Vaseo and Santos fire for Laurie’s, Malpass century bound – again

The new and the old of AIC First XI cricket helped engineer St Laurence’s rousing victory over its arch rivals in round 6. More here, including details on another Malpass masterclass for Iona.

Rock solid Harley Malpass in defence – he scored another century in round 6 action. Photography by Stephen Archer

The old (Xavier Santos) and the new (Thomas Vaseo) helped bowl St Laurence’s to a sensational victory over Marist College Ashgrove while Iona’s Harley Malpass plundered yet another century.

Vaseo took a hat trick across two overs while Malpass hit back-to-back centuries after taking 109 runs off the Villanova.

The son of former elite tennis player and current coach Ian Malpass, Malpass’ hand and eye coordination was razor sharp again, helping Iona strengthen claims as premiership favourites.

While you take nothing for granted in cricket, unbeaten Iona can almost touch the cherished premiership entering round 7 against St Patrick’s.

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While the bayside cricket community was toasting yet another Malpass masterclass, the St Laurence’s faithful were celebrating an amazing three run win over Marist College Ashgrove.

Laurie’s defended its 209 to dismiss Ashgrove for 206, with four season First XI veteran Santos taking three wickets and fast bowling young gun Vaseo a game defining 3-35.

St Laurence's College bowler Xavier Santos as a rookie in 2022. Picture, John Gass

Vaseo, a raw fast bowling talent from Redlands, took the vital wickets of Joey Lanner and Flynn Cleary (33, 30 balls) who threatened to rally the Marist lower order.

Vaseo bowled Cleary, sparking wild celebrations. He claimed 3-35 from 9.2 overs, and dismissed No. 11 Archie Murray to win the game.

Watch for the name Vaseo in coming seasons.

This club season he played up in his age group to play Taverners for Redlands, and gathered further experience playing both fourth grade and third grade.

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Old professional Santos dismissed Ashgrove’s batting battleship, Will Nickelson (67), and although he went for 51 from his 10 overs, he kept taking wickets.

Evan Chamberlin (2-47) was another potent bowler for Laurie’s in an outstanding team performance which also saw leg spinner Lachlan Wigan (0-26), all-rounder Aiden Mohr (0-27) and Liam York (0-11) build pressure.

Aiden Mohr. AIC First XI cricket between St Peters Lutheran College and St Laurence’s College. Saturday February 10,2024.

Both Mohr, who was having a great season, and Santos also contributed with the bat.

Mohr flowed to 60 from 70 balls, while Santos (35) helped give his side a launching pad.

Laner’s excellent season for Ashgrove continued – he took 3-38 – while William Easter snared 3-36 and spinner Samuel Lewis (0-26, 10 overs) was his usual self.

But the day belonged to St Laurence’s at Crawford Oval.

Harley Malpass defends for Iona in round 5 action. Photography by Stephen Archer

At Andrew Slack Oval, Malpass’s bewildering 99 ball innings was the difference as Iona defended 6-238 to win by 33 runs.

Batting at No. 3, he launched 15 fours and a six toward the boundary after Liam Carter and Joshua Ritchie had laid a foundation.

Toby Collins also hit out for 33 from 25 balls, but the name Malpass was on everyone’s lips.

Villanova were gallant in the field, with Zac Joyce (1-30) bowling four maidens while Henrik Frederiksen (1-43) and Joey Watson (1-35) were on song with the ball.

Iona hit out in the round 5 clash. Photography by Stephen Archer

Villanova’s run chase was spearheaded by a brilliant performance from Finn Thallon (88, 82 balls) which had the Iona bowlers greatly concerned.

His stunning knock does not deserve to be buried and Thallon should stand proud and take a bow for his role in an exciting match.

Villanova College batsmen discuss tactics. Photography by Stephen Archer

When he was batting with Lewis McMahon (35, 42 balls), Villanova looked capable of reaching 240.

Lachlan McClure’s 2-16 for Iona is another performance which deserves to be highlighted in bold, while around him Nick Bragger (1-22), Adam Richter (2-42) and that man Malpass (2-36) excelled.

Although he conceded runs, rookie leg spinner Jordan Turner dismissed the dangerous Roman Dunne, one of two wickets he took.

Padua College played a great game against Saints. Photography by Stephen Archer

St Peters Lutheran College had a wonderful two wicket win over Padua is a grand game of schoolboy cricket.

Padua launched to a competitive 4-187 courtesy of Cameron Plackett (52 not out) who must be seeing the ball like a watermelon, and Henry Ainsworth (61 not out).

Plackett also took four wickets during the St Peters innings.

It all started with the reliable Will Webster (36, 61 balls) against a St Peters attack which was led by Lars Sagorski (1-25, 10 overs).

St Peters Lutheran College students in round 6. Photography by Stephen Archer

Jacob Thomas (2-34) took the new ball and also kept things nice and tight before Plackett and Ainsworth got going for Padua.

In the St Peters innings opener James Nelson (52, 107 balls) dropped anchor while Noah Johnson (51, 55 balls) ramped things up, including four sixes.

Austin Croll and Thomas then scrambled the Saints to a narrow in.

Padua College in action. Photography by Stephen Archer

Padua’s bowlers did all they could, starting with off spin bowler Ryan Out (1-21, 10 oves) and Will Tozer (2-25).

Plackett then kept taking wickets, and when he was bowling in tandem with Harry Thornton (0-13, seven oves) it was the perfect combination. Isaac Nixon also bowled tightly.

Padua bowler Cameron Plackett has been excellent this season.

At Tivoli No.1 oval, St Patrick’s College soared to an eight wicket win after an elite bowling performance.

Alexander Bullock claimed 4-12 from six overs, and around him Matthew Pereira (2-9), Adam Hogan (3-8) and Austin Tsingos (1-8) claimed wickets after tight new ball bowling by Theo Tsingos and Cooper Williams.

St Edmund’s openers Max Halls (21) and Ryder Rundell (22) were defiant at the start, while Rylan McDonald (11 not out) and Samuel Morris (12) was gallent for well over an hour.

St Peters Lutheran College bowler. Photography by Stephen Archer

That pair’s resistance was to be admired.

When St Patrick’s batted, ace Steve Hogan, having enjoyed his brother’s success with the ball, then hit 39 from 29 balls before becoming one of Tomi Wilson’s two wickets.

Thomas Small (15) and Austin Tsingos (10 not out) then saw their side through to victory.

ROUND 7

St Peters Lutheran College v Villanova

St Patrick’s v Iona

Padua v St Laurence’s

Marist v St Edmund’s