APS Cricket wrap: GGS find a way past incredible McElhone

It was an entertaining first round of the APS cricket season with visiting schools take the majority of the wins while some individual performances stuck out.

The opening round of the APS cricket season produced some remarkable individual performances with some schools recording enormous victories.

Just one team won on their home ground while four visiting schools received the points.

See the results from the first round below in the round one wrap.

ST KEVINS defeated by GEELONG GRAMMAR

Jordie McElhone was the player of the match in a losing season opener between St Kevin’s and Geelong Grammar.

The St Kevin’s all-rounder got his team out of trouble when he arrived at the crease at 6-82.

Batting at number nine, McElhone belted seven boundaries including three sixes to score 81 off 97 balls and put his side in a winnable position at 9-224 after 50 overs.

James Byrne also played a part in the batting recovery, scoring an unbeaten half century of 51.

McElhone then opened the bowling with the ball and picked up the first three wickets including the talented Geelong duo Henry Melville and Oliver Peake.

Despite the stunning individual performance, Geelong Grammar chased the total down seven wickets down and with two overs to spare.

Peake was excellent in the run chase with his 84 along with Marly McComb who notched a half century of 54.

Geelong batsman Oliver Peake playing for Geelong who hosted the UAE national team for a World Cup T20 practice match at Geelong Cricket Ground in October. Picture: Mark Wilson

CAULFIELD defeated by XAVIER

Xavier put on a brilliant performance to start their season with Benjamin Wickham leading the charge with the first century of the APS season.

Wickham finished the innings unbeaten on 101 off 148 deliveries. In a calm and composed knock, he hit nine fours to guide his side to a respectable total of 4-202.

Caulfield’s Oliver Warburton took an impressive 3-40 from nine overs in the innings.

In attempts of surpassing Xavier’s total, Caulfield lost wickets too frequently as seven players were dismissed for single digit scores.

Xavier’s Simon Greene, Henry Lasscock and Xavier Di Scala all took two wickets each to contribute to bowling Caulfield out for a total of 141 and acquiring the win.

100* to B Wickham! @APS_Sportpic.twitter.com/RTYoRcw2AD

— Xavier College Sport (@XC_Sport) November 5, 2022

CAREY defeated by BRIGHTON

After finishing on the bottom of the ladder last season without winning a game, Brighton Grammar sent a statement to the competition in a thumping win over Carey Grammar.

Brighton came out firing, taking 10 wickets in less than 39 overs to keep Carey who finished fourth last season to a total of 89.

Brighton’s Jeremy Murray was the player of the match with a whopping 5-12 off 8.5 overs.

Murray’s five-wicket haul is the first of the APS cricket season and potentially just the first of a few more for himself.

Brighton chased the total down with ease, managing to complete the task in 125 balls.

SCOTCH defeated WESLEY

Scotch College produced an all-round impressive display on Saturday to down Wesley College comfortably.

Batting first, Scotch had four batter score more than 20 runs which helped push them to a decent total of 8-212.

Wesley’s Benjamin Budlender was electric for his side with incredible figures of 4-14 from 10 overs including five maidens.

In response, at 4-17 and 6-44, Wesley’s hopes of winning faded so an interesting new goal was set on batting the allocated 50 overs.

Wesley managed to complete that task getting to 9-135 but they fell convincingly short of the required target.

HAILEYBURY defeated by MELBOURNE GRAMMAR

Melbourne Grammar ahead of their first APS game of the season against Haileybury. (Picture: Baggy Blue Twitter)

Melbourne Grammar picked up from where they left off last season, defeating Haileybury convincingly as the reigning premiers chased down their total of 171, one wicket down.

Jeremy A‘Beckett led the charge with the ball taking four-fa before Freddie Newing 76* and Oliver Will 56* made light work of Haileybury’s respectable total.

Geelong College had the bye.