First of all this week the Kingston Crows would like to congratulate the Margate and Snug Cricket Clubs for their initiate in staging a Twenty20 match on Tuesday Feb 24 to raise funds for a Cricket Club ravaged by the fires in Victoria. The Crows are committed to supporting the event by way of a donation and by cancelling our own training so our members can attend. We know that other Clubs are doing similar and it just shows that while there is often fierce competition on the field there can be great unity off it. 

Last weekend saw our A grade travel to the Huonville “Bull Ring” where a form reversal was vital if we were to be a force in this years finals. That reversal game in the strongest of terms as the team scored a convincing 10 wicket victory 

Fielding first we were able to keep the Bulls in check after an early wicket to Nick Townsend. They had steadied their innings but 4 wickets between the scores of 83 and 94 put us right on top. Nineteen overs between Dan Elliott, 3/14 and debutante leg spinner, Malcolm Scriber, 1/20 caused the damage. Jamie Knott took 3/40 and a great job was done having the opposition 9/133. A last wicket partnership of 30 was the only disappointment as they finished on 163. Robert Chapman took a wicket and another debutante; Matthew Creek took a catch and was involved in a run out. 

Dan Elliott has enjoyed a wonderful year opening the batting but we have struggled to find a consistent partner for him. Last weekend that changed as Marc Owen was sent back to the top of the order and the two of them took us to victory in the 29^th over. Dan made 56no with 5 4s but it was Marc who scored his maiden A grade century for the Club with 102no that included 7 4s and 4 6s (one of which hit his wife’s car). This win has assured the team of finishing in the top two with their sights now set on gaining the home ground advantage in the first week of the finals. 

Bar manger Carol Chapman is a bit concerned on the rewards for centuries and 5 wicket hauls in recent times.  

B grade took on Blackmans Bay at home in a crucial game for both teams. Batting first we collapsed to 3/4, 4/25 and 5/52. At that stage it appeared we would be well beaten and the game ended mid afternoon. Marcus Newman batting at no. 6 restored the innings somewhat with 62, (4 4s and 3 6s), but it was Chase McConnon coming in at No. 8 who played his best innings for the Club with 94no (5 4s 4 6s). He gained a lucky break however when, after being clean bowled, the ball was declared “dead” as the bowler was commencing his 11^th over. He and David Bain 25 added 78 for the 8^th wicket. Dwain Swan had made 25 as we finished our 50 overs on 9/272. Incredibly we had scored 189 off the last 25 overs when at one stage we looked as if we would struggle to get half that many runs in total.

Our opening bowlers, Andrew Downie 4/30 and Chris Tomlin 3/37 then made quick inroads into the Sharks batting as they struggled in the run chase. At one stage they were 9/77 before their last batman became their top scorer and they reached 110 in the 33^rd over. Andrew Henley continues to progress taking 2/8 while Chase picked up a wicket to top off his day. The win assures the team of again competing in the finals but the next two matches are crucial as to where we finish on the ladder. Next week’s game against the Southern Tigers at Franklin should be a ripper. 

Last Saturday was one of those days that all Clubs loathe when a number of players are unavailable and you struggle to fill teams. Thanks to David Bain for helping us out and playing his first game for some time, it was certainly his first in the red, gold and black uniform. 

On Sunday C grade ventured to Margate to take on the top side. We batted first and were soon in diabolical trouble at 3/1 in the 4^th over. Brad Bailey 48 and Ash Woodhead 19 added 43 for the 5^th wicket but our total of 112 was never going to be enough against a top team. 

That said our lads put up a tremendous effort to capture 8 wickets prior to them passing our total in the 38^th over. Gab Lefleur was again among the wickets with 3/16 and Brad Bailey took 2/10. Regrettably we allowed 29 extras in the small run chase.