EMERALD faced the task of chasing down Lyndhurst’s total of 241 on an overcast Emerald day. It made a poor start, slumping to 3/38. Allan Bendall and Jay Kliensmit then came to the crease, showing resistance and moving the score past 90 before Bendall was bowled for 59. Kliensmit continued to bat well with Ian Litterbach as the pair moved Emerald along to 6/177, before Kliensmit was caught for 51. With his side needing 80 more runs for victory, Litterbach was joined at the crease by Cam Williams, and they set up the win for Emerald. Litterbach was caught for 65 and it was Williams who brought up the winning runs. Emerald was 8/314, with Williams not out 61, at stumps.
C Grade
DEFENDING 84 against Kooweerup, Emerald made a promising start, with Adam Failla picking up an early wicket. Good bowling from Failla and Tony Flint then resulted in the opposition losing 6-21, included the wicket of Wes Wright, who fell for five to a great catch from Zeb Quigley. But, Emerald was unable to grab victory, Kooweerup passing its total with eight wickets down. Captain Jarred Gillespie came on late to pick up a wicket as Emerald dismissed Kooweerup for 102. Best bowlers were Failla with 4-22 and Flint with 3-40 off 22 overs.
D Grade
EMERALD had the comfortable task of defending 427 against Merinda Park and picked up early wickets. But, it would prove to be a slow day in the field, with Merinda Park scortng at a very slow rate. Emerald eventually bowled out the opposition for 115 in the 55th over. Best bowlers were James Burke with 4-21 and Trent Rolfs with 2-22.
E Grade
PLAYING at Gembrook, Emerald went into the field defending 228 and opened up the bowling with Cailen Parker and Jarred Watson. They made a strong start and had the opposition reeling at 5-54 after 27 overs. Gembrook did not give up, however, and good lower-order batting took its score to 131 when it was bowled out. The standout performer for Emerald was opening bowler Parker, who sent down 23 overs, with nine maidens, and picked up 5-36.
U17 Red
EMERALD batted, and openers Danny Ceeney (17) and Andrew Alenson (16) got their side off to a sound start, moving to 0-39 off 13 overs . At drinks, Emerald was 2-53. Chris Wynne (10) and Tom Baldock (29) put Emerald in a good position for victory but loosing two players at the start did not help the team as it fell just short.
U17 Black
EMERALD, after losing the toss and bowling against Beaconsfield, struggled from the start as the opposition posted a total of 188 in its 25 overs. Emerald was unable to reach the target, finishing with 110 off its 25 overs. Geordie Scott was the best batsman, retiring at 27.
U15 Black
EMERALD played a one-day match after the previous week’s rain interruptions. Emerald bowled first and the opposition posted a total of 6-110. Emerald was unable to reach the score, making 83 off its overs.
U15 Red
EMERALD bowled, opening with Kallan Braid-Ball and Darcey Hellriegel, who found an excellent line and length at the start, Hellriegel having wicket maiden in the second over of the match. Wickets fell regularly, with all bowlers contributing. Some loose fielding and a lot of extras kept Officer in the match but Caleb Lobbe bowled well at the end, picking up the last two wickets.
