All-Stars Polish Off Diamond in Multi-Faceted Display. 12/12/09

At 11am you would have thought there was no chance of a game of cricket!

But the rain stopped at 12.29, and the boys started drifting in. By 12.50pm, the sun was filtering through although the long grass at Swarbrick was quite wet.

The skipper was very pleased to win the toss, and cheerfully chose to bat.

We were off to a bright enough start before Jimmy holed out. New guy John G joined the skipper at the wicket. He looked solid for a while before before putting his ride home in jeopardy by sending the skipper back (on his call) the throw was bang on target and the skipper trudged back, without a single angry look back (which took some effort.)

Dave joined Dave at the wicket, and proceeded to knock up a fluent 37, probably worth 50 if they'd mow the bloody grass.

John G left, and Dan came and went leaving one which hit his off stump. (Two independent sources confirmed a miracle ball.)

John W joined Dave and they put on a nice partnership, with Johns pull shot being used to good effect.

Then Dave gloved to the keeper, and promoted bowler Pieter holed out for one. A few balls later Jared timed a back-cut to gully who took a catch that would make the Pakistanis proud. (His name was Imran too) Suddenly we were 122/7 with 10 overs to go, and things could well have been dodgy.

Eban (15) was full of beans though, and Glen (28) joined him in a big partnership. The Diamonds bowling lost it's shape a bit too. Glen hasn't played for nearly two years, and was clearly nervous, waiting 3 balls before smashing a boundary with the two by four he uses for a bat. He also managed a monster 6.

When Eb fell, Justin joined Glen at the wicket, and the skipper wasn't expecting much (as Justin has asked to bat 11.), but a surprise was in store, with Justin showing plenty of good technique and good running. Our last partnership tweaked Daimonds nipple one last time and we were all out in the 34th for a handy 198.

Dan and Dave opened up for us, and soon had the Diamond openers fishing around.

Dan was bowling great, and the Diamonds had no answer - he had figures of 5 over 3/7.

At the other end Dave couldn't find the bat and after 5 overs the skipper had to make a change - throwing the ball to the obvious choice, Jimmy.

The skippers intuition proved to be right on the money, and Jimmy picked up his first wicket. Ever.

At the other end Jared had replaced Dan with his tweakers, (another inspired change.) and he picked up a nice wicket too - with a nicely flighted delivery.

Throw in a couple of run-outs and that pretty much wrapped it up for the Diamonds. All out for 39. Spank, spank.

POD Points:

Dave 3

Glen 2

Dan 1

Special Mention to Xavier Tras 48 n.o

Next week: Huntly at Steele Park. It's our last game until the 16th of January, so we'd better make it a goody.