In a puzzling fixturing move the BDCA crammed a one day game (for first and second XI sides only) in just prior to the Christmas break to bring the season to it’s half way point. Sandhurst’s opponent in the first of five one day games was Round 1 opponents Huntly North Bendigo at the QEO. Sandhurst were without strike bowler Andy Sheehan but added some power to the batting line up with the addition of Mark Holland and Matthew Pask.
Fortunately the seemingly weekly downpour of rain occurred early enough in the week for the pitch and ground to recover for a game to get underway. Kecky won the toss and opted to take first use of perfect batting conditions. Mark Holland & Simon Turnbull opened the innings and got things off to a solid start scoring in excess of six an over until Dutchy was bizarrely dismissed from a rebound off an opposing players chest. Tipper also made a brisk start to his innings and compiled 22 from just 20 balls before he too was dismissed with 50 on the board in the 11th over.
Huntly’s good fortune continued soon after when Nick Scullie was dismissed in the most frustrating of ways run out from a deflection onto the non strikers end backing up following a Brenton Jones straight drive. With the loss of three wickets inside the first 15 overs, the runs dried up for a stretch as Tim Robertson and Brenton Jones consolidated the innings.
BJ was circumspect early on but built on a solid start and compiled an innings consisting of 6 boundaries and one six for a total of 59 before his partnership with Timmy was ended on 105 in just over 20 overs. It was a welcome sight to see Tim Rob spend some time at the crease and a welcome return to form with the bat for Tim against his former side as he bought up a half century adding a brisk 50 for the 5th wicket with Westy before being dismissed on 52 from 72 balls. Mark Keck chimed in with 11 unbeaten to add some extra icing to the cake and along with Westy (42 not out from 32 balls) had aided Sandhurst in amassing 5 for 237 from 45 overs. The value of wickets in hand against an older ball was highlighted by Sandhurst adding 150 runs after drinks from just 22 overs.
The total looked very competitive, but as highlighted by the local media throughout the week questions were being asked about the Dragons bowling attack minus it’s spearhead Andrew Sheehan. Well those queries were soon put to rest as Matty Pask secured a run out in the first over of the innings to have Huntly 1 for 3. Quinton Bentley who had shown in previous games he could be dangerous with the new ball was again given an opportunity and turned in another fine spell. He claimed a wicket in his first over to reduce Huntly to 2 for 3.
Huntly responded with their only meaningful partnership of the innings of 32 for the 3rd wicket before Captain Keck was introduced with immediate effect. From just the second ball of his spell he claimed Brannon Stanford caught by Dutchy, and then followed up later the same over with Ben Smith to the same combination caught Holland bowled Keck. The carnage was not yet complete as Quinton Bentley who was bowling his 9 over allotment straight out dismissed Ryan Grundy caught behind in his 7th over and followed up with the wicket of Dale Young in his 8th over to reduce Huntly to 6 for 39 in 16 overs.
Dylan Gibson was then given his opportunity and he bowled another quality spell claiming Matt Rule caught by Timmy Rob to produce the 7th wicket of the innings for 53. Mark Keck who had switched ends to follow Quinton Bentley’s fine spell of 3/18 from 9 claimed the final 3 wickets of the innings and post another haul of 5 wickets for the club. Kecky finished with 5 for 22 claiming the final wicket with the final ball of his spell in the 30th over.
It was a comprehensive 148 run victory for the Dragons and a huge kick start to the battle for the Keck / Findlay shield a new initiative to reward the best performed first XI one day side of the season. There was many standout performers for the Dragons capable of winning the man of the match award, but for his fine new ball spell of 9 overs four maidens 3 for 18 including 3 top order batsmen Quinton Bentley narrowly pipped Kecky to claim his first Man of the Match award for the Dragons.
The roving reporter took the long, long long journey out to Huntly for the second time this season with a little extra time up his sleeve thanks to the absence of a 3rd XI fixture in the morning. Having lost a valuable opportunity against Kangaroo Flat last week, Sandhurst needed to rebound and gain some much needed percentage against the 10th placed Huntly North Bendigo.
