Camberwell blast Bombers away: Victorian Premier League Cricket Round 3.

The Camberwell Magpies recovered from a shaky start to the day to destroy Essendon in round three of the Victorian Premier  League cricket at Windy Hill on Saturday. Winning the toss and batting, the 'Pies were in trouble early losing openers  former Tasmanian Shield player Brendan Drew and Stanley cheaply and were on the skids at three for thirty-five. The Bomber's  attack which had welcomed back Australian and state all-rounder, Clint McKay, was on top and a meagre tally looked on the cards.

 

However, James Bett was joined by Tom Rickarby and together the pair batted Camberwell out of danger and into a winning  position. They put on 77 for the fourth wicket before Bett was caught in the deep off spinner Buhagiar. Rickarby went on to  post a fine half-century that would steer his team to a tally of 189. Not a big score by any means, however, after being  three for not many it provided their attack with something to bowl at.

For the Bombers, promising quick Louis Cameron snared four wickets and spinner Steve Buhagiar who was a late inclusion from  the two's chipped in with a couple.If you were late getting back from the change of innings you missed plenty of action  with Camberwell opening bowler Will Walker on a hatrick after the first two balls of the innings!

He fired out opener James Dickinson and followed up with McNamara both trapped in front. Walker's opening partner James  Pearson wasn't going to be left out and chimed in with two himself, skittling Ben Fletcher's stumps and then thumping into  the pads of opener Ben MacRae. When Walker claimed the prize wicket of McKay, caught down the leg-side, the game was all  but over.

Zimbabwean Solomon Mire and keeper Rory Collins were the only batsmen to offer any resistance with the later unbeaten on  32. For the away team Will Walker returned the match-winning figures of 5 for 27 from 8.2 overs. The season has begun  horridly for the Bombers who find themselves on the bottom after three rounds whilst the Magpies have leapt out of the  blocks and are perched in fifth spot on the ladder.