THE Southern Eurobodalla B Grade side travelled to Tathra with few expectations, due to consecutive losses, and even fewer players, fielding a side of only nine men due to unforeseen circumstances.
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Winning the toss, captain Paul Schaefer decided to have a bowl first, attempting to gain some confidence with early wickets.
The opening bowling pair of Jay Walpole (1/28 off 8) and Trent Day (3/38 off 7), provided this, with both taking a great caught and bowled in the opening five overs.
A good all round fielding performance saw few dropped chances, as Dave Moran and Paul Schaefer each grabbed a wicket to have the hosts reeling at 6/90 at drinks. However, the small fast ground and a fantastic century by the Tathra captain, the evergreen Dick Blacka, had the Pirates confidence on an edge.
James McKay, though, grabbed three late wickets to leave the Pirates with a chaseable total of 175.
Southern Eurobodalla knew that the total would be extremely demanding, as they began the large pursuit with only eight wickets in hand. The chase started well, though, with Daniel Alderton and Alex Filmer-Smith making 11 a piece. Unfortunately, both openers and fourth batsman, Trent Day, all fell in short succession to have the Pirates in trouble at 3/40.
However, this brought Jay Walpole and James McKay to the middle, looking to rebuild the innings and bring Southern Eurobodalla back within a chance. Both looked good as McKay took 20 plus off one particular over.
The hundred run partnership ended when Jay Walpole fell to a sharp catch, but James McKay (110 no) would not be out-done, scoring a dazzling unbeaten century which featured 10 sixes and eight fours!
Late cameos from Matt Klose and Dave Moran secured the victory for the Pirates, chasing down the large total in only 32 overs.
It was a fantastic performance, with all nine players contributing greatly to an improbable victory.
Looking north, Southern Eurobodalla C Grade side, for two weeks in a row, failed to capitalise on a good start with the ball as they squared off against a Bemboka side that travelled to Kyla Oval, Tuross Head.
The Bemboka side decided to bat first and were soon in trouble at 2/10 after six overs, but a composed effort from the middle order resurrected their innings as they put together a 57 partnership before the Pirate's bowling attack struck and at drinks the away side was in trouble at 5/91. After drinks the away side was reduced to 8/101 before a couple of old heads took to the home attack finishing with 9/188.
Best with the ball were former Tuross Head captain Nick Mason 2/4, Jenny O'Brien 2/21,Tim Watson 1/7 and young gun Lachlan Brennan 1/16.
In reply the Southern Eurobodalla side was soon in trouble as the dangerous Bemboka attack reduced the home side to 4/25 before Boyd Brennan and the hard-hitting Tim Watson put the home side back in the game with a 66 run partnership before Watson was out for a punishing 46.
Brennan soon followed for a patient 27 as the steam ran out of the home teams batting finishing at 8/136. The other only other notable contribution with the bat came from Nathan Carruthers with a swash buckling 22.
Captain Boyd Brennan was happy with efforts but lamented some poor bowling at times which enabled the Bemboka side to reach such a total. The return of Ed Gwynne next week should add much needed starch to the bowling attack and batting as they travel to Wyndham.
Meanwhile A Grade travelled to Bega to play a rare game on turf. Confident from the determined batting effort against Eden the previous week, the Pirates decided to bat first.
What a difference a week makes! The Pirates’ innings got off to a disastrous start, losing eight wickets for a paltry 43 runs! Josh Schaefer (27) and Elijah Blair (25) were the only batsmen who could hold their heads up in a total score of 104.
The situation didn't get any better when the Pirates took the ball, with Bega–Angledale effortlessly compiling 3/152 by the close of play.
The mediocre fielding and bowling will need to improve markedly next week if the Pirates are any chance of restricting the Bega-Angledale batsmen to a manageable lead and avoiding outright defeat.
Congratulations to James McKay, scorer of the first century for the Southern Eurobodalla Pirates club! For his effort, James is the deserving winner of this week's Shell Narooma Award.
