 Missed chances after a batting resurrection just wasn't enough
Dave Millar won his second toss of the season and elected to bat. The top order slumped and the Stags found themselves struggling at 6/95. Danuka ‘murali’ Rathnayake (25) and Brad Haddin…I mean Carl Kinghorne (81)… combined and moved the score along to 144 before Danuka was run out.
Tom Bangs continues his form from last year
With the score at 7/144 a waging tail was going to be needed to give the bowlers a decent target to bowl at. Dave Millar ensured the Stags wagged scoring 54 in a 97 run partnership with Haddin. They showed the top order how to capitalize on bad bowling by dispatching the loose deliveries to all parts of the ground.
A particular highlight was Dave’s ability to late cut the ball, an art he no doubt picked up while watching this writer perfect the shot in years gone past.
 The Stags finished up with 259 on the board, a reasonable target for the bowlers to defend. We bowled a few overs at the end of the first day without luck before the rain came.
Arriving at the ground on the second day, there was an upbeat tempo about the Stags’ preparation, but also very relaxed. Tommy Bangs and Deva ‘alphabet’ Nirthanakumaran toiled away without luck and Blacktown were looking good with most of their batsman getting starts.
James Dedman punches one down the ground
After drinks, we began getting wickets at regular intervals and at 4/166 with chances flying we knew we could win if we held onto our catches and fielded well.
Danuka’s debut saw him pick up 4 wickets and at 9/208 we definitely fancied our chances!
Chances kept coming; a few close runouts; balls just out of reach; balls popping up everywhere but not sticking. The last pair batted confidently took their chances. It was a disappointing end to a day that was all not that bad. Of the bowlers Hugh Selby picked up 2, Deva 1, Dave Millar 1, Iqbal 1 and Danuka 4.
A more concerted effort by the batsmen and in the field is required if we are to remain competitive through this season.
Mark Fonseka
  
Deva sends one down, whilst Iqbal leaves a good ball, and the team celebrates a wicket
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