2003/04
Mackie
0
Vs
Bentleigh Uniting
257
Game Report: Week 1
"Waiting on Report".
2003/04
Mackie
2/272cc
Defeated
Bentleigh ANA
120
Game Report: One Day Game
After a sensational run-chase in the first of the one day fixtures against Omega, Mackie approached the game against Bentleigh ANA with great confidence.
Having been sent into bat by ANA, Mackie started well, with Tim Krotofil again off to a flyer. He was dismissed for 35, which brought Stuart Campbell to the crease. Hoping to emulate his heroics of the previous week, Campbell was unable to do so, becoming Keith Schleiger’s second victim. In previous years losing two wickets so close together, often signaled the start of the infamous Mackie collapse. This is no longer the case as Mackie’s batsmen continue to improve.
Mackie did not lose another wicket in their innings and amassed a total of 2/272. This formidable total was the result of one of the best partnerships that the club has ever seen. Damien Krotofil and Dale Park both scored centuries in what was fantastic cricket to watch. With their partnership worth 227, they succeeded in putting the game well beyond ANA’s reach. Park, in his maiden century for the club finished on 102 not out and Damien was unbeaten on 108 not out.
When ANA began their chase, Damien was again in the thick of it when he threw the stumps down from midwicket to find the Jansz short of his crease. From here the rot set in with Adam Scott and Dave Burn dominating with the ball. Burn finished with 4-52 of 17 overs, while Adam Scott took 4/43 off 17 overs. ANA were never in the hunt and Damien Krotofil was again involved when he captured the final wicket to have ANA all out for 120.
A top win for Mackie, moving it into second place on the Longmuir Shield ladder. Also a sweet victory for Gary Scott against the club that chose Keith Schleiger as captain over him. I think anyone who was at the game could see just how foolish that decision has turned out to be.
2003/04
Mackie
6/294
Defeated
Omega
9/290
Game Report: One Day Game
Like the phoenix of Greek mythology, the Mackie Cricket Club First XI rose from the ashes last Saturday. With the acrid aroma of charred timber in their nostrils, Mackie fielded first and were soon in trouble when opening bowler Colm Kinsella broke down. With Dave Burn also missing the Mackie bowlers suffered at the hands of some aggressive batting from ladder leaders, Omega. Despite several bowling changes, Omega scored at will and Mackie found themselves having to chase down the imposing total of 8/290 off their allotted 42 overs. Adam Scott was the best of the bowlers, finishing with three late wickets.
As your correspondent is yet to peruse the scorebook, all batsman totals and partnerships are estimates. The chase began well with the brothers Krotofil plundering the attack. Damien was dismissed for 45 thus ending an opening partnership worth 140-odd off approximately 21 overs. Stuart Campbell batted at No.3 and proceeded to butcher the attack. When Tim Krotofil was knocked over for 95, Brenden Clark joined Campbell. Clark was again involved in a mix-up with Campbell and was run-out for 23.
Debutant Matt Collins joined Campbell at the crease with the total on 206. This left Mackie the improbable task of scoring 84 runs off the last 9 overs of the match. Collins was run out with out scoring and Craig Park also failed to register a run.
Captain-Coach Scott teamed with Campbell for a 50 run partnership before Campbell was dismissed for 90 off only 50 balls. By this stage, Mackie was poised to claim an improbable victory. Dale Park and Gary Scott steered the ship home with an over to spare. Mackie ended the day 6/295.
In his press conference after the game, Scott was heard to say that this was the second greatest victory he had been involved in his entire career. Not bad when you consider he is 55 and has been playing since he was 9 years of age.
In what was tough week for the club, the firsts responded brilliantly to the challenge and knocked off the top of the table Omega. The scene is set then for a huge game this week at Mackie. For the first time Gary Scott comes face to face with Bentleigh ANA, the club that sacked him, and Keith Schleiger, the player that replaced him as Captain-Coach at ANA. This promises to be a fiery encounter.
2003/04
Mackie
5/385
Drew
Brighton Central
2/129
Game Report: Week 8
"Waiting on Report".
