Tasmania University Cricket Club
Scores and Reports
Season 2004/05
Third Grade
Round 2 v. North Hobart (1 day match)
Played at the TCA ground, 31st. October 2004.
(Toss won by : University)
Josh Parker 3-38 Matthew Dare 2-31 |
Matthew Green 81 Joseph Hoang 35 Matthew Dare 27 |
With both 1's and 2's going down narrowly on the Saturday, the 3rds turned up to 'Windy Hill' to go for 'Sunday glory' and get the club back on track for the round. We welcomed Twang Parker, Matt Green (aka Shannon Noll or The Fugitive), and the Street-kid into the team for their first games of the year, and looked forward to their contributions for the day. Special mention must also go to 1st grade umpire Don Heapy who was assigned to our game, possibly as a result of a 17 page thesis written in the captains report about the umpiring of the last game.......... Warm ups were held and there traditionally laid back pace to allow the older guys to get their joints creaking smoothly. Rocket wandered over for the toss of the coin and once again called correctly, taking his winning ratio over the past season and a bit to around 80%. Nth Hobart were sent in to bat, and the Uni boys completed their drills before heading in to prepare for battle. Rocket and Joe again shared the new ball and both managed to extract a lot of swing, especially Rocket who, after telling his fellow bowlers to ball at off stump, produced 6 wides in his opening 5 over spell! The batsman did their fair share of swinging too, and a number of lofted cover drives and edges backward of point just manager to evade our fielders, as they scorched their way to 0/52 off the first 10 overs, although the batsmen's pace in having the sightscreens moved and their mid over conferences was certainly far less than scorching! Twang was introduced into the attack to relieve the skipper and, after a couple of looseners, soon removed their free scoring opener, as he mistimed a drive and was caught by Ravi (aka Knackers) at mid off. The very next over, Joe produced a great ball to rattle the brand new Vodafone stumps, and both openers had now departed to see 2 new batsman at the crease. Twang continued to bowl well and was again rewarded in his 4th over, cramping the opposing skipper on a cut shot and having him play back on to his stumps. Darey (aka The Product) was introduced after Joe bowled 8 straight, and was unlucky not to have a wicket in his first over, as a catch was taken off a no ball. Twang continued his great spell and picked up his 3rd wicket with a catch taken at mid off by Rocket. Darey then chipped in with a couple of wickets, and Uni were fighting back well, although the run rate was still at about 4.5. With Twang bowling 8 straight for 3/38, Girth entered the attack, with Ravi replacing The Product after 2/31 off 7. Both managed to snare a wicket, although Knackers only lasted 2 overs as he had plastic spikes in his shiny new shoes and couldn't maintain his footing. Rocket replaced him, and bowled with Girth to the completion of the Nth Hobart innings, with Hicks grabbing a stumping off the skipper, and then a run out from Streety ending things with the score on 194. Walking off the ground the umpires advised Rocket that Uni would be penalised 2 overs for a slow over rate, turning the score to chase into 206. Some debate followed, given the slowness of the batters in changing overs, etc, but the penalty was to stand. Inzy and the Street-kid opened up, and Inzy was dropped off the 2nd ball of the innings. His luck was not to last though, as he was caught behind 3 balls later flashing at a wide outside off stump and getting an edge to the keeper. Ash walked to the crease, and then walked back straight away after trying to cut the first ball, and again getting an edge to the keeper.  The
Product joined Streety, and bludgeoned the other opening bowler out of the
attack, as he only last 4 balls (from which 12 runs were smashed) before
complaining of a sore back. This didn't stop the onslaught, and these 2
took us to 2/47 off the first 7 overs. In the 8th over, The Product was
(apparently) caught behind (but don't you have to hit the ball with the
bat?) after a well compiled (and entertaining) 27, and a few overs later
Streety couldn't protect the Vodafone stumps from being hit. Hickey was
then tragically run out after a mid pitch collision with Greeny, and things
were starting to turn for the worst.
Joe joined Greeny out in the middle, and they produced a sensational
partnership of 85 that included a wonderful display of pull shots (Joe) and
crunching drives back over the bowlers head (The Fugitive). The keeper was
heard saying that Greeny only had 1 shot, which may have been true, but he
forgot to say that it was a bloody good one! With these 2 in fine form,
the run rate was lifted close to 6 an over with Uni 5/149 off 25. Soon
after this though, Joe was out for a stunning 35 (including 6 boundaries).
Girth was promoted to 8 after the coach told Rocket at training how his
batting had improved remarkably and deserved at hit up the order, but
unfortunately he was robbed of his maiden 3rd grade 50 by a mere 49 runs,
run out for 1!
The skipper walked out and joined The Fugitive, and they managed to take the score to 191 before Greeny was run out. Rocket flicked the ball just to the left of the short fine leg and called no, but Greeny called yes, and was beaten by a direct hit trying to regain his ground. He left the field after scoring a sizzling 81 that included 6 boundaries and one 6. Ravi joined the skipper with the score on 8/191 in the 31st, with Nth Hobart behind in their over rate and trying to push them through as fast as possible. 14 runs later, Knackers was out lbw, with the score now 9/205 in the 36th over, with 2 runs needed. Twang walked out confidently and scored a single of his first ball to tie the scores. 2 balls later, Rocket hit a full toss to the boundary and the Uni Lions had conjured up a brilliant victory, chasing down the score with 4 overs still to go. A fantastic victory to the 3's to keep the winning form going. We've battled hard in both games and know how to scrap and fight our way to success. Congratulations to Greeny on his brilliant return to the team after bugger all training (i can't wait to see him in form!), and also to the Joe and Darey for their support with the bat, with Darey also bowling well to support Twang through the middle overs. New Town at New Town next week will be another interesting game, so let's train hard and see if we can make it a 3 - nil start to the season. |
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