Semi- final Match Report
by
Lain Pocock
--
Tuesday, 13 March 2007
Semi Final Match Report March 10th & 11th
Vs Golden Square @ Wade Street
Sandhurst entered its first finals campaign for 3 seasons with the 2nd XI who finished 3rd facing second placed Golden Square at Wade Street. As is always the case, selection of the side was difficult with a couple of players stiff to miss out on selection.
Finishing lower on the ladder than our opponents Simon was able to call the toss of the coin and called correctly. Sandhurst had been given the opportunity to make 1st use of the ideal batting conditions.
Tipper & Ben Leed got us off to a solid start scoring at 3 an over from the start and added 41 for the 1st wicket before Ben Leed was caught behind. Joel Schneider then came to the crease and looked to continue his recent good form striking the ball well from the start of his innings. Schneider & Tipper added 52 for the 2nd wicket before Tipper (38) chased a wide one and was caught behind and then shortly after Schneider (33) joined him in the pavilion and a good start threatened to unravel just prior to the tea break.
Pasky and Jas O'Neill saw us through to tea but when they fell in successive overs Sandhurst were again on the back foot. Enter Brad Fawcett & Dylan Gibson two batsmen entering the match not in the greatest of form dug in and rested control of the match back to the Dragons. Whilst Golden Square continued to be burnt by a failure to try and slow the scoring rate, Dylan continued to punish the attack bringing up his 1st 50 for the season. It was apparent the boys were on top as Golden Square's fielding unraveled as they gave away overthrows before they picked up Tapper for 44 ending the partnership just 1 short of a 100 run stand. Dylan continued on and picked up the scoring pace before he was 9th man out for 75 off 96 balls with 286 on the board. Eventually we were bowled out for 292 in the 81st over.
On the 2nd day, the game plan was simple bowl line and length outside off stump, keep it tight and frustrate Golden Square into making mistakes. The boys were marvelous, Trumpy picked up a sharp caught and bowled to have Square 1/10 and backed up by Matt Felini who's 1st spell was 0/13 from 11 overs, 20 overs had elapsed with 1/29 on the board.
Sandhurst's game plan began to bare fruit when Brad Fawcett took a blinder to remove the dangerous Jamie Fitzgibbon for 19 off the bowling of Ben Leed. Whilst our bowlers continued to keep it tight, Golden Square ensured they retained wickets in hand for an after tea onslaught.
Something had to give after tea and brilliantly supported by Jason O'Neill's slow mediums Alex Trump returned for a 2nd spell and picked up Jason Johnson LBW then Golden Square's captain caught by Tipper the next ball.
With the run rate required continuing to rise, it was Brad Fawcett who again came to the party taking a 2nd blinding catch at gully to remove Golden Square opener and mainstay Luke Baird for 81 off Trumpy's bowling. It was then the pressure finally told as Golden Square having dug themselves into a hole begun to panic as run outs to Travy Russell, Jason O'Neill & Joel Schneider all but ended the match. It was left to Jason O'Neill to finally receive some reward for his marathon 23 over bowling spell claiming the final wicket stumped by Kinners to spark wild celebrations in front of a crowd that built over the afternoon.
In all Trumpy finished with (4/59) & Jas O'Neill (1/49 from 23.2 overs) to be the pick of an even team performance with bat and ball. Golden Square’s 232 was 60 runs short and sent Sandhurst into a grand final for the first time in 5 seasons.
It was terribly harsh to have to award just one man of the match as all 11 players contributed at different stages with bat, ball or in the field but in his best innings of the season on the biggest stage Dylan Gibson won Man of the Match with 75 from 96 balls.
Next WEEK
With the weekends victory Sandhurst have earned a grand final clash with Strathfieldsaye who finished 4th and upset the top of the table Strathdale Maristians. The teams split their 2 meetings during the season as the clash kicks off at 12pm Saturday again at Wade Street Golden Square.
- The Giraffe