All year the lads have been saying that once we had our full strength side on the field we are one of the strongest teams in the Comp and can beat anyone. We proved this again on Saturday’s game.

Playing 2nd placed Beecroft who belted us in the first Round we put in our best performance of the season – so far. After winning only our 2nd toss of the year (well done Kishore) we finally had the opportunity to bat first on one of the hottest days of the year – a crucial outcome. How well did we do.

Kishore copped a good one in the first over but we didn’t look back after that hiccup. Ross A and John Mitchell took us up to 30 after 10 overs and this laid the platform. John played his best knock of the season with 39. John Nesbitt, fresh back from the Canadian snow fields was back to his best with a high class 46. What was really good about our team batting is the depth in contributions. After John, Nathan Fathers played some of the shots of the season with a superb 46, including 2 big sixers and the best back foot cover drive of the season, Tony Hadley 39, and Andrew Watt with a brutal 37. What about Chris Collits with 11 runs off the last 4 balls of the innings. It was especially good to see Nathan do so well. This bloke has so much talent and with a bit of luck and confidence he can smash an opposition around the Park. Basically, despite the extreme heat we smashed one of the leading teams and did it with many contributions.

One last one on the batting. Last week Tony Hadley clocked up his 1,000 runs for the Club - well done legend.

Our turn to bowl and conditions were hot but improving. They had a huge task with a starting run rate of 6 an over but with a fast outfield and good early batting you never know. Andrew Watt was typically tight but the back breaker came from Chris Collits who bowled his left arm spinners superbly. Coming on at 2nd change he turned the game with 3 wickets in 2 overs including 2 in 2 balls. His final figures of 4/16 off 8 with a fast outfield, was brilliant. Added to this, Kishore took 2/10 off his 6 overs including their best bat. All the bowlers did well with Bryce showing why he was our best bowler 2 years ago, Andrew Watt was tight and put them under scoring pressure early and Pat just kept putting the ball on the spot. What was really pleasing was the bowling of John Mitchell who put the ball on the spot and showed good control. Dave Consalvi also did a good job and really put in under the extreme conditions.

To be critical, the catching still needs some work but this will come. A super catch by Dave looking into the sun on the boundary was a highlight.

Next week we play Hornsby Gold at Montview who are coming last. Win the next games against Normo and Glenhaven and we are in the Finals. So we now control our own destiny. Bring it on.

Ross A

Posted by Ross Anderson on January 21, 2007 05:59 AM