DAY 1: MBCC are 25/2, needing 83 runs to win, with 8 wickets in hand.

Al Lemarchand: Took 1-0 and split blood in his 50th Summer match

MBCC introduced new player Adam Payne, yet to be nicknamed, for his first competitiive cricket game in 15 years, a proud moment one would hope. Al Lemarchand was the other MBCC’er having a special day, playing his 50th match. As with 86.45% (to 2 decimal places) of the playing days in his previous 49 matches, Big Al was a victim of CityBus' unreliable vehicles: we really must talk to Brad Voss about that.

On the cricket side of things, Capt'n Lavery won the coin toss and as he had threatened to, elected to bowl. Not sparing himself in the summers-here-early heat, Rob took the new ball in partnership with Ian "Filthy" North and with 7 other fielders actually available. Adam Payne continued a freakish cricketing tradition dating back to the Good Doctor (Grace, not Pitch) of a first gamer being everywhere the ball was being hit. Al arrived on the field a mere two overs into the game, brought us up to the 11 player quota.

Fillthy, currently cultivating a beard that made him look far too much like Vile Sandilands for comfort started the match poised to bring up his 500 run/ 50 wicket double. Putting aside a new job as Vile's decoy for angry ex Australian Idle contestants and protesters, he was poised to uniquely bring up his 50 wickets with a hat-trick, with consecutive victims at the end of an over to start the Breakers' wicket acquisitions. The batsmen survived - just. Northy continued to bowl tightly. Al spilt blood on his 50th appearance, via a split finger nail in the field. And Chris Sweet took over with the ball from the road end. And with it, the match.

Chris Sweet: Match winning stint with the ball on Day 1

It's not yet confirmed (by Chris), if Chris Sweet's effort with the ball was his best bowling figures taken on a school ground, bowling vaguely with the wind, from the end of the ground closest to nearest road. What is a fact is that he took over one end, and his fast left arm bowling ripped away the batting line up, to the tune of 5-37 off 17 hostile overs.

Is a surprising move, Chris gave up his bowling residence after tea, when a brief counter punch by the habitually annoying 8 wicket by Field (33*) and Riley (10) had taken our opponents over the 100 run barrier. First, Lloyd Walker claimed his best bowling figures, with 1 over, 1 run, 1 wicket, after an excellent debut as keeper (as in, I believe, first time ever with the gloves, not just for the Breakers). Then Al Lemarchand celebrated turning 50 (MBCC summer matches) with the ridiculous-looking bowling figures of 2 deliveries, 1-0. Al's heroic innings terminating ball can be summed up as follows: bad ball (short lossener early in his short spell), bad shot (hit straight to only close fielder on the on-side), excellent catch (Ian North, grasping a well clobbered cricket ball), great bowling stats. Happy half century, big fella!!!

An excellent bowling and fielding effort by the Breakers, with only two difficult catches spilt, and the best ground fielding and bowling for some time. The wicket was enough to indicate a long chase ahead, and ensure that the Breakers wouldn't be watching much of the AFL Final (Go The Swans) the following week

In fading light Matt Fisher attacked the bowling, looking set for a strong innings until he nicked one from the opening bowler. Lloyd Walker joined the ever watchful Cutters Lavery, and batted happily in fading light until unable to resist the enticing offerings of the leg spinner Williams, feathering a short, wide ball and honestly walking. Breakers were 26/2, and a long day lay in store for week two.

The day might have been longer, but for four overs consisting of 4-5 deliveries instead of 6. We were being kind to tired opponents, presumably.

Rob Lavery: All class Captain's innings of 65 to seal victory

Guided by one of Legoman Rob Lavery's best innings, the Breakers unexpectedly cruised to victory well before tea, and had time to see a narrow Swans loss in the AFL. Oh, and unlike Sydney's gallant AFL representatives, it was a record two wins in a row.

Richo Smith: 'Short ball, should have gone, but... too tired'

Richo "Boof" Smith, fortified by a small night out, joined his captain. And that was that for the game. Assailed by only reasonable bowling, and frankly some of the saddest sledges in cricket history, Boof and Legoman smashed the bowling all over the field. Aided by such erudite commentary as "He's hitting it the air" (Yes, that what tends to happen when you're hitting sixes), Rob strode to a half century that was near faultless, especially on a pitch with variable bounce and pace. Memories of his golden duck last week were gone: until some idiot scribe resurrected them here, anyway.

Northy, 500 runs up for summer matches.

Ian North, denied 50 summer wickets, brought up 500 runs instead with a typical subtle bludgeon. His dismissal for a forceful 18 brought in Adam Payne, promoted to give him a hit despite what the batting captain may have thought. It was a fairly nervey few moments until Adam got off the mark. Especially for Adam (no-one wants to start with a duck) and the Breakers' token Kiwi (who 'd given up his batting spot and spent the next 10 minutes panicking it would backfire in Fine - as in, "Your fault, Pay Up" - fashion).

Adam Payne: 33 n.o. in his first game for 15 years

Rob's dismissal, for an excellent 65, was a surprise to his team and a relief to the bowlers- who, to their credit never stopped trying. Hitting sixes (in the air, oddly enough) and fours, it was a match winning innings from the captain. Adam Payne continued on with increasing confidence, an unbeaten 31 marking a good debut after a mere 15 year break between proper cricket games. With Rog Moore (a far less memorable 2 not out) he batted to tea, when the game was called off with no further chance of an outright result.