The Match Summary - In long hand.
This was Grand Final night and there was a quiet confidence about the Cutters prior to the match as we watched the exciting last overs of the Div 1 Grand Final.
The toss was lost and the Doos’ put us in. Dowell and So were sent in for the first two overs accumulated runs at the minimal rate of 1 per ball. By half way through the third over they were 22 and looked set to accumulate a tidy 30. But a couple of run outs and a second last ball wicket saw them finish at 18 – not quite the start we were after.
Enter Hill and Perry and from the first ball these boys got in to stride. Playing sensibly and confidently with good well placed cricket shots they soon had 26 or so off two overs. With no outs the captain and his deputy had righted the ship with a classy 38.
Enter the finishers Rock and Vlastuin – Rock striking the ball well was caught with some flukey flick of the wrist run outs. Vlastuin did his usual grafting of runs and scampering between wickets but with the runs ebbing and flowing in the high 60’s Vlastuin struck a second last ball seven, just missing the jug signand a perfectly struck off drive, to push the score to the final 80.
It was a score that was defendable now to keep the Doo’s big hitters quiet. Dowell was given the opening over and bowling to one of the best batsmen Andy was pleased to see a defensive push off his legs for a possible one, but So pounced cat like on the ball and in a clean pick up and throw hit the stumps – first ball wicket and -6 – the dream start. Hill followed keeping the runs down followed by So – and while the runs were accumulating the fives and sevens that plagued us in the semi final were kept at bay. Perry bowling the fourth over managed several dot balls to keep the dangerous Andy off strike for all of the last over. 27 for the first pair and a reasonable start.
Their second pair though were not noted for big hitting or their speed between wickets and they were under pressure to give the final pair something to aim at. Vlastuin and So bowled next and run outs were made and catches were hit and taken and the tension was building. Rock was given the 7th over and it was telling. Three wickets and some great fielding by So and Vlastuin and at the end of the over Rock 3 for -7.
Perry bowled the 8th over and was tidy and the second pair had only added 5 – the total only 32 – 49 for the last pair to get – with some tight bowling we should win – but its not over until its over.
The captain decided Dowell first and Hill last with Vlastuin and Rock in between.
Again avoiding the double bonus ball Dowell kept that to 2 and with some further deliveries nothing was getting away. But in a lapse of concentration Dowell banged one in too short and wide and full toll was taken 7 runs and the confidence boost for the Doo’s that maybe they could do it. Fortunately through some great keeping by Rock a wicket followed the next ball to negate the 7 a little but 11 had been taken off that over. Valstuin was next and some lusty hitting and some uncharacteristic misses in the field saw another 15 accumulated. 23 to get and Rock is bowling. Another tight over from the bearded lad left Hill to defend 13 for the tie which would have been won on skins to the Doo’s.
Second ball and a classic toe crushing Yorker from Hill dug out just by the batsman left the ball just in front of the stumps. Rock pouncing on it ignored the stumps at his end and threw to bowlers stumps – out! – a brilliant effort and crucial bit of cool thinking by the veteran keeper. Next ball another lusty hit, but hitting the side net and back net Perry calmly put himself in position, catch taken and it was beyond reach. Bowling an uncharacteristic leg side no ball was a reminder to finish it off but following a last ball seven the y feel 5 runs short and a great victory to The Cutters.
A great team effort – man of the match So for three or four run outs great catching and some telling stops together with 15 with the bat and some canny bowling was well deserved; the captain Perry for a solid 20 with the bat, frugal bowling and his typical coverage of the back net; Hill also excellent with the bat, and great bowling as always in the pressure cooker of the final over; Rock, unlucky with the bat but a telling two overs and as always the Cutters secret weapon behind the stumps; Vlastuin for his scampering runs, the timely 7 and some great fielding and then Dowell – well he made three but made up for it with a lot of cheering and beer drinking.
Fantastic game lads – roll on to the next one I say!
