Bowling: Kalum Palmer *1/9), Divij Shah (1/12)

Batting: Noah Doyle 34*

Player of the match: Noah Doyle

A tough day out of the office for Marist Navy against a top-of-the-table and in-form Weston Creek side.

Creek won the toss and elected to bat, immediately applying pressure. While nothing went dramatically wrong for Navy, nothing quite clicked either. Weston Creek built steadily and had almost 100 on the board before Kalum Palmer broke through with a lovely piece of bowling to claim our first wicket. Despite disciplined efforts in the field, wickets proved hard to come by, with only two more falling as Creek posted a competitive 182.

At the change of innings, there was still belief. It was a chaseable total, if partnerships could form and momentum could swing our way.

Our openers walked out ready to take on the challenge, but Creek struck early with a wicket in the opening over. From there, wickets fell steadily, and runs were difficult to find against some exceptionally sharp fielding and tidy bowling.

A highlight for Navy was another composed innings from Noah Doyle, who continued his strong form with a well-made 34, including six crisp boundaries, before retiring at the 30-ball limit.

With the eighth wicket falling in the 16th over, it wasn’t the morning Navy had hoped for. But there’s plenty to take from coming up against a high-quality opposition. Head up, Navy, we go again!

T20

Marist Navy (3/136) defeated by Eastlake Gryphons (6/138)

Bowling: Evander Jose (1/12), Noah Doyle with 3 catches

Batting: Will Costigan 35*, Noah Doyle 28*

Player of the match: Kemith Orawatte

A thrilling T20 contest with just about everything, big hitting, sharp bowling and a finish that had everyone holding their breath.

Marist batted first and it was one of those days where the runs flowed, the boundaries came freely and we recorded a record number of retirees along the way. Marist finished the 20 overs at an impressive 3/136.

With that score on the board, the energy carried into the field. The bowlers were sharp, the fielders even sharper, and wickets came at regular intervals. At 5/76, Marist were firmly in control. But T20 cricket has a habit of keeping things interesting. Eastlake rallied late, building momentum through the closing overs. Despite Marist's pressure the final breakthrough proved elusive. Eastlake edged past the total with just two balls remaining in a genuine edge-of-your-seat finish.