Sunday Dec 21 2014 vs Gihan

Spoon Avoided....Just. Cutters vs Randoms Oct 16 2014. The Don takes one for the team.

A loss would have seen The Cutters finish at the bottom of the ladder, an unfamiliar honour.
Our reporter is Mark Dowell.

Final game for the season and with the inaugural Captain attending, the finals are lost but pride is on the line for the Cutters as we need a win to guarantee we don't collect the wooden spoon. We lose the toss and we are having a bowl and Dowell receives the shiny new pill. It works a treat - 2 wickets and they are -4 after an over. They scratch out some runs off the Latchford over but the Perry over produces a run out from Dowell and a regulation stumping from Rock. With only 5 on the board Hill is on and the left handed Alex is intent on getting some big runs. Hill puts one full outside off and Alex winds up and smash and its straight into The Don's face and he is down and it is nasty. Fortunately his glasses didn't smash but it was quite a blow just above the eye and he is retired from the game and attended to by Mick and Russ.

The game resumes the ball is re-bowled and its exactly the same and smash it wizzes past Dowell now in the silly mid off position. After all the drama they end up posting just 15 for the first pair - a good result for the Cutters but now we only have five in the field. The Don is recovering.

Next pair are intent on taking advantage of the gap in the field - in particular Shane who hits the ball hard and facing Rock, Dowell, Perry and Hill they manage to compile a handy 39 bringing the score up to 54.

The final pair has the capable Josh - very quick with the ball and pretty handy with the bat and facing Rock first he is caught first ball - its a good omen. They go back into their shell just milking the twos with Dowell back saving the 4's, 5's and 7's but we snare another wicket in the Latchford over. Last two overs and they chose Dowell and Rock to bowl. Dowell gets spanked for a 7 but Perry takes a brilliant low catch the next ball. The score now is 75 and they press off the Rock over for big runs but three catches - two by Rock himself peg the score at 77. That is gettable.

Perry and Hill to start and they are being careful - lots of ones but also not having to hit much as they bowl 5 no balls in the first two overs - we'll take em. The pacey Josh - who is still steaming after scoring just one with the bat - and also lucky not to lose three more runs for bat abuse - bowls fast - but two wides to start is handy. He does get a wicket off his last ball but Perry and Hill are solid. They face the left arm Alex for their last and deal with his awkward inswingers well and post 25 to start.

Dowell and Rock next and are facing the fairly straight forward nude balls from Luke. After seeing the first ball Dowell decides that we need to get after him and drives uppishly but is caught - just at the back. Rock follows up with a 5 but then we have another run out. Final ball Dowell gets the angles right and gets the handy 7 - but after a lot of running and belting of the ball they have just 8. Next they face Steve the captain who from memory puts some work on the ball and Rock and Dowell play him carefully but also getting a three and a four away. Next the pacey Shane and a couple more fours are scored but also a wicket is taken and these two have posted 28 after three . Final over sees Dowell hit another 7 and they end up posting 37 and the score is 62 - just 16 to get for Latchford and a partner - they pick the HIll boy.

Nasty total 16 as you know you should get it but if you play too carefully you can get yourself into trouble. 1st two balls two wickets - not the best start and the Randoms are getting a bit arced up.But the rest of the over is steady with 2's and ones. Next over from Chris has four no balls- one of which Hill steals a run and with a final ball 4 from Latchford we are on 77 and have two overs to go. Second last over is Josh and he is clearly frustrated with the game and tears in and bowls fast - Latchford handles the first ball well. Then he bowls a wide and then a pointless bouncer to Hill to gift us two more runs and the score is now 82. Two dot balls brings up a third ball situation facing the left arm Alex for the last. First ball is caught and then the second ball is a confusing run out and suddenly the score is back to 76. They knuckle down these two and score ones carefully until they reach 79 and then Latchford facing the last ball plays an orthodox defence shot - no run and we win by 2.

A good win considering we were down to 5 pretty early - off to the bar to celebrate a rare win and then Rock and Dowell team to get the Don home. That's it for this season - on to the next season starting in three weeks.

Thursday,16 May 2014 vs Awinwouldbegood

Report by Mark Dowell

The oldest side hey - collectively all felt the sting of that comment and all but the youngest of the side were moving freely in the field - the Captain with a neck issue.

Lost the toss and 'Awinwouldbegood' decided to put us in. Welcoming the Don back to the fold Dowell hogged the strike facing 16 of the 24 balls - this was aided by a bowler reminiscent of Alan 'Froggy' Thompson bowling off the front foot who was unable to control his late moving inswingers and bowled 4 leg sides in a row to Dowell. They managed a reasonable 29 and it was Perry and Hill to bat. As was the case for Dowell and the Don the bowling was sharp and Perry and Hill ground it out taking no chances and posted a steady 34 with no outs. Rock and Vlastuin back in their usual spot and the bowling dictated that they be circumspect. 2nd over though Rock gets a lovely long hop and hits it too well and straight for 7 that bounces back and the run out was easily effected. Not deterred he made sure of the next one which just missed the free jug. A couple of outs in the last over by their sharpest bowler Aiden had them post 24 and we have 87 defendable runs on the board.

