All-Stars Take Boys to School. 27/02/10

The All-Stars assignment this weekend was to beat HBHS 7th 11, the only team to have beaten us in round 1.

We were still smarting from the loss to Ham East last weekend and keen to make amends. We were also bolstered by the return of the some big guns in Duncan, Daryl and Pieter.

The skipper called correctly and we elected to have a bowl. The skipper was a bit anxious with Eb (who works til 1pm) and Dan missing. Dan eventually showed up 20 minutes late, with his arms covered in stamps - tells a story.... Daryl muttered something about Dan being out late looking for a 3.30 princess - not quite sure what that means.

Anyway Pieter and Dave opened up well bowling tight lines and 9 fielders were as many as we needed.

Pieter (1/21 off 4) struck first with a perfect in-swinger - removing their captain and best batsman. Dave was bowling well, but without luck. We decided to bowl him through - with immediate payoff as he had had their other opener caught behind. He was unlucky not to pick up the new batsman LBW the next ball, but he didn't have long to wait, trapping him in front next over.

Daves last over was a maiden, capped off with a spectacular run-out off the last ball - fielding in his follow through and breaking the stumps from mid-pitch, catching the batsman asleep on the job. 2/23 off 7 - great bowling.

At the other end Eb had replaced Pieter - but fell into a small hole beside the pitch and twisted his ankle. The skipper came in and started well enough going for 7 off his first three.

Duncan replaced Dave and bowled an entertaining first over wicket - (c&b), 4, wide, 4, wicket (c&b), wide, dot, dot. 2/10 off one to start! The skipper asked for boring the next over and Dunc settled down nicely - going for 1/4 off his next three, before busting out with another 2 wicket burst. Final tally 5/24 off 6, nicely bowled.

At the other end things had gone pear shaped for the skipper, having dropped a c&b himself and having to deal with some guy who was channelling Victor Trumper. So he did the right thing and trudged off to first slip and gave Jared a crack. In his second over J got the pest to dance past a nicely flighted delivery and it was all over for HBHS 129 all out in 27.

At the break all the superstars in the top order were discussing what they'd do after we knocked the runs off - and we were in a positive frame as we headed out to chase.

Brendan got us off to a nice start with a couple of nice cover drives, before flicking a full ball off his toes to square leg. Jimmy was there on 1.

Dave got the dreaded bagel, LBW trying to work to leg. Jimmy was there 1.

Daryl was next to the wicket, and was his usual positive self - playing positively and well to all parts, rapidly making his way to 36 before hitting catching practice to point. (Gaaaa) Jimmy was still there on 4.

Batsman Dan came and went for 4. Jimmy was still there on 4. Plenty of overs left.

John joined Jimmy at the wicket and looked comfy, knocking it around and we cruised along at threes.

In the 28th over we still needed about threes when Jimmy finally departed for 15, having basically sucked the will to live out of the opposition. It was dour stuff but a great application. Jared came and went for one - amusingly HBHS were celebrating having got through to the tail as Pieter G strode to the wicket. 6 Balls later Pieter departed for 14, and we were all but home.

Duncan put his pads back on and wrapped it up in two balls, with a two and a 6 which went onto the back of the pavilion roof at Steele 1.

So in the end a comfy win nicely done.

Next week, Diamonds at Clyde Park.

POD Points - Duncan 3

Dave 2

Daryl 1