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Cricketing rivalries in Melbourne and around the Country, were put on hold at the weekend following the death of seventeen year old Ben Austin in a freak accident at net practice, when he was hit in the neck area by a cricket ball, resulting in an injury very similar to that which Australian test player Phil Hughes suffered 10 years ago. His club, Ferntree Gully Cricket Club, lies just 20 miles away from Pakenham CC and the accident, to which the coroner attached no blame, brings home how, despite the best efforts of all, these freak occurrence can happen when nobody expects them. Clifton CC add our thoughts and condolences to the whole of cricket Australia as his devastated family try to come to terms with their sad loss.

On the field, as predicted last week, Pakenham's total of183 was too far below par to seriously trouble opponents Clyde Cougars, despite Zach's top score of 46 and the opposition spending the week at 4-1 in reply. The Cougars were indebted to their opener who remained unbeaten at the death with 102* as Pakenham were dispatched by four wickets inside 80 overs. Zach had a busy day behind the stumps, adding two further catches to the one he captured at the close of play last Saturday. After losing three top order wickets in quick succession, a half century by bat no.5 sealed the deal with the Cougars running out winners despite five of the eight batsmen failing to reach double figures.

Jordy's Churchill side started their own two day competition on the 1st November and will have been well pleased to have reduced opponents Traralgon to 141 all out after bowling 78 overs and restricting them to around1.8 per over. Ryan Ayres carried on his bowling form from last week with 4-38having bowled a mammoth 22 overs and Jordy also picked up a wicket, bowling six overs for just ten runs. There the good news ends though, because in the 14overs possible before the close, Churchill were reduced to 16-4. Astute use of night watchmen seems to have kept both Jordy and Ryan away from the middle and the stage is therefore set for the pair of Poms to ride to the rescue and knockoff the 126 needed for victory next Saturday.

Sam's game against Rutherford CC was abandoned, one of threeof the four in that section that didn't take place in the rainy Sydney area.

Scorecards:

Zach – Here 

Sam – Here 

Jordy & Ryan - Here