Dowell has the first over and is bowling to Aiden - who we suspect can play and Dean. Dowell bowls a careful over but they dig out 10 steady runs. Perry next and he is restricted with his neck issue and while there are no big scores another 11 is added. Rock is given the ball and another tidy over with another 9 added - we need a wicket to stem the runs as they have 30 already. Hill for the power play final over and after a couple of singles a four and then a 7 - they post a solid 45 but it aint over until its over. 

Vlastuin is first to the second pair and one of them has an awkward stance which suggests he may be suspect but it his more orthodox partner who struggles and finally we snare our first wicket off a delightfully pitched ball from Vlastuin and Rock effects the stumping. Next is the Don and after a 5 attempts two sevens which are swallowed by Perry at the back. Vlastuin again and following another catch by Perry they manage a 7 and a 4 and the score has got to 66. Rock for the last over and 2nd ball in Gary goes for another big hit and is caught this time by Dowell. Following that Rock gets one straight back to him and he effects the run out. Another 7 is hit but for the last ball another Perry catch and they post 22 and the final pair need 21 for the win.

In come Glen and James and they are not the most athletic looking blokes in the team and maybe a bit suspect in batting ability. Perry first and creates a third ball situation early after which they hit a catch and they manage only 1 off his over. Dowell next and again creates a third ball but they get 2 - final ball though swings away nicely and Rock snares the catch and only 1 off that over - its looking a bit daunting to get 19 runs with 2 overs to go. The Don next and they can't cope with his flight and snares another wicket - another great catch from Perry and after adding only 2 they need 17 off a final over from Hill - we are feeling confident but you never know in this game and it is the power play. Hill pounds in and they chance their arm and get three twos but 2 run outs stem the tide and after adding only another 1 we win by 15 runs.

A solid victory with everyone contributing - Perry MVP for some great catching, 20 runs and 1/12. Having Russ there always spurs us on and he had the beers organised promptly. I agree - 'most experienced' is more correct than 'mature' given the on field and off field antics at times.

Wednesday May 7th 2014. Bean Flickers

Match Report. By Mark Dowell.

Just 5 of us - but 5 is all we need - no recruiting of arbitrary players - 5 champion players who know each others strengths and weaknesses is better than 5 plus who knows? Rock wins the toss and we are batting and sends Hill and Dowell in. Off to a steady start although Dowell tries to force one and is caught. The 2nd and third overs are wicketless and the runs accumulate and the score is a tidy 23. But the last over sees Dowell have a complete brain fade as he receives three identical balls - short of a length and temptingly hittable but not - and after being caught off the first one gets run out off the next two he faces. Hill had played cautiously only to watch his cousin throw it away. They finish with only 17 and Dowell chucks a hissy fit the likes of which he hasn't done for a year or two with major explitives. Hill tries to calm him but Dowell is right - four outs - all completely avoidable is unacceptable. (Its all a bit weird reporting about myself in third person but it keeps in context - I think) Anyway Dowell is left to sulk which he does for a couple of overs.

In go Rock and Latchford and they get off to a reasonable start but some tight bowling and three wickets in the last over see them add just another 18 and the total is 35. Vlastuin to bat with whoever they pick and they pick Latchford to have another crack. Third ball of the first over and Vlastuin gets something he likes and dispatches it tidily for 7 - handy. An out off the last ball of this over is a little disappointing but that was to be the last wicket for the innings. The next three overs sees this pair grafting runs and rotating the strike sensibly and with no further outs add a very tidy 39 - Vlastuin 25 -  bringing the score up to 74 which is competitive. 

Dowell has the first over and Hill debates whether to have 2 back or 2 up the front. 2 up the front to start and we will see how we go. First ball out - great take by Rock behind the stumps to a faint nick. Next ball is rifled towards the back net but Dowell plucks it one handed on his follow through - fourth ball gets through and Rock effects the stumping - 'imperious' as Paul Sheahan would oft say. Its a good start as they are just -3. Latchford next and one does get through to the back net but another goes straight into Dowell's hands who is covering the back. Hill bowls himself and they are not handling him well - producing a third ball situation. Don't get the wicket but after this over they have only 13 on the board. Hill decides to give Dowell another go - the intent to restrict them. No wickets and 8 runs is not ideal and they finish on 21.

