Wow what a start to the season for the U14 Gold team!

2 hard games against good teams where both teams batted for 55 overs and both games could have been won or lost on the last ball!

Coach , Manager and assorted parents being treated for stress!

Great teamwork and contributions from different players in both games helped secure the wins.

Round 1

Playing against Upper Hills ,Gold batted first and posted an imposing 182 runs for 8 wickets from the 55 overs.

Oliver Winkcup lead the way with 55 aided by Thomas Lee 28 and Matthew Campling who carried his bat for a much needed 43 not out.

On a hot and blustery second day we managed to keep Upper Hills to a meagre 181 ! after all appeared lost with about 7 overs to go. Jansher Khan was the pick of the bowlers with 3 wickets in his 8 overs for only 15 runs.

He was supported by moments of great fielding in amongst some nervous moments. Most Notable was Daniel Kleinhans magnificent run out throwing from 40 metres with one stump to aim at. From that moment on the boys began to shut Upper Hills down. Newcomer to the team Andrew Angioni(playing against his old team) got off to a great start in the field with another run out close to the end.

The ball followed Maheesha Perera where ever he fielded but he was determined not to be beaten.

Despite only needing 4 runs to win from the last over some tight bowling with support in the field saw the boys home.

A great win against a team that will be challenging for the title.

Round 2

Played against our fierce rivals Berowra was always going to be a test of nerve, belief and technique. Gold narrowly lost to them by a single wicket in the grand final last year having beaten them easily in the grand final the year before. These two teams are very evenly matched.

Berowra batted first and although being 3/15 early with some good opening bowling from Daniel supported by Matthew they finished with 214 for 8 in the 55 overs. Gold had some notable bowling which was lead by Mark Porvaznik leg spin 7 overs 2 wkts for 21 and Daniel Kleinhans 6 overs 2wkts for 22 runs and Abhi Srikanth 10 overs 2wkts for 45 runs. This bowling effort was really helped at a particularly tense part of the innings by Reed Davies 3 overs none for 9 runs and Yeshan Jayasekera 3overs none for 3 runs. Jansher Khan took two good catches in what was otherwise by the boys own standards, lack lustre fielding performance. We seem to let Berowra off the hook every time !

A plan was hatched by management with the boys focussed on the need to have wickets in hand . Abhi and Brett got the team off to a great start with Abhi scoring 22 before the partnership ended at 63 runs in the 19th over.

Brett was joined by Tom who shared a great partnership and Tom added 75 before having to retire. Brett lost his wicket after a great innings of 42 but the team was still in a great position of 3 for 190 with 9 overs left .

That should have been that but Berowra fought back and with Tom retiring the pressure of these games started to play a factor. Reed and Sam were unlucky to be run out and the game ended with high drama as usual. Gold needed 1 run off the last ball to win the match . Mark faced the last delivery which was wide down the leg side ,the keeper missed the run out chance and Mark and Daniel scampered home. A subdued celebration took place !

Game won on the last ball and this commentator had the agony of travelling back from Adelaide and had to turn off his phone as he boarded the plane at the start of the last over thinking the game had been lost.

The season cannot get any more exciting than the first two games. (Or at least the parents hope not). Great Team spirit and ALL players contributing

when it counts has been the difference. We look forward to the rest of

the season !

Andrew Porvaznik / David Campling

Posted by Ross Anderson on October 25, 2008 06:35 AM