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Match Report Rd 5 08-11-08 - Week 2 |
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Written by Andrew Kyrios
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Saturday, 08 November 2008 |
Toongabbie Match Report Day 2 STJCC Innings.
Arriving at the ground, it was obvious that the same conditions that we enjoyed last week would also be available for Toongabbie to take advantage off. In those conditions on strode P. Colombage and M. Nelson, having survived 3 overs the previous week, on 1 and 2 respectively. P. Sweeney began the Toongabbie assault, with perhaps the longest run-up in the NSWCCU. Regardless, M. Nelson began by attempting to play the good old Half-Nelson to no avail, but somewhat succeeded in directing a few balls outside the off stump over cover for a few runs. Prash meanwhile, defended solidly. Nelso progressed to 8, and after several consecutive plays and misses the Keeper G. Murphy decided that Nelso needed to learn how to use his bat; but Nelso had the last laugh, (Murphy was a shocking keeper and had let through several byes, 11 total in the match), promptly telling Murphy that he too had a pair of gloves, and perhaps should learn how to use them. But Sweeney finally received his reward by bowling Nelso for 8 off 27 deliveries with the score at (FoW 1-18), including a boundary on a field which would rival that of the SCG.
Next in was M. Rendell, in his first game since the grand final last year, recovering from an ankle injury. Matt played himself in, while Sweeney and Macpherson were removed from the attack, and replaced with Thorne (and, as S Mug pointed out, was quite prickly in nature) who thankfully did not prove to be a thorn in our side. His medium pacers were played well by both Prash and Matt who pushed him around the park, milking runs. Meanwhile, on the other end, a Michael Costa doppelganger in the form of S. Arnold took up the attack. If you could imagine Michael Costa bowling, you wouldn’t be far off from S. Arnold’s style (or lack thereof). A genuine non-spinning pie-chucker, Toongabbie were looking to buy their wickets, with Prash doing the long hop down the ground. The ball landed just in front of fieldsman Sweeney, who did not even make an effort to catch the ball. Subsequently, he was brought a few steps in from the boundary. Capitalising on this, Prash slapped it back over both the bowler’s head, as well as Sweeney’s head for a well earned boundary.
Towards the end of the session, Matt Rendell was attempting one of his signature cut shots, however managed to nick it to first slip, where D. Lattimore took a good catch, dismissing Matt for a hard earned 21 off 49 balls, having occupied the crease for 69 minutes (FoW 2-74). In strode D. Mugridge, who perhaps was lacking in concentration, spooning a ball up but managed to land it safely. Lattimore was bowling at this stage, and threw in a few good yorkers which D. Mug classily dug out. With the partnership building, it appeared apparent that Toongabbie had gone to such length as to bribe a few of the children playing in the vicinity of the park to pick up the boundary cone and escape with it in order to prevent a Tungsten win! (Pure speculation on the author’s part, but nonetheless may be possible!) As if the boundary wasn’t already big enough. The pair of Prash and Dave batted through the session to see us to tea, with the score being something in the vicinity of 2/88.
After tea, a slow start by both batsmen with Prash remaining on 41 for a few overs gave Toongabbie a sniff of victory. Prash kept his head down, and pulled off a classy 50, and a well deserved one. A gritty performance and unparalleled concentration enabled such a feat. Eventually, Michael Costa was reintroduced and Prash, having been previously successful against the former treasurer was unable to cash in this time, skying one to deep cover where the catch was taken by Macpherson, seeing Prash dismissed for 57 off 118 (FoW 3-129), having batted for an incredible 177 minutes, in an innings which spanned two days. Out went one Colombage, and in came another, this time in the form of Dinouk. I have never seen a batsman with worse luck, having faced a total of 33 balls this season for no runs. He does have a case against D Mug, who sent him back preventing a possible run after a shot which dropped between fielders. Dinouk’s luck didn’t change, and was dismissed for 0 off 4 (FoW 4-132) by P. Kennett, who is perhaps one of the nicest gentlemen in NSWCCU. This triggered a mini-collapse of sorts, where only ten runs later D Mug played a foolish shot (attempting to hoick our former Transport Minister over square leg) resulting in his stumping; D Mug was dismissed for 36 off 60, batting for 95 minutes. Meanwhile S. Hawkshaw was playing everything on the leg side and off his pads with the utmost of ease, batting well while S Mug took up guard with his first innings this season. In the interim, just as we had thought we’d seen it all, a krazy old kook who appeared shirtless (but it was revealed he was wearing a skin-tone shirt) purloined the boundary cone adjacent to the one which was previously kidnapped by the children! When he was told to replace it, he spat the dummy then ran off again. He eventually came to his senses and replaced it. Steve unfortunately fell for 8 off 19 balls bowled by P. Kennet, batting for 30 mins (FoW 6-150). Meanwhile S Mug was batting well, smothering a few of those pies courtesy Arnold while also dispatching a few. In came C Gray, who was put down the order for stability. With the score at 150, he and Muggers put on a partnership of 14 (chasing 167) before S Mug fell to opener Macpherson, bowled for a valuable 16 off 19, including a boundary (FoW 7-164).
The Tungstens were in a bit of strife, having lost 4 wickets for a meagre 35 runs. However, with C Gray & S Lovell batting and A Kyrios and G or P Britton to come, with only 3 runs to score the result was never really in doubt, despite the nervous tension on the sideline. Lovell was looking slightly shaky as he played and missed a few. Hearts were in mouths as Chris Gray fell to a great ball by the left handed Macpherson, swinging back into him trapping Chris LBW for 2 off 12 (FoW. In strode A Kyrios, walking at a snail pace to allow Greg to change into his whites in order to prepare for the worst. However, he was not needed as after a few balls Kyrios loosened his arms to get a very thick edge over the gully region, running out two. The game was won! Nevertheless, with one ball left in the over the umpire suggested finishing it off, and Kyrios batted ¼ of the way down the pitch in an attempt to put the bowler off. An on drive for 3 (with a very risky last run – the ball was practically at the danger end when the 3rd run was taken.)
And thus the game was won! A good effort by the Tungstens, who perhaps gained something back from Toongabbie after Buckets single handedly demolished us last season. Props must go to the keeper Murphy for his humorous, witty and unparalleled sledging; the humour which he has provided the Tungstens time and time again (2 bounce deliveries, as the story goes) and his great contribution to the Tungsten score of 11 byes! A man of the match performance! |
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 09 November 2008 )
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Alltime Stats on NSWCCU website |
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Written by Michael Nelson
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Friday, 07 November 2008 |
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Alltime Stats now available through NSWCCU website
See here and click on any of the names down the side to see season by season and all time totals |
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Last Updated ( Friday, 07 November 2008 )
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