Two wins and two losses were the outcomes of our games played on the weekend of 27^th and 28^th February. In the final round of roster matches this coming weekend we see A grade take on Blackmans Bay on their home ground, B1 are at home to the Southern Tigers, B2 are at Kettering while C2 host Kettering on Sunday.

A grade played North Huon at Ranelagh with the game commencing with the ground quite wet. After being asked to bowl first we struggled to keep the ball dry and in fact it needed to be replaced after 20 overs such was its damage. The “Warriors” openers made the most of this and while relatively slow in scoring added 88 for the first wicket before the first wicket fell in the 27^th over. With Nick Townsend taking 3/25 and Marc Owen 3/38 we were able to keep their innings in check as they finished their 50 overs with the score 8/181.

Our early batters were also slow in scoring and the innings looked as if a foundation was being built when we reached 36 with 2 wickets down. Three quick wickets rocked that foundation however as were slumped to 5/39. Marc Owen 31 and Mal Godfrey 30 tried to add some stability to the innings and while they were together we still had a good chance however wickets fell at the wrong time for us and we were dismissed from the first ball of the 44^th over for 143. Trent Pearce did well to make 19 at the end of our innings.

This match marked the 250^th game for the Crows by Andrew “Mammi” Henley. A great deal has been said about this guy particularly during the last 12 months or so and it is a fantastic performance for Andrew to join Levi Treptow as the only two guys to reach this milestone.

B1 took on Longley at Sandfly where they suffered their first loss of the season; and it wasn’t just a loss but a total thrashing.

Longley got off to a terrific start and looked likely to post a mammoth score when they were 1/133 after 31 overs. Our guys fought back manfully and could be well satisfied to restrict them to 8/272 after their allotted overs. Shannon Woolley 2/46 and Sam Peacock 2/49 were the successful bowlers.

The Longley total on a pretty quick outfield was going to be a good test for our batters leading into the finals and although we lost 2 early wickets David Bain 29 and Heath Lovell 21 had our innings on track before Bain was dismissed to leave the score 3/69 in the 19^th over. Lovell followed soon after and the innings went pear shaped as we were dismissed for only 110 in the 32^nd over.

B2 took on North Huon at home and batting first had Michael Langford again setting up our innings making a quick fire 50. He with Adrian Pereira 27 added 69 for the first wicket. Scott Chapman came to the wicket after the loss of our 2^nd wicket having struggled to score runs all season. On Saturday he certainly turned his form around as he scored 147no that included 14 4s and 7 6s. With support from Marcus Newman 37 and Ross Hinkley 27 we were able to amass the fantastic score of 7/326. Chapman and Hinkley added 80 runs in very quick time at the end of our innings.

North Huon were soon in trouble in their innings being 3/24. They continued to lose wickets fairly regularly with a 61 run partnership for the 6^th wicket being our only holdup. All five bowlers used took two wickets apiece with those being Dale Hayers, Ross Hinkley, Dean Heywood, Ash Woodhead and Chris Tomlin.

On Sunday our C2 team ended their losing streak when they amassed 9/310 against Huonville. Matthew Creek 77 and Manning Parkinson set up the score with a 4^th wicket partnership of 100. Other good scores came from Malcolm Scriber 45, Daniel Woodhead 25, Shane Hall 24 and Gab Lefleur 24.

Huonville put up a great fight and looked well placed when they reached 180 with only 4 wickets down. That still applied when they reached 5/229 but the final 5 wickets then fell for the addition of only 2 more runs as they were dismissed for 231 in the 45^th over. Malcolm Scriber took 3/41, Gab Lefleur 2/13 and Brayden Norris 2/35.

Thanks to everyone involved in running the “Cruise Night” on Saturday night. The function was extremely well supported and all present had a fantastic time.

“From the Hill”