3rd Grade Report vs Sutherland - Round 14 |
After weeks of constant frustration watching all the other grades win while we constantly faltered, the Thirds finally got back onto the winners list after a game in which substantial individual performances got us over the line. After arriving deliberately late in order to hopefully miss the folding of the covers, Hoppa merely asked the opposition what they would prefer to do and we were in the field. Sutherland promptly signalled their intentions by dispatching Pat over square leg for six in the first over. However quickly rebounded to nick off their opener and should have had a couple more if it wasn't for some somewhat laughable catching. "Your Hero" Lines hits "the best cover drive in history" Fortunately Hoppa once again turned up with the ball and bowled good lines while varying his pace well, keeping it tight and picking a crucial wicket of someone who hit boundaries for fun. Kurt was well welcomed into the third grade bowling crease bowling a random mixture of leg spinning wicket taking deliveries that were sent over the midwicket fence but removed Sutherland's solid looking opener well caught by Chappo. Pat 'I'm a rubbish bloke' Effeney then returned to pick up another deserved wicket before tea however Sutherland went into the break well in front in the game. The post tea session was more productive with Your Hero bowling consistent half volley throw-downs, to which somehow the batsman got themselves out. and Pascal, bowling some decent stuff as opposed to his usual dribble. Wickets kept falling at regular intervals and with some more horrible catching from the usual suspects (Tjaard 'I'm never going to the Orchard again until Hoppa gives me a bowl' Tait) we managed to capture the last 6 wickets for 54 and had a manageable chase to look forward to with 8 overs to bat out overnight. Fortunately for us, typically pessimistic Reg's 'easier to get rid of than a common cold' prediction of two down overnight was not to eventuate. However we lost newcomer Fonseka, unluckily caught down the leg side for one.
Pascal provides some substance to the middle order Taity came in and looked solid and once Reg got himself out, combined well with Pascal to put on 50 before he chased a wide one that kept low and was caught behind for a well made 36. Taity then missed a straight one and Kurt got bowled off his elbow and we were suddenly 7/102 and looking to be in trouble with the bat for the umpteenth time since Christmas. Andrew 'Cartman' Chapman and Ed 'How have I not won a player of the round yet?' Howitt combined at the crease and started carefully against some decent bowling. Chappo got his innings started with his customary loft over long on off the spinner and Hoppa started to punish anything full. Ed has been in supreme form lately and looked good as he hit numerous times over the infield and all of a sudden the Sutherland team were worried. Unfortunately, he fell short again of a well deserved hundred and was caught behind on 77, with 30 still to get.
The real "hero" at the end of the innings, Chapman gets the side across the line Luckily Chappo has mastered the art of the glide through third man under pressure, and after refusing a single off the first ball of the over with Pat up the other end, calmly hit the next two balls for four and ended a spectacular run chase. Chappo's 52* was very mature and showed his class in a difficult situation. Pat proceeded to lead the song but I think everyone had forgotten the words. Finally, victory at last. Your Hero, Alex Lines
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3rd Grade come through unscathed as the Sharks circle
Day two saw overcast skies and hope of the international cricket card game returning with on and off showers during the warm-up. Fortunately the weather cleared and we were to have the complete complement of overs to hopefully run down the gettable total. We started poorly with Tom 'Cymbals' Beverly losing his off stump early to a seaming ball and Kris 'I don't deserve a nickname' Colley nicking off early. 
Luckily Chappo was still batting patiently and showed his faith in Your Hero, trying to run me out without facing a ball. We slowly worked the singles while trying to hit the bad balls for four, and with an added rain break for suspense, we only needed 10 with two wickets still in hand. Your hero then hit the best cover drive in history, and then decided he had had enough of batting and was hit on the foot off the last ball of the 80th over leaving 6 needed with one wicket in hand.
