Round Report: Round nine-week one
Longmuir
With a mathematical chance of making the finals, the boys were asked to bowl by ANA, and it was Dolly who flexed his considerable muscles early against his old mob. The man mountain captured three of the first four wickets to fall, including arguably the comp's best bat. Hugo (2/63) was dangerous as usual, while Nick also kept the visitors honest. But in the end, it was Dolly's day, with the veteran paceman's brilliant haul of 6/61 restricting ANA to just 174 and giving their finals aspirations the shakes. With 20 overs remaining in the day's play, Hugo (19) and Shorty (28) turned those shakes into heart palpitations, quickly amassing 51 runs without loss.
Quiney
Wet weather reduced the clash against Chelt Park to a one-day fixture this Saturday. A win and the boys are in!
Thirds
Already assured a finals berth, the boys received another shot in the arm for the clash against the Dazzlers with the return of inspirational skipper Dave Bregazzi from hamstring transplant. For the first time this season, Ethan Manakis (25) finally outscored his old man, while in-form senior citizen Gill refuses to bow to father time with another sparkling half-century. After a blistering 77 from badger, the smiling assassin must be firming in the odds for the club champion award this year🥇. But did Chris Elkins silence the critics and cement his spot with a fighting 16? Anyway, it was a pretty good effort by his standards😬. In the end, 288 is a very imposing performance with finals just a week away.
Fourths
After the selectors refused to buckle from a tidal wave of public pressure to push James Still up the grades, the SECA world was watching to see whether the red-haired slogger would once again bludgeon another hapless attack. But the Kings aren't just any run-of-the-mill outfit, as they one of the bookies favs to take out the coveted G grade premiership. For a while, it looked like young Jimmy was on track for another ton, but the pressure got to the hillbilly from Healesville - clean bowled by an elderly gentleman for 66. If the Kings thought their day was on the improve from there, they were seriously mistaken, because Ryan Davidson was out to get some shite off his liver after an unsavoury incident with skipper Michael Britt last week. Anyways, Davo made a brilliant 120 that exuded power, energy and action, and he celebrated the awesome feat accordingly with another BOG performance at the Stiff Richards album launch at the Gasometer Hotel later that night. And we can't forget Rajiv Lal's two towering sixes. With 251 on the board, that will need some chasing!
Fifths
With the bitterness of James Bruce's demotion to interchange player still in their mouths, the boys were asked to bowl by a formidable CHAG side. But like any good combination, Aloi's All-Stars weren't daunted by the task on a lightning-quick outfield and stuck to the task all day. Monty and lil' Davo both snared three wickets each, while Josh and Seany collected one apiece. Chasing down 273 may appear a big mountain to climb, but just remember, veterans Brissy and Simon are in career-best form, while the return to the side of spiritual leader Brucey will have the boys confident they can win and secure a spot in the finals.
Comments