 Match Report vs UNSW by Lachlan Borg
We rocked up to a must win qualifying final against UNSW and, after having a thrilling win against them earlier in the season, we came in to the game knowing what we had to do. We inspected the deck and Jack assured me that we should bat first, luckily Bruce had other plans.
Will Calov in action against UNSW
So we elected to bowl on what was a bit of a grassy deck, with moisture about and clouds lingering. It was Harry who took the first ball of the finals, fighting shin splints. It was an awesome effort just getting out there, let alone bowl a great over with lots of plays and misses and managing to get it to cut off the deck. Then entered Will Calov, who had to fight a very strong wind, but had an awesome spell of 4 overs and managed to pick up 3 vital wickets with the assistance of a very good catch by Jack Colley.
Seany Campbell then took the ball down wind, and although battling a torn muscle in his lower back, he fought on and picked up a key wicket, which swung the momentum to us. 4-39 at this stage, and we were in a commanding position. The batsmen began to forge a meaningful partnership, until we managed to snare a wicket to stop the run flow. Jordan Farrell then came on to bowl, and really tightened things up by bowling great line and length, and getting a bit of turn as well. The batsmen played and missed continually and finally Jordan captured a well-deserved scalp.
Will Calov came back on for a short spell taking another wicket, which brought us to lunch. Resuming after lunch UNSW were 7-103, they slowly began to get away from us. Our intensity began to drop a little, and the batsmen were making the most of it. But then James Partridge came on and instantly took a wicket which got us going again.
Soon after Erickson for UNSW brought up his ton, and they finished all out on the last ball for a total of 233. James Partridge (3-50 off 9), Harry Middlebrook (0-30 off 7), Will Calov (4-56 off 10), Sean Campbell (1-23 off 8), Rohan Siva (0-34 off 9), Lachlan Borg (1-15 off 7), Jordan Farrell (1-24 off 10).
It was Connor and Chris who strode out to start to reduce the total, two men on a mission. UNSW’s bowlers came steaming in and unfortunately Connor fell second ball for a duck. Which brought the menacing Jack Colley to the crease, instantly making his presence felt. Chris got off the mark, and smoked a glorious pull shot for four. Looking very good, that same shot managed to bring him unstuck for 12. Jack, after playing a great straight drive and pull shot fell to the left arm quick.
Saahil then fell to the same bowler for 3. James Partridge and Lachlan Borg then began to build a solid partnership to get the innings back on track, with James hitting some glorious shots straight and square of the wicket off the spinners and providing some entertainment for the crowd. Unfortunately, he fell to the offie for 15. Lachlan Borg followed for 32 after a good stand with Jordan Farrell.
A great stumping by Max Papworth, Jordan Farrell hits out and Sean Campbell steams in
Farrell was smoking them for his 30 and we started to look a chance again, with him hanging around at the crease. Once he fell for 30, things began to get away from us. With Max and Harry falling in fairly quick succession, the score drifted to 9-136.
Sean and Rohan hung around and gave their admirers in the stand a lot to laugh about, but also batting very well at the same time. It seemed a big ask, as we needed about 80 off 10 overs, but they fought it out. Rohan casual as always, requesting new gloves as his had worn out in somehow. In the end it was all too much and we were bowled out for 168. We walked off the pitch with a smile on our faces thanks to Sean and Rohan.
We all had a great season, but it was a bit sad to finish the way we did.
Happy Birthday Max!
Thanks very much to the Gordon Cricket club and Andrew Falk, Michael Falk, Tony Wilson, Peter Horwitz, and Paul Stephenson in particular. We wouldn't be out there without your support and assistance in organising gear, photos and grounds.
Thanks to all the scorers throughout the season. You made everyone else’s jobs a lot easier, and it was all very neat I might add!
Special thanks to Bruce and Corbin Edgar. We all had a great season with you and it was an honour to have Bruce return as coach this year, even though Corbin was not playing.
Also a big thanks to Derek Borg for his fantastic managing during the season. Your organising was exceptional.
Good luck next year Stags!
Lachlan Borg
|
