South Road travelled to Brighton High to face Warradale in an eagerly anticipated match. The conditions were bright and sunny with a nice sea breeze. Warradale won the toss and their skipper uttered the exact words: ” We’ll-have-a-trundle!” It was a surprise to the Roads, who would have batted first anyway. The wisdom behind the decision being that Warradale would try and knock South Road over quickly and have a bash, then get the Roads back in before stumps on Day 1.
There were a couple of key inclusions for the Roads: Steven Broad and former D Grade Captain, Matt Altus. It made for one strong looking team, with a blend of experience and youth.
Opening the batting was Darren Percival and Peter Heidenreich. Percival took a liking to Angelo Pansini straightaway, hitting him through square leg for four and getting a single straight after that ball. Percival looked good playing some great attacking shots, calling well and getting quick singles and waiting for the occasional bad ball. He reached the boundary on numerous occasions and was well supported by young Heidenreich. Heidenreich once again showed his ability by playing some great defensive shots and being patient.
Warradale decided to close in on Heidenreich and it led to his dismissal. Peter was unlucky to hit the ball straight to the fielder at bat-pad, who took a superb one handed catch low down. Captain Roger Nunn came out to bat and he was away with a single off a nice cover drive. Nunn creamed one off of Green that flew past backward point for four. It didn’t quite go to hand but it was a good shot anyway.
Nunn was tested by Pansini bowling a couple of yorkers but he dug them out, one of them going past the slips for a single. It brought about a change with the introduction of spinner, Chad Truscott from the Southern End. He was sharp, but the batsmen managed to survive the over which was the last one before drinks. South Road were 1 for 30.
Warradale decide to bowl both of their spinners in tandem after drinks to slow down the run rate. It worked. The runs dried up. Roger Nunn was unlucky to be given out caught behind, when it appeared that he didn’t hit the ball. It was an unplayable ball and it appeared that there might be a second Shane Warne prodigy along with Mark Mitton in Noel Browne. Roger was disappointed and he had every reason to be, out for 8. His post match recovery session apparently consisted of a swim at the beach and a walk with the Hartletts and the Mermaids.
Poul Petersen walked out to bat and he looked set for a big partnership with Percival. But Truscott bowled one and Percival went for it. It resulted in chipping the ball straight to short cover. Percival gone for a well made 22.
Steven Broad replaced him and he showed his intentions by guiding the ball to wide mid on for an easy single. The combo of the two spinners were beginning to tie down the batsmen. It produced another wicket in Broad, having a go at Browne and top edging the ball to slip. South Road in the mire at 4 for 37, in danger of being bowled out.
Matt Altus was in and he played cautiously early on. He and Petersen set about trying to repair the innings. They got 1’s and 2’s and rotated the strike well. Then Altus hit one straight up in the air. He was walking off as the fielder converged underneath the ball. He got down low and there was confusion as to whether he caught the ball or not. Both the fielder and the square leg Umpire were able to confirm that the ball had been juggled down low and dropped. It had almost been a great catch. If there were half wickets, the fielder would have got one for the effort. Altus resumed his innings.They were up against some very good bowling and were 4 for 58 at the second drinks break.
It was more of the same after drinks with Petersen getting a boundary away with a lovely leg glance that rocketed past fine leg. Things were looking up for South Road, who had a total of anything in the 150 to 200 region, in their sights. That was until Petersen was bowled by a good ball going for it and missing. The ball clipping the off stump. Petersen making a well made 21. South Road in strife at 5 for 74.
David Ewers joined Altus and he showed his intentions by getting a boundary away and playing some nice drives along the ground. The end of Truscott’s spell brought about a change of bowling and veteran Joel Wilkin came on to replace him at the Southern End. He had a couple of close lbw appeals against Ewers turned down. He showed his disgust by telling the Umpire to learn the rules and the Umpire rightfully stood his ground. The bowler should know that the Umpire is right and the decision is final.
Wilkin was swinging the ball into the batsmen, but they survived to be 5 for 85 at the final drinks break. There were a few full tosses that were run scoring opportunities but were missed by the batsmen. Infact, there were some loose deliveries from all of the bowlers that were potential runs but weren’t taken by the batsmen.
The Roads were in need of quick runs and Ewers came to the party displaying some wonderful cricket shots all around the ground and calling well and rotating the strike with Altus. Ewers used the pace of Pansini, to guide the ball past gully for four a couple of times. Altus began to time the ball well with a couple of shots. A quick finish was on the cards.
Wilkin came on for the second last over of the innings and on the fifth ball, he took a sharp catch off his own bowling to remove Altus for a hard fought 23. It ended the partnership between Ewers and Altus, which was the highest in the innings. It was worth 55 runs. Matt was exhausted as he walked off the ground. He’d battled hard and shown a lot of grit during his innings, which certainly helped boost his team’s score. Well done, Matt.
Jordan Bocock came out with the intentions to go for it. He certainly did that but he only managed to spoon the ball to short cover on his first ball. He did the right thing by trying to have a go. Wilkin taking two wickets and is on a hat trick the next time he bowls in a match. Reward for effort. One over left and Dave Ewers was joined by his son, Josh. Dave got a single and on the last ball, Josh played a cracking shot that got him two runs.
South Road finished up on 7 for 132 after their 60 overs, Dave Ewers unbeaten on 38, together with son, Josh at the end. It had been a great knock with shots played all over the park and it was when his team needed it. Brilliant work, Dave. He also combined to form the highest partnership of the innings with Matt Altus.
Chad Truscott was the pick of the Warradale bowlers. He bowled a terrific spell of 15 overs 4 maidens 2 for 18, backed up by 2 wickets apiece from Noel Browne and Joel Wilkin. Anthony Green chipped in with a wicket also. Warradale used their 15 over blocks wisely and bowled tightly in the second block to prevent a possibly good score being posted. They bowled a consistent line and length all day and were very chirpy in the field with something to say throughout the day.
South Road didn’t quite get the score that they wanted but they batted the 60 overs out, which was a great achievement and a few batsmen made great starts, but didn’t quite go on with it. The standout was David Ewers with his excellent innings of 38 not out. The Captain was stiff to be given out, but overall the batsmen were very watchful of the Warradale bowling and did all they could to post 132 on the board. The ball also seemed to slow up in the outfield when the ball was hit there. So boundaries were hard to come by.
A mention goes to Mark Mitton, who umpired all day and did a good job for his team. He wasn’t required to bat as his team batted their overs out so he continued on umpiring for all but the last over of the day.
133 can be defended. South Road have the bowling attack to take the 10 wickets needed for victory and will need a few early wickets to have any chance of victory. It’s all about bowling well and keeping the batsmen tied down and creating the pressure on the scoreboard. They have to go in with a positive attitude and keep their heads held up high. Their attitude in the field so far this year has been very positive and they must use their voice in the field and back each other up. The same intensity from the first two games is required on Day 2. Come on, Roadhouse!