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Men’s Premier First XI Cricket action returned to the MCG for the first time since the 2009/2010 season on Saturday, as the Melbourne Cricket Club took on Kingston Hawthorn for the coveted Bruce Church Cup.
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The One-Day clash on Saturday between Melbourne and Kingston Hawthorn saw a dominant display by the MCC attack, bowling the Hawks out for 69 to see Melbourne claim a seven-wicket win.
With overcast skies early in the day, Melbourne captain Blake Thomson had no hesitation in sending the Hawks in to bat – a move that proved fruitful for the Demons’ bowlers.
The right-arm pace of David Moody (4/18 off nine overs) proved to be a handful in the overcast conditions to start, claiming the opening wicket of Thaveesh Attanayake which was caught by wicket-keeper Jack Harper, and the key wicket of Hawks skipper, Josh Manning.
Prior to Manning’s departure, the Hawks were sitting at 3/50, before a dominant spell by the MCC bowlers saw seven wickets fall for 19 runs, ending the innings in the 29th over, all out for 69.
Chasing a modest total of 70 for victory, the Demons didn’t have it all their own way, losing both opening batters early in the chase and sitting at 2/13. Campbell Kellaway (27* off 42 balls), Harper (16 off 29 balls) and Charles Lill (12* off 29 balls) steered the team home for a bonus-point victory, with a win with 23 overs, and claiming the Bruce Church Cup.
The Bruce Church Cup is named in honour for former MCC President and Hawthorn-East Melbourne player (prior to the Club’s renaming to Kingston Hawthorn), Bruch Church. Church served as a member of the MCC Committee between 1978 and 2003, including Treasurer from 1984-1986, Vice-President from 1987-1996 and President from 1997-2003.
The win, along with the bonus-point, sees the MCC climb to sixth on the Men’s First XI ladder ahead of the return to Two-Day cricket this weekend against St Kilda at the CitiPower Centre.