It feels most appropraite that this week I channel my Lady Whistledown penmanship in writing the Marist Aqua cricket report; it just feels appropriate....

Dearest gentle reader,

On Friday the 12th of December, at the ever-watchful grounds of Kaleen, Marist Aqua found themselves in the most spirited company of the Wests S2 Wild Wests—a side quite content to match Aqua’s pace, talent, and daring stroke for stroke. Aqua were grateful to welcome Daniel Duffy from Stage 1, who stepped up superbly and, alongside Tom Ferrari, got the innings off to a flying start. Daniel top-scored for the evening with an impressive 26 runs off 20 balls, while Tom added a valuable 14, both retiring not out and striking three boundaries each. Rami Moore was next in but was unfortunately bowled, before a new partnership began with Julian Baseby and Vincent Imbriano. Sharp Wests fielding then saw Vincent and Edmund Dziedzic dismissed for ducks in quick succession. Daniel Trinca steadied the innings with Julian before being run out, and despite some fluent batting from Julian, Ryan Nammuni Dewage, Chayan Mehta and a returning Daniel Duffy, Aqua experienced an unusually high number of dismissals, with Chayan bowled at the end of the 17th over.

Yet hope, dear reader, is never so easily extinguished. Aqua returned to the field with bowling that spoke of resolve and quiet determination. Aqua set about defending their total with disciplined bowling. Ryan Nammuni Dewage and Chayan Mehta bowled tightly early to slow Wests’ scoring, before Daniel Trinca claimed a sensational wicket to spark momentum for Aqua. Consistent bowling followed from Edmund Dziedzic, Rami Moore and Vincent Imbriano, with Julian Baseby taking a sharp catch in the 10th over. Despite injuries to both Daniel Trinca and Edmund—who bravely continued—Aqua maintained their effort, with Julian and Tom Ferrari combining well and another wicket falling in the 13th over. Daniel Duffy and Chayan rounded out a strong bowling performance, but in a closely contested match it was Wests who ultimately managed to outpace Aqua by the end of the evening.

One suspects this is the only time these two sides shall cross paths—and should they do meet again, this author will most certainly be watching.