Rock to bowl first to the next pair and delivering a tempter the batsman has a crack but manages to hit it straight back to Rock who says 'thank you very much' and that is out. This is followed by a dot ball and another catch is taken - I think by Dowell. The over finishes with them only making -1. Next Vlastuin and the runs are coming slowly and then one gets through and Rock effects another stumping. This is followed by an attempted hit to the back but Dowell (channeling Perry) fields cleanly and effects the run out. This over sees the score slip back to 18 and we can sniff a victory. Next Latchford and some leg sides and a couple of two's then through he gets to Rock and another stumping taken. Hill decides to bowl himself a couple more wickets would be just the ticket. First ball is hit to Dowell who can't miss the stumps - out. A four is scored off the third ball but then a dolly catch to Vlastuin is very helpful and then the final ball gets through to Rock and yet another stumping and this pair have added 0. But beware batsmen batting with freedom even if they have to score 54 for victory.

Vlastuin first and the second ball is hit to Dowell down back and he effects the run out again. Next ball is a dolly catch to Latchford up front and the feeling is we are home. Rock next and a few runs are scored and then they need to pick two bowlers and its Latchford and Rock. A 7 is scored but another run out is effected by Dowell and they have 31 to get off the final Rock over. A first ball seven indicates their intent but Rock cramps them for room and they can only score twos and the victory is secured. A wonderful team effort again with everyone making a critical contribution. Vlastuin (MVP with 25 and 4/-1) and Latchford for posting a score, Hills bowling as always and captaincy, Rocks brilliance behind the stumps and canny bowling under pressure and Dowell after making a mess of the batting redeemed himself with solid bowling and a Perry like performance covering the back net. Love that sort of a game - Go Cutters!

Thursday, March 6th 2014. Premiership Number 6. But not in the way we might have expected.

Seems just when you think that you have seen it all, well, you haven't.
The Cutters had a great season, losing only one game in the home and away series to a team that we were ultimately to face in the Grand Final.
This was a game that we lost, but in the words of Gloria Clemente, from "White Men Can't Jump"....

Sometimes when you win, you really lose, and sometimes when you lose, you really win.

That's how it turned out. Due to a procedural matter, we were awarded the premiership. Fortunately we had had our photo taken on the night, and fortunately we had the appearance of a team that had just won its sixth premiership.

Second Semi Final vs Hurricanes, Thursday Feb 26 2014

Match Report vs The Hurricanes....by M.W.Dowell

Its Finals time - best time of the season and the expectations are high coming of a near undefeated home and away season. But these are the games that count the most and we need to perform.

All but the Don are there early to watch end of the first semi final - Jims Class Heroes through to the Prelim and we take the field to warm up.

The toss was lost and we are having a bowl. Dowell to open and he sprays the ball everywhere - 4 wides a dot and a one - the Captain encouraging saying it was only 9 runs - but not the pressure requires. Vlastuin and Rock follow - still not a wicket and another 18 runs. The Don is given the fourth over and after a bit of a mixed bag and some rebowls at the end we snare our first wicket - but a solid start of 36 for The Hurricanes.

Next pair face Perry first and with a couple of dots in this over Perry is troubling these batsmen. Vlastuin next and with some indecison from the batsmen an easy run out is secured. This is followed by one thats get through Jarrod's suspect defence for a bowled. The Hill boy next and he does come steaming in and Jarrod's a bit uncomfortable - bowled, run out and then stumped - lovely work by Rock and after a 3 for -5 fro,m Hill this pair have only added 2. Rock to bowl the last over and with a run out last ball the pair have only added 6 bringing the total to 42.

Dowell bowls first to the last pair and carrying a calf injury sustained in the first over he is on target a little better - a run out off the fifth ball stalls progress for The Hurricanes. The Don and Perry follow and while no wickets there a plenty of dots and ones. The Hill boy steaming in again and this pair are uncomfortable - another stumping by Rock and 1's and dots and they finish by adding 23 and the total we are chasing is 65.

Dowell and the Don open and they are circumspect - no need to do anything too risky. Dowell does get one to drive but its along the ground for 5 and after three overs they have reached a wicketless 28. Facing their captain Jack Rust they are reminded how he can really fizz the ball and turn it sharply. After picking up a couple of twos Dowell gets a floating fizzer - last week he went down the pitch and hit it for 7 - this week he opts for playing back but gets tangled and it bounces off his body on to the stumps. The Don facing the last ball is careful but gets an edge that lobs in the air and with the two last over wickets post just 28 - a solid enough start chasing 65.

Perry and Hill and their approach is clear - no risk batting. And indeed in a final that is a quality approach - a chanceless, wicketless innings of ones and twos - also a good smattering of wides and they add a lazy 35 bringing the score up to 63.

Rock and Vlastuin to get us over the line and Rock is also circumspect as he pushes for 2's off the net. Vlastuin supports him well rotating the strike and after three overs they have the score at 83 and just need to see off the last over from Jack Rust to secure the victory. Jack was spinning the ball like a top and Vlastuin decided to shut up shop. They got one stumping which was only their fourth wicket for the match in this final over and we finish at 82.

A solid team effort getting the job done - Hill MVP with 15 runs and a match breaking 4 for -5. The beer was good and we will face either Jims Class Heroes or The Hurricanes again in the Grand Final - have a feeling it will be Jims Class Heroes.