Arriving at Beauchamp Park with a prediction of rain in the forecast the Stags were hoping for a chance to have a bowl first. Captain Dave Millar came up with the goods by winning the toss and electing to bowl. Tight bowling at the beginning by D.Leiboff and D.Nirthanakumaran put immediate pressure on, resulting in a wicket to D.Leiboff in his second over.

Iqbal Ahmed is looking the goods after Christmas 

The Stags were on top and looking good for a repeat of the previous encounter with the Balmain boys. However, some missed chances in the field denied the Stags a quick run through of the Balmain batting order. The Balmain batsmen seemed to getting set at the crease with run chase getting bigger and bigger. Until, I.Ahmed was thrown the ball and took charge taking 6/57 off 10 overs. Wickets from D. Leiboff -1/22, D. Nirthanakumaran - 1/22, D. Millar -1/25, A. Aarons -1/24, I. Ahmed - 6/57

The Stags were in high spirits heading into bat. They needed 4 runs an over to pull off a win and secure six points. A solid opening partnership from S.Turki (29*) and M.Fonseka (42) was in the making. 

Unfortunately, the game was called to a halt due to rain. 

Folks from another world help clear the drains so we can get back on the field.

Once the field was dry and the covers put away the Stags continued the chase, which had now been shortened to 100 off 26 overs. Good bowling from the Balmain side lead the wicket of M.Foneska. The wickets then began to fall quickly and the pressure was on the Stags. A.Aarons then came to the crease and worked nicely with S.Turki to bring us home with powerful shots over the top and quick singles. The Stags had won with one over to spare securing six valuable points.

Well done Stags!

Runs from: M. Foneska - 42, S. Turki -29*, A. Aarons -12*

James Partridge

Editor's Note: Firstly, I would like to acknowledge the sporting nature of the Balmain captain, who brought his team back onto the field, when the odds against them winning were very slim. Secondly, I would like to draw your attention to the author's glaring oversight in his article. After an intensive weights session for rugby, the author arrived to the ground taped up like a mummy having torn a bunch of small muscles in his arms and shoulders. He couldn't move at all around the field, let alone throw!! What a goose!

Waking up to overcast conditions, I was not too worried about not being able to play, until I drove 200m down the road and it began to rain. “Oh well” I thought “I’m in Hornsby, could be all right in Chatswood.” Unfortunately I couldn’t have been more wrong...

A wet Beauchamp Park

Arriving at Beauchamp Park, I noticed the sight screens were up and a number of people gathered around the wicket, hope of a match remained... Despite intermittent sprinklings of rain the covers were removed to reveal a green deck, which promised some movement for the bowlers, if the ball didn’t get too wet from what was, at best, a damp outfield.

Dave Millar sent us for a warm up and possibly one of the most intense games of fielding soccer I have witnessed. Dom Thomson’s sliding tackle on Adam Aarons was a highlight…

Unfortunately that was the most exercise we got as the rain decided to come down in bucket loads. With the covers back on and the rain pounding the rooftop we were confined to the change-rooms until conditions improved.

They never did and at 12:30, after removing the covers to inspect the deck, the decision was mutually reached to declare the match as a washout. A great disappointment for all involved.

That wasn’t to say that the Gordon boys couldn’t make the most of things. A game of change-room cricket was just what the doctor ordered to cure the craving the boys had for a game of cricket. Despite Reagan Klemt’s ridiculous one-hand-one bounce rule, which brought upon the demise of many batsmen within their first 6 balls, there were flashes of brilliance: Dom Thomson occupied the crease for a long time, smashing anything full which made the game particularly perilous for those fielding in close.

Dan Stickland watches on before considering how to take each of the boys to the cleaners

Carl Kinghorne’s reverse leaves and Aussie batsmen impressions were exquisite and showed us all how to bat like a clown, yet stay alive! Needless to say, we made the most of what was a pretty grim and frustrating situation, and good times were had by all…except for those who got cleaned out during our poker game (sorry boys!)

