Round 10 of the Busselton T20 was another fantastic round of cricket with a New Year’s Day match between the Heavy Rollers and Match Fixers starting off the round.
This game saw over 350 runs hit and both captains starring for their respective teams. Batting first, the Match Fixers opened with skipper Justin Docking, 26 not out, and Kent Perkins, 34 not out.
These two, along with Jarrod Bailey, 30no, all retired to have the Fixers cruising before Bailey Kelly was the first dismissed for 1.
Late ring in Mark Wood blasted a rapid fire 25 to also be back in the shed without losing his wicket.
Tony Rickard, 23 and Ben Hall, 17, were the next best of the Fixers without retiring to help push the Match Fixers to 7 for 203.
Robbie Williams had the stage presence to take 3 for 18, while Mad Mick, 1 for 20, and Harro, 1 for 10, were the next best bowlers for the Heavy Rollers.
In reply, the Heavy Rollers had to start well, and Paul Keen must have asked Santa to give him more runs after Christmas.
Ask and you shall receive.
Keen hit a dominant 37no, to head to the top two of runs scored to date with 198 at an average of 66.
Robbie Williams continued his good form with the ball out to the middle, with 17 added to his season tally, but more importantly for the Rollers, his new bat appears to be effective.
Jack Marwick, 25no, and Chris Wright, 15no, put up the best fight of the rest of the Rollers, but they could only manage 152 from their allotted 20 overs. This result put the Match Fixers half a game in front of the Rollers at roughly the halfway point of the season.
The Bin Chooks then took on the Swingers, with the Bin Chooks looking more susceptible this season after an undefeated 2017/18.
The Swingers batted first, with Tom Begley and new recruit, funny man Mikey Robbins opening the batting. Begley was dismissed for 2, while Robbins retired on 25 runs in his debut match for the Swingers.
Aiden Fraser came and did what he does, retire on 25; bringing his season’s aggregate to 179 with an average to match. Bailey Sanford retired on 27no and Beau Chinnery did the same with 25.
Brent ‘Disco’ Dancer took 2 for 10 from his two overs and Ben Payne, 2 for 11 from 2 including the prized scalp of YOBS’ team mate Haig Columbera, to be the Chooks best bowlers for the day.
The Swingers made a par 171 from their 20 overs and would need to bowl well for victory.
Chris Brook and Nathan Larson opened up the batting for the Bin Chooks in their run chase, but Brook was soon dismissed for 5.
Larson retired on 29, while Miles Armstrong hit a powerful 28no at number three. Sean Beckett was dismissed for a duck, which he is now regretting as he is sitting 3rd on the highest run scorers, just 14 behind team mate Brook.
Danny Brook stuck around to hit 20, but it was the Swingers Bailey Sanford who was the destroyer with the ball with 3 for 16 from his 2 overs. The Swingers kept the Bin Chooks to 151 from their 20 overs to secure a 20-run victory.
The last game of the week had the Lemons batting first against the Son’s of Pitches, with Dave Holmes, 5, and Ben Gerrans, 27 opening together.
Scotty ‘Wiz’ Elliot, fresh from his coaching and team bonding duties, practised what he preached and retired on 28 with a glorious technically correct innings.
Jess Dornan, demoted from opening the batting down to number 10, hit 15 before being found short of his ground and run out. The Lemons made a below par 142 from their 20 overs.
Son’s of Pitches had almost the perfect start in reply, with Brayden Surrell, 22, and Cam Hyde, 2, the only two players in the top 5 to not retire.
Phil Watts, Dan Wilde and Craig Bassell all retired on 25. Brett Wood was out for a duck, Dennis Armour made 17 and Luke Howlett hit 2, which allowed Drew Harrison to hit 3 to bring up victory to the Pitches in the 20th over of the innings.
It is great to see so many new faces playing this season however more players are still needed to top up a couple of the teams.
The Busselton T20 would also like to thank their sponsors Bunbury Busselton Towing, Trade Hire Busselton, the Busselton Dunsborough Mail and Southern Workwear.
Don’t forget games start at 4.45pm at the Vasse Sporting Complex off Napolean Boulevard in Vasse.
Spectators are welcome to watch some fantastic cricket. Bring a picnic down, get the family together and enjoy the community of Vasse.
For any more information call Michael Earl on 0420 576 029 or follow the Facebook page @busseltont20