Once again, a huge thank you to our supportive sponsors, Club Narooma, Club Dalmeny, Narooma IGA, Shell Narooma, Richard Busuttil and Michaels at Dalmeny.
THE Southern Eurobodalla B Grade side travelled to Tathra with few expectations, due to consecutive losses, and even fewer players, fielding a side of only nine men due to unforeseen circumstances.
Winning the toss, captain Paul Schaefer decided to have a bowl first, attempting to gain some confidence with early wickets.
The opening bowling pair of Jay Walpole (1/28 off 8) and Trent Day (3/38 off 7), provided this, with both taking a great caught and bowled in the opening five overs.
A good all round fielding performance saw few dropped chances, as Dave Moran and Paul Schaefer each grabbed a wicket to have the hosts reeling at 6/90 at drinks. However, the small fast ground and a fantastic century by the Tathra captain, the evergreen Dick Blacka, had the Pirates confidence on an edge.
James McKay, though, grabbed three late wickets to leave the Pirates with a chaseable total of 175.
Southern Eurobodalla knew that the total would be extremely demanding, as they began the large pursuit with only eight wickets in hand. The chase started well, though, with Daniel Alderton and Alex Filmer-Smith making 11 a piece. Unfortunately, both openers and fourth batsman, Trent Day, all fell in short succession to have the Pirates in trouble at 3/40.
However, this brought Jay Walpole and James McKay to the middle, looking to rebuild the innings and bring Southern Eurobodalla back within a chance. Both looked good as McKay took 20 plus off one particular over.
The hundred run partnership ended when Jay Walpole fell to a sharp catch, but James McKay (110 no) would not be out-done, scoring a dazzling unbeaten century which featured 10 sixes and eight fours!
Late cameos from Matt Klose and Dave Moran secured the victory for the Pirates, chasing down the large total in only 32 overs.
It was a fantastic performance, with all nine players contributing greatly to an improbable victory.
Looking north, Southern Eurobodalla C Grade side, for two weeks in a row, failed to capitalise on a good start with the ball as they squared off against a Bemboka side that travelled to Kyla Oval, Tuross Head.
The Bemboka side decided to bat first and were soon in trouble at 2/10 after six overs, but a composed effort from the middle order resurrected their innings as they put together a 57 partnership before the Pirate's bowling attack struck and at drinks the away side was in trouble at 5/91. After drinks the away side was reduced to 8/101 before a couple of old heads took to the home attack finishing with 9/188.
Best with the ball were former Tuross Head captain Nick Mason 2/4, Jenny O'Brien 2/21,Tim Watson 1/7 and young gun Lachlan Brennan 1/16.
In reply the Southern Eurobodalla side was soon in trouble as the dangerous Bemboka attack reduced the home side to 4/25 before Boyd Brennan and the hard-hitting Tim Watson put the home side back in the game with a 66 run partnership before Watson was out for a punishing 46.
Brennan soon followed for a patient 27 as the steam ran out of the home teams batting finishing at 8/136. The other only other notable contribution with the bat came from Nathan Carruthers with a swash buckling 22.
Captain Boyd Brennan was happy with efforts but lamented some poor bowling at times which enabled the Bemboka side to reach such a total. The return of Ed Gwynne next week should add much needed starch to the bowling attack and batting as they travel to Wyndham.
Meanwhile A Grade travelled to Bega to play a rare game on turf. Confident from the determined batting effort against Eden the previous week, the Pirates decided to bat first.
What a difference a week makes! The Pirates’ innings got off to a disastrous start, losing eight wickets for a paltry 43 runs! Josh Schaefer (27) and Elijah Blair (25) were the only batsmen who could hold their heads up in a total score of 104.
The situation didn't get any better when the Pirates took the ball, with Bega–Angledale effortlessly compiling 3/152 by the close of play.
The mediocre fielding and bowling will need to improve markedly next week if the Pirates are any chance of restricting the Bega-Angledale batsmen to a manageable lead and avoiding outright defeat.
