Round 5 vs Bendigo
01/12/07 & 08/12/07
Giraffe Report – Sandhurst vs Bendigo
1st XI @ QEO, December 8th
Heading into Round 5 against Bendigo, memories of last season's "Smoke Out" when defending 493 and a last over defeat in the one day game meant somehow Sandhurst had finished with 3 points from 2 games against Bendigo when it could be argued we had deserved to win both. Unfortunately rain late in the week leading up to the game meant the QEO was out of action for at least one more week with the pitch unsuitable for play, the option of playing at back up venue Atkins St North bendigo was explored but ultimately ruled out around 5.30 Friday night so the 1st XI boys were given a free weekend.
With the remainder of 1st XI games getting a start, week 2 of the match reverted to ordinary conditions, making aggressive cricket and bold declarations the order of the day in order to achieve both clubs needed to stay in sight of the top 4. Kecky won a very important toss on the lush expanses of the QEO and sent Bendigo into bat. Scoring was not easy and some tight bowling built up the pressure on the Goers. It was Tim Williams who struck the first blow for the 3rd time in 4 matches, picking up the dangerous Glenn Franzi bowled with the score on 22.
Sandhurst continued to apply the clamps to Bendigo, and their persistence was eventually rewarded with Nathan O'Neill collecting 3 wickets including opposition skipper Mark Ryan for just 3. Nathan was well backed up by Tim Robertson who bowled tightly to finish with 1/15 off 14 Overs as Bendigo were reduced to 6 for 68 after 32 Overs.
The picture could have been even better for the Dragons, had poor catching and a wicket off a no ball not gifted opposition batsmen second chances. Kecky then came on and broke up a dangerous looking partnership to reduce Bendigo to 7 for 87. Bendigo's tail dug in trying desperately to post a competitive target but when Tim Williams struck twice in 3 balls Bendigo was 9 for 113 after 44 overs. Some brisk runs from Bendigo's 10th wicket pair pushed the total to 9 for 140 when the declaration eventually came after 48 overs. Nathan O'Neill 3/34 and Tim Williams 3/36 the multiple wicket takers.
This left Sandhurst needing 141 runs to win from 34 overs at 4.15 runs per over. Nick Scullie & Brock Fletcher looked to make a positive start as the score moved to 17, before Brock was caught behind for 6 in the 5th over. Nick was ticking the scoreboard over nicely and despite the loss of Ben Leed (0) with 31 on the board Sandhurst pushed on. Nick was looking very dangerous when he unfortunately picked out a fielder with another ball that appeared to be heading to the fence when on 38 off 47 balls including 3 fours and one 6 and the total on 54 in the 14th over.
The foundations had been laid and with just 4.5 an over required from 20 overs with plenty of batting to come the Dragons were still well in control. Mark Keck and Mark Holland pushed the score along but when they fell in the space of 2 overs Sandhurst had 2 new batsmen at the crease needing around a run a ball. Tim Robertson and Joel Schneider then took control of the run chase adding 45 in quick time to move us to within striking distance of the target before Timmy skied 1 and was dismissed for 20 with 19 runs required from 15 deliveries. Things were in good hands with the teams two most in-form batsmen at the crease and it was Bendigo who had blinked 1st under the pressure cooker type atmosphere, smart batting and aggressive running forced bonus runs as Bendigo's fielding fell apart leading to bonus runs as a result of mis-fields, over-throws and mis-fields from the over-throws. Needing just 3 off the final over Sandhurst's new "Ice Man" Joel Schneider scored a 2 off the 1st ball to tie the scores and a single from the 4th ball to secure victory with 2 balls remaining. Joel finished 38no from 43 balls to continue his solid start to the season with Anthony West 6no.
Man of the Match candidates included Tim Williams and Nathan O'Neill 3 wickets each, Tim Rob 1/15 and 20, Nick Scullie 38 and Joel Schneider (38no) with Joel Schneider getting the nod.
As a foot note to last round’s 1st XI Match report, it was reported that Joel Schneider was Man of the Match, unfortunately there was a glitch in this system and I am not mentioning any names (Peter Schneider) but somehow the Man of the Match was altered and it was actually Tim Williams for his Marathon spell of 4/79 that received Man of The Match in Round 4.
2nd XI @ Weeroona Oval, December 1st & 8th
Coming off their tense win over Eaglehawk the two's looked for back to back wins against Bendigo at Weeroona Oval, the team regained Brad Fawcett & Nick Cook, but lost leading batsmen Travis Crouch and Dylan Gibson due to unavailability. With the 1sts and 3rds having a weekend off due to the unavailability of the QEO quite a crowd had built up to watch the match. Trumpy lost the toss, but with Bendigo's suspect batting order and Sandhurst's numerous bowling options, being asked to bowl first wasn't a huge disappointment despite good batting conditions. It didn't take long for Alex to knock over opposing captain Liam Gaskell with the score on 15. Bendigo's suspect running between the wickets again reared it head, as Brock Gibson took advantage of utter confusion between batsmen to see the 2nd wicket fall at 27. the sides in-form bowler and leading wicket taker of the 2nd XI division Matt Hall was introduced in the 20th over with immediate success picking up wickets with the 1st and 3rd balls of his spell to have Bendigo reeling at 4 for 43. Bendigo then consolidated pushing the score to 85 before Mat Hall set Geoff Maggs up perfectly at deep square leg on 31 but unfortunately the chance was grasped, and although partner Steve Graham was picked with a sharp slips catch to Pasky in the same over, Sandhurst would rue the missed opportunity.
