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Next Social Function: Sat. 15th November - Ladies Day
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Terrible Weekend
After such a positive start to the season, Spotty has come back to earth with a thud as all four sides went down on the weekend. The firsts looked in a winning position as they bundled Airport West out for just 125 at Etzel St. Reserve. This was mainly due to a sensational spell from our pro quick Damian 'Damage' Aston, who bowled unchanged from one end to finish with 4/33 from 20 overs. Our innings began disastrously however, as the boys slumped to 2 for 0 when Mick Rosser and Chris Gleeson both fell without scoring. Unfortunately the innings continued on in much the same vein, as regular wickets fell, with only Damian Aston completing a fine game and top scoring with 32. A 17 run loss was the end result with Spotty all out for 108. On the bright side, that is the first loss for the season for the ones and they can look forward to the return of our star, former Victorian player Paul Broster next week for the two-dayer against arch-rival Aspendale. Brossy just might have made the difference on the weekend and will be extra fired up this week to atone for our costly loss to Aspendale last year.
In the twos, the undefeated Spotty came up against a fired up Airport West on our top ground. The boys lost the toss and were forced to bowl on a pitch not all that dissimilar to an airport runway. Perhaps this was why the Airport West lads felt so at home and got stuck into our bowling, finishing with 5/150. Skipper Adrian Murphy was by far the best with the ball, finishing with 3/31. Michael Knight also bowled well before he was taken to toward the end of the innings. In reply, Spotty made a bright start with Andrew Keunan racing to 19 before losing his middle stump with the score on 33. We were unable to build a significant partnership after this thanks mainly to some good, tight bowling from the Airport West skipper and finished 20 runs short at 9/130. The shining light was newly promoted Rod Walker who kept us in the game with an unbeaten 52. If there is such a thing, it was a creditable loss and I'm sure we'll bounce back next week for that long, scenic drive down Beach Road to Aspendale. I say Beach Road because it's supposed to be hot and I think most of the lads would agree the extra travel time is worth it. You don't see too many bikini-clad women on the side of the Nepean Highway.
The thirds travelled to Parkville, where somehow they'd managed to get water on the pitch. Considering it hasn't rained in the last week, this is a bit of a mystery but at least it was only a one dayer. Batting first, the boys struggled all day and could only manage 88. Sean "Strap-on" Rosser smashed 30 after he hit his regulation catch straight to a fieldsman first ball. Parkville also struggled when it came there turn to bat, but they managed to scrape through to 8/111. Craig Bradley was the best of the bowlers, picking up 2/25 from 12 overs. A promotion beckons....? Interesting to note the comeback of former first eleven keeper Mark Butler. Buts has been all over the local papers after recently coaching the Williamstown lacrosse team to a flag. Not sure how he was coaxed back to cricket, but he made a first ball duck and promptly declared he was retiring again. The thirds host Keilor next weekend.
The fourths completed our quartet of losses, going down to Parkville by 35 runs. Spirits were high at tea after the boys dismissed the visitors for 124, with Chris Beckett taking 6/36. But Spotty crumbled in reply, all out for 89, with Jamie McCloskey the only batsman to get going with 24. The lads will continue their search for that elusive first win when they travel to Keilor next week.
Cup Week
On the positive side, our annual cup eve function went very well and a good night was had by all. Notable events included Brossy giving his wife his keys so she could get into their Point Cook home. She returned a while later and informed Brossy it might be an idea that he not remove the house key next time. At least it saved him a taxi ride I suppose. It was good to wake and not hear of any fatalities on the Ring Road as a bleary eyed Ando headed off to the airport to pick up his parents at 6am. I'm tipping the breathalyzer might have actually exploded had Ando been tested at that time.
Several of the boys also made the annual pilgrimage to Oaks Day on Thursday, arriving back at the club a little worse for wear. Those of us still standing then decided it would be a good idea to go out. In hindsight, it probably wasn't, considering we had started drinking at 9:30 in the morning at Rossy's. Believe me, the "magic kebabs" on Puckle St. do not prevent hangovers as alleged by some. In fact, I believe they actually exaggerate them - I'm pretty sure I came close to dying on Friday.
Ladies Day
Don't forget to tell your wives and girlfriends about the inaugural ladies day, coming up on November 15. A marquee will be erected between the two grounds. The ones will be in the second day of their clash with Aspendale if any of the women are interested in watching the cricket (which they probably aren't, otherwise they'd come down every week).
Megadraw
John Lord has gone to a lot of trouble organising the megadraw raffle this year, so please support it. The sheet is already up on the notice board and tickets cost $50. That includes two hours of free piss so if you fancy that you can drink $50 worth of piss in two hours, it's great value.
Will off to Vietnam
Will Langlands is off to Vietnam for 16 days. Having endured all the jokes regarding sex tours and the like (several blokes seem to know a disturbing amount about these tours), Will actually revealed that he is going with his mum. As he said, "What else am I gonna do?". Not a bad point. Hopefully Wilbur is aware that Twister doesn't have a nightclub in Ho Chi Minh city. It will be the first time in a while that he's gone two weeks without visiting Twister and I'm betting cab drivers in St Kilda would be ecstatic if they knew.