Round #9 Vs Strathfieldsaye
09/01/2010
Round # 9 Giraffe Report Vs Strathfieldsaye 09/01/2010
First XI @ Tannery Lane Strathfieldsaye
It barely seemed as if the cricket action had stopped over Christmas despite a two week break from home and away action with Sandhurst involved in two 20-20 fixtures. The boys had a win over Bendigo in the Ron Slattery Memorial Trophy match and defeat at the hands of Strathdale in Round 4 of the BDCA 20-20 competition by 16 runs. Sandhurst had won a crucial “12 point game” against Kangaroo Flat at Dower Park leading into the Christmas break and needed to follow that win with victory over Strathfieldsaye Jets to retain their spot in the four.
Terry & “Jonah” had some options at the selection table with seven players unavailable for afternoon cricket in Round 8, now available for Round 9’s one day fixture. Mark Holland and Mark Keck were included with Travis Crouch and Tom Wilson dropping back to the seconds. In the lead up to the weekends cricket there had been speculation with temperatures forecast to be around 40 degrees the round may be abandoned or rescheduled. This would not eventuate as play proceeded as normal at 12.30pm.
Strathfieldsaye won the toss and elected to bat in the oppressive heat. Sandhurst were gifted a bonus wicket in just the second over when Cory Devanny was run out by Matt Pask for 1. In his second over Quinton Bentley claimed the wicket of Liam Smith caught behind by Scullie from the bowling of Quinton Bentley to reduce the Jets to 2/7 from 4 overs. This contest appeared to be heading down a familiar path as earlier in the season at the same venue Sandhurst had made the most of the “new pill” and reduced Strath to 4 for 9 before a recovery was launched allowing Strath to post 200+ before rain and a wet wicket meant the contest ended in a draw without Sandhurst facing a ball.
Sandhurst would again be presented with opportunities to improve their position in the game and gain the key wickets of Gunn and Wood, unfortunately as had been creeping into the Dragons play of late, grasped catching opportunities would come back to haunt them. Gunn and Wood added 127 runs for the 3rd wicket before Pasky pounced for his second run out of the innings to dismiss Wood for 50.
Justin Hancock then claimed the key scalp of Ben Gunn caught by Anthony West for 86. With 10 overs remaining and 6 wickets in hand Gunn and Wood had set Strathfieldsaye up for a late innings onslaught and despite the occasional wicket (Tim Robertson chiming in with two and Mark Keck one) Strathfieldsaye were able to pick 75 from the final ten overs and post a more than competitive 7/220 from 45 overs. Tim Robertson 2/47 was the only multiple wicket taker with Quinton Bentley 1/18 from 9 overs the pick of the bowlers.
Still Sandhurst’s batsmen had done the job under pressure in a run chase leading into the Christmas break and would be required again to claim the six points for the Dragons. One of the stars for the Dragons in their previous run chase, Brett Polson with stroke play rarely seen in Bendigo would again be required in just his second innings for the Dragons get the side off to a good start. In a sign of things to come for the Dragons, after one boundary Brett Polson was adjudged caught behind off the bowling of Daniel Francis. Questions remain as to whether it was a bump ball?
Sandhurst’s top order was further decimated in the 14th over when Anthony West and Tim Robertson became Daniel Francis’ second and third victims in consecutive deliveries. Mark Holland then joined Nick Scullie at the crease and the pair begun to resurrect the Dragon reply before “Dutchy” chased a wide delivery only managing to edge that through to the keeper for 25. Sandhurst were now up against it, with a run rate required already in excess of six runs per over.
Unfortunately the cumulative effect of 45 overs in the scorching heat and the heat being applied by Strathfieldsaye with the ball and in the field both became too much. After the removal of Brenton Jones run out for 2, the remainder of the innings saw a ballooning of the required run rate amidst a constant fall of wickets. Having seen a procession of wickets at the other end Nick Scullie was able to add 31 for the final wicket with Justin Hancock before the 3rd run out of the innings ended the match with Scullie 76no and Sandhurst dismissed for 172 in the 43rd over.
Match Summary: Strathfieldsaye 7/220 (T Robertson 2/47, Q Bentley 1/18) defeated Sandhurst 172 (N Scullie 76no, M Holland 25) by 48 runs.
The Key: Dropped catches, would again prove very costly in terms of the result and their finals prospects for the season.
