By JARROD POTTER
VSDCA South East 1st XI – Round 5 (day 2)
NOBLE Park and Caulfield put their love of the game above the pursuit of runs or wickets, with a humble salute to our recently departed little champion.
Paying honour to Phillip Hughes in their own way, Noble Park and Caulfield first put out their bats and observed a minute’s silence prior to the match before paying homage to the South Australian batsman once more in a sign of immense respect.
With the impeccable timing of a Hughes cut-shot, both teams walked from the crease following a slowed-down Rob Johnson (1/27) final over to end the day’s play and the match at 4.08pm to coincide with the 63rd over of the Caulfield innings.
Both of these numbers have great significance to the Hughes story as he is the 408th Australian Test player and finished his career 63 not out at the SCG on Tuesday before his tragic death.
“They agreed they would only bowl five more overs to get to 63 overs,” Noble Park president Craig Ortland said.
“No one thought of the 4.08pm though, but as they were getting closer to it they decided to slow down and finish then.
“It was pretty special I suppose and eerie in a way.
“Dave the curator painted three signs on the field, we had the minute’s silence, black armbands and the game was played in the right spirit and that’s the way it was – it was good how it turned out after a very, very sad week for cricket.”
Caulfield had pushed well ahead in the match by the completion, as Leigh Baldry (61 not out) and Adam Warren (27 not out) had the Bulls’ attack on the ropes. Marasinghe Perera (2/46) was the only Noble Park bowler to make an impact and restrict the Caulfield carnage.The loss leaves Noble Park 11th on the ladder and well off the pace in pursuit of back-to-back premierships. The Bulls head to last placed Moorabbin for a two-dayer with their season on the line.
Endeavour Hills (240) strolled past Elsternwick (176) with Chris Periera (3/51) the best of the Eagles’ attack. Endeavour Hills will face Oakleigh at home this round in a battle for second spot.