2003/04
Mackie
221
Vs
Aspendale Edithval RSL
94
Game Report: Week 7
Once again Mackie skipper Gary Scott proved his worth, calling correctly again and deciding to bat. Despite the sea breeze it was still very warm as Edithvale-Aspendale RSL discovered when in the field. Again openers Krotofil and Park were solid with an opening stand of 42. On a ground providing excellent value for shots, Tim Krotofil missed an opportunity to post a big total when he drove a ball straight to mid-off, and was caught for 30.
Damien Krotofil joined Park at the crease and looked in very good touch. This pair took the total to 75 before Damien copped a beauty and feathered a catch through to the keeper. Brenden Clark strode to the wicket looking confident and after two singles to open his account, received three absolute gifts from what one could generously term, a part-time leg spinner. These deliveries were unceremoniously dispatched over the fence, after which Brenden thanked the “bowler” and added him to his Christmas card list. At the tea break, Mackie were 2-101 off 37 overs, having laid the foundation for a big score.
Following the addition of 27 runs after the interval, Edi-Asp struck back with two wickets with the total on 128. Dale Park was the first to go for a patient 33, followed by Clark for 44. Stuart Campbell fell for 10 with 140 on the board and shortly afterward Derek Kinsella was LBW for 6.
Having lost 4-57 in the 22 overs since the tea break, Mackie had failed to capitalize on the solid start and had let Edi-Asp back into the game. Gary Scott and Craig Park combined to move the score along to 202 when Scott was out for 24. Dave Burn (0) lasted two balls and was replaced by recruit Adam Scott (6) in his first game for Mackie. Having not played the game for 18 months Adam showed glimpses before being dismissed in the search for quick runs, with the total on 211. Marcus Middleton (0) was clean bowled not long afterward leaving Craig Park stranded on 41 not out. Edi-Asp would need to score 222 to claim victory.
Keen to make amends for an average performance with the bat on the first Saturday, Mackie started well in their attempt to defend 221. With Burn and Gary Scott bowling well, Scott picked up the first wicket in the sixth over. The game was turned on its head when skipper Scott made a double change and introduced Craig Park and Adam Scott into the attack. Bowling without luck Park kept applying pressure while Scott went to work at the other end.
Scott picked up his first wicket with the score on 32, thanks to a fine catch by keeper Clark. He then grabbed another one with the score on 45. Damien Krotofil (1-9) chimed in with a wicket after replacing the miserly Park, and Edi-Asp was in deep trouble at 4-45. When Scott picked up his third wicket without the total advancing things were looking grim for the home side. After tiring toward the end of his spell, Adam Scott was replaced by Burn, but not before he helped himself to 3-5 off 8 overs. Edi-Asp went to the tea break without further loss despite two fast and aggressive overs from Burn.
Resuming at 5-51, the home team stumbled to 61, before Burn was finally rewarded with a wicket. Craig Park (2-39) returned to the fray with instant results capturing his first wicket. This brought the Edi-Asp captain to the crease. He quickly smashed 30 off two Park overs before Middleton took a sensational catch on the fence, off the bowling of Craig Park. Whilst he top-scored for his team, the decision to bat himself at no.9 (when more than capable of batting higher) and his refusal to take an easy single that would have seen him facing Dave Burn, bowling downwind the next over, indicated questionable leadership qualities.
Burn (2-24) clean bowled the last batsman with the score on 94 to give Mackie a comprehensive 127 run victory. A tough clash against Brighton Central at Mackie Reserve awaits the Mackie team, hoping for win to head into the Christmas break with 4 wins from 6 games.
2003/04
Mackie
3/190
Vs
Brighton Union
184
Game Report: Week 6
With a chance to pull back it’s record to 2-2, Mackie traveled to Hurlingham Park, with result of the toss in mind. The first hot day of the summer and Mackie captain-coach Scott failed to deliver. With the mercury nudging 40 C, the visitors found themselves in the field.
The day started well with Colm Kinsella (3-39) grabbing an early wicket with the score on 5. Old stagers Danny Frew and Con Gorozidis took the total to 73 before Craig Park (3-24) dismissed Frew for 12. Park struck again soon after to have Union 3-81.
