Tasmania University Cricket Club
Scores and Reports
Season 2005/06
Third Grade
Round 12 v. South Hobart Sandy Bay (2 day game)
Played at Queenborough Oval, 5th. and 12th. February 2006.
(Toss won by : University)
Rod Purves 3-36 Stuart Alexander 3-43 |
Rod Purves 26 Matthew Dare 20 Matt Wilson 20 and Stuart Alexander 54* Ben Hickey 39* Matt Caddy 30 |
(Day 1). With the earlier game against our neighbouring rivals washed out, the Uni 3's were keen to take on the bottom of the ladder Sharks. Finals are still a mathematical possibility if we keep winning, so to start with a good performance here was a must. The pitch was green and had us thinking of requesting to play on the one next to it, which was a much nicer shade of brown. However, the seam bowlers in the side got excited and requested we bowl first if the toss was won. At 12:17 the toss was conducted after SHSB had to wait to see who was turning up to play! No Alexakis or Page was a good result for Uni, and rumour had it that Kumble had a hammy problem. Rocket won and duly sent the Sharks in to bat.  Ball 3 from Stuey A provided a dream start, a simple edge through to X jr. The next ball hit the batsman on the thigh pad and bounced out to the Enigma at square leg. Kumble shufffled down the pitch and forgot to call, and his partner wasn't watching, and a good throw back to Stuey over the stumps saw him run out without facing a ball. 2/0 off 4 balls - you beauty!
This dismissal bought Bolst to the crease, and he proceeded to hit balls to the left, right, just over, and just short of fielders, as well as inside edging past the stumps on many occasions. The Product was the main loser in all of this, as some penetrating bowling went unrewarded. Stuey was tight with 3 maidens in a row, but after a bright start the Sharks had started to consolidate.  Rocket made his first move of the day, bringing himself on to replace Darey. 5 good balls in the corridor outside off were followed by a full inswinger that rocked middle stump for the breakthrough. This bought Michael Bradley, a former Uni boy, to the crease, and he never looked comfortable against his old club. On the 4th ball after drinks Rocket snared his 2nd, with Braddles playing around a ball and being plumb in front, and the Sharks were struggling at 4/48.
Darey was swung around to replace Stuey at the top end, and his first ball beat the batsman all ends up and the woodwork was damaged. 5/49 was turned into 6/54 the very next over, as Caddyshack took a catch at first slip off Rocket, who had the figures of 3/6 off 6. The Sharks then turned things around, as Bolst and Nelson set about building a good partnership. We were our own worst enemy though, as we dropped catches, fumbled run out chances, and then of course there was the skied ball that nobody went for.......... At 6/101 at lunch we were still on top though, but needed to lift again. After the break more bowling changes were made and Stuey was bought back into the attack. This paid good dividends, as Bolst was finally out for 71 with the score on 124. Only 10 runs later, The Enigma picked up the opposing skipper caught by Girth at square leg, and we were looking at bowling them out for under 150. Another partnership formed however, and they again hit balls just wide/over/short of fielders. The spin twins of Girth and Caddyshack were in operation and creating chances, but we just had to take one. Finally, a slashing cut off Caddyshack was well taken by Osama Gerrard at gully, and Nelson was out for 66, cheered off the ground by the blokes in the inflatible pool near the bar! The last partnership again frustrated us, and the SHSB score passed 200. Finally on 217, the Sharks were bowled out, as Stuey found an edge that The Product took )on thw 17th attempt) at 1st slip - yes, Darey was fielding in slip! The target was about 100 more than it should have been, as held catches would have made a big difference. Volunteers were called upon to open the batting as X jr was stuffed. Stuey and Osama took up the challenge, and the skipper was happy for this given both had shown great defensive application in recent weeks. Unfortunately though Osama was dismissed in the first over without scoring, and then with the score on 8 Stuey was dismissed. Darey and Caddyshack set about rebuilding the innings and batting out the remainder of the days play. The Sharks pushed through their overs quickly to allow themselves more opportunities to take wickets. With about 20 minutes to go, and the score on 36, Caddyshack was out for 12. Blocka Wilson and Darey then saw out the remainder of play, with us finishing on 3/42 off 24 overs. 176 to score from a minimum 80 overs. Patience and application to the task will be required next week for us to chase the total down. With plenty of time and batting to come it should be an achievable target. Let's focus, bat in partnerships, and encourage each other to achieve a good win. (Day 2). 3rd grade turned up to chase down the 175 required to claim 1st innings points. Hickster came down from 2's and we said goodbye to Johnny Howard for the day. Unfortunately our batting wasn't good enough, with only Darey, Willo and Rocket troubling the Mercury with scores over 19 - the latter pair only just making it! Bowled out for 114 we were made to follow on. X jr and 'Martina' Alexander (his white shirt is part of the Hingis playing kit!) opened the batting but X didn't last long. Darey was pretty quick to follow at 3, but Martina and Caddyshack consolidated well. They took their time and valued their wickets - pity we all couldn't do that the first time around! Caddyshack was out for a well made 30. Hickster batted at 5 and batted much better than earlier in the day, playing some great offside shots, while Martina kept doing his (her) thing at the other end. The opposing captain, realising the outright chance had now passed, wanted an early finish, but Rocket elected to play on to give the Uni boys some batting practice, damage the bowling averages of the SHSB side, and generally piss the opposition off! Martina bought up his maiden half century for the club (well batted!), and impressed in his display of forehand returns, drop volleys, and baseline lobs. With rain starting to come down lightly, Tonksy and Chalky decided to pull up stumps due to their being no further chance of a resut. Please note that I (Rocket) had nothing to do with the decision to leave Hicks only 9 runs short of a half century and add to the 'captain *@#+' tag from the game against Lindisfarne from last year. While still a mathematical possibility of making the finals, the last 2 roster games should be the only cricket we have left. To have had SHSB 6/54 and then US be made to follow on was very disappointing in such a crucial game. However the last 2 games can be opportunities for redemption, and a good finish to the year will hopefully see us even more hungry for success next season. |
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