Douthie century in record score

A CENTURY to Rod Douthie has seen the Noble Park first XI reach a club record score of 8/356cc in its Victorian Sub District Cricket Association game against Bundoora Old Paradians on Saturday.
With Gavin Hurley having no hesitation in batting after winning the toss, Noble Park lost Darren Seccull (14) and Andrew Brown (13) within 16 overs with the score at 2/42.
Steven Croft and Douthie then shared in an 84-run stand, taking the total to 126, when Croft skied a sweep and was out caught for 51.
Douthie was joined by Hurley and they were together at tea with the total 3/146 off 42 overs.
After the break the pair scored freely, adding a further 139 runs before Douthie was out for 149.
His innings, described as one of the most devastating seen, came off only 146 deliveries and included 17 fours and six sixes, one of which cleared the social club and had the lawn bowlers scuttling for cover.
The partnership of 159 between the pair eclipsing the previous club record fourth wicket stand of 106 between Steve Maxwell and Mark Smirnoff made in 1995-96.
Paul Hill and Hurley added a further 36 before Hurley was out for 75.
Jon Stones and Hill then took the total to 342 before Hill (19) was out in the 78th over.
Paul McDonald (2) and Stones (19) were both dismissed in the final overs as the chase for runs reached a crescendo, Mark Rendle (1) and Andrew Berman (2) the not out batsmen at the end.
The previous first XI record score was 7/324 made against Elsternwick in 1994-95.
The match continues this weekend.
Noble Park’s second XI made 9/236 at Bundoora after rain in the northern suburbs saw some time lost.
Geoff Richardson finally lasted more than one ball at Bundoora, top scoring with 58, with Michael Todd contributing 45.
Richardson last played at Bundoora in season 2003-04 and made two golden ducks in two innings.
The third XI is in trouble in its game against Ormond, all out for 160.
Chris Yue top scored with 42, while in the reply, Ormond was 1/49 at stumps.
The fourth XI lost its one-day game against Ormond making 143 in reply to Ormond’s 9/174.
Tony D’Atri top scored with 35 while with the ball Michael Fox took 3/41, Michael Martindale 3/23 and 14-year-old Santino Deng bowled 2/24.