 Colts within touching distance of points
On a clearing day at Beauchamp oval, we lost the toss and were sent to fry in the field by Randwick. It was a largely forgettable day for the two openers, Effeney and Biraj, with balls beating the bat but none catching the much sought after edge. At 0/47 the opening batsmen looked as if they may have made us chase leather all day, but an earlyish change, bringing on Simon Massey, proved to be an inspired one from captain-cum-wicketkeeper Dave Millar. A thud, a yell, a finger going up, an LBW at last – and in Colts!
Wigham in the sheds after taking the final two wickets
At the other end, another change brought Dan Lake on with pace and swing but without luck, and Randwick looked as if the two at the crease may have carried on the good opening stand. It wasn’t to be, however, as Michael Singh came on for a ‘cheeky’ over before drinks and yet another LBW decision was given. Typical spinner’s dismissal, feeding off all the fast bowlers’ pressure. After a good mix of orange cordial and an inspiring chat from the captain, we were back out there again, looking to pick up a couple of wickets before the main break.
We did a little better than that, with Michael Singh bowling throughout the whole session, picking up two more wickets. Sam Powell, the tired yet elated pom, also picked up two, much to the disgust of those who had bowled before without success. His formula was simple: full tosses, and let them make the mistake, which one did, leading edging it (somehow) to point. Singh finished his spell with admirable figures of 3/8, while Powell met his match halfway through his spell in a left hander who played only the sweep shot and finished with two.
The highlight of the session, though, was a brilliant run-out by Simon Massey, in which a quick and accurate throw to the bowlers end had the batsman struggling to make his ground. What was even more impressive was the way he conned the batsmen into taking the third by feigning a misfield. It was a lesson in gamesmanship for all who saw it. Following this came tea, which was very generously provided by the preceding day’s leftovers. Top spread.
 We needed three wickets and we wanted them quickly. Simon Massey, upon his return to the crease, bowled with good pace to clean up one. Then Jono “Chief” Wigham decided it was time to have a trundle and picked up two for good measure. A top effort in the field on a great batting wicket had restricted Randwick-Petersham to 117 all out. The fielding standard was high and there was good support and intensity from all members of the team.
Michael Singh - Watch this space... plenty of fantasy points!
Our turn to bat, and James Ellison and Tom Lamont started solidly, taking the shine of the new ball and hitting a few crisp strokes to the boundary. Ellison was given out, LBW, and Lamont took this as cue to start belting the ball everywhere. He did so with ease until his demise on 43. A brief stay by Powell at the crease and then Iftekhar "My surname is easier" Don was another victim of teammates giving LBW decisions.
With four wickets down and the ten overs still left in the day, the dugout was a little nervous, but Massey and Wigham steadied the ship and at the close of play we were three runs short of first innings victory. Let's hope we get on on Sunday to clean up the points. Patrick Effeney | 