So whilst this may be a useless report, as no real cricket was played, I figured I should write something as all the boys in the change-room made the day something, when we all could’ve just sat around staring at the rain or our shoelaces. And besides, it’s better than reading an Andrew Coleman report!

It’s great to be Gordon down Chatswood way….

Dan Stickland

Sam Mart demonstrates maturity beyond his years with this report 

The Stags arrived early at David Phillips Oval looking to start the new year with a good performance; the small boundaries and hard deck making it evident to Captain Andy ‘Elton’ Coleman that we were going to bat. Predictably Elton won the toss…again and sure enough Carl Kinghorne and Connor Jackson were making their way out to the middle.

After an aggressive yet watchful beginning the Stags were well poised for an imposing 300+ total going at an easy 7 runs per over. The disappointing end of Connor’s innings to a miscued pull shot brought the skipper to the crease. Without taking any time to get going, Elton ensured the run rate continued at an elevated rate as the pair looked in great touch compiling a decent partnership.

It wasn’t before a ‘nothing’ shot from Andy poking at one outside the off stump brought end to an innings of 20 odd, disappointing end to a promising beginning. Carl at the other end stayed patient but the dispatching of the frequent bad ball to the fence continued the alacrity of the innings. Dom Thompson was looking solid out in the middle taking singles at will allowing Carl to hit the long ball more often.

A subtle reduction in the run rate was nothing to worry about as the pair looked keen on setting solid foundations on which to build a gargantuan total. The half century for Carl placed him in line for a big individual effort but soon after he was on his way back to the pavilion having holed out to mid on; toeing one that hung in the swirling breeze, it took a great catch near the boundary to get rid of the dangerous opener for 57.

This brought Iqbal Ahmed to the crease and his departure soon followed after being given out LBW, signaling the beginning to somewhat of a batting collapse. Dom was joined by Sam Mart, but lost his wicket caught behind soon after. The much underrated David ‘the Boff’ Leiboff joined Sam at the crease as the two looked to solidify a shaky few overs and ensure the momentum return to the Stags promptly. The two stuck around for a couple overs running well between the wickets and hitting one to the fence here and there until Sam played all round a straight one, to lose his leg bail.

Ben ‘Simba/Lesbo’ Leighton joined Dave briefly after being caught behind the wicket attempting to leave the ball outside off. Then Adam ‘Alco’ Aarons arrived in the middle playing his shots for a couple runs but one just held up a bit in the deck and Alco holed out to cover.

Fortunately for the reeling Stags, who had now moved from 2/117 to 8/137, the returning Dave ‘Mega’ Millar joined the in form Leiboff at the crease and the maturity and experience of the pair shone through, playing positively yet still being sensible. The two played some excellent strokes and combined for a much-needed partnership of 59 until Boff fell playing a lazy cut shot for 36. His individual cameo not a true reflection of the importance and match-saving effort from DL. Mega was joined by Greenies skipper Lachlan Borg who hung around for an over or two until being drawn into a big shot and was trapped LBW. Dave Millar finishing up with a 30 not, with the sundries being the second top scorer with 45.

Opening the bowling DL was as he always is, bowling a consistently nagging line and length that asked numerous questions of the top order, he was rewarded in his second over with an LBW that swung back in and hit the UNSW skipper on the full. Soon after the lightning fast Alco cut off a certain boundary and in a daze after his somersaulting save returned a good through to Elton, who swiftly removed the bails. Lachy didn’t hit his lines as best as we all know that he can and was given a rest bringing back the predicted-to-be rusty Dave Millar. 

The two Dave’s tied up either end with the run rate drying up meaning the post drinks session was bound to draw false strokes. DL finished with impressive figures of 1-16 of his 10, probably unlucky not to have found the outside edge at least twice more. Icky came on and was not his usual consistent self, conceding a touch many runs. After Dave’s 10 straight overs Adam came on and bowled tight lines but no success after the two early breakthroughs. 

A few loose overs put UNSW back in with a sniff and things did not look certain on improving when skipper threw the ball to Simba whose mane was out of control and was soon unsure of his decision as his first 3 balls were all wides and the next two full tosses. Incongruously a shoulder height full toss returned a top edge and Icky took a good running catch at mid on. 