Man of The Match: A Choice in two between the Dragons best bowler Quinton Bentley 1/18 and standout batsman Nick Scullie 76no. Quinton Bentley narrowly got the nod. As a side note Sandhurst also finished their BDCA 20-20 campaign this week with 2 wins and 2 losses. Quinton Bentley was the Dragons standout player of the tournament with 11 wickets for 77 from 15 overs.
Second XI @ Weeroona Oval
Sandhurst Second XI was languishing down in eighth position at the Christmas break and three wins outside the top four. It was therefore a welcome change when they were able to bring Travis Crouch, Andy Sheehan, Scott Harper, Tom Wilson and Elias Bowe into the side that had played in round 8. Sandhurst’s batting had been its achillies heel in the opening eight rounds so it would no doubt have the blow-torch applied with Alex having won the toss and batting first in very hot conditions.
Openers Crouch and Gibson enjoyed a good record against Strathfieldsaye and the pair again got Sandhurst off to a flying start, bringing up a 50 run partnership in just the 10th over. Trav Crouch had 5 fours in an innings of 38 before he was caught in gully off the bowling of Matt Rice in the 15th over. Dylan Gibson followed in identical circumstances the following over caught in gully by Millard for 25.
This bought the experienced Andy Sheehan and Simon Turnbull to the crease, unfortunately for the Dragons Simon Turnbull’s run of outs continued when he was caught behind for 5 in the 19th over. Craig Burn joined the party out in the middle and along with Sheehan added a brisk 48 for the fourth wicket before “Chooka” gloved one through to the keeper for 15.
Andy well and truly had his eye in, and in a perfect tune up for future first XI duties sent deliveries onto the fire-track (Fortunately there was no CFA Trials this week) or the Firey’s may have been calling for Helmets. In only his second game for a couple of months Andrew begun to tire but refused to throw his innings away and paced the innings to perfection to bring up his century from the second ball of the 45th and final over adding an unbeaten 89 for the 5th wicket with Alex Trump (22no) as Sandhurst posted 4/234. Andy’s chanceless innings contained ten four’s and three sixes.
If Sandhurst were able to bowl, field and take their catches like they had for the majority of the season they would prove difficult to beat. Scott Harper became Trumpy’s new ball partner and picked up the key wicket of Millard LBW in his third over to have Strath 1/22 after six. Sandhurst’s usual impeccable line and length bowling was slightly amiss, leaking more runs than they would have liked trying too hard to attack the stumps. Strathfieldsaye were then able to build a solid 2nd wicket partnership before Tom Wilson’s aggression finally paid off beating Nick Hyden with a full straight delivery trapping him dead in front for 21 and cutting a promising innings dead in it’s tracks.
Ever so slightly the run rate required was increasing to the stage where with 20 overs gone Strathfieldsaye required a run a ball with 8 wickets in hand. Alex Trump after a brief opening spell re-introduced himself in the 22nd over with immediate effect, claiming Boromeo caught by Wilson to provide Sandhurst their third wicket.
This would spark an almighty collapse that had to be seen to be believed. With a plethora of bowling options, Trumpy appeared spoilt for choice, the added pressure bought about opener Jamie Carboon’s downfall with Andy Sheehans accurate throw from mid-off catching Carboon short. Kristian Rogers who could be very dangerous with the bat had a short stay, caught behind off Trump for 1, Matt Rice fell the same way three balls later in the same over and when skipper Trump dived low to his left and took a ripping one handed catch to dismiss opposing skipper Hansen for 1 Strathfieldsaye’s hopes appeared gone with him.
Alex Trump picked up a fourth wicket with a catch been lobbed to Dylan Gibson, and when Leigh Mc completed a stumping for his third dismissal of the match followed by Dylan Gibson wrapping up the innings with just his third delivery. In All Strathfieldsaye had lost their final 8 wickets for just 14 runs as they were rolled for 99 in the 30th over and handing Sandhurst a massive 135 run victory. Of the bowlers Alex Trump 4/16 from 7 overs had the figures, but Tim Mcglone 2/18 from 6 overs. Of note was Sandhurst gifting the Jets nearly a quarter of their total with 21 extras including 16 wides.
Match Summary: Sandhurst 4/234 (Sheehan 102no, Crouch 38) defeated Strathfieldsaye 99 (Trump 4/16, Mcglone 2/18) by 135 runs.
