Quiney Shield
Bentleigh Uniting 2 Rings in the New Year with a Resounding Victory Over Mackie 2
Summary: Fireworks on the pitch from Bentleigh Uniting 2 as they book a thrilling victory against Mackie 2! Big performances from Connor L’Huillier of Mackie 2 with a smashing fifty, Rory Drummond (c) of Bentleigh Uniting 2 responding with a fifty of his own, while bowlers Pranay Sood and Tom Christie of Bentleigh Uniting 2 turned the tables with 3 and 2 wickets respectively. Connor L’Huillier showed an all-round performance with a trio of wickets to his name as well.
The Quiney Shield Round 10 rung in the New Year in grand style on Jan 6, 2024, between Bentleigh Uniting 2 and Mackie 2 at the Centenary Park. In a clash where the home team walked away victorious, Bentleigh Uniting 2 basked in an earned triumph and escalated the festive jubilation.
The match kicked off with Mackie 2’s batting. Despite the minor contribution from the top order, the crucial fifty by Connor L’Huillier steadied the ship, steering the score to 197. A solid 86-run partnership between Dale Park and Finn Sharp, chipping in with 39 and 23 runs respectively, proved to be telling in the final tally. Wobbly moments in Mackie 2’s innings emerged at the twin-blow of team score at 82, courtesy Pranay Sood’s exceptional bowling action.
Bentleigh Uniting 2’s bowlers, however, went with the festive flow, offering an astounding show. Tom Christie and Pranay Sood clamped down Mackie 2’s ambition, claiming two and three wickets respectively. Pranay rocked the top order while together with Christie, they squeezed the middle order, celebrating early fireworks on the field.
When Bentleigh Uniting 2 returned to bat, they turned the chase into a fiesta. Rory Drummond (c) lit up the pitch with a vibrant display, crafting a magnificent fifty. Supported by Hudson Milnes and Paul Dessent, they kept the runs coming with 41 and 26 points each. Top order’s solid response, marked by two significant partnerships and Clement fireworks, kept the team sailing smoothly towards their target of 197, with the winning score 200.
Just as his batting, Connor L’Huillier of Mackie 2 demonstrated remarkable skill in bowling, taking a haul of three wickets. The bowling highlights for Mackie 2 were Graves claiming one wicket and Sharp another.
Reflecting on Bentleigh Uniting 2’s triumphant history, they have shown resilience and character while chasing. From a disheartening loss to Omega 2 in October 2023 to an inspiring victory against Washington Park 2 in November, lights of resilience and determination kept them glimmering in high spirits. Back then, Ethan Manakis had contributed a blistering 89, inclining the victory. However, a challenge was thrown their way by Le Page Park 2, which they could not overcome, despite Dessent’s brave fifty, underpinning Bentleigh’s reputation for resounding comebacks.
Beating Mackie 2, Bentleigh Uniting 2 has truly shown their mettle in chases. New Year celebration has been amplified twofold with their victory, kicking off 2024 in a grandeur way. In the spirit of festivities and cricket, Bentleigh Uniting 2 has given themselves and their fans a remarkable gift. Employing the essence of cricket, resilience, they made a thrilling chase – A joyous beginning to the New Year!
H Grade
When it comes to cricket, there are few sights as delightful as witnessing a player rise to their full potential and unleash their talents upon the opposing team. That’s precisely what happened during the course of the H Grade 2023-2024 season, where Ben Perkins of Bentleigh Uniting 3 emerged as a behemoth in the sport.
Competing splendidly throughout the season, Ben’s true prowess was on display during the most recent match held on Saturday, January 20, 2024. At 01:00 PM, the Bentleigh Uniting 3 tussled with Diamond 2, winning the match with flying colors. It turns out, Bentleigh Uniting 3’s victory can be largely credited to the undying tenacity of Ben Perkins and his teammates.
Striding into the tournament as a wildcard, Ben Perkins showed signs of promise early on. From the start of the tournament, albeit with ups and downs, his performance emerged on a positive trajectory. The early-round games saw him contributing decently with ball and bat.
However, the game held on November 25, 2023, against Cheltenham Park 3 would be marked as a significant turning point in Ben’s season. With his contribution of 11 runs with the bat and a brilliant 2-wicket haul for just 22 runs in 7 overs, this match further highlighted the untapped potential of this talented player.
And just when spectators thought they had seen the best of him, Ben amazed them with exceptional composure and technique during the most recent match against Diamond 2. With Bentleigh Uniting 3 batting impeccably to amass a formidable total of 337 runs, Ben didn’t get a chance to bat, but his illustrious bowling performance stood out distinctly. His spell of 8 overs on January 20, 2024, was a testament to his adaptability and talent as he yet again shone with the ball, conceding just 19 runs and taking an impressive 7 wickets, emerging as a major force in the Bentleigh Uniting’s victory.
Taking stock of his overall performances, one thing is clear – Ben Perkins is a rising star. From his initial appearances in the competition to his most recent game, his journey has been characterised by continual progress, skillful performances, and an unwavering determination to excel. He’s a player setting the cricket field ablaze, a sportsman defining his legacy with each match, and a talent that holds immense promise for the future.
In conclusion, the tale of Ben Perkins is a saga of sportsmanship, perseverance, and dedication. His journey stands as a reminder of the heights an athlete can attain with the right strategy and game spirit. Let’s look forward to seeing more of his prowess on the pitch!
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