After his first over shocker, Simba bowled some fantastic rocks knocking over another 2 bats later in the day. Adam got some reward clean bowling their number five. After a small partnership the UNSW number 6; by far their most convincing bat was left for dead by his partner as he overran the bowlers end by 10 or so meters and after a misfield was asked to return to the keepers end, a swift and accurate throw from Mega and he was found well (3/4m) short.

The required run rate then was constantly on ascent and the game got away from UNSW as Adam ended up with four wickets in fairly quick succession. The game was never truly in doubt for the boys from Chatswood but as we showed, constant fielding pressure and good line and lengths can turn around any situation.

Credit to Lachy Borg who bowled an absolute ripper spell when things were getting uncomfortable and tied down all the UNSW batsmen with great pace and better yet unplayable areas. A solid performance and start to the New Year for the Stags.

Sam Mart

Colts Report vs Mosman

My only regret about leaving Mosman CC is that I did not do it earlier.  The people and atmosphere at Gordon are an absolute pleasure, and it is therefore no surprise that the club is able to attract much better players who are more dedicated and play together as a team.

As was therefore to be expected, the Round 8 match for the Gordon Colts team was no contest. Mosman had decided to field a team made up almost entirely of their Green Shield squad – a fact which, given their performance, will not bode well for the season ahead.

Reagan and Ben during their partnership 

After winning the toss (5/5 for Elton), Gordon decided to bat on a typical Beauchamp wicket. Carl “Brad Haddin” Kinghorne opened with Mark “Happy Days” Fonseka and the team got off to a good start, tearing into the young Mosman quicks before Carl unfortunately played on for 9. The Fonz was in great form, playing some cracking drives along the carpet and the new man, Elton, was more than happy for once to sit back and be outscored. Unfortunately, as so often happens for The Fonz, after some brilliant shots he decided to step across the stumps to a straight one and was given out LBW for 34, bringing Reagan Klemt to the crease.

Regan has some real talent and has a good head on his shoulders – a lethal combination. Following on from his 48 last week, Regan played some beautiful shots to all parts of the ground to ensure that the run rate never dropped below 6 an over, reaching his 50, and then 100, in quick time with barely a loose or mistimed shot.  

Ben Armstrong, Reagan Klemt and Ben Leighton in action at Beauchamp

Following the dismissal of a rather subdued Elton (an uncharacteristically slow 34 due to batting with a broker thumb), Reagan was joined by Iqbal (22) and then Ben “Paul Adams” Leighton, and the two Knox boys kept the pressure on the Mosman attack by a good combination of quick singles and big shots.

As a former Whale it was a little disheartening to see how the young Mosman side responded – arguing with each other on the field, dropping catches (over ten by my count), missing stumpings (three while I was umpiring) and effectively giving up by the time Reagan had raised his bat. However, as a Stag, I couldn’t have been happier with our younger players as they capitalised by putting on an unbeaten stand of 146 as Reagan hit his way to 168* and Ben picked up a well-deserved 51* to close the innings at a mammoth 350.

After the regular pilgrimage to Chatswood Chase during the lunch break, the Stags took the field knowing that the game was ours. The two Mosman openers started well with some lovely drives and for a moment the Stags thought the game could be interesting with our bowlers unable to find the same lethal lines as the week before (though still bowling well enough to consistently beat the bat). As with their fielding however, the Mosman batsmen decided to give up rather than try to win and lose in the attempt. After breaking the opening partnership of 64, Mosman led by ex-Stag Luke Ham decided to play for a draw.

Reagan acknowledes the crowd after his century-or was it his 150!

Despite being reminded that the match was in fact a limited overs game, the Whales seemed content to plod along at 3 an over with the occasional loss of wicket before finally being all out for 195 in the 49^th over (including 46 sundries) after suffering the ignominy of the Stag captain declaring that if “this was how seriously the Whales wanted to play cricket he might as well bowl himself and the keeper” (for once these two not being the same). Unfortunately for Carl, the last wicket fell to Elton – an embarrassing circumstance that will hopefully force the Whales to rethink their strategy in later weeks.