Clinton Botham was introduced prior to the tea break claiming his 1st 2nd XI wicket to reduce Bendigo to 6 for 110 off 40 overs at tea.
The tea break seemed to kill Sandhurst's momentum, for although they had not bowled their best, they were well on top but things eventually caught up with them, as Bendigo's lower order dug in and proved near impossible to remove. Trump tried every available option in an attempt to finish off Bendigo, and despite the dismissal of Maggs LBW to Sticky Russell for 78 with the score on 136, the Dragons would see very little joy for the remainder of the day. There was just a "Beefy" Botham run out and Gavin James obtaining break throughs, as Bendigo finished with a competitive 9 for 219 from 85 Overs. Matt Hall continuing his good form to be the sides only multiple wicket taker with 3/34.
Sandhurst's objective was simple, maintain wickets in hand and with an asking rate around 2.5 per over batting 85 overs would see us home comfortably. Trumpy and Kinners did a very good job in seeing out the first 20 overs before Kinners tickled 1 to the keeper with the score on 29 sparking a devastating collapse. A direct hit run out saw Travy Russell short of his ground and when Trumpy was triggered soon after Sandhurst were 3 for 36. Brad Fawcett never really got going and was caught behind soon after the drinks break to have us 4 down, the last thing Sandhurst needed was for the umpire to forget Matt Pask's stumps weren't 5 foot tall and triggered him as well Sandhurst had lost 5 for 17 in 10 overs.
Gavin James and Beefy Botham then started a rescue mission seeing us through to tea at 5/86 from 48 Overs. In a similar position to what Bendigo had faced in their innings, Sandhurst still held out hope that victory was attainable, but that hope was soon snuffed out as the break in play again did Sandhurst no favours as Gav James (37) and then Beefy who had both batted superbly were dismissed in successive overs and when Craig "Chooka" Burn was bowled in the same over Sandhurst had lost 3 wickets without adding to the score. Sandhurst held out for as long as they could, but with too much being left for the tail to do and a 4th LBW of the innings thrown in for good measure Sandhurst were dismissed for 119 in 63 Overs.
Stand out performers were few and far between, Matt Halls 3/34, Gav James 37 and 1/12 and Beefy Bothams 1/15 and application with the bat worthy of mention. In a tough decision for his ability to follow instructions and strong discipline with bat and ball Clinton Botham got the nod. A further indication that one team had turned up ready to play was distinguishable in the difference between the teams extras totals the 29 extras Sandhurst had allowed was a sign Sandhurst were undisciplined and lucky to be chasing as few as they were when compared to just 9 extras being conceded by Bendigo's bowlers. Captain Trump held the team out on the oval for an extended period post game and when asked for an explanation offered no excuses but was heard to remark he hoped we didn’t get umpires keen on getting to the pub early again next game.
3rd XI @ QEO, December 1st & 8th
Coming off the complete team performance and comprehensive victory over Eaglehawk in the previous round, the 3rd XI looked to cement a spot inside the top 4 with back to back victories facing Bendigo at the QEO. After Day 1 was abandoned, the game reverted to a 30 Over a side one day game on the 2nd week.
Sandhurst were strengthened with the inclusions of Coach Terry Scullie, Dylan Gibson and Tristan Bayliss. Trewy won the toss and gave his bowlers first use of a wicket that was being used for the first time all season. Terry Scullie claimed Sandhurst’s first success with Simon Turnbull taking a sharp catch at slip to have Bendigo 1 for 6 after 6 Overs.
After the new ball pair had completed their allotted overs, The spin twins of Dylan Gibson & Dean Trew were introduced and it was Trewy who was first rewarded with a good outfield catch to Dave Hunter to remove the danger man and innings top score Nathan Power for 30. Sandhurst controlled things from then on, Dylan Gibson found his rhythm and finished with a very tidy 2/24 off 6 overs including a caught and bowled and a stumping. Keith Cloke (2/14 off 4) continued his solid efforts with the ball including an effortless caught and bowled that was drilled straight back at him as Sandhurst restricted Bendigo to 6 for 119 from 28 Overs.
Tristan Bayliss was elevated to open the innings with Trewy and despite some confusion at times with running between the wickets which Bendigo were unabale to take advantage of, Sandhurst coasted effortlessly towards the target. Already achieving the required run rate with a minimum of risk and effort, Sandhurst were basically gifted the result through Bendigo bowling in excess of 20 wides for the innings not only gifting Sandhurst over 20 runs but all the associated extra deliveries needing to be re-bowled.
Trewy cruised to 41 before he did the selfless team play and got caught attempting to hit the ball over the infield just to give some others time in the middle, and when Dylan Gibson found out the hard way 3rd XI is not a walk in the park it seemed sharply caught at gully for a 2nd ball duck, soon followed back to the pavilion by Tristan Bayliss who was dismissed for a well constructed 29 Sandhurst had lost 3 for 8.
With only 12 required for victory in 4 overs, it was Simon Turnbull and Leigh Draper who saw us home with a 7 wicket victory finishing 3 for 114.
The win means the 3rds square the ledger at 2 wins, 2 losses and just percentage outside the top 4, with a big game prior to Christmas against White Hills. Whilst there was quite a number of good performances, Skipper Dean Trew shone brightest with his vital wicket and 41 at the top of the order to virtually assure victory.
Sandhurst next face White Hills in the round leading up to Christmas with a win in all grades essential to spread some Christmas cheer in the Dragons Lair.
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