On such a hot day the over rate was slow and at the tea break the home side were 3-102 off only 30 overs. The next wicket to fall was Gorozidis for an excellent 77. A partnership of 45 ensued before Park picked up his third wicket, that of Union skipper Campbell for 32.
A poorly judged run led to the sixth wicket falling with the score on 156. Dave Burn (3-53) had Potithos caught behind for 26, giving the big man a well deserved wicket after two good early spells. Colm Kinsella’s third wicket was Union’s eighth with the total on 176. Burn bundled out the last two batsmen with the total on 184. A fantastic performance given the hot conditions.
With 8 overs to face that night, Tim Krotofil and Dale Park saw Mackie through to the close of play without incident, while managing to reduce the deficit by 12.
More contrasting conditions could not have been possible for the second half of this match. Wet and blustery conditions dominated the afternoon. Dale Park was the first wicket to fall, when he was bowled by the wily Frew for 15, with the score on 59. Stuart Campbell came and went for a quick 17, unlucky to be dismissed by an excellent catch at short fine leg.
With the total on 146, Tim Krotofil was dismissed. Of this 146 Tim had contributed 102. A fantastic knock from a player who is finally thinking about each innings. He dominated proceedings from the start, and after an early chance, applied himself and was rewarded with his first Longmuir Shield century. This innings was a credit to Gary Scott’s coaching and development of this young man, as much as it was a credit to Tim’s talent and application.
With the rain becoming quite persistent and Union, realising that they had no hope of winning, the home side became desperate. A Union official and CMCA executive member, attempted to influence the umpires by walking onto the ground holding an umbrella, the ball was changed despite there being no apparent damage other than it being wet and several delaying tactics were employed. Despite this Brenden Clark and Dave Burn saw Mackie complete a comprehensive seven wicket win.
2003/04
Mackie
0/0
Vs
East Sandy
0/153
Game Report: Week 5
With the Round 3 clash with traditional rivals East Sandringham changed to a one-day game, Mackie was intent on beating last season’s Premiers. With Gary Scott unavailable through injury, and Brenden Clark unwell, the captaincy fell to Stuart Campbell. After East Sandy won the toss and chose to bat, there were some excellent signs early for the Mackie team.
Colm Kinsella (4-17) picked up the first two wickets of the game to have the visitors 2-14. Duddy and Pitt combined to see the score to 64 before Tim Krotofil (1-31) combined brilliantly with Clark to have Kim Pitt stumped. The fourth wicket fell at 96, followed by the dismissal of Duddy for 54 with the score on 121. Both were the result of some great spin bowling from Marcus Middleton (2-52), who was able to entice one batsman down the track, and the other to apparently lift his foot, then spin the ball past the edge, for Clark to remove the bails.
In a bold move by stand-in skipper Campbell, Brian Griffin (2-12) was introduced into the attack with almost instant results. Aided by a spectacular catch at square leg by Damien Krotofil, Griffin captured his first wicket, which moved the score to 6-123. This was followed by more of the same from Damien Krotofil who threw the stumps down with the score on 126. Griffin then claimed his second wicket with east sandy teetering on 8-126.
A partnership of 27 followed before the reintroduction of Colm Kinsella brought about the demise of the last two wickets. This left Mackie with a target of 1564 for victory. Things went horribly wrong for Mackie from the outset. Dale Park was caught behind for a duck with the score on 0. Tim Krotofil was then run-out for a duck also with the score on 0. Brenden Clark was the next batsman to fall spooning a difficult chance to midwicket. Stuart Campbell LBW for a duck with Mackie in the disastrous position of 4-6.
Derek Kinsella and Damien Krotofil saw the score to 22 when Derek was adjudged run-out in what one could term another dubious decision. Craig Park came and went, as did Brian Griffin. When Griffin fell, Mackie was in the terrible position of 7-48.
Throughout the carnage Damien Krotofil held firm. A partnership of 54 with Dave Burn gave Mackie a glimmer of hope, however the hole proved too deep to get out of. Damien fell for 52 with the score on 102. Burn soon followed well caught on the boundary for 28. Colm Kinsella was dismissed with the score on 105, leaving Mackie 48 runs adrift of East’s total.