The upside to no 3rd XI fixture meant Dean Trew was available to bolster the top of the order as he came into the side along with Brock Fletcher who had an impressive average of 171 in 2nd XI going into the game taking the place of Mark Holland who was promoted to the 1sts and Matt Hall’s 2nd shock and emotionally charged retirement from the club in 8 months.
The side was also rocked by the late exclusion of Craig Burn from the side due to work commitments and it was the obliging Terry Scullie who gave an afternoon of bird watching at the QEO to offer his skills and experience to the 2nd XI side on short notice. Alex did the right thing by winning the toss and electing to bat. Crouch and Trew made a splendid start to the innings looking very solid from the outset and laying the platform for a very big total. Travis Crouch was controlling both the run rate and strike. Crouchy took advantage of a sharp slips catch going down whilst on 30 and was again gifted a life on 70 when his stroke play had weaved such a spell on the Huntly North Bendigo fielders it rendered them hapless or maybe they just wanted to continue to be entertained by Crouch’s full repertoire of shots.
Dean Trew was providing able support at the other end and with drinks in sight feathered one to the keeper to end the opening stand at 127. Brock Fletcher joined Crouchy at the crease, and took his time to find his feet and build another fine innings whilst Crouchy pushed on in search of triple figures heading to the drinks break at half way agonisingly short of his 100 on 99. With Trumpy resisting the urge to retire Crouchy just to draw a reaction from the unflappable one Crouchy faced a few nervous deliveries before bringing up his first century of the season from just 87 balls. Travy was dismissed soon after for a magnificent 110 from just 96 deliveries in the 29th over having thrown away the possibility of a 150+ score.
Leigh Kinniburgh came in at number four and used the opportunity for some time in the middle as he and Brock added an even 50 for the 3rd wicket before Brock was dismissed for 51 to score his 3rd consecutive 50 plus score in three 2nd XI innings this season. Leigh Kinniburgh compiled a valuable 34 as Sandhurst amassed 4 for 253 from their 45 overs.
Elias Bowe was provided with an opportunity to take the new ball and didn’t take long to secure the initial break through about 4 overs later than he should have if the usually flawless slips skills of Coach Scullie hadn’t had a momentary lapse. From their the game meandered along, again Sandhurst’s ability to bowl tight but not pick up wickets again shone through as Huntly survived through to drinks without further loss to be 1 for 70 from 23 overs.
Whilst in no danger of losing the match, wickets were required to build some percentage, and it was Garth Tamblyn who provided the break through picking up a caught and bowled to break a 62 run stand. Alex tried seven bowlers in total, and all contributed in keeping the run rate down despite Huntly having so many wickets in hand. Huntly’s batsmen should be commended for their application and the value they placed on their wicket although they were aided by coach Scullie dropping what could only be described as a proverbial bucket of. Leading those there to witness it to reconsider a well used catch cry around the club this season may need re working.
In exploring his bowling options it was Brock Fletcher who benefited as he claimed an invaluable 4 for 26 in four overs to restrict Huntly North Bendigo to 7 for 157 from their 45 overs and 96 runs short of the target. Despite Brock Fletchers late play for Man of the Match with his 4 wickets to go with his 51 runs, Travis Crouch claimed his second Man of the Match for the season with 110 from 96 balls and 1 for 19.
Sandhurst now have a spare weekend, before contesting the annual Ron Slattery Twenty 20 game against Bendigo on the QEO January 3rd from 7pm. The following week the action heats up with back to back one dayers for the 1sts and 2nds on Saturday and Sunday against Eaglehawk and White Hills, whilst the 3rds get the Sunday off and have just Eaglehawk to contend with upon the resumption.
This is the Giraffe wishing everyone a Very Merry Christmas, a Happy new year and a successful second half of the season for the club.