Round 10 (20/12/08)

The top of the A grade ladder clash with Slab Road at Cygnet last Saturday was an epic with the Crows finally winning by one wicket.

The “Roadies” batted first and despite an opening partnership of 42 could never really get on top of our attack and finished up making 133 despite at one stage being 8/109. Dan Elliott took 4/31; Robert Chapman 3/29 and first gamer Trent Pearce took 2/32 off his 10 overs.

We too struggled in our run chase and when it looked like we were getting into a good position we would lose a wicket. At 7/90, 8/116 and 9/125 our hopes looked gone but No 10 batsman Shannon Woolley saw us home with 15no. In an unusual batting situation no one made 20 or more although Levi Treptow and Jim Murray both made 18 and Brett Stevenson and Jamie Knott scored 17 each. A hard earned victory and one that places us on the top of the ladder at the half way mark of the season.

B grade batted first at home against Blackmans Bay and looked in real trouble when they were 3/37 in the 20^th over. Nick Townsend then came to the crease and struck 8 6s and 6 4s in an innings of 94. Such was his dominance that when he was dismissed in the 38^th over the score was 5/156. Jason Jones, 35, batted through the remainder of the innings before being dismissed in the final over leaving us with a score of 207.

The Bay lost wickets consistently through their innings and the game looked well and truly over when they were 6/78 and then 9/135. Somewhat forgot to tell their last two batsmen that though as they made inroads into our total. With the last over to be bowled they needed 8 runs to win and that reduced to 3 off the last ball. Fortunately for us they could only score 1 run and we got home by a solitary run. Andrew Downie took 3/20, Nick Townsend, although hampered by a leg injury, 3/59 and Jason Jones 2/26. This game just reinforced the old adage that the game isn’t over to the last wicket falls or the last run scored. Like A grade this was a very important win leading into the Christmas break.

C grade took on Woodbridge at home on Sunday. We have mentioned in the past that we have a young C grade side and it was pleasing to see another Club in a similar situation with Woodbridge having 3 or 4 very young players. This can only be beneficial to the long term future of their Club.

Woodbridge batted first and we looked well placed having them 8/80 until a partnership of 51 for the 9^th wicket, between what was their last pair, enabled them to reach 131 in the 41^st over. Mal Scriber took 3/15 off 10 very economical overs, Steve Matthews took 2/33 and Anthony Lean 2/36.

After a handful or overs in our innings the scoreboard read 5/20. Dean Heywood 25 and Shane Hall 23 added 43 for the 6^th wicket and with minor contributions from the remaining batters we edged closer to our target. Unfortunately the final wicket fell with the score 109 in the 35^th over. James Holman batted a long time in making 4no.

The Under 15s went down to the Sothern Tigers at home on Friday night. In a low scoring game we made 64 however they lost 9 wickets achieving that target in a thrilling match.

The Kingston Crows won back to back HCCA Twenty20 Grand Finals when they defeated Slab Road at Cygnet on Tuesday 16^th December. The stars for the Crows were Nick Townsend and Levi Treptow with the bat and Robert Chapman, Marc Owen and Dale Punshon with the ball. Please see full report elsewhere. This means that the Crows will now represent the HCCA against the Tasman Association on Thursday 15^th January at our home ground starting at 5.30pm.

Well done to everyone that was involved in the Christmas functions last Saturday. Santa was once again a big hit with his trendy thongs and I am told everyone had a good time on Saturday night.

The Crows would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone involved in the HCCA competition a Happy and safe Christmas period.

 

"From the Hill"

Click on our Sponsor's logo to visit their Web sites