Sandhurst strengthened it’s batting for the all important clash with Kangaroo Flat by including the in form Brock Fletcher on the back of his century in the 2nds in the previous game at the expense of the unlucky Garth Tamblyn. After rain ruined any chance of play on Saturday, it was a wait and see approach as to whether the weather would co operate enough to get a game going on the Sunday. In further bad news, the remarkable resilience of the White Hills ground meant that all of the other afternoon matches reverted to ordinary conditions.
In further bad news for the Dragons, Kecky lost the toss and Sandhurst were asked to bat first to try and set a target and hopefully back in our bowlers to perform again, against a Kangaroo Flat side missing Tony Taig. Sandhurst again shuffled the batting order and without the 3rds having taken the early sting out of the wicket in the morning, were straight away in trouble. The Dragons lost Robertson (0) with the score on 2 and Turnbull with the total on 18 in the 10th over.
Nick Scullie and Brenton Jones who had combined for such a crucial partnership in the previous round again needed to rebuild after a poor start and added 18 for the 3rd wicket before BJ was caught behind with the total on 36 in the 20th over. Captain Mark Keck then joined Nick Scullie at the crease and the pair added 25 for the 4th wicket with the need to increase the run rate eventually taking it’s toll on the remaining batsmen as the loss of Keck (18) and Scullie (23) sparked a collapse of 7 for 20 in 13 overs with no other batsman making double figures to see the Dragons post a modest total of 81.
Surely 81 would never be enough to defend, but with no bowling restrictions and Andy Sheehan just 1 of a host of bowlers in red hot form this season anything was possible despite the pitch and ground continuing to dry out as the day progressed. Andy Sheehan removed Simon Dundas in the first over, and soon after Tyson Belz and Andrew Hosking in the same over to send a scare through the Kangaroo Flat side at 3 for 8. Andy claimed his 4th of 4 for the innings picking up Darcy Geyer for 1 and when Brad Ortons aggression was his undoing Kangaroo Flat were 5 down and still 47 away from victory.
Unfortunately Sandhurst were unable to break what proved to be a match winning partnership before the result was secured for Kangaroo Flat in the 33rd over. Kangaroo Flat batted on until the partnership was broken just short of 100 by Anthony West who took a caught and bowled. Dylan Gibson continued his effort of securing a wicket in every 1st XI game this season and when Westy chimed in with two more late ones Kangaroo Flats innings finally finished at 9 for 163. Andrew Sheehan claimed a 2nd five wicket haul of the season to go with 6 in Round 2 finishing with 5 for 40 from 13 overs to claim his 2nd man of the match award. Anthony West 3 for 32 and Dylan Gibson 1 for 29 were the other successful bowlers.
Only time will tell how costly this result is in the context of the season, with all other first XI matches ending in draws. The result again shows that Sandhurst need a complete team performance to be successful against sides around them on the ladder.
2nd XI @ Dower Park
Sandhurst 2nd XI faced a real litmus test against a rival side with similar ambitions of sneaking into the finals on the home turf of Kangaroo Flat. Throw in the fact the game was a Saturday, Sunday contest and the wet weather leading into the game the match took on extra significance if either team could get a result given there was a chance other games may not get on. Brock Fletcher was promoted to the 1st XI which meant Garth Tamblyn came into the 2nds and Traviss Russell was replaced by Matt Hall.
Persistent rain meant the pitch was unplayable on day 1 and abandoned for the day around 10.30am. With little rain on the Saturday, play in the under 17s was able to begin on time and therefore the 2nds would also be playing later that afternoon. Now I maybe mistaken but a crucial aspect of cricket is that the match conditions are clear and transparent, however it’s most difficult to follow when the two officiating umpires are playing under two different sets of conditions amid confusion as to whether the game was a one dayer or ordinary conditions.
