the Saints bowling the opposition out for 103. Another big win for the Third XI as they continue to get better each week.
Fourth XI
The Fourth XI was the only team who lost this week, losing to the top team Burnley CYMS by four wickets after a huge fight back with many players suffering injuries. Batting first, the Saints got off to a good start with Matt Knott and Narayan Anwani making solid scores with the bat. Youngster Anhad Marhala also made a handy score which helped the Saints to a team score of 164 to defend. The Burnley CYMS opening batters made it look easy getting their side off to a convincing start, however, a fightback from the Saints with quick wickets got them back into the game. With just a handful of overs left, Burnley chased down the runs with 4 wickets remaining. Another loss for the Fourth XI, but still many positives to take after making the top side of the division fight right to the end for the victory.
Fifth XI
Back-to-back wins for the Fifth XI after a tough start to the season, with a crushing eight wickets victory over East Doncaster. Bowling first, the Saints got off to a shaky start, with East Doncaster scoring freely. The Saints bowlers were able to pick up some handy late wickets in the innings which slowed the scoring of East Doncaster, with them finishing with 171 runs off 40 overs. Opening batters Alex Skinner and Anis Bugti both got off the mark in quick fashion showing their dominance early in the innings. Coming in at number four, First XI captain Serge Moussi who has had an average start to the season with the bat, showed exactly what he is capable of, scoring 85 runs from just 74 balls. This included 13 fours and three sixers. A quality knock from a quality player. His innings helped the Saints chase down the runs comfortably with 10 overs to spare. Mannu Devgan also had an impact with the bat, hitting two maximums to win the game for the Saints.
MATCH RESULTS
1XI vs Heathmont (2 DAY)
HEATHMONT – 48
BALWYN SAINTS - 4/83 (36)
· M. GHAI 5/17 & 39 runs
· J. COLLOPY 2/15
2XI vs Hawthorn (2 DAY)
HAWTHORN – 156
BALWYN SAINTS – 3/136 (29)
· D. ARGENTI 2/5 & 87 runs
· M. ZINI 4/35
3XI vs Malvern Valley
WON BY 80 RUNS
· H. PYM 56 runs
· G. BILLINGS 40 runs
4XI vs Clifton Hill
LOST BY 4 WICKETS
· M. KNOTT 36 runs
· N. ANWANI 34 runs
5XI vs East Doncaster
WON BY 8 WICKETS
· S. MOUSSI 85* runs
· M. DEVGAN 2/16 & 23* runs
Vets – WEEK OFF
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