Last weekend’s round of cricket began for the Kingston Crows last Friday night when we were outclassed by Clarence in the Statewide Twenty20 Semi Final. Please see detailed report elsewhere. 

Early morning rain last Saturday morning meant our A grade clash at home against Ranelagh-Grove may not have proceeded. Fortunately (or unfortunately for the Crows) it did proceed and in so doing we witnessed undoubtedly the greatest individual batting performance in the short history of the HCCA A grade competition. 

Winning the toss and batting the Crows lost an early wicket but Brett Stevenson 61 (8 4s 1 6) and Dan Elliott 55 (7 4s 1 6) again combined in a good 2^nd wicket partnership which realized 110 runs. Jamie Knott made 58, Mal Godfrey 40no and Robert Chapman 28 as we amassed 8/292 off our 50 overs. 

With a good total on the board, our position improved even more when the Rams’ skipper, Lyndon Stevenson, was dismissed in the 2^nd over. With the score 1/1 Ken Voss strode to the crease and unleashed an attack on our bowling that had to be seen to be believed. Although he was scoring at will we were still well placed with their score 2/47 and then 3/109 after 19 overs. That position soon deteriorated as Voss passed his century and when everyone thought he would throw his wicket away he just kept going. He found an ally in Marcus Jackson and they overtook our total for the loss of just 3 wickets in only 41 overs with Voss remaining 215no. He struck 9 6s and 29 4s as every bowler suffered. Conservative estimates after the match suggested he faced no more than 110 balls amassing his score. Dale Punshon, Jamie Knott and Dan Elliott were the wicket takers. While the team will look back and acknowledge that their bowling was below par this was to take nothing away from Voss’ innings. 

Last Saturday was also “Sponsor’s Day” at the Crows and although everyone was disappointed in the result of the match they were thoroughly entertained by the innings they witnessed. It was also the 150^th game for the Club by Nick Townsend and followed up a similar milestone by Marc Owen in the game against Margate. Ironically our only two losses this season have been those milestone matches. Thanks to Andrew Downie and his team for coordinating “Sponsor’s Day” and the spontaneous barbecue after the game that helped at least mark those milestones. 

Our C grade team made it back to back wins and kept their slim finals chances alive with a hard fought win over Huonville at home on Sunday. The “Bulls” won the toss and got away to a good start adding 41 for the first wicket and then a slump saw them 5/66. They were eventually dismissed for 123 in the 42^nd over. Chase McConnon took 3/26, Brad Bailey 3/35 and Gab Lefleur 2/24. Leg Spinner, Malcolm Scriber, bowled ten very tight overs. 

We were soon in trouble at 2/2 and 3/30 before Chase McConnon 33 and Shane Hall restored the situation but at 6/93 things were again delicately placed. Andrew Henley then teamed with Brad Bailey to see us over the line in the 31^st over for a four wicket win. It was fantastic to see Andrew return to the field following his heart surgery in November. Let’s hope he pulled up well after the game and can continue playing. 

Both B grade and the Under 15s had byes last weekend.