Grand Final Time and we are all there nice and early along with Spectators Russell and Louise.
We lose the toss and Chutiyas put us in to bat - our preferred option. Hill and So to get proceedings underway and the bowling is tight. Good accurate medium pace all angling into the body at a difficult length. These two work the ball around but a straight hit produces a run out in the second over. The runs accumulate but then in their final So gets a half volley that is to his liking and drives straight and in the air. It is catchable height but they were all around it and its through for 7. The score is now 32 and they play out the last two balls the final jackpot ball a close call for a run out but So made his ground - 37 and its is the start we needed.
The Don and Latchford next and the bowling continues to be accurate. For this and the next pair Chutiyas have swapped out a player to allow the wily 12 or 13 old son of one of the players to bowl his tricky leg spin. He is bowling the 2nd power play over to our pair and it doesn't start well as a bit of confusion see the Don well short of his ground. Latchford replies with a well struck 4 to answer but another run out has the over contribute -3. Next over is steady and no outs - the last over after a couple of wides produces a third ball on the jackpot ball - they have to run no matter what. Latchford siezes the moment as they move the field up and scores a valuable 3 which doubles to 6. They post 24 the score now 61 on par with 30 per pair.
Vlastuin and Dowell to finish off and again tight bowling sees a wide and 5 singles in the first over. 2nd over is similar and it is the power play - Dowell gets one in the slot and drives safely for 5. The next over has the young lad bowling and Vlastuin gets down the pitch and scores a 3 to break the shackles a bit. Final over is very tight and we have managed to creep the score up to 91 - but then on the final jackpot ball its another 3rd ball - Vlastuin dabs it down and Dowell races through and the final score we set is 93.
OK we are happy with 93 on the board we just need to keep it tight and take the chances when they come. Latchfrod first and Nish Patel a left hander can bat - his partner not so but they eck out some singles off some excellent bowling from Latchford - last ball it gets through and its bowled and just what we need. So next and its the Power Play and So is a little bewildered having explained at length the issues with his left shoulder and the restrictions he has bowling. Nevertheless he has the ball in his hand and first ball bang - 7. But off the 4th ball Nish gets a bit greedy and dances down the pitch misses - The Don gloves it and effects the stumping -6. Nice work. Dowell next the third ball is a run out - can't remeber who but I think it was Hill getting it straight to him and the batsmen hesitated and it was fairly straight forward. The score is 19 after 3 and Hill takes the ball himself. First ball is hit straight back to HIll and effects the run out. Third ball is an attempted 7 and is well struck rising constantly - Dowell times his jump and at full stretch swallows it. With a 2 off the jackpot ball the score stays at 19 and it is a great start for the Cutters.
Next pair Dave D and with Vlastuin bowling we are reminded that he likes to dance down the pitch very early to try and put the bowler off. First ball goes for three but Vlastuin lands them better and restricts them to ones. A couple driven hard to the back but Latchford and Dowell are getting everything behind it. Donaldson next a five gets through but the rest are just 1's. So next with both batsmen trying to dance down the wicket So's swinging deliveries keep getting the edge of the bat but just out of reach of the gloves. Hill puts himself on to bowl the last and we haven't got this pair out yet and the score has moved on to 49. The over is tight except for one 4 but just a single off the Jackpot ball keeps the score to 58 - just three behind our score at the end of the 2nd pair - 36 for the final pair to get and it has their best batsman Neil Patel and he is a left hander.
Vlastuin first and he lands them well but a 3 and a 4 moves the score along. Latchford next and its the Power Play over with Dowell covering the back net. Neil drives one solidly to towards the back - Dowell stops it but it spills from his hand - the ball has some spin and is making its way to the net - slowly. Dowell is wanting - willing his body to move but the fact that he is 57 kicks in - everything suddenly cramps but a last desperate lunge gets his hand behind the ball with an inch to spare. Out of the corner of my eye I can see one of the Chutiya team watching closely to see that I saved it - he agreed. Next ball is hit straight to So who gets the ball back to Donaldson and hits the stumps - a critical run out worth double. The score is now 66 and Latchford concentrates on not giving the lefthanded Neil anything to hit.
The Don next and first ball Neil sttempts to hit a seven - but it hits the top net and comes straight down to Dowell who takes the catch. Next ball is driven past So on the on but is making its way towards Donaldson standing in front of the stumps. He sets himself up to tunnel the ball on to the stumps. Something he has tried all season and has never got one. Tonight was the night and it hits middle stump and it is another wicket. With the score on 72 Neil throws all caution to the wind and belts a 7 and a 4 and Dowell bowling the last over has 14 runs to defend. First ball 1 - second to Neil is leg side and then a 4. With Naren Patel on strike he plays carefully but hits it straight to Hill who gathers cleanly takes a stride and smashes the bottom of middle stump. A critical wicket. Two balls to go and they need 11 off two balls and there is that dreaded jackpot ball. Hill brings The Don out from behind the stumps and we put three up the back. Dowell bowls and has it coming into Neil's body - he makes room but can't get it right and hits it up on to the side net and goes straight to So who waits and waits for it but snares the catch. That was the wicket we needed - one ball to go and Naren on strike. Hill reminds Dowell that a 7 can win it for them - thanks cus! Making sure it is a legal ball it sticks in my hand a little and its short and fairly wide outside off - a pretty good ball to hit for 7 but Naren gets an edge and it does scores three and with the ball safely in Hills hands the game is over and we win by 6 runs.
A ripper game and a ripper win. Murray MVP 15 runs and 2 for 9 - a crucial first over and some great fielding but Latchford had better stats with 2 for 4 and 15 runs and some stellar stops up the back. So with the 7 at the critical time and solid in the field. The Don fine with the bat and his variety with the ball is ideal when the pressure is on and got that stumping. Vlastuin too had the batsmen guessing with his leggies and with Dowell was careful with the bat and ran like stink. Dowell (if I can say this myself) was busy in the field channeling our captain was circumspect with the bat and held his nerve reasonably in that last over. Bit lucky with that last ball but it was to the right batsmen.
So another Grand Final won and with the discussions afterwards - again we wondered if we would ever taste victory again. But this was a case of wiser heads prevailing and chatting to the Chutiya boys later they knew it. Oh well that was exciting and we are back there next week for another season.
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