Left: Tony Flint was Emerald’s top scorer in B-grade with 19 on the weekend.EMERALD sides struggled with the bat on Saturday but did much better in the field.
A GRADE
Emerald went to Catani full of confidence after a good win but the batting crumbled for 75. Only four players reached double figures and there wasn’t much joy for the Bombers. Wes Wright and Quentin Lucas looked good, as did David Black and Nathan Leversha, but the Bombers were all out in the 34th over. In Catani’s innings the Bombers bowled well and the Blues declared at 5/122. All bowlers grabbed a wicket, Lucas getting 2/39 off 15 overs to claim the best figures. After batting five overs at the end of the day the Bombers were 1/17 at stumps.
B GRADE
Emerald’s second XI also had a tough day, Against Upper Beaconsfield, batting first, the Bombers were rolled for 82 after 48 overs. Only three players reached double figures. Tony Flint hit the ball well to record 19, Jay Kleinsmit (13) batted well and Jarred Gillespie was the most impressive, knuckling down for 35 overs to frustrate the bowlers. Upper Beaconsfield had 19 overs to bat and had posted 1/109 at stumps. Ang Pepi was the only wicket-taker.
D GRADE
At Lang Lang and bowling first, the Bombers got a flying start when Andrew Rolfs and Lee Ligtermoet had Lang Lang in trouble at 6/38. Rolfs was the main destroyer, claiming 4/16 off 12 overs. After a good partnership Chris Alenson came on and cleaned up with 3/3 and Lang Lang was dismissed for 79. In reply the Bombers got a good start with Ash Lucas and Mick Vanleeuwen putting on 33. Lucas was out for 18 and then Julian Powell joined Vanleeuwen to bring the score to 75. Powell was out for 23 and Vanleeuwen 38 before good hitting by Greg Hamilton (16) and Lucas McGann (39 not out) saw the Bombers to 6/139 at stumps.
E GRADE
Playing at home the Bombers won the toss and bowled. Eric Glazner and Corey Sweeney got the Bombers a great start, the Officer score falling to 5/57 off 25 overs. Jim Burke, Colin McNeil and Euan Thoms each claimed a wicket in support of Glazner as he bowled beautifully to end with 6/38 off 18 overs. Officer was rolled for 146. Emerald had to bat for 13 overs at the end of the day and was 2/28 at stumps.
UNDER 16 BLACK
Playing a one-dayer due to the first week’s rain, Emerald bowled first and did well to contain Beaconsfield 145 off 25 overs. Dan Leversha, Tye Johnstone and Zeb Quigley each got a wicket. In reply the Bombers never looked in the chase but batted well to post 107. Ali Semaiha retired on 25, Leversha made 18, Ash Lucas 13 and Quigley 14.
UNDER 14 RED
Also playing a one-day game, the Reds bowled first. Upper Beaconsfield made the total of 8/145 off their 25 overs. David Gatt and Andrew Weston claimed two wickets, while Blake Leckenby, Tom Mather and Andrew Shears each got one. Emerald’s innings was in trouble at 8/15 but then Michael Sullivan (24 not out) and Manning Brown (5) and sundries helped the Bombers reach the total of 75.
