Noble Park slumps after Christmas break

NOBLE Park Cricket Club seemed to be suffering from a New Year’s hangover as its first XI was comprehensively beaten by Ivanhoe in Victorian Sub District Cricket Association competition on Saturday.
After being sent in to bat, Noble Park was routed for 89 with only Jon Stones (28) getting into double figures.
In reply it took Ivanhoe only 49 minutes and 11.4 overs to end the game, finishing at 1/92.
The loss was the side’s third for the season and puts its finals chances in jeopardy.
Noble Park’s second XI made 6/225, but couldn’t defend the score as Ivanhoe passed the target with the loss of only four wickets.
Shane Pietersz (69), Matt Crozier (48 not out) and Jake D’Atri (37) were the best of the bats while D’Atri was the pick of the bowlers taking 2/32 off his nine overs of off-spin.
The third XI bounced back from its loss in the last game by defeating Moorabbin.
Batting first Noble Park reached 9/146, Danny Ekanayake (34), Andrew Murray (21 not out) and Chris Yue (20) contributing to the total.
The side then dismissed Moorabbin for 110, Andrew Love the best of the bowlers with 3/17 off his nine overs with Johann Wise taking 2/15.
Noble Park’s fourth XI had a win by dismissing Moorabbin for 111 and passing the total in the 32nd over with the loss of seven wickets.
Gavin Jones, playing his first game in six years, was the destroyer with the ball taking 6/21 off eight overs with captain Andy Parker taking 2/23.
Andrew Morwood (24 not out), Tony D’Atri (24 not out) came together when the score was a precarious 7/65 to see the side to victory.