We're in the final! We're in the final!

The All-Stars faced up to HBHS 7th XI, (Aka Old-Boys Cs) in our semi-final on Saturday.

We had a strong team, even with runs and wickets leader Dave absent. We knew if we played well we'd get the job done.

The day started well with Duncan taking responsibility for the toss and winning. We were happy to bowl and so we sent them in.

They started quietly with Gibbo and Pieter giving them nothing. 33 off 8 overs is pedestrian stuff at Steele Park.

We brought on our other opening bowlers, Eban and Duncan and things started to happen!! Eban nicked out their skipper in his first over and Duncan purchased a wicket in his first over (1 over 1/16!!) and all of a sudden they were 2 for not enough.

Duncan and Eban turned the screws - and nothing was happening for HBHS. At the drinks break they were 75/2 and really battling to get going.

Eban finished a great spell with 2/23 of seven. Shabbir bowled a nice spell from the other end (0/44 off 7), and was unlucky to have some chances put down.

Yap bowled a short spell to get us back to the opening bowlers and we seemed to be in control at the death.

Thaaats where things got a bit wobbly. Pieter came back and went for 14, 11 and 10 courtesy of some big swinging from one Matt Missen who we discovered later was something of a dodgy ring-in. (playing his cricket in the valley comp!!)

But the real drama was at the other end where Daryl went for four off his first over back, and was taking a bit of tap in his next over when one got away from him and he sent down a high full toss which took a bad bounce straight into the side of Brendans nose.

There was a lot of blood, and Brendan was off to A&E with rather a nasty cricket ball shaped curve in his snoz.

Brendan is fine and will be off to see the specialist this week to have his beak straitened.

Aaaaanyhoo they finished their 35 overs 205/5 - a good comeback by them but barely a par score at Steele.

Duncan and (emergency opener) Yap started things off for us. Duncan was a bit lose to start and was dropped twice in the same over - committing a cardinal sin in Senior C cricket - starting to walk off assuming that the catch would be taken - yap barked him back to his end and the partnership continued until yap got the nickiest of nicks a couple of overs later.

Daryll joined Duncan at the wicket and started doing his thing - piling the pressure on the boys who started to wilt. Duncan departed for 22, and brought Eb to the wicket. This was the partnership that broke the boys as the foot went down. By the time Eb departed for 46, the run rate was well under control. JB arrived at the wicket and struggled for timing, and Daryl finally went, played on for 77.

This brought Pieter to the wicket, needing to keep a calm head (and so he did). However anyone who has seen JBs running and Pieters running can imagine the horror of seeing them running together. It didn't last too long as JB holed out and Shabbir came to the wicket.

Pieter meanwhile had been chipping away at the total with some well struck boundaries and there were 10 needed when they brought their opener back. He wisely advised Shabbir to see the opener off. Shabbir didn't listen to a word - mowing a 4 and a 6 (amongst a few no balls) to wrap up the win.

POD Points

Eban 3

Daryl 2

Brendan 1 (In sympathy)

In the other semi, we were all sad to see Hamilton East rolled by Suburbs. Their final act of the summer summing up their lack of class - as their last batsman out kicked over the stumps when he lost his wicket.

So next week should be an excellent match-up! Star vs Suburbs at Steele Park.

The game is schedule for Saturday the 3rd of April.