5th Grade extend their unbeaten streak.
The mighty Fifth grade welcomed five new players as a result of the shortages to the side for their first limited overs match of the season. Four players came up from Colts while Dan Richtor made his first appearance for the season.
Dan Richtor enjoying his first game back for the Stags
While the Juniors were slowing wandering off Beauchamp it was time for the toss to be made, and we were sent in on a wicket that would offer more for the bowlers initially than usual. I was particularly worried at this point as one of our openers Saahil ‘the Gobbler’ Turkhi had not appeared yet, however he emerged after singing the juniors song and my fears subsided.As a team we knew that if we were able to bat out the initial period and not lose too many wickets, we would be able to post a reasonable total before the Sutherland bats got a chance on a much easier wicket to play on.
After defiantly taking Toddy’s spot on the couch, it was obvious that Elton ‘Coleman’ (17) was in one of his moods, and he took to the bowlers with his first three scoring shots sending the ball to the boundary. He departed shortly after.
 Unfortunately I was batting at three so didn’t get to hear why Elton got out or what he did wrong, and much to my dismay nobody wanted to talk about it at lunch. I’ll have to catch up with him on that. Dan (9) looked good in his first hit back, but at 3-77 off 18 we were in need of a few partnerships.
Dave Monaghan hits straight
Tristan Cooper (33) delivered as he does when we are under pressure, and put on 70 runs with Saahil (25), and the hardest man in the club (when he ‘s at the game…) Carl Kinghorne (26). Tristan’s 33 was made even more special as he was able to do it without the support of his very special Tom Gooch. Coops has been quite hungry pre-match of late, and I can only imagine the strains playing in different teams is putting on the two.
Approaching the 40 over mark we were poised for a competitive score with 5 wickets in hand and 156 on the board. A few quick wickets saw ‘Joel’ (Dave) Monaghan (29*) at the crease with ‘Fester’ Todd (27*). Dave’s six off his first ball, and Toddy’s 4 off his first rock set the tone for the overs to come. The two old heads of the team punished Sutherland bowlers, belting the ball around the park to score 44 runs in the last four overs to take our score to 234.
 Of particular significance to Toddy, his batting average is for once above his bowling average. Miracles do happen. With 234 on the board we had achieved our goal of 220+, which is what we considered par on a slow Beauchamp outfield.
Toddy takes the aerial route
Although there were periods where we lost wickets in clumps, to not lose many wickets and ‘weather the storm’ of the initial period on a deck that was hard to bat on laid the foundations for our total. The importance of having wickets in hand for the last 10 overs of a one day match was seen when we were able to score 80 runs in this period, and post a competitive total. Sutherland’s 40 wide’s also helped us post a competitive total.
The Sutherland bats aimed to start quickly and went after Dave’s (1-31 off 8) bowling, while Tom Bangs (1-13 off 5) bowled with his usual ferocity, keeping them at bay with blistering pace and exceptional accuracy. Dave in his second spell was back to his best, going for 6 runs off 5 overs. 5th grade have been sticking to their game plan all year of building pressure by bowling tight accurate lines and attacking fielding. When we are able to stay more patient than the opposition, we find that quick wickets fall and we are on top in the match.
For his first match spell, Dan Richtor (1-19) bowled 6 overs of tight bowling and helped build the pressure we have been talking about. His direct hit run out from mid on helped swing the game towards us and broke up what was looking to be a promising partnership.
 The game changer (as it usually is) was Toddy, who in his second spell took 3 wickets in 2 overs (for 1 run) also removing Sutherlands best bat.
A familiar sight - Matt Todd at the bowling crease
Toddy is usually quite unlucky with the ball – he is nearly always the best bowler on the pitch, but doesn’t get as many wickets as he should because he is simply too good for the bats. However today was a different story and he was able to pick up 4-29 off 9 overs. Tristan Cooper continued on from his form with the bat to snare 2-19 off 4 overs with his delightful offies - Sutherland being bowled out for 168 in the 41st over.
All up it was a good solid performance from the 5th grade side, and it is great that we have such depth in players that players in 6th grade can slot straight into the team and have an impact upon the game. Special thanks have to go to Adam Aarons and Adam Cubbage for both coming down and helping out with the fielding.
Tom 'Shaft' Cockburn
Dan Richtor and Tom Bangs both working hard for the next wicket
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