R9 12D

Last Updated (Tuesday, 30 November 1999 10:00) Written by Warren John Daley Tuesday, 09 March 2010 21:01

 R9 12F   St Pats vs Como Jannali 2 (Feb 13 and 20).

Day 1

Como Jannali batted first under fairly damp conditions which were to hinder both the batting and bowling teams. The very high extras count of 80 runs illustrated the difficulty of the conditions for the bowlers with some 48 no balls and 14 wides being bowled with the slippery ball. However this was also contributed to by some fairly wayward bowling and fielding by some of the St Pat’s team.

But this certainly could not be said of Brett Scott. Brett sent down 7 very special overs (with only 3 no balls) and finished with the sensational figures of 4/16. And even more remarkable was the fact that each and every wicket was out bowled.  The pace of some of Brett’s bowling was reminiscent of Shaun Tait’s recent speed record. Brett’s radar was certainly “on” and he proved this again later when he fielded the ball at fine leg and threw down the stumps for a finely executed run-out.

Other highlights were brilliant catches by Liam Taylor and Justin Pickett to give bowlers Luke McGrath and Liam a wicket each respectively. Connor Crowley also achieved a run-out whilst fielding at backward square leg.

Como Jannali went on to make 147 runs with multiple runs very hard to come by, in fact only 67 runs came from the bat.

Day 2

The two Scott’s - Julian and Brett opened the innings, but with heavy overnight dew persisting in the calm conditions, early runs were to prove hard to come by. Both boys hung in there admirably and it wasn’t long before the scoreboard started to tick over nicely.

The 50 partnership was posted before Brett was out caught for 23, his highest score for the season. No doubt Brett was man of the match for his 23 runs and bowling of 4/16 in the Como innings. Julian was out not long afterwards for a patient and controlled 14. Both Brett and Julian did all that was asked of them as openers, keeping their heads down and taking the shine off the new ball.

With two new batsmen at the crease Como sensed an early victory, but Rowan Simpson and Max Dirrmann had other ideas. With the ground beginning to dry out, some of the better timed shots from both boys were starting to sneak through to the boundary. As the score passed 100, with still quite a few overs in hand, St Pat’s had the upper hand. However the dismissal of Max for 28 hard hit runs, and top score for the day, sparked a mid-order collapse from which St Pat’s never recovered.

Despite the wickets falling around him Rowan batted on solidly, but when he was eventually run-out for 21 valuable runs it was all over for the home team, who could only lament the 80 extras they gave away on Day 1, which in the final analysis cost them the game.