Round 12 of matches in the HCCA saw C2 have the bye and all of our other 3 teams record good victories. While in the quarter final of the STATEWIDE Twenty 20 Competition the Crows went down to North Hobart.

A grade was on the road to Huonville where we batted first but lost a wicket first up. A 99 run partnership for the second wicket between Brett Stevenson 61 and Daniel Elliott 36 provided a solid platform for our innings in which we were dismissed off the final ball of the 50^th over for 243. Hamish Jamieson made a fine 49 batting at No.4, Jamie Knott made 23 and Nick Townsend struck a quick 26 late in the innings.

Jamie then got us off to a great start with the ball knocking over their skipper with the 3^rd ball of the innings. They were never able to recover from there and with our bowlers on the money this week had the “Bulls” reeling at 5/43. Their bottom order showed some resistance but they were eventually dismissed after 36 overs for 115.

Marc Owen was again among the wickets taking 3/31, Dan Elliott took 2/6, Jamie Knott 2/17 while Dale Punshon, Trent Pearce and Robert Chapman claimed a scalp each.

B1 also travelled as they took on Blackmans Bay and after being sent in were able to finish on 9/235 although things looked a bit dicey when we were 3/62. Chris Honner 58 and Heath Lovell 33 consolidated the innings adding 87 for the 4^th wicket. Adam Hinkley made 42, Geoff Freeman 29 and Andrew Henley 28.

Despite a blazing innings by the Bay’s opener we were always on top as they lost wickets at 17, 23, 47, 56, 88 and 129 before they were dismissed for 139 in the 42^nd over. Jason Jones was again at his economical best taking 4/14 off 10 overs, Scott Sward took 3/46 and Andrew Henley 2/20.

With the other two teams travelling it meant the B2 had one of their rare home games as they took on Judbury. We batted first and with consistent batting by our first 8 batsmen were able to make 240 before being dismissed in the 49^th over. Run scorers were David Bain 37, Jarrod Collis 32, Chase McConnon 26, Adrian Pereira 24, Mick Langford 23, Andrew Denton 22no, Scott Chapman 21 while skipper Garth Percey contributed 19.

Despite a couple of missed chances early we were able to get right on top as we dismissed their second, third and fourth batmen in the 30’s. Their next three batsmen put up some resistance but we eventually dismissed them in the 41^st over for 150. Chris Tomlin took 3/33, Scott Chapman 2/3, Andrew Denton 2/30 and Malcolm Scriber 2/41.

In the Twenty20 game our guys put in a fantastic performance against North Hobart who contained five current or ex State players.

Batting first after losing the toss we were always in trouble slumping to 5/36 in the 9^th over. Andrew Henley 30 and Robert Chapman 20 got the innings back on track as we made 105 before being dismissed after 19.5 overs.

In the 1^st over Michael Dighton faced the 2^nd ball which he blocked and then struck three four in 3 balls. Just when it looked as if it was to be a walk in the park for North Hobart Jamie Knott unleashed a terrific bouncer that saw Dighton caught behind. North Hobart then took the score to 67 before the 41 year old legend; Andrew Henley came into the attack and claimed a wicket first ball. Shortly after he claimed the wickets of State players John Rogers and Dan Marsh and the massive crowd in attendance were on their feet. Dan Elliott came on and Jamie Knott took an absolute classic catch and we were able to gain a lot of respectability as North Hobart overtook our total in their 16^th over after losing 5 wickets.

One could be not more proud of our lads against a quality team. Well done, you gave it your best shot.

“From The Hill”