 5th Grade Match Report vs St.George
Rain, rain go away come again another day! After rain had affected the previous four matches including no play at all in the last round, the Jazz were keen for two full days of cricket.
(Weaves in action)
Day 1 arrived and the Jazz were greeted by a lush outfield and dry wicket at Cahill Park. The new look Jazz were finally in business and after winning the toss, batted on what looked like a reasonable deck.
Weaver and Martin opened up, and after Weaver thumped the third ball of the innings for four, things looked promising for the Stags. Some good line and length bowling ensued (from an attack that dismissed Bankstown for 57 the week before), which saw Weaves and Marto consolidate with some sound defense. Unfortunately, Weaves (24) was dismissed on the last ball before drinks, after a steady opening stand of 39. Martin and Avendano fell after the break, which saw Alex Brown and Selby at the crease. Brown looked comfortable and tucked into a couple of pies, before being deceived by a fully and was stumped down the legside. Cam Brown entered the fray and began to build a partnership with Selby, before Cam was trapped in front for 18. Selby was dismissed soon after and with the score at 6/118 off 59 overs, the Jazz seemed to be bogged. Handy contributions from Millar (19), Weise (12) and Paul Campbell (30*) saw the Jazz reach 9/181 at the end of the day. However, was 181 going to be enough, given the slow outfield and movement in the deck?
Day 2 arrived, and as is becoming the norm with 5s this season, the Jazz were greeted by a wet pitch and delayed start. After an hour delay, some liberal use of sawdust and a leaf blower, Sam Ranney and Paul Campbell were at the crease. Twelve runs later and the Jazz were all out for 193, with 71 overs to clean up the Saints.
 The strategy was simple - bowl full, bowl straight, string together maidens and we’ll take wickets. And so big bustling Pat Effeney opened up with ‘Mr Organising’ Dave Millar. Pat soon cleaned up the St.George captain, before Dave found the edge of the other opener in the following over. Dan Lake then showed his fielding prowess with a direct hit in the last over before tea, to leave the Saints reeling at 3-22 off 15.
(Dave Millar in action)
After the tea interval, Dan Lake replaced Pat and Justin ‘I won’t bowl without my mid-wicket behind square’ Avendano replaced the miserly Millar (1 for 9 off 13 including 8 maidens). Both Greenies players bowled very well, with Dan grabbing 2 wickets and Justin 1, to have the Saints in all sorts at 6-49, before the rain came. Play resumed with ten overs lost, a dry pitch and wet ball, before rain again forced the players off the ground. Play did resume briefly but the momentum was lost and some solid batting from the St.George bats saw the game pettier out to a disappointing draw, when time ran out.
A committed effort by the Stags, only to be denied by the inclement weather. So with the hope that a dry spell is around the corner (something that Sammy and Weaves are a kin to off the pitch), the Jazz are ready for the return of their inspirational leader Sticks Kenner in the New Year. |