The Key: Andy Sheehan who’s 102no was a masterful innings outscoring the entire Strathfieldsaye team. The collapse of 8 for 14 was also unforseen and bought a premature closure to the contest.
Man Of The Match: As above, Andrew Sheehan’s run a ball century set the tone for the game and along with a run out earned him a well deserved Man of the Match award.
Third XI @ Tannery Lane
Sandhurst already enjoyed one narrow victory over Strathfieldsaye this season in the 3s and with the side strengthened by the inclusion of Pat Brophy, Traviss Russell and Will Horan, the pressure on those playing increased in the knowledge that there were six blokes missing out on a game, hungry to take a spot in the side. Dean Trew was again successful in winning the toss and sending Strathfieldsaye into bat.
Dave Hunter had a regulation first over which included the mandatory no ball and as has been the way lately a wicket picking up Mark Nilon bowled for 4. Some sharp work from Matt Felini off his own bowling ran out Matt Cameron after a race to the ball and the strikers end. Traviss Russel claimed a wicket with just his second ball of the spell clean bowling Wayne Tobin. Dave Hunter had a phenomenal end to his spell with 2 for 0 from his final 2 overs to reduce the Jets to 5 for 28 after 10.
Unfortunately for the Dragons, they were unable to keep the foot on the throat, as Strathfieldsaye were able to rebuild and scramble their way to a defendable target. Will Horan and Matt Felini were able to slow things down briefly with late innings wickets as Strathfieldsaye posted 8/101 from 25 overs.
“Trew Squared” as they now wish to be known opened up for the Dragons and survived through to the fourth over before Glenn Trew became the first LBW of the match with the total on 12. Pat Brophy came to the crease in the unaccustomed position of number 3 but it wasn’t long before he saw his partner “Brother Dean” disappear back to the pavilion bowled Montgomery for 10.
Leigh Draper, had been in solid form with the bat this season, but his sloppy work with the gloves was backed up by an innings at which he took time to settle, got himself bogged down then threw his wicket away all in the space of six runs. When Matt Felini followed in the next over Sandhurst were in some bother at 4 for 51 from 15 overs.
Pat Brophy was joined by Will Horan and the pair were finding the boundary often enough to keep Sandhurst in the contest until Pat was bowled for 31. With new batsmen coming and going and the temperature rising Sandhurst were reliant on loose balls to find the fence but batting a man short due to a mix up at the selectors table. Sandhurst found themselves to 7 for 75 with only 2 wickets in hand the task was always just out of reach Sandhurst finished their 25 overs 6 runs short at 7 for 95 with Will Horan 28no.
Match Summary: Strathfieldsaye 8/101 (D Hunter 3/13 T Russell 1/10) defeated Sandhurst 7/95 (Brophy 31, Horan 28) by 6 runs
The Key: Sandhurst for all their perceived batting depth, batted poorly and cost themselves a key 6 points. A combination of wickets at the wrong time and a total of 19 runs between the core group of batsmen (Trew Squared, Draper and Felini) left Sandhurst six runs short.
Man of The Match: Patrick Brophy was the standout batsman of the match with 31 and along with 2 catches got him the nod just ahead of Will Horan 1 wicket and 28, and Dave Hunter’s 3/13 for man of the match.
Goat Of The Round: Consider yourself lucky readers, we’re going to squeeze in two more goat of the round nominations. Number 1 – Goes straight to the top this week, Terry Scullie as coach and chairman of selectors, who despite having to deny at least half a dozen individuals a game managed to select a player who was approximately 2000km’s away in the Northern Territory and was always unlikely to take his spot in the batting line up.
Goat of the Round 2 from the same game, skipper Dean Trew also rates a mention for a second consecutive one day game failing to bowl strike bowler Matt Felini for his full quota of overs, Matt’s fairly fit and I am sure a 5 over spell isn’t too strenuous on his ageing legs. He also made an average nomination in Clinton Botham for goat of the round. Sorry Deano, you need to touch up on the goat of the round nomination procedures manual.
Thanks Boys, Keep "Goating It Up"
The Road Ahead: Sandhurst face Strathdale Maristians desperately needing to recoup lost points from Round 9 in the battle for the unofficial “Prowse Cup”. The firsts and thirds play at Bell Oval whilst the seconds somehow have a 6th consecutive fixture at Weeroona Oval.
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