Overall the Stags bowled well with Dan Stickland looking particularly dangerous while picking up 3 for 20, Ben Armstrong 2 for 32 and Dave Leiboff, Jason Leiboff, Adam Aarons, Reagan Klemt and Andrew Coleman sharing one wicket each. A fitting end to a good days play from Gordon, cementing our position as the team to beat going into the Christmas break. It’s great to be Gordon down old Chatswood way.

Andrew “Elton” Coleman

“Pressure lads, we need to keep building pressure. It’s not f*(@^$ good enough, we need to stop slacking off and get behind the bowlers”. That is some of what skipper Coleman was saying to us on Saturday, or at least I think it was along those lines, I had tuned out after the word “Pressure” was released from his mouth. But it worked as we squeezed the life out of the Panthers in the afternoon, in our clash down old Chatswood way.

Iqbal Ahmed in action against Penrith

It was a beautiful Saturday morning in Chatswood (and by beautiful I mean it wasn’t raining). Skipper Coleman won the toss and decided to bat on a wicket that resembled the Hobart wicket that the Aussies just lost on. The reason being that the outfield was a little moist and the ball would get wet and become somewhat ineffectual. Fair enough.

We lost Tim Van Zuylen early………..he wasn’t out, we just lost him, something about torn back muscles (once again I wasn’t listening! Don’t judge until you have tried talking to this lad, make up your own mind and then you will understand what I mean!!!!).

Long story short we were bowled out for 189 off the last ball. Reagan Klemt batted well (47) in between practising air swings, as did the Boff Sr (Dave LIeboff) and Adam Aarons. I should mention here that the Boff has looked in pretty good nick so far this year and has not disappointing his crowd……mainly consisting of family!

Then we turned the screws with the Boff Sr bowling all 10 from one end (1 for 26) followed by the Boff Jr (1-31) (Jason Lieboff)  who also bowled 10 straight. Aarons also returned figures of 3-21 to finish the game. Penrith all out for 162.

Special mention to Sam (the Boff’s cousin) for filling in for the injured Van Zuylen. It is lucky this kid has no life on a Saturday and we can call on him whenever we need him!

 

The highlight of my day undoubtedly came when on my way home I was stuck at the lights next to our esteemed club president AJ Falk. I made the first error in engaging him by asking how the grade teams performed. He made the second error by replying……I drove off mid sentence………NEXT!

Iqbal

Captain Andrew Coleman's century the highlight of a dominant Colts performance.

Having not played since the upsetting defeat away to Sydney University three weeks ago due to rain and shortage of players the Colts team were eager to taste victory again. A strong batting line up was selected giving captain Andy Coleman more than enough reason to bat first after keeping his 100% toss winning record this season.

Coleman amongst the runs

The pitch looked like a typical Beauchamp oval track offering some assistance early on for the bowlers and opening batsman Mark Fonseka and Tim van Zuylen walked out prepared for a tricky new ball period. However with Wests only starting with 9 players plenty of gaps were there for the taking. The pair crafted a classical opening stand with patience shown early on before building into some aggressive stroke play. The showing of West’s 10th player and normal opening bowler had only a small impact on the run rate which was free flowing at over 4. It took until the 21st over for the stand to be broken when a lapse in concentration first ball after drinks led to 'the Fonz' being trapped extremely adjacent to middle stump for 40 with the teams score at 84.

Wests may have thought that this was a way back into the match however they were to be proven wrong as the skipper Andy came to the crease and combined with Tim to crash the ball all around the ground devastating the bowlers. Andy showed great poise at the crease waiting for any ball to waver in line or length before smashing it through his favoured leg side to the boundary.

