Kinglake Cricket’s 1st XI travelled to the A.H. Capp Reserve to resume their 1st Innings after closing at 1 wicket for 54 last week chasing 346 for an unlikely win.

Unfortunately first drop batsman James Gibbs was only able to add two runs to his overnight total before being bowled for 21.

Then there was a parade of batsmen that were overwhelmed by superior bowling, poor shot selection and fine fielding by Preston Druids to dismiss Kinglake for 96 runs, taking the other eight wickets for 42 runs.

One Kinglake player was absent from the game on the second day and the only bright note was a superb effort from Alex Hybinett who carried his bat after opening on the first day and remained not out 45, batting for 120 minutes and facing 91 balls.

Max Murray and Edward O’Hara managed 1 run apiece along with young Lachlan Martin, while Simon Andrews, Ken Aitken, Tim Stonehouse and Keith Martin all laid goose eggs.

Kinglake was then asked to bat again but despite the efforts of Simon Andrews, with 19 runs from 17 balls faced, the spirit had gone from the game whereby Kinglake was all out for 43 runs to give Preston Druids the outright win by an innings and 206 runs.

Next weekend Kinglake is travelling down the hill to play Strathewen 2nd XI in a limited over game.

– Bruce Stonehouse