Congratulations to James McKay, scorer of the first century for the Southern Eurobodalla Pirates club! For his effort, James is the deserving winner of this week's Shell Narooma Award.
Once again, a huge thank you to our supportive sponsors, Club Narooma, Club Dalmeny, Narooma IGA, Shell Narooma, Richard Busuttil and Michaels at Dalmeny.
Bega-Angledale Bulls versus South Eurobodalla Pirates at George Griffin Oval Bega
A FLAT looking George Griffin pitch and the prospect of temperatures in the mid 30's meant Pirates skipper Matt Corbett had no hesitation to bat first after calling correctly, with the Bulls seemingly resigned to a long, hot day in the field.
The Bulls pace quartet had other plans however, attacking the stumps and bowling in partnerships, giving the Pirates bats few opportunities to score.
Once Wayne Dunham (3/15) breached the defences of both SE openers, the floodgates soon opened as all-rounder Alec Watson proceeded to carve through the middle and lower order. His figures of 6/8 from 7 overs the best bowling analysis recorded in FSCCA A-Grade cricket in recent memory, bettering the 6/14 by Shane Garrett of Pambula and 6/15 by Matt Bell of Eden.
At 8/43 things were not looking good for the Pirates, but the tail wagged with Eli Blair (25) and the Schaefer brothers allowing them to press on to near three figures. However with the last wickets falling to Dunham and leg-spinner Jack Allen, the Pirates total of 104 always looked a bit skinny. This proved to be the case with an opening stand of 60 between Cody Hazelgrove-Danvers (32) and Sean Lambert (53 no), and handy cameos from Robbie Ringland (35) and Kel Evans (15).
At stumps Bega-Angledale were 3/158, a lead of 54 runs, and will look to press on next week and chase outright points to consolidate their position at the top of the ladder.
Pambula Bluedogs versus Tathra Sea Eagles at Pambula Beach Ground
WITH both teams coming off losses and sitting fifth and sixth on the ladder respectively, this game shaped up as a must-win. Pambula won the toss and decided to have first use of conditions.
Three ducks between the first five batsman left the Bluedogs teetering on 5/48, as once again the Blacka brothers, Adam and Dan took 3 wickets apiece to put Tathra in the box seat. However promising young keeper Bryden Unicomb took the advantage away with a polished 47 no, ably supported by skipper Shane Garrett (29) and off-spinner Tom Baker (23), as Pambula recovered to post a competitive 150 on the big Pambula Beach ground.
In reply the Sea-Eagles were soon in trouble, their top-order falling to a string of single-figure scores, with only all-rounder Adam Blacka - moved up to open the innings - contributing a typical hard-hitting 58.
At 5/82 the game is still very much in the balance and Tathra will look next week to their veteran keeper Rob Stevenson and the under-rated Matt O'Reilly to knock off the remaining 69 runs for a first-innings victory. Pambula on the other hand will push for quick wickets and the chance of a possible outright victory especially as Tathra will be without the services of their star Adam Blacka.
Eden versus Merimbula Knights at Eden Cricket Ground
THE local derby of the round saw the Knights travel down the Princes Highway, where winning the toss Merimbula captain Jeremy Fernando decided to send Eden in at their home ground.
Like the other games this round, where the team batting first struggled, this game proved no exception with Eden soon in trouble at 5/42 and were not long after knocked over for 101, top scorer being keeper Andy Evellyn with 25. Bowling honours were shared, with Wade Edmed (3/37) and 2 wickets each to Brayden Macdonald, Scott Wright and Lucas Rixon.
With a great chance to knock over their great rivals, the Knights started steadily and with good contributions from star opener Dylan Jordan (33) and emerging all-rounder Wade Edmed (42 no) they rounded up Eden's score and finished the day at 4/119, a first innings lead of 18.
Once again the game is open to all sorts of permutations next week, and should see an exciting climax either way.