Tasmania University Cricket Club
Scores and Reports
Season 2003/04
Third Grade
Semi-final v. Lindisfarne
Played at Lindisfarne Oval , 20th. and 21st. March 2004.
(Toss won by : Lindisfarne)
Heath Chick 48 Remi Barley 45 Rowan Oliver 44 Matthew Street 33 Paul McNamara 24 Stuart Alexander 26* |
Stuart Alexander 4-63 Steve Lewis 3-56 |
(DAY 1). On a bright and sunny day the Uni 3rds made the trip over the bridge to take on Lindisfarne at Anzac Park in the semi final. With power boats fine tuning their speed on the river and helicopters buzzing overhead, it all added to the occasion and the Uni boys were keen to impress. Anything less than a win would see the Lions out of the finals hunt. Paul McNamara had the captaincy duties for the game due to Rocket tearing a quadricep muscle at training, and Bolts was called in as a replacement. A pre-game inspection of the pitch caused much talk among the players, as it was soft on top and had a fair bit of grass rolled into it - a seam bowlers paradise. So obviously the myth about the Eastern Shore being the sunny side of the river is bollocks, unless of course Vaughan Williams had been involved in the pitch preparations....... The Farnies won the toss and surprisingly elected to bowl. Dizzy Naidoo and Mac Daddy opened up and coped with the seaming ball ok until the 7th over, when Dizzy was caught in the slips for 5, and Uni were 1/13. Chicka joined Mac Daddy at the crease and looked solid from his first ball, as 3 of his first 4 scoring shots were boundaries. Macca was having a tough time, but batted through until the 23rd over when he was caught behind for 24 with the score on 59. Kerry was out lbw 3 runs later, and we were starting to look a little shaky. Sugar, joining the 3rds for this game after a few weeks off due to injury, batted at 5 and looked steady from the start. A boundary to him to get off the mark, and some well taken singles saw us safely through to lunch. Not long after the resumption Chicka got a tickle on a ball that was accepted by their keeper, and he was out for a well compiled 48 off 99 balls. Hicks, after an early night in bed (home at 4am), helped Remi keep the scoreboard ticking over (great work on the board by the way Macca!) until he was dismissed with the score on 117. Streety and Sugar put on a further 20 until a mistimed shot saw Sugar out for 45 off 101 balls. Gibbsy, hoping to emulate the feats of Jacques Kallis, entered the park and proceeded to delight the crowd with a wide range of scoring strokes. In fact, his first 4 scoring shots were all boundaries, and by the time he had reached 30 he racked up boundary number 7! During this partnership Streety showed the grit and determination that has made him a valuable player, as he and Gibbsy took the score to 190 before Streety was out for a exceptionally valuable 33 off 114 balls. Stuey A and Gibbsy then compiled another 35 runs together before a bad call from Gibbsy saw him sacrifice his own wicket, as he was run out for 44 off 114 balls (with 9 boundaries). Huey Lewis didn't last long, but Bolts and Stuey saw us through to stumps with the score on 9/243. (DAY 2). With the sun still shining and the speed boats preparing to race, the Uni 3rds elected to bat on in the morning to pass the magical 250 mark. This was achieved successfully, as the score was taken to 256 before Bolts skied a catch and was out for a potentially career best of 8 off a potentially career best of 16 balls. Stuey remained not out for 32 off 92 balls. A new look opening bowling attack of Stuey and Huey saw the Farnies get off to a slow start. First blood was drawn by Stuey in the 9th over, with a catch greatfully accepted by Streety. In his next over he destroyed the castle of the opposing captain, and the Farnies were in trouble at 2/10 off 11. Huey, obviously feeling a bit left out, then joined in the action in the 19th over, as he damaged some woodwork of his own and Lindisfarne was in deep trouble at 3/18. Bolts entered the attack and bowled an economical spell of 0/4 off 5 (only 1 scoring shot), and Gibbsy also bowled well with 4 consecutive maidens to start his spell. The re-introduction of Stuey saw early results with more damaged woodwork and the score of 4/49 off 33. Lindisfarne then consolidated and did so by batting for time and not runs, as a drawn game would see them progress to the next week. The Uni bowlers toiled hard during the second session and created a number of chances, but unfortunately these weren't taken. Just before tea, in the 65th over, Huey Lewis found the edge and Hicks greatfully accepted it, standing up to the stumps, and a rejuvenated Uni came in to tea with Lindisfarne at 5/135. After tea Stuey came back on and snared his 4th wicket in his 18th over courtesy of another catch from Hicks. At 6/157 in the 73rd the Uni boys were a strong chance, particularly with the new ball only 7 overs away. However, Lindisfarne again consolidated and a couple of other chances were missed. Lindisfarne batted for another 87 minutes, until 5:48, before Huey made a late breakthrough. Unfortunately, a run out chance was missed and the Farnies successfully negotiated the Uni attack and stumps were pulled at 6pm with the score on 7/221. The game was drawn and the Uni boys knocked out of the 3rd grade finals. Although disappointed with defeat, credit should be given to the patience and application of the batsman during the game, as 6 players scored over 20 runs. and 5 off these batted for over 90 minutes. Stuey A (4/63 off 26) and Huey Lewis (3/56 off 23) should be praised for their efforts with the ball, as the pitch had flattened out greatly on day 2 to be a good batting deck. All other bowlers did a good job, particularly Bolts who remained wicketless but had only 22 runs scored off 15 accurate overs. As for the season, it was one filled with 'ifs', 'buts', and 'maybes' for us. Some indifferent one day form was contrasted with excellent 2 day form, and i feel that the injury and availability problems at the club cost us dearly at the most crucial time. Our bowling was strong all year, with 4 bowlers each taking 15 or more wickets. Particular credit should go to Stuey for his efforts with the new ball, Huey taking wickets consistently through the middle over, and the emerging leg spin of Slug Lambert in the few games he played with us. Batting was inconsistent and large scores were rare, but there is hope. Paul Mac added stability and aggression to the top of the order, Kerry made two 50's and entertained us with some explosive hitting, and Streety displayed true determination and grit at all times. Most importantly though, the team was a pleasure to captain and be a part of. All 32 players should be commended on the spirit in which they play the game, and i hope that we can all return to the club next year and again take to the field together as teammates in the true meaing of mateship. |
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