APS Cricket round 4: Geelong Grammar, Xavier go into 2023 undefeated

A seesawing nailbiter highlighted round four of the APS Cricket season while a Geelong Grammar star led the way with a classic captain’s knock to keep his team undefeated.

It was a spectacular round of APS Cricket which saw players giving it there all before the mid-season break and completion of one-day matches.

Several games swayed in favour of both the opposing teams with incredible clumps of wickets falling in some encounters including one match which began with scores at 4-5.

A low-scoring thriller between Caulfield and Scotch was the pick of the matches while Xavier impressed in their victory to increase their premiership chances.

Geelong Grammar’s Henry Melville had the performance of the round with an impressive century of 107 against Brighton to lead his side to a comfortable victory.

See the round four results here:

CAULFIELD defeated SCOTCH

It was a nailbiter at Caulfield Grammar with the home side coming away victors over Scotch in an eye-catching encounter.

Needing 137 runs for victory, Scotch were in early trouble after losing 4-5 although they bounce back when they past the 100 mark wickets down.

As a win was looking likely for Scotch, the home side suddenly found a gear and were able get on another roll of wickets.

Caulfield took 6-107, 7-109, 8-121, 9-128 and finally the last winning-wicket by Christopher Kellaway at 10-135 just one run before a tie and two before a defeat.

Wicket!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
CGS win by a run. Unbelievable cricket here at the Mills. @caulfieldgs

— Caulfield Grammar School Cricket (@CGScricket) November 26, 2022

It was a stunning match with bowlers dominating for a large part in the low-scoring affair.

Kellaway was the arguably the player of the match taking 3-17 from 7.3 overs including the big wicket of Ed Winneke who top scored with an impressive 67.

Oliver Warburton was also vital with the ball for Caulfield taking 3-37 from 10 overs while Harry Sullivan also played a part with four maidens and 2-22 from 10 overs.

Thomas Wrigglesworth was handy with the bat for Caulfield in the first innings top scoring with 41 and Charlie Wolf provided much needed runs at the end with 32 off 37 balls coming in at number nine.

Lachlan Francis was handy with the ball in the first innings for Scotch taking 3-35 as well as Winneke (2-11), Orlando Pender (2-13) and Harry Jones (2-52).

The win for Caulfield gives them a 2-1 win-loss record going into the break while Scotch go to 2-2.

GEELONG GRAMMAR defeated BRIGHTON

Geelong Grammar captain Henry Melville was the man of the match with his match-winning century which steered his side over the line against Brighton Grammar with conviction.

It started in the field however where Geelong Grammar gathered two big run-outs in the innings to help keep Brighton under 200 with 9-192 after 50 overs.

The first one came in the 22nd over when Brighton were going along nicely at 1-70 until Jack Robinson struck with a run-out to dismiss an in-form Cooper Rojko for 38 runs.

The second one happened through Marley McCombe which got Geelong Grammar’s fourth wicket in 10 runs to have Brighton at 6-130.

Alex Turner top scored for Brighton with 45.

In the run chase Geelong Grammar’s Henry Melville led from the front scoring an unbeaten 107 from 138 balls featuring 10 fours to get his side over the line with ease.

The skipper’s brilliant hundred continues the trend of centuries in every APS cricket round so far this season. 

Well done skipper! Leading from the front! 107no! Leading from the front! pic.twitter.com/gkS9O3MTgE

— GGS_Cricket (@CricketGGS) November 26, 2022

Melville’s knock was supported by Ollie Peake who back up his man of the match performance last week with 53 including six fours.

The win for Geelong Grammar has them as the only undefeated team alongside Xavier in the APS cricket competition heading into the break.

Brighton are not far behind with a win-loss record of 3-1.

GEELONG COLLEGE defeated by CAREY

It was a big clash for the two schools with both striving for their first win of the season.

Carey were able to come out victors as they put together a compelling total of 6-307 after 50 overs with Montgomery Wraith and Jamie Shepherd leading the way with 75 and 73 respectively.

Joseph Klotz also hit a handy 45 to add to the team’s strong total which was the highest recorded in the season so far beating Brighton’s total of 6-280 last week.

In reply, Charlie Larsen continued with his fine form from last week’s half century, backing it up with a gritty 70 opening the batting.

At 4-150 from 25 overs chasing 307, it was still game on but the wicket of Larsen at 5-158 hurt College who were then later bowled out for 203.

Wickets were spread across the board for the bowlers in both sides on what seemed to be a flat deck at Geelong College.

WESLEY defeated ST KEVIN’S

After early dominance from St Kevin’s, home side Wesley were able to fight back and stay ahead of the game to gather its second win of the season heading into the break.

St Kevin’s were off to a flyer as they ticked over the 100 mark one wicket down with Samuel Mazza leading the way with 52.

The game took a turn shortly after however when Will Scott broke an 88-run partnership to have St Kevin’s 2-104.

Then Wesley grabbed another four wickets and St Kevin’s were suddenly 6-118. They just lost a remarkable 5-14.

St Kevin’s ended the innings with a total of 176 with Jordie McElhone staking another claim for why he should be batting higher up the order after contributing at the end, under pressure, with a handy 25 at number eight.

In the second innings, St Kevin’s put up a good fight to gain eight wickets before Wesley reached the total.

Wesley however were ahead for most of the game with Will Scott top scoring with 45.

St Kevin’s gave themselves a sniff of victory at the end when they gathered late wickets and had Wesley needing 18 runs with three wickets in hand.

Daniel Adams was the pick of the Wesley bowlers with figures of 4-25 from six overs.

Wesley were able to complete the task however to pass the required 176 eight wickets down.

Wesley go into the break with a 2-2 win-loss record and St Kevin’s are 1-3.

XAVIER defeated HAILEYBURY

With both sides going into the game 3-0, many thought it was going to be a tight match although Xavier proved to be too strong over Haileybury.

As Haileybury went in to bat first at Xavier’s Roche Oval, the innings was highlighted by a brilliant three over bowling display where Xavs took four wickets for five runs in 16 balls.

Haileybury were then 6-53 after the flurry of dismissals which had Xavs on the front foot.

All Xavier bowlers performed well with the wickets spread across the team.

With the bat, Xavier flexed their muscles with Leo Agacy starring with an unbeaten 79 to get the required 135 runs one wicket down.

In what was tipped to be a close encounter, Xavier proved too strong and they go into the break on top of the ladder undefeated with four wins.

MELBOURNE GRAMMAR had the bye.