Iqbal punching through the offside

In fact 9 of his first 10 scoring shots were boundaries. Running between the wickets became a rarity as the pair dealt largely in boundaries with Tim bringing up his 50 only a few overs before Andrew brought up his own. The long and prosperous partnership was brought to an end when Tim played down the wrong line to one from their strike bowler which clipped the top of off ending his innings on 64 and the partnership just shy of the century mark. Paul Woodford was unable to keep out a delivery early on and fell in the same over before scoring giving Wests a hope of possibly forcing a collapse with the score at 3 for 182. However no such respite was shown as the mighty Iqbal Ahmed strode to the crease forging a partnership with the well set Coleman. Complementing each other nicely they pushed the score on past 200. Andy was lucky to survive on a few occasions picking out fielders in the air however luck favours the brave and he lived on punishing them for their mistakes bringing up his first century for Gordon. Iqbal’s stylish innings came to an end on an unfortunate 49 ending the century stand between the two which blasted the bowler’s confidence.  A few quick wickets fell including the centurion and captain for 118 however it made little difference in the end as the mighty Stags posted an imposing 310.

The Wests were in for a tough chase which was made even harder when Tim van Zuylen made a direct hit run out in the second over before any runs were on the board. To add further worry in the opposite camp Dave Leiboff took the second wicket leaving them reeling at 2/3. 

Skipper Andrew 'Elton' Coleman during his century

Gordon never looked challenged as the run rate fleeted around 3 an over for most of the innings. No major partnerships were formed which was a credit to the bowling, keeping lines and length tight for long spells forcing batsman to take risky singles which led to three run outs (Tim van Zuylen, Paul Woodford, James Ham). Iqbal was the pick of the bowlers with 2 wickets from his 6 overs. All bowlers contributed with a wicket and low run rate. Wests were finally dismissed for a little over 100 after only 32 overs earning Gordon maximum points in a highly pleasing showing from all aspects.

Tim Van Zuylen

No match report was submitted as Gordon forfeited due to unavailabilities in the higher grades.

Colts won the toss on a good deck at St Pauls Oval and in a brave move sent Uni in to bat. The gamble appeared to pay off, with the students finding themselves at 3/40 early. Despite never looking set at the crease, the 4th wicket put on 116, with many shots passing tantalisingly close to our fieldsmen. Our persistent effort with the ball was finally rewarded with 5 quick wickets, leaving Uni in trouble at 8/180.

The Uni number 10 came out swinging and piled on 42 in quick time, and did serious damage to Iqbal’s figures in the process. It should be noted that Fonseka, our new leg spinner, dropped a catch off his bowling, presumably in an attempt to gain the number one leg spin position from Iqbal. 

Tom Bangs in action 

The 9th wicket fell for 243, which resulted in the Uni declaring with 6 overs left in the day. Unfortunately we lost one late in the day, but still thought 243 was very gettable on day 2. 

As the wicket began to crumble during the first over of the day, it was clear 243 was a long way away. Some tight bowling early from the students kept the pressure on and the Stags never really got going. Some poor shot selections left us struggling, with only 3 partnerships of 10 or more, two of which were the 9th and 10th wicket. 

The only respectability came from Iqbal Ahmed, with the club stalwart making 30 off many, many deliveries. In the 44th over we were dismissed for just 84.

Sydney University sent us back in with an outright victory in their sights. This time, the top order offered some resistance and was able to thwart off any sniff of 10 points, despite the Uni skipper taking 3 for 2 in his first over (including a dropped hatrick ball). 

It was great to see a new addition to the club, Paul Woodford, show his class with 55 not out in the second dig. The game was eventually called with the stags 5/123. This ended a rather disappointing chase for the Colts, but one that we can learn a lot from. I’m sure if we meet Uni again in the finals the result will be very different.

However, we’ve got to get there firstly. And that may still be a long way off.

Tom Bangs

Seeking to recover from the first loss in who knows how many seasons, the Colts descended upon Beauchamp to face Parramatta. New Colts skipper Andrew “Cappy” Coleman got off to a perfect start, winning the toss and electing to bat on a good Beauchamp wicket, while sending Parra out into the 32° heat.

