The annual contest between Sandhurst & Bendigo United for the John Turner Memorial Shield became the contest that wasn’t.
As is unfortunately the case, the Powers that be have decided to make up rules on the run, and decide that with 3 rounds remaining to introduce new rules and policies so late in the season, denying both sides of an opportunity a chance to gain a crucial 6 points. Why a decision was made so late leaves this writer bemused.
How much thought went into this decision I am unsure, but when we were presented with identical weather conditions the following Saturday, the BDCA executive were left with little option but to abandon the round.
For this reason Man of the Match would have to have been decided at the Lake View with no standout performances of note.
The draw makes it almost impossible for Sandhurst to break their finals drought needing at a minimum two victories against the top two sides Golden Square and Strathdale.
Following on from their successful run chase against Bendigo, Sandhurst faced another crucial contest away to third placed Bendigo United. A number of injuries and unavailability’s as well an oppressive heatwave in the week leading up to play on day 1 all had to the intrigue of the match. Sandhurst fielded a side that contained Mark Holland and Dylan Gibson, but also missing several regular names including Hunter, Cloke and Stingel.
Dean Trew won the toss and with the temperature gauge expected to dip into the mid 40’s elected to bat first to prevent his team wilting in the field. This however offset the effect Mark Holland would have on the contest, as he was unavailable after 10am on the first morning. Mark Holland was sent out to open with Trewy himself with no time to waste having had the start to the game needlessly delayed by some sleepy heads in the opposition.. Facing the first ball of the day Trewy liked what he saw and dispatched it to the fence for four.
It didn’t take long for Dutchy to hook into the BUCC’s bowling attack dispatching just the fourth ball he faced to the fence for four as a clear sign of his intent. Unfortunately Trewy’s stay was all to brief falling caught and bowled to the left arm pace of Alistair Leech for 9 in the 4th over. This bought Dylan Gibson to the crease, who had agreed to double up despite the potential heat wave. Mark Holland was destroying the BUCC’s attack at the other end racing to 38no from just 20 balls faced including 24 from one Leech over that read dot, 4,4,4, 4+nb, 6 and then a single off the last ball to farm the strike as all good batsmen learn to do.
Aided mainly by Dutchy Sandhurst had amassed 78 from just 10 overs when there was a sudden retirement but not the one all had been expecting. It was the ball which had been belted into submission and could take no more had to retire hurt with a busted seam. Where in the rules this allows the fielding side to whip out a new ball I’m not sure but apparently it’s in there somewhere.
Dutchy surpassed his half century from just 28 deliveries and with time up was caught by a well taken catch at deep mid-wicket for 60 from 38 balls including eight fours and one six and leaving Sandhurst in a position of strength at 2 for 87 in the 12th over Apparently Dutchy’s innings didn’t impress everybody as he copped a fearful send off on his way off the ground.
Dylan and Drapes then set about consolidating Sandhurst’s position with close to 40 overs left to bat Sandhurst were eyeing off a score up to 250 and beyond. Drapes and Dylan dealt with all the BUCC’s experienced bowling line up could dish up progressing to 2 for 132 at the half way stage. Draper was his usual free-scoring self moving to 43 amongst a 64 run 3rd wicket stand before his dismissal to Rod Doak in the 29th over sparked a middle order collapse.
Dylan who had battled hard in tough conditions fell caught and bowled to Shane Cox and when Trav Russell fell without further addition and Matt Felini was dismissed LBW for 5 Sandhurst had lost 4 for 6 in three overs. Sandhurst’s innings slipped another banana peel when Marty Mcdonnell was bowled for 1 to turn 2 for 151 in the 29th over into 7 for 159 in the 34th. All of a sudden 250 plus was looking more like 180 tops. Being 7 wickets down with still 15 overs to go and being forced into the field would have been disastrous for the Dragons so it required a rear guard action to right the ship.
The experience and cool heads of Derek Robertson and Craig “Sammy” Moyle in his return innings for the club stepped up to the plate and added 33 for the 8th wicket before Derek was bowled for a valuable 14. Craig Moyle obviously well acclimatised from a spell in the “old dart” Sammy Moyle controlled the remainder of the innings with an unbeaten 31 to boost Sandhurst’s final total to 9 for 217 from 50 overs.
Week Two rolled around, and again the cricketers were faced by forecasts of forty plus degrees yet with such an important contest both teams were desperate to obtain a result. Sandhurst was missing Stingel, Hunter and Cloke from it’s bowling attack which gave Courtney Cornell the opportunity to take the new ball and Courtney was rewarded early on with the prize scalp of Macumber strangled down the leg side for four in the fourth over. This sparked a heated confrontation between outgoing batsman and opposition which I say was poorly handled by the officiating umpire. Matt Felini had started superbly from the other end conceding just 11 from the first 5 overs of his spell.
BUCC’s consolidated after the early wicket as Jake Donegan and Clint Prime batted sensibly to add 68 for the 2nd wicket before a loose stroke from Prime was snaffled by Trewy at mid wicket. Dylan Gibson was immediately introduced into the attack and held the key to either sides chances of victory. Dylan was on the spot from ball one but was unable to get the wickets Sandhurst had lost in the middle stages of their innings. Conversely Mark Holland who came into the attack immediately drew a false stroke from the dangerous Jake Donegan who was sharply caught by Tim Knapman at extra cover.
Unfortunately Sandhurst were unable to strike any further blows until it became too little too late when Dylan Gibson had Shane Cox dismissed for 46 with the total on 201 in the 41st over. Mark Holland bought the crowd to their feet with a spectacular catch in the outfield to remove Adrian Carr with the total on 208 from the bowling of Trewy. Trewy was again successful in setting the trap for Andrew Sell who picked out Matt Felini in the deep to provide Sandhurst’s 6th wicket. Tim Knapman chimed in with another consolation wicket but it was too little for the Dragons as some late order hitting once the pressure was off gave BUCC’s a total of 7 for 265 from 50 overs.
One final incident involved an 8 ball over in the 49th over of the innings. Fortunately common sense prevailed and the two scorers were not sited for disputing the umpires decision despite some elaborate stories to the contrary from Mr Dole and Mr Prowse.
Tim Knapman 2/60 and Dean Trew 1/36 the multiple wicket takers whilst Courtney Cornell 1/31 and Dylan Gibson 1/28 from 10 the most economical.
The Loss is a big blow for the Dragons who must regroup against Golden Square in another must win contest. Man of the Match for his explosive beginning to the match was Mark Holland.
Finally the Giraffe has learned he developed a cult like status internationally, so here’s a shout to my fans internationally particularly the mighty Camels, Sandhurst CC in the UK. Good job boys. Go Sandhurst.