That said Alex and the opposing captain were both keen to make a game of it and after the game was incorrectly altered to ordinary conditions both agreed on 42 overs per side with the side batting first to declare at tea. Alex won the toss and batted. With the pitch in reasonable shape, the innings couldn’t have got off to a poorer start when on the 5th ball of the innings Trav Crouch had his leg stump uprooted. Shortly after Leigh Kinniburgh fell to one of the best catches seen at 2nd slip by Steve Newlan diving outstretched and gripping the ball with one hand and controlling it during the landing. The dismissal of Mcfarlane and Chooka soon after left an astonishing Sandhurst scorecard. The score was 4 for 29 in the 8th over. Mark Holland was 22 not out and there was 7 extras on the board with 4 top order ducks below.
Skipper Alex Trump strolled to the crease with memories of a first ball duck in his last visit to the ground still fresh in his mind. Alex was able to settle into his innings with Mark Holland scoring freely at the other end. Mark already had a 6 and 2 4’s in his knock and continued to punish the bad ball and plenty that weren’t and his six straight down the ground had to be seen to be believed. Dutchy was proving dangerous not just to those on the ground in green caps but not even the spectators were safe as Dutchy sent a tracer bullet over deep square leg into the G A Edwards stand taking out a passing child fortunately just on the leg and no lasting damage was done.
Kangaroo Flat were awake to Dutchy’s capabilities and spread the field far and wide benefiting not only himself and Alex but those further down the order as well, Dutchy’s masterful innings was unfortunately ended when caught at the deep mid wicket boundary for 70 with the total on 111. Alex Trump then assumed control of the innings and showing more control and patience than his predecessors had shown worked the Flat fielders over with good placement, great running between the wickets and loud calls. Despite two more ducks for an innings total of 6 and 5 of the top 7 Alex pushed on and scored his 50 with the bat in over 12 months. Alex was a man on a mission and made sure he was there at the end with Elias Bowe as Sandhurst posted 9 for 181 from 42 overs.
Set 4.33 runs an over to win an over kangaroo Flat made a cautious start, and Craig Burn drew the edge in the 3rd over of the innings 1 for 0 in the 3rd over. Alex obviously feeling the effects of his marathon innings tired quickly in his spell but was still able to remove Jason Maher with the total on 24. The key wicket was captain Rod Wight, as he had taken apart Sandhurst attacks in the past and threatened to do so again. Wight rarely looked troubled, and with partners able to bat around him seemed certain to take his sdie to victory. Two quick wickets courtesy of a running mix up and a caugght behind to Matt Hall whilst Wight was there Flat always looked in control.
It was Matt Hall who finally drew a false stroke from Rod who was dismissed with a well judged catch from Chooka at point. Wight’s dominance was highlighted by the fact he made 80 of Flat’s 109 runs to that point including 11 fours and 1 six. This rejuvenated the Dragons in the field, and gave them a sense of hope again, but with a tiring bowling attack just couldn’t do enough to rest control of the game.
With wickets in hand and 6 runs an over required Kangaroo Flat secured a tense and important 6 points with 3 wickets in hand and 6 balls to spare. It was a huge opportunity lost for the Dragons, and hopefully all the players will learn that they need to be ready to go from the beginning and one off day can be very costly. Craig Burn 2/42 and Matt Hall 2/25 the multiple wicket takers. It was a choice in 2 for Man of the Match and for a flawless batting display and contribution with the ball Alex Trump secured the vote.
3rd XI @ QEO
Well what can you write about a game that was completely washed out and the points shared 3 a piece without a ball being bowled? Not much to be honest at least Sandhurst turned up ready and keen to play and only some over officiating prevent
The 3rds have a well earned rest, and go into Christmas on top of the table whilst the 1sts and 2nds need to pick up 6 points heading into Christmas with big wins over Huntly North Bendigo.
3ed a 30 over a side match being played. Still 3 more points for the top of the table Dragons and a bunch of disappointed cricketers giving up their Sunday sleep in for nothing. Dean Trew provided arguably the best performance, for his justifiably pissed off captain routine upon being informed there would be no match on the Sunday. What can we say…. The boy just loves his cricket.