Round 2 Review- Keswick IV vs South Road IV @ Seaview PS
Day of the Ewers
South Road IV were looking forward to playing in Round 2 after receiving a forfeit from Woodcroft in Round 1. They would be without skipper, Roger Nunn, who would be sorely missed and was a big loss. We’re all thinking of you, Nunny!
Standing in for Nunny was Aaron Schmidt, who possessed a powerful line up
at his disposal. New to the side were Jonathon Finch, Peter Fosdike and S.Sherba.
The side travelled to Seaview PS and on a warm and windy day, Keswick skipper, Darren Nickolai won the toss and had no hesitation in batting first. He walked out to open the innings with son, Sam. Taking the new rock for the Roadhouse was Josh Ewers. Josh showed good control early on and troubled the batsmen early on with movement, landing the ball constantly in the right areas. This resulted in the first wicket with Sam Nickolai chipping a full toss straight down Josh’s throat to give him and the team their first wicket of the year. Sam gone for 2.
Josh was partnered by father, Dave, who also looked very threatening early on. He tempted Darren Nickolai by going aerial a couple of times with some heaves over mid-off. This prompted Captain Schmidt to bring on his Number 1 spinner and who should it be but…Warney.
Warney gave new batsman, Clayton Moore, a sighter in his first over with a rank long hop which got dispatched for four along the ground. He bounced back with four dots. South Road were pleased with proceedings at drinks. They looked to build the momentum in the second block of 10 overs.
Returning to the side, after a year off was Al May. He was called upon to bowl early on. He looked good and the batsmen played and missed. At the other end, Warney continued and he bowled well and put pressure on Moore. This led to his demise when he spanked another long hop in the air straight down the throat of Josh Ewers at deep square leg. This was a good day for Josh, who was in the thick of the action.
Warney was extremely disappointing after that. He struggled to find his rhythm bowling into the wind and this played into the hands of the batsmen Darren Nickolai and Bruce Burton, who was playing his first ever game of cricket. Burton showed reasonable technique and was clever with which deliveries he hit, defended and left alone. He did look to hit across the line, which excited the Roads. Warney was removed from the attack after 4 overs.
However, these two batsmen looked to consolidate and build a partnership from which the rest of their side would look to feed off of. It worked when the bowlers weren’t able to get their lines and lengths right and it resulted in carnage.
The Roads showed good spirit and in particular, Lois Ewers, who bowled well and rewarded with the prize scalp of Darren Nickolai, who went for one too many and was clean bowled for 53. In came Bruce Burton’s son, Jay who looked to support his dad. He got off the mark with a single to leave him facing Josh Ewers. Josh justified the move by Captain Schmidt to be recalled by clean bowling Jay off the last delivery of the over.
Josh bowled out his overs and had bowled a terrific spell of 8 overs, 0 maidens 2 for 15. His father, Dave was unlucky not to have taken a wicket but was very economical with figures of 0 for 19 off 8 overs.
Al May continued and he was unlucky not to remove Burton who was beginning to slice the ball in the air and create opportunities. Colin Hopkins played a couple of nice shots before he was clean bowled by a May corker, which knocked out middle stump.
Wickets were beginning to tumble with the introduction of S.Sherba into the attack. He looked deadly when he bowled straight and he was the one to bring about the downfall of Burton who top edged one into the hands of Jonathon Finch, who took a good catch to drag the momentum back in favour of the Roadhouse. Burton out for 48, the Roads unable to believe the fact it was his first ever game of cricket.
This didn’t stop left hander Mick Breton from delivering a few lusty blows. He punished any leg side rubbish by smashing it for four or six over the mid-wicket region. Off the last ball of the innings, it was Captain Schmidt having the last laugh by getting rid of Breton, who charged and missed to give Keeper Altus his first stumping of the year. This puts him in front for the Club Wicket keeping trophy ahead of Mr Krutli in the A Grade. This will be an interesting contest throughout the season. Breton out for 29.
Keswick finished off on 7 for 186 from 40 overs. A good score but chase able. The Roads were disappointed with the way they bowled particularly conceding 17 wides, which some were debatable. Pick of the bowlers was undoubtedly Josh Ewers, backed up by an economic spell from father, Dave and Al May. Among the wickets were Warney, Lois, Schmidty and S.Sherba, taking 1 each.
