On Wednesday 26 March 2025, the Tunbridge Club played its second annual game against the Melbourne Cricket Club's XXIX Club (XXIX Club). Having hosted the XXIX Club last year on the John Landy Oval at Corio, the XXIX Club returned the favour, hosting the Tunbridge Club this year on the equally beautiful Albert Cricket Ground. 

The 2025 Tunbridge Club team included: Lucien Bienvenu (A'16),   Max Hatzoglou (A'19),  Tim Bayles (FB'99),  David Baines (Fr'95) (Tunbridge Club President), Leo Hatzoglou (A'21), Hugo Bienvenu (A'15), Alexander Hatzoglou (A'22), Henry Alexander (P'18), Angus Alexander (P'21), Julian Landy (Cu'95) (wicket keeper), Bailey Melzak (M'17)a and Roly Imhoff (Cu'95) (c).      

Last year the Tunbridge Club was victorious against the XXIX Club and so the XXIX Club Captain, Matt Stein, was keen to level the honours, and didn't hesitate to elect to bat on winning the toss on a typically brilliant Albert Pitch. 

Bailey Melzak (M'17) opened the bowling with Angus Alexander (P'21). 

The XXIX Club got off to a good start posting 40 runs before Bailey struck, bowling one of their openers and soon after he followed up removing their dangerous number 3 caught behind by wicket keeper Julian Landy (Cu'95). Bailey followed up with his third wicket, removing the other opener who nicked a sharp catch to Lucien Bienvenu (A'16) at first slip.

A great 7 over spell saw Bailey finish with 3 for 20, while Angus was unlucky not to get a wicket finishing with 0 for 27. 

Henry Alexander (P'18) took over from his brother Angus and bowled well but also without luck as XXIX Club Captain Matt Stein began to take on the bowling. Henry finished with 0 for 31. Tunbridge Club Captain, Roly Imhoff (Cu'95), quickly realised that his bowling was going nowhere after Matt hit him a few boundaries, including a big 6. Roly decided it was time to bring on some spin. 

Hugo Bienvenu (A'15) and Alex Hatzoglou (A'22) combined with some intelligent bowling. Hugo dismissed Julian Reidy for 43 with his brother, Lucien Bienvenu (A'16), taking an easy catch at mid-off, and then Matt Stein retired on 50. 

Roly brought on the experience of Tim Bayles (FB'99), bowling his medium pacers, and Max Hatzoglou (A'19) to finish the game. Tim picked up two wickets for 12, both clean bowled. Bowling his spin, Max also took two wickets for 31 with a catch to Tim and a nice catch to Jules standing up to the stumps. In the end the XXIX Club finished with 8/217 from 40 overs. 

Max and Lucien opened the batting for the Tunbridge Club. The XXIX Club bowlers had the ball nipping around a bit so presented a challenge and Max was first to go for 0. Tim joined Lucien and both hit some nice boundaries before Tim was removed for 11 and Lucien for 16. 

Tunbridge Club President David Baines (Fr'95) came in at 4 and following the loss of Leo Hatzoglou (A'21) (12) and Hugo (6) the Tundbridge Club were in real trouble with the score on 5 for 69. 

David batted sensibly with great control and Alex joined him playing some more daring strokes. The two of them combined for the Tunbridge Club's best partnership (76) which had the XXIX Club getting nervous. David fell for a gutsy 41 which included 6 fours. Alex was out shortly after for 40 which included 4 sixes. 

The score was now 7 for 150 and the pressure was on for the incoming bats to keep scoring quickly. Henry fell for 5, Angus for 8 (hitting two fours), Jules was bowled for 2, leaving Bailey Melzak 0 not out and the Tunbridge Club all out for 160. A solid win by the XXIX Club making it one-all. 

David was awarded the best Tunbridge Club player with his fine knock of 41. The Tunbridge Club looks forward to next year's game back at Geelong Grammar School. 

Roly Imhoff (Cu'95), Tunbridge Club Captain