By Chris Handasyde
Seniors 1st XI: Healesville 4/231 defeated South Warrandyte 9/132
On what was a warm Saturday, Healesville travelled to Colman Park to play South Warrandyte and won the toss and elected to bat. Captain Kris Andersen and Mark Powell opened the innings with an attacking mindset taking 8 runs off the first over before Andersen was caught at cover. Ryan Webster joined Powell and set a good platform, picking off the bad ball and rotating the strike excellently before Powell was dismissed on 26 at 2/97 off 22 overs. Josh Handasyde joined Webster and had clear intentions to push the run rate forward and was able to hit some boundaries on his way to a quickfire 38. With 12 overs left Healesville were 3/147 with plenty of batting to come. With some lusty blows from Webster (69), Tom Handasyde (28*) and Luke Chandler (20*) as Healesville managed 4/231. The returning Dermott Fry and Luke Chandler opened the bowling with Chandler knocking all 3 stumps out of the ground early before Fry was able to get his first wicket. South Warrandyte were able to keep the run rate on track and Healesville needed a wicket so turned to youngster Tarkyn Nicolandos and debutant Rod Woodford and they delivered with Tarkyn taking 4/44 and Rod taking 2/32 rolling through the South Warrandyte tea. Next week Healesville plays Norwood at home.
Seniors 2nd XI: Healesville 4/161 defeated Wantirna South 160
Hosting Wantirna South at the home of cricket, Healesville were sent into the field and Riley Cameron was able to snare an early wicket to set the Bloods alight before Wantirna South built a strong partnership before the returning Dan Burley dismissed their captain for 52. After this the floodgates opened for Healesville with wickets galore, Brodie Grace was able to dismiss the other set batsmen before Jack Drummond and Matt Kellelea removed the middle order. This made way for Darcy English to run through the tail finishing with 4/22 as the pick of the bowlers. Wantirna South finished their innings on 160. It left a tricky but gettable chase for Healesville and were aided by the strong start from Ben Mackey and Matt Kellalea before Mackey was forced to retire with Heatstroke and Kellalea dismissed for 15. This led to the eventually match winning partnership between youngsters Darcy English and Riley Cameron being able to rotate the strike with ease while putting pressure on the bowlers by putting away the bad ball with Cameron scoring his 2nd consecutive fifty (51) before being dismissed and English finishing 28* to give the bloods a strong 5 wicket win to hopefully reignite their season as they sit 2 games out of the top 4.
Past Players Day:
All past players and supporters of the Healesville Cricket Clubare invited to join the club on Saturday 20 January 1pm onwards at Queens Park where the 1st XI take on Lilydale. Finger food will be supplied and drinks at bar prices. Robert ‘Tojo’ Nolan has dug up some memorabilia and been contacting past players so it’s going to be a great day to catch up with old team mates.