In all a very disappointing result when one considers the position Mackie found themselves in halfway through this game. An away clash with Brighton Union next week looms as a must win game for “The Machine”.
2003/04
Mackie
6/325
Vs
Hampton Central
0/0
Game Report: Week 3
Mackie has approached this game with the knowledge that a win is vitally important to its chances of playing finals cricket this year. After a first round loss to Washington Park, subsequent games against last season’s Grand Finalists, Hampton Central and ESBC took on greater importance, as after three rounds the club would have a clear indication of whether it would be playing in March or watching yet again. The match has started positively against Hampton Central, with Mackie amassing a huge total of 6-325 off 72 overs.
Gary Scott won the toss and elected to bat first. Tim Krotofil and Dale Park laid the foundation for Mackie’s massive total as they saw the score to 37 off 18 overs. Krotofil (19) was the first to go, feathering a catch down the legside to be caught behind. Park (17) was the next wicket to fall, when a mix up with Stuart Campbell led to him being run out. At 2-45 the match was in the balance.
What followed was a wonderful partnership between Campbell and Brenden Clark. Both batsmen took advantage of Simon Blick’s absence through injury, and began to destroy the attack. Both players were unbeaten at the tea break, leaving Mackie in the strong position of 2-139 off 40 overs. During the interval, the coach stressed to his players the importance of driving home any advantage that they had, and the two Mackie vice-captains led by example after the break. After a wonderful innings, Stuart was bowled for 77. The score had raced along to 3-204, by this stage when Damien Krotofil joined Brenden Clark in the middle. Damien showed fantastic maturity by playing second fiddle to Clarkey, pushing singles and dispatching the odd bad ball himself. With the total on 298, Brenden was dismissed for a superb 135. In what was his finest hour for the club, Brenden was dominant. Whether facing the spinners or the quicks, he thrashed them to all parts of Mackie Reserve in an awesome display.
Dave Burn (2) entered the fray with the score on 298. He quickly departed with the score on 307. The last wicket to fall was that of Damien Krotofil. With the total already 321, and looking for some quick runs, he gave himself room outside off stump and was bowled. The Brothers Kinsella steered the ship home with Derek remaining unbeaten on 7 and Colm on 2. After talking all week about the importance of batting 72 overs, and then to do it so emphatically, was very pleasing. This weekend it will be the turn of the bowlers to defend this total, with the knowledge that the strong Hampton Central batting lineup will be sure to give it a shake.
Game Report: Week 4
As the black clouds rolled in from the south, Mackie realized that it would need to overcome, not only its opponent, but also the weather, if it were to prevail in its vital clash with Hampton Central. Patience was to be the most important factor in what turned out to be an engrossing contest. Chasing down a total of 6-325, Hampton Central started well putting on 57 for the first wicket. The introduction of Craig Park proved successful as he bowled Amoore for 27. Hampton Central skipper, Gold was next in, but was soon back in the pavilion. After some sensational fielding from the home captain, Gold was run out. The next wicket fell at 70, and at tea, Hampton Central were 3-90 off 36 overs, needing a further 235 of the remaining 36 overs. Throughout the first session, rain had constantly fell, meaning the ground was slippery and the ball ruined.
The strategy at tea for Mackie was to take the pace out of the ball and put the onus on the batsmen to hit boundaries. Carr and McGregor put on 159 for the fourth wicket before Derek Kinsella defied the wet conditions to pull in a wonderful catch at deep mid-wicket. This dismissed Carr for 70 and brought Blick out to join McGregor. With a steady run-rate, Hampton seemed to be pacing themselves well for a charge at 325. Blick hung around for while until he holed out to Stuart Campbell in the deep off Damien Krotofil. A partnership of 34 followed between Brudar and McGregor before McGregor was dismissed for 117. Soon after the equation required Hampton Central to score 50 runs off 8 overs to win, with 4 wickets in hand.
A double blow was struck for Mackie in the 68th over. With Centrals needing 31 runs off 5 overs, Craig Park (5-69) took two wickets in successive balls to leave the visiting team 8-294. So with two wickets in hand, 28 runs were required off 24 deliveries. The ninth wicket fell at 302, with a run-out in the 71st over. Damien Krotofil (3-67) was to bowl the last over, with Hampton Central requiring 17 to win. He dismissed the last batsmen with his second delivery, giving Mackie a hard fought win against a quality opponent, and, it’s first points of the year.