Andrew "Elton" Coleman relishes the chance to skipper the side

The dressing room was full of new faces, with Samira “the scorers favourite” Kasthwriarachichi, Teshan “Kumar” Weregama and Leiboff cousin Sam “Pup” Mart filling up the spots. With the new players came the crowds, as no less than 10 of the Mart/Leiboff family were present, almost a South African Invitational XI.

Heading out to face the Parra quicks, Mark “The 18th best leggie in the club” Fonseka and Tim “I can throw I SWEAR” van Zuylen were reminded that wickets in hand meant runs after tea. Unfortunately, things did not initially go to plan, with van Zuylen being caught behind, followed soon by Adam ”No longer the youngest” Aarons and Fonseka, leaving the Stags reeling at 3-41. Cappy and Iqbal “The Enforcer” Ahmed steadied the ship, guiding the Stags past the 100 mark with thoughtful and patient batting.

Again though, wickets came in clumps, and we found ourselves in a bit of trouble at 6-126. Enter Dave “I would LIKE to say I can bat a bit…” Leiboff and Teshan “I’ve hit one career six” Weregama. Together the pair dismantled the tiring Parramatta attack, with Weregama smashing 3 sixes into the bushes, and Leiboff pouncing on anything a touch short or wide.

Joined by his brother Jason “Mark Waugh” Leiboff, Dave continued his assault, reaching his first Colts century with yet another punishing blow. With the innings saved, Cappy declared with Gordon at 7-304, an immensely respectable score, and 17 overs left to bowl in the day.

Exhausted from his knock, but always the team player, Dave took the new ball along with Tom “Noddy” Bangs, but soon succumbed to cramping. The Parramatta batsmen had decided that they were going to try and reduce the deficit as much as possible before stumps, and set about slashing at everything within reach. Undoubtedly, wickets came with the help of some great bowling from Ahmed, Bangs and Kasthwriarachichi, but so did the runs, and Parra ended day one at 2-90.

Whilst no Dave Leiboff, Iqbal Ahmed put runs on early in the day

The Beauchamp deck for week two looked to offer a bit more life than the previous week. Tom Bangs and Dave Leiboff, fresh after a week’s rest, bowled magnificently and Parramatta was only able to score a run after 6 overs of, as a Parramatta batsman described it, “Putting the ball on a 50c piece”. This of course brought 2 early wickets.

Feeling the pressure already, the rest of the Parramatta line-up crumbled, with all of the bowlers taking wickets. All out for 159, it was a comprehensive first innings win for the Stags.

With 150-odd still in the bank, and Parramatta’s best batsman away this week, Coleman sent the river boys back in. Wickets came early due to some swing in the air combined with excellent straight bowling, but soon dried up. Due to an ankle injury, Iqbal was unable to bowl, leaving Mark “Warnie” Fonseka to create some magic.

At tea, Gordon needed 5 more wickets with 36 overs in hand. Coleman put it to a vote as to whether it was worth continuing, and the boys agreed to up the ante and make some inroads. The Stags lived up to their promise, returning to the field with 3 slips, 2 gullies, a point, and two short covers. Dave Leiboff was one ball away from becoming the first player I’ve ever heard of to score a century and take a hat-trick in a single match.

Finally, Parramatta was bundled out for 78, giving Gordon an outright victory of an innings and 67 runs.

An all-round great performance after a rocky start, securing an outright win first up for the new skipper. It’s great to be Gordon down old Chatswood Way.

Adam Aarons

Editor’s Note: From all reports, the humble author of this piece bowled very well in both innings to take 6 wickets for the match

Colts scores
Gordon 7 dec 304 (Dave Leiboff 100*, Teshan Weregama 45, Andrew Coleman 44, Iqbal Ahmed 40, Jason Leiboff 30*, Mark Fonseka 19) defeated Parramatta 159 (Teshan Weregama 2-7, Adam Aarons 2-7, Samira Kasthwriarachichi 2-35, Dave Leiboff 1-15, Iqbal Ahmed 1-24, Tom Bangs 1-39) and 78 (Adam Aarons 4-12, Tom Bangs 2-15, Dave Leiboff 2-33) by an innings and 67 runs.

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