Freak shot produces win

DROPPED catches nearly cost the Noble Park Cricket Club’s first XI a win against Endeavour Hills in their Victorian Sub District Cricket Association match.
With the home side nine wickets down and 32 runs short of the Bulls’ total of 185, two missed chances and a committed last pair saw the total reach 184 before a bizarre dismissal saw Noble Park scrape in by a run.
Paul McDonald snared the last wicket when the Endeavour Hills batsman and Noble Park wicket keeper Andrew Brown lost sight of the ball, which, after hitting the batsman’s pad, went straight up in the air.
In the confusion there were cries of “catch it” then one of “leave it” as the ball spun back on to the stumps, much to the dismay of the home team but to the delight of the visitors.
With Endeavour Hills resuming last weekend at 3/16, Steve Croft got the early breakthrough when Gavin Hurley took a catch at slip with the total at 22.
That was the only early joy for the Bulls as a 102-run fifth-wicket partnership saw Endeavour Hills take the ascendancy before Croft and Kynan Ford swung the game back in Noble Park’s favour by taking four wickets in two overs, Endeavour Hills 8/128. A further 19 runs were added before the ninth wicket fell with Croft picking up his second scalp.
This then brought about the events that culminated in McDonald’s wicket.
Croft finished with the figures of 7/67 off 22 overs, Ford 2/61 off 19 and McDonald 1/30 off 11.4 overs. Having to bat again Noble Park finished at 0/22.
Noble Park’s second XI was unable to defend its total of 178 with Endeavour Hills making 211.
Kim Fitzpatrick the best of the bowlers, finishing with 3/41 off 26 overs.
The third XI fell over the line, passing Endeavour Hills’ total of 192 with the last pair at the crease.
The side was dismissed for 194 with Dane Rogers top scoring with 55 at the top of the order, supported by Dave Parker (33) and Danny Ekanyake (30).
The fourth XI also had a close game against Endeavour Hills.
Batting first, Michael Martindale again led the way for Noble Park scoring an unbeaten 66, with Andrew Murray making 43 as the side reached 8/172.
In reply, Endeavour Hills finished with 8/173, Bulls captain Andrew Parker the best of the bowlers with 3/12 off his eight overs, with Michael Fox taking 3/29.