All-Stars Speed Bump Against HBHS 7th 11!

It was a murky start on Saturday for the All-Stars. It had rained all week and a bit more on Saturday morning.

Dave was in charge again with Yap battling a cold and feeling about as sharp as a wet cotton bud.

Steele Park resembled a sheep paddock with plenty of grass, and the pitch was very wet.

HBHS weren't going to let steady rain, and a soaking pitch get in the way of a game of cricket. Common sense prevailed though and we sat out a 45 minute delay waiting for the weather to clear.

The time was used productively though, using a couple of sign-writers scrapers to take the water off the pitch. These work like a charm - every team should have two!

The toss was always going to be a big moment, and it didn't go our way, and we found ourselves in the field.

Conditions were tough, and the bowlers did will just to get the ball to the other end. Their openers started solidly, and it wasn't until the skipper made a change that we saw some results. Born-again medium-pacer Yap picked up a C&B in to get us under way.

Unfortunately the damp ball was doing sweet FA, and HBHS prospered with some lusty blows.

Thariq, who had opened bowling pace, came back to bowl his tweakers, and bowled four overs, 2-6, with plenty of loop and spin, but despite his efforts we wound up needing 181 for the win.

The HBHS bowlers got us off to a good start, (and bowled an impressive 32 wides and no-balls), but apart from a stint in the middle where Eban and Thariq were going, we really struggled to get moving. Thariq scored a smooth 53, before departing as he tried to lift the tempo.

In the end, we petered out for 161, having been out-tossed, out-batted, out-bowled and out-fielded by a team we were good enough to beat. One to put behind us I think.

In fact, as I look at the scorebook now, it doesn't come close to tallying - so they even scored better than us. Grim stuff.

Anyhoo, next week it's the jolly green Diamonds at Swarbrick Park - should be a hoot.

POD Points?

Thariq 3

Dave 2

Eb 1