Star Varsity Seniors versus Te Rapa (last years 2-day winners)

Star Varsity versus Te Rapa (last years 2-day winners)

At the start of the day there was much indecision about the pitch. Seriously - who expected a pitch to look like a belter for the first game of the season, so with the pitch looking like it had a lot of runs in it, the captain decided to lose the toss and let the opposing team decide what they wanted to do.

Unfortunately he won the toss.

So after a moments deliberation with himself, he decided to give his bowling attack a chance to uncover what was hidden under the superficial exterior of the bronzed, hardened pitch...

..There was nothing hidden.

It was a belter. Te Rapa amassed 275/4 revolving around hundreds from Nd rep Mark Orchard and Hamilton Rep Brooke Hatwell.

Earlier Damo had bowled his 10 on the trot superbly, giving limited width and great movement. He first snared chewy in the gully region to a great catch by Chucky, and then had ND'er Devcich taken at first slip by Commins. He had great support from Cam followed by Shosty before the first drinks break. A great start, after 25 overs Te Rapa were 95/3.

The second 25 weren't so great. Something to work on aye boys!!!

Te Rapa 275/4 after 50, the solitary wicket coming with 3 balls left in their batting.

An inspired calm talk from the skipper at half time saw each batter focussed on their job and knowing the gamr plan. Mark and Damo got us off to a flying start with the help of some terrible bowling (20 wides in the first 10 overs!), and after 25 overs we were well placed at 148/2. Kevin batted brillinatly and established a partnership with each batsman ensuring the run rate never got out of control. A great effort from all the guys to curb the natural instincts and push the singles! Turns the 220 scores into 270 scores!

The last over came up with Cam and Kevin at the crease. We needed 8 to win, 7 to draw! The skipper lit a ciggerette.

The first ball, a single to cam.
The second ball, 2 to Kevin...

5 off 4

The skipper lights another cigerrette

The third ball, 1 to Kevin

The fourth ball,... a dot ball!!! Skip has two cigerrettes in his mouth forgetting he was already smoking one!

The fifth ball, 2 to cam!

The final delivery..

(just in case you have just started viewing, Te Rapa made 275, we're up to the last ball of our innings needing 2 to win)

The final delivery....

A dot ball... the keeper takes the bails off the stumps, Te Rapa start to celebrate in a huddle, its all over... wait ... the batsman are running, the keeper throws the ball to the non-strikers end, its a run out. Cam is run out!!! It is now all over!

The skipper rummages through the rule book, looking for the bonus point rules, finds their is none, and lights another cigerrette!

Great day of cricket, and to be seperated by one run, shows there wasn't much between the teams, and on another day it could have gone our way! Great positive cricket and we'll be waiting for that revenge.

	Runs		Overs	Maidens	Wickets	Runs		Catches	Stumpings
Commins	49	Caught						1
Morrow	24	LBW	10	1	2	30
Murphy	78	NO
Bigham	20	Caught								WK
Johnston	1	Bowled						1
Shoston	2	Caught	9	0	1	32
Botha	25	Caught						1
Geldenhuis	23	LBW	11	0	0	63
Tagore	DNB		5	0	0	40
Vette	14	Run Out	10	0	1	67
Bawa	DNB		5	0	0	39
TEAM	274/8							lost by 1 run

Points to note:

We don't know which one of Pieter's overs is actually Nicks.
Keith is fast becoming Kevins favourite Hamilton umpire!