B Grade - Round 4 - 29/10/11

With Head Street still out of action, and Ross Park being vandalised (again!), we headed off to CDU to face Wests.

 Same old story, with late calls and raping C Grade (sorry Drakey!), and we started with 11, albeit 10 minutes late. The toss was always going to be vitally important, as at 20 past 12, we had 7 blokes at the ground, and Wests had 6. As is the case when it matters, I lost the toss, and we were off for a bowl.
As we needed 8 to take the field, young Dylan Salmon came out with us, and filled a spot for the first 5 or so overs. As so often happens in this situation, the batsmen targeted him and the large gaps we had. He handled himself really well, and even managed to save a few runs. Thanks Dylan!
Dusto and Tom C started us off, and it wasn't long before Dusto claimed the first scalp. Luck seemed to leave us after that for a bit, and Wests coasted to 2-74 at the first drinks break. There may have been a couple of opportunities missed, but overall the score reflected the play. 5-140 at the second drinks break, and we were staring down the barrell of 200+. Some tight bowling at the death saw us set 185 for victory. Ben Payton the pick of the bowlers (2-16 off 8, including 9 off his first over!), ably supported by Juddo, thats right Juddo, who chipped in with 3 wickets.

We got off to a cracking start, with Luke smashing 11 off the first over, but a few quick wickets saw us reeling a bit at 6-63. Some serious digging in was needed, and Ben P stepped up to the plate. Careful shot selection, and some big hitting saw him reach 53, but was steadily losing partners around him. Dusto put a cap on his usual style of play, and turned the strike over when he could to allow Ben to step up the pace. 8-136 at the second drinks break, and thoughts of an actual victory were creeping in to all our minds. First ball after the break, and Ben was gone, leaving Guv and Dusto to make the last 50 odd runs needed. 3 overs later, with the score still on 136, saving the bonus point became the aim of the day. The boys blocked, edged, and generally frustrated Wests for the next 3 overs. With the bonus point successfully saved, Guv finally came up with the plan of getting a quick single and letting Dusto go for it. The plan was short lived, and Dusto holed out in the 38th over. A great effort to get where we did, and even though we fell a bit short, there were many small victories along the way. Pick of the batsmen Ben P (53) and Luke (42).

Man of the match (if we did that) would definitely go to Ben. He bowled, fielded and batted exceptionally well.

Only 4 blokes at training again this week, another piss poor turn out that is certainly going to have ramifications later in the season. All the "Fair Weather" players that seem to be coasting into a game due to lack of players, may find the weather not so fair once we are back on track. Just a thought.

Until next week.....
Scotta