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.
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