Noble Park runs out of luck

FIVE run-outs cost the Noble Park Cricket Club any chance of defeating Williamstown in the Victorian Sub District Cricket Association, the team dismissed for 150 in reply to Williamstown’s 8/194 on Saturday.
After losing Andrew Brown early, Rod Douthie, Paul Hill and captain Dean Edmunds were all caught short of their crease to leave Noble Park on 4/89 off 24 overs.
English import Karl Brown, however, displayed the talent that has seen him represent his country at under 19 level, making 84 runs off 93 deliveries.
When Brown was out Noble Park was 6/127 and required further 68 runs off nine overs, but was unable to bat out the innings, dismissed in the 37th over.
Andrew O’Meara (21 runs) and debutant Michael Todd (12 not out) showing some late order resistance.
Earlier, Williamstown got off to a flyer, scoring freely to be 1/80 after 12 overs before Sanjeewa Weerasinghe (2/35 off eight overs), Sean Schubert (2/23 off eight) and Douthie (2/21 off six) reeled in what could have been a 200-plus total with some tight bowling for Noble Park.
Schubert, in particular, dried up the runs from his end in his best performance in the first XI to date.
The second XI made the trip to Williamstown but returned empty-handed, dismissed for 103 in reply to the home side’s 5/149.
Andrew Parker top scored with 25, while Luke Anthony and Kim Fitzpatrick both made 17.
Johann Wise was the best of the bowlers with a return of 2/31 from his eight overs.
The third XI recovered from 7/56 to pass Elsternwick’s total of 128 without further loss.
Andrew Love (58 not out) and Lyle D’Rozario (13 not out) shared in a 73-run stand to get the six points.
Shane Smith (2/26) and Tejinder Singh (2/7) were the multiple wicket-takers as Noble Park restricted Elsternwick to 7/128 off its 40 overs.
Meanwhile, a half-century to David Harper was not enough to get the fourth XI over the line as it fell 34 runs short of victory, dismissed for 147 in reply to Elsternwick’s 4/181.
Harper also took 2/30 with the ball.