Round 1 Match Report
by
Lain Pocock
--
Tuesday, 13 March 2007
ROUND 1 MATCH REPORT VS BUCC’s, 3rd & 4th March 2007
1st XI @ Harry Trot Oval Kennington
With the 1st XI's finals hopes shot, the boys rounded out the season with a very testing fixture away to finals bound BUCC's. Losing a 3rd consecutive toss BUCC's opted to make 1st use of a batsman's paradise - a flat wicket and fast outfield. BUCC's begun well with our bowlers unable to tie them down or get an early breakthrough. The score had reached 91 before Kecky bowling 2nd change picked up the scalp of Matt Pinninger LBW. Kecky was unfortunate not to have a 2nd the same over but when Tim Williams chimed in with another key wicket the run rate started to slow and Sandhurst had created an opening.
Whilst no BUCC's batsman went on and got a really big score, scores and partnerships of 30 and above made it impossible for Sandhurst to get on top. Kecky (2/52 from 20 consecutive Overs) and Tim Williams (2/70) did there bit to slow things down and when Tim Robertson (4/94) cleaned up the middle and lower order BUCC's had finished with 9/305 from 85 overs.
Nick and Brock opened the innings and faced an opening bowling attack that barely bowled a bad ball and were well backed up by a crisp and clean effort in the field. Knowing that if we batted out the Overs and retaining wickets in hand would leave us with some chance come the end of the day. Scoring at around 1.5 an over something had to break and eventually Nick (4) was trapped in front and when Brock (31) and then Westy (10) followed soon after Sandhurst was a long way from home at 3/61 after 30 overs.
Kecky & Tim Robertson saw us through to Tea 3/90 and then begun to pick up the pace against a dual spin attack from BUCC's. The run rate started to climb but just as we were working back into the game Tim Rob (28) and then Kecky (55) fell in the same over and all momentum was lost. From there the middle order lost patience losing 5/35 to a mixture of tight bowling and rash shots. Whilst the result may have been decided the score was boosted by a more than handy late innings contribution from our new all-rounder Macca who mixed patience with some lusty blows to be the final man out for 37 from 43 balls in our total of 210 in 70 overs to fall 95 runs short.
Mark Keck's all-round effort of 2/50 & 55 earned him Man of The Match.
2nd XI @ Weeroona Oval
Needing a victory to regain some momentum heading into the finals, our 2nd's faced BUCC's minus in-form Jason O'Neill who had again become a father during the week. Tipper won the toss and decided to bat on a wicket expected to slow over the course of the weekend. After the loss of an early wicket Joel Schneider again proved to be the rock around which our innings would be built. With contributions from Ben Leed (24) & Pasky (30) Schneider was involved in consecutive 50 run partnerships to see us through to 5/161 at tea.
Two quick wickets after tea couldn’t prevent Joel Schneider from bringing up his 2nd century of the season finishing with an even 100. Valuable contributions from Matt Felini (22), Trav Russell (33) and Nilesh Patel (16no) saw us through to 264 all out in 76 Overs.
BUCC's were left with a tricky 6 over period to bat leading up to stumps on day 1, and Pasky created something from nothing with a run out to leave BUCC's 1/21 at stumps. On day 2, BUCC's started solidly before Trumpy removed the dangerous Matt Beck to get an initial break through. Then after BUCC's again looked to settle down, Nilesh Patel turned the match in the space of 4 Overs. Picking up wickets in his 2nd, 3rd and 5th Overs and along with Ben Leed who chipped in with a wicket BUCC's had been reduced to 6/149 still 115 runs short. Just prior to tea Nilesh picked up a 4th to finish with 4/52 and when Matt Felini claimed the final 3 wickets to finish with 3/44 BUCC's had been bowled out for 203 and handing us victory by 61 runs.
With ample time remaining in the day and a finals campaign to prepare for Tipper made the popular decision to have a 2nd hit giving our batsmen a chance for some time in the middle leading into the finals. Whilst not all batsmen made the most of their opportunity Tipper's 67 not out was the highlight of our 2nd innings total of 6/134 from 31 overs.
Joel Schneider collected Man of the Match for his 100.
3rd XI @ Harry Trot Oval
Trewy lost the toss giving BUCC's first use of a batsman's paradise at Harry Trot on the first morning of the 3rd's final game of the season. After Brent Watts picked up an early wicket, the game was single handedly taken away from us by BUCC's Number 3 Richie Powell who entered the game in fine form and continued on with a majestic 132 from 119 balls. Of the bowlers all 6 who were used picked up wickets with Stinger (3/45) Brent Watts (2/39) and Trav Mitchell (2/42) the multiples. The boys did a reasonable job to limit the damage collecting the final 6 wickets for 35 runs to bowl BUCC's out for 258 in the 47th over.
It was a case of deja vu for the 3rds with the bat again perilously placed at 2/0 inside the 1st over. A steadying 85 run partnership from Tristan Bayliss and Keith Cloke in good time got us back in the game. That’s when the game turned on its head, Bayliss’ dismissal sparked a collapse of 4/7 and ending the game as a contest. Clokey was tragically run out for 43 and when Draper then fell in the same over too much had been left to the lower order to do.
Interest then turned to the most prestigious of awards at the club (the most ducks in a season award). Leading candidates Brad Wright and Leigh McDonald both came to the crease under great pressure and both scored that crucial 1st run to avoid the dreaded blob. The side was eventually bowled out for 149 in the 38th over typifying the problem of batting out their overs that that had let them down all year.
Keith Cloke's impressive 43 earned him Man of the Match.
The Ladder
Whilst losing 3 of our 4 final matches in the 1st XI other final round results meant we hung onto 5th position and our highest finish in recent history.
Despite the final round victory the 2s required a miracle that didn’t arrive to regain a spot in the top 2 and finished the home and away season in 3rd position.
The 3rds finished with 4 victories for the season and in 7th position a reasonable indication that they were a little way away from a finals spot.
NEXT WEEK
All eyes turn to Wade Street where the 2nd XI the clubs only side participating in the finals faces the home side Golden Square for a spot in the Grand Final. Facing Golden Square in a rematch of a much hyped home and away encounter which didn’t go our way maybe just the added spark the boys need to unleash the dragon within and take the club to it's 1st grand final since our successful 3rd XI side in 2001/2002.