2003/04
Washington Park
9/212
Defeated
Mackie
198
Game Report: Week 1
After learning late on Thursday night that our match would be transferred to Mackie, the First's were looking forward to their first "home" game of the season. The new Captain/Coach, Gary Scott, followed on from where Dave Burn left off last season and lost the toss. To everyone's surprise, Washington Park elected to bowl. With the total on 30, Tim Krotofil (20) was bowled playing across the line, but not before he showed everyone that he had plenty to offer at the top of the order if he continued to apply himself.
Unfortunately, as is often the case with Mackie, wickets fell in a cluster, with Stuart Campbell (0) and Dale Park (11) following quickly. At 3-38, Damien Krotofil and Brenden Clark were at the crease, and with a mixture of flair, luck and skill they guided Mackie to the tea break at 3-79 off 34 overs. Shortly after the resumption, Damien (28) was dismissed. After Craig Park (5) holed out to square-leg (in what was a pretty ordinary piece of cricket all round), Gary Scott strode out to join Brenden Clark. This partnership was short-lived, as Brenden (19), after a lapse in concentration, was run-out, following a strong LBW appeal.
Brian Griffin was the next batsman and his arrival heralded a worthwhile partnership with Gary. Griffo (13) was the next wicket to fall skying one to cover. Dave Burn was the next batsman in and he proceeded to play himself in cautiously (yeah right!). Gary (34) was then bowled through the gate, bringing new wicket-keeper Mark Curtis, making his Mackie debut, to the crease. After some lusty hitting from Burnsie, the total was approaching 200 when, after a terrible dropped catch, Mark (2) was run out. Marcus Middleton was legs eleven and showed plenty to hold up an end while Burnsie continued on his merry way. The last wicket to fall was in the 66th over when Dave Burn (40) was out stumped. The total was 198.
This left one over to be bowled. Burnsie took the new cherry and he was lucky enough to pick up a wicket, Briggs, caught behind for a duck, leaving Washington Park, 1-0 at the close. Plenty of work left to do for Mackie next week, with only a moderate total to defend, a four-piece ball to do it with, and a very unforgiving pitch.
Game Report: Week 2
Despite Washington Park, losing a wicket last week, Mackie knew that it would be a tough afternoon, with only 198 on the board. Mackie dominated the first hour of play with Dave Burn (3-48) quickly adding to the wicket he picked up last week by dismissing the other opening batsman and number 3 to have Washington reeling at 3-16. Gary Scott (1-15) then grabbed his first wicket for Mackie and Washington slipped further into trouble at 4-19. A partnership of 68 was then added by Verrall and Jacobs, taking Washington Park to 87. The Mackie skipper then made a double change bringing Damien Krotofil (3-19) and Dale Park (1-18) into the attack, with instant success. Both picked up a wicket before tea, swinging the balance of the game back in Mackie’s favour. The tea break saw Washington at 6-93 with several good bats still to come.
The next wicket to fall was that of Jacobs, who was dismissed by Damien Krotofil, after compiling a solid 61. This wicket brought Tony DeLutis to the crease and at 7-118, the match was headed for a close finish. Damien Krotofil then removed Ben Logan in quick time, leaving Washington at a precarious 8-123. Daniel Donati, the Washington skipper, was the next batsman, in the unfamiliar position of No.10. Together with DeLutis, he saw the score climb to 177, before he holed out to Brenden Clark off the bowling of Marcus Middleton (1-71) for 33, giving Marcus a well deserved wicket. Still requiring 22 runs to win with 1 wicket in hand, Washington was able to stave off several desperate attempts by Mackie to pick up the last wicket. Tony DeLutis proved to be the matchwinner, hitting a boundary to tie the game and then hitting the winning runs. He ended the day with 52 not out.
Mackie did not do a lot wrong in this match. The bowling and fielding was excellent. However, the ability to bat for the allotted 72 overs again proved to be Mackie’s downfall. Still plenty of positives came out of the game and we are looking forward to playing Hampton Central in Round 2.