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!