1st Grade Report vs Northern District - Round 11 |
On a very hot Saturday morning 1sts found themselves travelling to Waitara Oval and very keen to get back on winning ways after a disappointing couple of loses. This match sees Raging Rocket and Bevo return to a much familiar ground. With the heat reaching high thirties at 9 in the morning the obvious inclination was to throw the pads on and bat. (Nicho during his innings at Waitara) Nicho kindly won the toss and with a quick pep up for the top order to fire we were ready to post a big score. Will and Cam went about there business and worked there way through the new ball. After bringing up the first wicket partnership to 50 Jiggy (19) hit a catch to short cover and Cam (31) fell 1st ball after the 2nd drinks break to leave us 2-56 and needing a partnership. Unfortunately it didn't come and we lost Packers (8), Bomba (11) and Rocket(1) for less than 30 to have us looking down the barrel at 5-82. Nicho joined Buzz at the crease and went about starting a middle order partnership. With every over with no wicket the ND players were noticeably getting frustrated and with the searing heat their concentration was reducing. Beau(28) was the next to leave edging one to the keeper and Macca(8) pushed one to first slip and we were back on the ropes at 7-137 and ND's with there tails up could sense that they could be batting soon after tea.
(Bevo, Australia's number 1 sweeper) Nicho brought up his half century and was far from finished. Their partnership was edging closer to 100 but on 99 Nicho fell for 76. Jules and Bev continued to tick the scoreboard over and Bevo brought up his 2nd first grade half century. Soon after he fell for 54. Jules was joined by Darren McConnell at the crease and sensing that the Tree's were getting tired went about smashing 30 including 7 boundaries. At 9 for 278 stumps was called with a hefty total reached. The second day was looking very bright for us as there was a change overnight and instead of temps of 40+ it was back down in the twenties. Dylan and Jules continued on from last night and added six more to the total before Jules nicked one behind and D-train wondering what could have been at the other end. With 284 on the board the boys were sure with our bowling attack that it was enough we just needed to take every chance that comes our way. Backing up after spending most of Saturday in the sun Nicho got the first, with a good catch from Reece, and third break through and with Beau getting the other we had ND's 3-45 and well and truly on top. After lunch we continued our enthusiasm with the ball and the field saving runs all over the field and bowling very tight. This led to a few more wickets one for Macca, Buzzy and Dylan to have them 6-102. The talk was to have them dismissed before or just after tea and it looked that way at 8-144 with Jules and B Mac picking up more wickets.
(The slips are ready for the new ball) However their number 11, although not looking convincing at all and a few comments such as 'when did Matt play Test cricket' and 'gees this is quick' didn't give his wicket away and was determined to get his partner to 100. On 98 Ball ran the ball down to Dylan at fine leg and set off very hard determined to get his hundred. Coming back for his second dyl ripped it into Bevo's gloves and with shouts of 'bowler' he twirled around and flinged it at the stumps and ran out the non striker for 0 and leaving Ball on 99*. A very good victory by the mighty stags. Cameron Eccles |
First Grade Report vs Northern Districts
However Nicho and Bev had other plans with some brilliant batting and great temperament Bev and Nic's batted well after tea. The innings included some superb cover drives from Nicho's blade and Bevo the sweeping master showed that no spin bowler is safe when he is on strike. 
However there number 5 bat was still working away and having reached 50 just needed someone to hang around with him. The next partnership lasted a little over an hour and added 64 to the total. With Mac taking his 3rd wicket we were edging very close to victory so the paceman were brought back on to take the last wicket.
