Phil McBarron reports...
We were inserted on a slow and low pitch, which coupled with an ovegrown outfield, made runs hard to come by. We stuggled to 162 all out off 39 overs - a patient half century by Priest, a fluentish (in the context of the game) 30 by Carr, some lusty blows by Warren and our old friend extras being the main stays. Ducks for Taylor and Cousins and not many from the rest of us. Superstars bowling was steady but unspectacular and backed up by good fielding. An Asian off-spinner we had not seen before picked up a five-for - decentish bowler but his figures did flatter a little.
We felt 180 would have been a good score but 162 was at best only par. When 14 came off Warren's first over, including two boundaries by Conway and four byes we ferared the worst. Fortunately, Conway soon holed out and the scooring went into reverse as 24 off 3 overs became 36-1 off 13. The spinner who opened the batting with Conway was out shortly afterwards and JC/Neil decided now was the time to gamble with Alex. 15 runs came off his first over as the Superstars no 4 James launched into him. As is the way, runs also started coming at the other end and at 90 odd for 2 off 25 overs Superstars were favourites. Wickets then started to fall steadily but Block batting at 6 was playing well and ensured the Rats were always up with the run rate. However, when he was out caught in the deep, 17 were needed off 4 overs with only one wicket left. This was down to 6 needed off 7 balls when Mike Taylor horribly wiped over a straight semi-long hop from John Cooper and was clean bowled via his pad.
A goodish Dodgers fielding performance and all the bowlers did well. 4 wickets for Warren Bass in 3 spells, excellent economy from Cousins up front (10 runs from 8 overs), steady spells and wickets for Cooper and Hilary and a good comeback from Alex who claimed the vital wicket of Block. The main thing is we held our nerve in a game we were often coming 2nd best in.
Three-nil, three-nil, three-nil, three-nil...
We were inserted on a slow and low pitch, which coupled with an ovegrown outfield, made runs hard to come by. We stuggled to 162 all out off 39 overs - a patient half century by Priest, a fluentish (in the context of the game) 30 by Carr, some lusty blows by Warren and our old friend extras being the main stays. Ducks for Taylor and Cousins and not many from the rest of us. Superstars bowling was steady but unspectacular and backed up by good fielding. An Asian off-spinner we had not seen before picked up a five-for - decentish bowler but his figures did flatter a little.
We felt 180 would have been a good score but 162 was at best only par. When 14 came off Warren's first over, including two boundaries by Conway and four byes we ferared the worst. Fortunately, Conway soon holed out and the scooring went into reverse as 24 off 3 overs became 36-1 off 13. The spinner who opened the batting with Conway was out shortly afterwards and JC/Neil decided now was the time to gamble with Alex. 15 runs came off his first over as the Superstars no 4 James launched into him. As is the way, runs also started coming at the other end and at 90 odd for 2 off 25 overs Superstars were favourites. Wickets then started to fall steadily but Block batting at 6 was playing well and ensured the Rats were always up with the run rate. However, when he was out caught in the deep, 17 were needed off 4 overs with only one wicket left. This was down to 6 needed off 7 balls when Mike Taylor horribly wiped over a straight semi-long hop from John Cooper and was clean bowled via his pad.
A goodish Dodgers fielding performance and all the bowlers did well. 4 wickets for Warren Bass in 3 spells, excellent economy from Cousins up front (10 runs from 8 overs), steady spells and wickets for Cooper and Hilary and a good comeback from Alex who claimed the vital wicket of Block. The main thing is we held our nerve in a game we were often coming 2nd best in.
Three-nil, three-nil, three-nil, three-nil...
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