“To
Declare or, Not to Declare” – that is the question?
The
title is not quite Shakespearean, nor even grammatically correct. But it was
wildly debated the previous week and needed to be answered (and yes, I
blatantly did a copy and paste job from one of the Wogs earlier match reports
from the season).
With
6 points in the bag, the 4s boys arrived at North Epping oval keen to turn 6
into 10. However, Friday nights weather was determined to make it just 6 for
the bulls. The wicket remained dry, however there were a few relatively
dangerous spots on the square which could have seen people doing ankles and all
sorts of injuries. Eventually, we got on at 2:15 (with 70 overs to play).
To
go back to the declaration, the general consensus was to have a quick 8 over
slog then declare (majority rules in a 10 v 2 vote … and yes I am aware that
there is 11 cricketers in the one team …)
Luke
and KD continued on their match saving partnership, with Luke looking to go
after everything. With Luke connecting with some and mistiming others into
safety, he got to a deserved maiden 50 for the bulls with a sumptuous straight
6 off their opener. The odd blow here and there from both Darmon and Collins
propped the score up to 152 before Luke fell for a well made and aggressive 65.
A few more wickets and some more runs from Darmon got us to 160 before the
declaration finally came. KD finishing on a very important 31 not out.
There
was still 60 overs in the day for us to bowl them out, and with a lead of 55,
we were confident that we could roll them cheaply and quickly chase any deficit
left. Cavers and Waity (finally bowling with the new rock) bowled tightly with
plenty of movement but, despite a few half chances and several plays and
misses, wickets weren’t coming as often as they should have. The first wicket
fell to a very good run out by Darmon, who, despite lying on the ground posing
for the centerfold for the March Playboy magazine, got a good throw in to
Allsopp, who did the rest. Cavers then removed their other opener (for the 2nd
time in the innings as he was previously out to a no ball), and at 2-33, we
were in a position to drive for an outright.
However,
their number 3 and 4 had other plans. Their number 3 was not going to give up
10 points easily, and decided to play a very determined knock to hold the
raging bulls at bay. Their number 4 gave us the odd half chance, exclusively
hitting the ball in the air, and onto the leg side, but it was to be his day.
This
partnership took them to the tea break at 4:30. Once again, the tea break was
an excellent spread, with sandwiches supplied by both Purcell and Nicoletti,
and an abundance of fruit, both the Briars and the Bulls were satisfied.
We
knew that if we were to take a few quick wickets straight after tea, we would
still be in with a chance of claiming 10, even with 34 overs left in the day.
Unfortunately, the briars batted a lot better in their second dig and denied us
of early wickets. Their number 4 hit a solid counter attacking 52, then soon
after, Howesy got him out for the 2nd time in the match (for match
figures of 4-15 off12) with the score on 101. However, both the Burwood bats
did their job and batted for a long enough period to deny us of 10 points.
Stumps were pulled at 5:50, with Burwood sitting at 3-118 with their number 3
batting well to make 30 not out.
Despite
not achieving what we wanted at the start of the day, the 4s boys should be
proud that we knocked off last year’s premiers in a must win encounter, and
that 6 points is an excellent effort in itself. We have now snuck into the top
6 due to the Georges River and Warringah fixture being a tie (who ties these
days!) on 38 points. We have both Georges River (37 points) and Lane Cove (34
points) breathing down our necks, but if we play like we have been playing all
season against Roseville, a qualifying finals appearance from the Bulls beckons
us. We deserve this boys! Concentrate on our result and not the others and we
will get there …
Stay
Bullish
Nico
Week 1
With possibly one of the most important 4th grade
matches to be played by an Epping side in quite some time, the 4s boys rocked
up to the home of cricket that is North Epping oval to face competition
heavyweights, and club rivals, Burwood. The match itself was not only about
trying to achieve some club championship points to win the Turnbull-Richardson
cup, but it was also about trying to stamp our authority and make a presence in
the top 6 with one more round to go.
North Epping oval looked a treat, a nice green outfield, and
a belter of a wicket, coupled with sunny weather, and it turned out to be a
very good (almost perfect but probably just a tad too warm and humid) cricket
day. Unfortunately my two up record this half of the year hasn’t been all that flashed
so it was appropriate that I would lose and we would be in the field.
The boys knew we had to be on top of our game and deliver
some exceptional cricket to have a chance of playing finals cricket. Cavers and
Gerdes started us off with tight opening spells, beating the bat on a regular
basis, and creating the odd half chance. Cavers got the initial breakthrough
with their opener hitting one to KD at mid on and at 1-16 we got the start we
wanted.
The Burwood opener and number 3 then hung around, not giving
us a whole lot, while waiting for the occasional loose ball to punish. Waity
and Darmon bowled well in this period but weren’t hurting the Briars where it
hurts – the wickets column.
Enter late call up James Howes. In tandem with KD, the run
rate dropped to a snails pace as both bowlers choked the briars of any run
scoring opportunities. James’ spell of 3-4 off 8 overs with 5 maidens really
shook the Briars top order and gave the momentum back to the Bulls. Special
mention must go to Cavers here as he took an excellent running catch at mid on
off James bowling. Luke Collins then came to the party, continuing KDs good
work at the other end which resulted in a wicket to Luke off his first ball.
The longer we were out in the field, the better we got – the
Briars were struggling to find any runs as all the bowlers were backed up by
excellent fielding efforts. Luke then bowled a beauty to remove the dangerous
Briars captain, and with Purcell picking up his first wicket on the last ball
before tea, the bulls were in the driver’s seat with Burwood reeling at 7-96.
The tea effort summed up our efforts, as not only did we
lift for this match, our tea effort was one of our best efforts. Purcells
sandwiches went down a treat (I still like your rubber factory ham and cheese
sandwiches Mike!). Also thanks to Mrs Gerdes for getting the tea ready while we
were coming off the field, and, for the 2nd time this season,
providing us with iceblocks.
The message at tea was to remain focused and to remove the
remaining 3 bats as swiftly as possible. I somehow get the odd feeling that I
was stating the obvious or that the boys listened. Either way, 5 overs after
tea, the briars were skittled out for 105, with Luke claiming one more (3-13)
and Shaun mopping up the tail with figures of 3-10.
With the bowlers doing their job, it was the batsman’s turn.
With eyes on 6 points at the end of the day, the start we had wasn’t our best,
and at 3-31 there was a bit of a hiccup in our plan. Reynolds looked the goods,
clubbing a quick fire 18 (with an impressive zac over midwicket), but when he
fell, as well as Gerdes and Waity, at 6-73 the Briars smelt blood.
However, Luke Collins had other plans, and showed his class
as a promising batsman. He showed plenty of patience and maturity beyond his
years, and along with KD, formed a handy 36 run partnership that took as home
in the 2nd last over of the day. Both guys played very sensibly,
pacing the run chase like a Michael Bevan master class, as we left the field
knowing that our season is still going. Luke finished with 34 not out and KD
with 13 as the Bulls finished day 1 on 6-109. With plenty of time still in the
match, there are still many possibilities to what can happen. If we back our
bowlers up as well as we did on day 1, 10 points are a possibility, and finals
cricket a probability. Still a lot of work to do, but we are capable and
determined.
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