Tasmania University Cricket Club
Scores and Reports
Season 2003/04
Third Grade
Round 11 v. North Hobart
Played at Fergusson Park, 8th./15th. February 2004.
(Toss won by : University)
Matt Green 4-15 Andrew Kibbey 2-14 and Sam Lambert 3-15 Ben Harrison 2-15 Andrew Kibbey 2-24 |
Matty Lister 50* Matthew Street 39 Matt Green 37 Ben Hickey 27 Tim Steven 21 |
(DAY 1). Arriving at Pontville after hearing some of the reports from Second Grade players of the pitch conditions from the previous day, one could have thought we could have had our work cut out for us. However, the stand in third grade skipper for this round has seen his fair share of this ground over the years and decided to try and win the toss - have a bowl and hopefully utilise whatever advantage to the bowlers there may have been in the track. He won the toss and bowled. The skipper had announced prior to the game in the absence of some of the regular bowlers this round most people who may not have had great opportunities with the ball would get their shot today. North Hobart's openers didn't look all that confident and tight bowling in good areas by Stu Alexander and Scott Nichols saw the first wicket produced in the 6th over Scotty getting through the defence - North 1-9. At the end of that over Scotty spoke to the skipper and asked for a spell complaining of soreness in his bowling stride and with Kibs back from the two's but having just arrived late due to a previous commitment the skipper decided to back himself and take the ball at the other end. Stu and the skipper bowled in tandem for the next 6 overs for only 3 runs added and Stu found the edge of the bat through to Hicks in the fifth of those six overs - North 2/10. With the temperature rising Stu took his spell which introduced Kibs who immediately struck gold with a wicket with his 5th ball - North 3/17. The tight bowling continued ... the skipper surprising many with his accuracy decided on a change up in his seventh over and came off his short run. Hicks seizing an opportunity didn't let the old boy down as he found the edge - North 4/23 after 20 overs. With the brakes massively on the skipper took a spell after stepping up to the plate in Rocket's absence finishing with 8-4-5-1 - maybe there's life in the old fella yet! A true change of pace was found when Sam Lambert grabbed his chance and bowled tightly through his spell and "The Crazy Horse Kibbey" could not be kept out of the game finding a snare for Matty Lister in gully 5/23 and then grabbing his own snare to get Sam Lambert his first pole 6/43 after some small rearguard from young North bat Sasha Adams. Time to rest came for the hard toilers and Stevo got his chance and bowled well without luck with a number of balls missing edges and going in the air but to gaps. By this stage North had pushed into the sixties but the old man had an ace yet to play.... new kid on the block Matthew Green had impressed the skipper when bowling to him in the nets by bowling consistently at the pegs and after throwing him the pill Matthew paid him back by taking the next 4 wickets bowling in tandem with the new "Al Downie" Matt Lister. 7/71 became 8/71 quickly before the lunch break and then shortly after lunch 9/71 with Greeny on a hat trick. The skipper called all fieldsmen into catching positions but Matt was denied the perfect bowling debut but won out eventually taking the points from the battling Adams - last man out for 24 - North Hobart all out 79. Special mention should go to Matthew Street for his fielding which was lively and skilful all day. Given the heat and Hicks' late finish at work the night before - Scotty Nichols was asked to open with Streety who had impressed opening last match on a tough deck at KGV. Scotty got what could only be described as one of those bad ones, but to his credit accepted the umpires decision 1-7. Stevo got his chance at 3 and batted aggressively with good stroke play but became a little impatient at 21 and lost his wicket 2-40. With Hicks feeling a little fresher he joined Streety who started to score more freely and at the drinks break we set ourselves to get the runs that night and not be caught out by the weather again. Streety and Hicks got us past the total and Streety was unlucky to nick one after a well compiled 39. Matty Green joined Hicks and saw us through to stumps untroubled at 3/100 - with first innings points in hand the boys are keen to secure maximum if the weather is kind next week and secure our spot in the top two ....... watch this space. (DAY 2). Our task of adding to our overnight total started a little shakily with the early loss of a "weary" Ben Hickey 4-101. This introduced the aggressive pairing of the two "Matt's" Green and Lister who both proceeded to strike the ball well with Matt Green backing up his strong bowling performance moving briskly to 37 with four 4's and a six before holing out. The "horse" joined Matt Lister and was given the "licence" he had asked for all year ... but from here began the lack of "wag" in our tail! Kibs fell for three, quickly followed by Stuey A without troubling the scorer and no prizes for guessing the old bloke's score! Before we knew it 8 for 170. While the wickets fell at one end Matthew Lister showed how much he has matured as a cricketer and deserved his state rep selection this year. Matt took the side to our goal of over 100 on and Bolts politely waited till he reached his 50 to pull the boys in. On a ground with a lush outfield four 4's and a six was great going and would have been more if the mower got reasonable mileage at Ferguson Park. Our final total 8 declared for 187. The challenge set and Matt Green was rewarded with the new rock after his scalps in the first dig and it was not long before the first rattle - North 1 - 4. After battling to 2 - 23 Kibs took his first for the day knocking back the off peg of the north no.3. A change in the bowling saw a very quiet period where Stuey and Bolts bowled the next 8 overs for only 5 runs - but no wickets came ... time to change the pace - enter Slug and almost immediately a mix up and Scotty Nichols pounced from square leg to see the North batsman run out well short - North 3-31. With the traditional two heights and pace of the track shortly after Sam had a "shooter" keep low and the rattle again to see North 4-38 and the pendulum swayed back to the lions. A captain's knock was more than needed for North and Danny Bearman stepped up to the plate and hung on for dear life along with opener Manning who had frustrated the life out of Bolts and Stuey with a number of "almosts" during both their spells. With the score on 81 and North looking safe Manning finally lost concentration and Streety made no mistake off Stu's bowling 5 down. This breathed some life into the lions and with around 40 minutes to take 5 wickets Bolts called on his charges to scrap like never before ... and the response began. With Kibs re-introduced to the attack things remained tight but no wickets until finally at 5.26 a breakthrough and we really needed around 4 really quick poles - North 6 for 84. Change of pace was called on and back into the attack Sam Lambert with immediate results - a great catch for Matt Green 7 for 96 and then next ball Sam pulls an LBW from nowhere 8 for 96. It's 5.41 and we need to consider the 10 minute changeover there is effectively 9 minutes of play left - doing the math Bearman attacked some fuller balls from an injury hindered Kibs who needed a spell. There's no time on the clock and with their captain doing a great job it was time to take one last chance. Bolts took the pill and tried every ball in the armoury - they edged, they played and missed - appeals turned down .... and time escaped us as they passed the score just after the 5.50 barrier. But as all the way through the game the guys never gave in and with Bolts bowling all day off a very short run, he and Hicks conjured a leg side stumping - North 9 - 119 and two balls later the old boy seamed one through bat and pad for the last pole - North all out 119. Congratulations must go to our guys for fighting it out all the way and this must be seen as a great warm up for finals pressure. Special mention to Stu Alexander he bowled brilliantly - match figures of 19-11-14-2 - he mustn't be far from a two's call up. Well bowled Slug - hopefully this bowl will improve his confidence and all round the fielding was brilliant Streety again a stand out even in close to the bat and Ben Hickey would have to keep at a much higher level at any other club in the comp - he was simply brilliant all day after finishing work after 7am. A pleasure to captain the boys and very proud of their efforts - good luck for the rest of the year and well ... over to you Rock! |
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