Andy Harding and Macauly Harvie both scored centuries against the Mudcrabs. Harding 155 not out and Harvie 131.
The Bowling Club Mudcrabs headed east to take on the Bookham Bulls on Saturday and were greeted with some hazy conditions due to the bushfire smoke. The Hume Highway was the backdrop, with plenty of ADF trucks whizzing past on their way to assist with the current bushfire crisis.
The Mudcrabs lost the toss and Bookham elected to bat. It was going to be a long day for the Harden side. Bookham were greeted by the accurate bowling of Hamish Minehan, with the youngster sending down some very good bowls to the openers. Hamish got the breakthrough in the 3rd over when Southwell was caught off his bowling for 2.
Robertson headed into bat and he added 9 more runs before Johno Davis bowled him in the 6th over. The Mudcrabs had Bookham in a dangerous position at 2 for 29.
Opening Batsmen Andy Harding was joined by Macauly Harvie and the pair played some wonderful shots to get Bookham to 127 runs at drinks. Harding was given a life early in his innings and again just after the half way mark. This proved to be costly for the Crabs. He went on to score 155 runs in a wonderful display of batting on a fast outfield. Harvie made 131 runs in a classy innings, before he was bowled by a great ball from Brody Schofield. Bookham were 3 for 265 in the 32nd over. Not to be outdone by Hamish’s early exploits, dad Matty Minehan came into the attack and bowled Sellers on 18, before he claimed Crozier for 4. Bookham remained 5 down and had amassed 330 runs off their 40 overs. Armour was 2 not out and opener Harding finished with a splendid 155 not out.
Best for the Mudcrabs were Matty Minehan who finished with 2 for 53 off 6 overs, Hamish 1 for 46 off 8, Johno Davis 1 for 71 off 8 and Captain Nathan Schofield 0 for 44 off 8. 8 bowlers were used during Harden’s time in the field.
With a short break and some quality H20 devoured, the Mudcrabs headed out to the centre. Stadtmiller and Schofield ticked the score over before Schofield played an uncharacteristic shot and was caught down leg side off his gloves for 7. Stadtmiller went for 10 with a plum LBW and the Mudcrabs were 2 for 21. Hamish Minehan and Jason Pollard came together with Hamish scoring 7 well compiled runs while Pollard played his usual aggressive game, hitting nine 4s before he was caught on 45, just shy of a half century. Ryan Weston was unlucky with the bat after some very good fielding earlier in the game.
Andrew Jones came out with plenty of intent and a mindset of get some runs or get out. He didn’t waste any time and hit four 4s. Brody Schofield held down his end before he was caught on 2 and Jones was stumped after charging the bowler halfway down the pitch for 19. Matty Minehan was caught in the slips and Harden were in plenty of trouble and headed for what looked like an early beverage. Johno Davis decided he too would charge the bowler and followed his boss Jones back to the shed after charging down the pitch, stumped on 2. Harden had the assistance of a Bookham player whilst they were fielding with the young fella getting a bat in the final overs. His contribution was greatly appreciated. The Mudcrabs were all out for 105. Best for Bookham was Glover who claimed 3 wickets for 8 runs off 2 overs. The Mudcrabs will be hoping for the return of a couple of regulars next week when they head to Bushranger country to take on the top placed Binalong side, led by Mick Paterson.