Opening the chase for South Road was veteran Greg Geldhart, also returning from a year off and Captain, Aaron Schmidt. Opening the bowling was left armer, Tom Buring. Geldhart took a liking to Buring’s bowling by hitting a couple of loose deliveries to the boundary. Buring was inconsistent with his bowling and lacked control.
Jay Burton bowled with good control and a consistent line and length. This resulted in Schmidt hitting one in the air and a sharp catch being taken by Alex Hopkins at mid-wicket. Schmidt departing for 1, South Road 1 for 19.
Josh Ewers came to the wicket at 3 looking to show what he was made of. Unfortunately, impatience was the key in Josh’s dismissal when he bunted one straight to Alex Hopkins off left armer Buring without scoring. South Road 2 for 20.
Jonathon Finch joined Geldhart out in the middle and he was soon on the way back to the pavilion when he was given lbw to youngster Jay Burton for no score. His side in the mire at 3 for 22 when Peter Fosdike walked out to bat.
Fosdike looked sound in defence and showed a solid technique. He got in behind every delivery and supported Geldhart who continued making inroads into the target with some nice shots. But when he edged one off Lachlan Hammond and walked, out for 24, South Road 4 for 39, the game was seemingly over.
Dave Ewers made his way out to the centre and he didn’t mess around. He took advantage of some loose bowling to breathe life into the South Road innings and was well supported by Fosdike, who held up an end. The runs began ticking over with some lusty blows from Ewers who was swinging the game back in the favour of his team.
Things were on track when Fosdike was run out going for a second run. He made 6 but had batted well to support Ewers who would be the key for a victory for the Roads. Former Captain Matt Altus walked out to bat at 5 for 109 needing a partnership with Ewers to secure victory. He began well with a couple of fluent shots that raced to the boundary. The strike was rotated well and the score was ticking along when at the final drinks break, the Roadhouse needed less than a run a ball to get home, with 5 wickets still in the shed.
Dave Ewers continued his golden touch by clubbing boundaries and scoring singles to bring the target closer. South Road were only 10 runs shy when Altus chipped an easy catch in the air to Sam Nickolai off the bowling off his father, Darren. Altus going for a well-made 23, the game safely in the grasp of his side.
Al May joined Ewers in the middle and he hung around as the Roads reached their target with Dave short of his century. He brought it up by hitting the ball for four to cap off a great day for his team. South Road victorious in a successful run chase by 4 wickets. Dave Ewers the hero on 102 not out, his second century for the club after his knock against Morphy Park last year. This shows that there is a big future for Dave and his kids, going forward. It will only benefit the club.
Al May unbeaten on 1 not out. Credit goes to Josh Ewers for a terrific spell of bowling and taking 2 catches. This day was dominated by the Ewers family without doubt. There were good contributions with the bat from Greg Geldhart (24) and Matt Altus (23). Al May and Lois Ewers were good with the ball along with Dave Ewers, who was unfortunate not to take a wicket. The other bowlers were costly and will need to work on their line and length at training. That means you, Warney.
Aaron Schmidt did an excellent job in his first game as skipper and will no doubt have a good season, looking forward. Aaron put his trust in his players and they did not let him down one bit. The side showed good unity which can only be a positive thing. To secure a win chasing away from home is a big step towards being a successful team.
Keswick also have a very bright future with the youngsters who participated in the team. One that stands out is Jay Burton’s bowling. This lad was able to put the ball on the spot and trouble the top order batsmen. He took 2 wickets and can only get better.
The next clash is at Pasadena HS in the first two day clash of the season against North Haven V. This should prove to be interesting as North Haven lost to Keswick in round 1 and won from a forfeit against Woodcroft. That suggests Woodcroft will pull out of the competition this year. The Roadhouse won’t be treating North Haven lightly. North Haven usually put up a strong side no matter what team, what section they are in. The contest will be eagerly anticipated.
A special mention goes to Graham Hartlett, who toned up in the thirds with 127 not out. Congratulations, Graham on a fantastic innings. It led to the downfall of Keswick’s thirds by 146 runs. No double ton from Alan Doubleday, this time.
Roadhouse!