The last week of home and away games of cricket before the week of finals had some cracking games of cricket.
Starting off with Match Fixers and Son’s of Pitches. Monday’s game was a chance for the Fixers to enjoy their last game for their inaugural season.
Batting first, the Match Fixers' skipper Justin Docking and ever reliable Kent Perkins opened the batting, but Docking was dismissed early for 2, with the score at 4 runs.
Corey Rickard only lasted 2 balls to be dismissed for a duck while Ben Hall hit double figures before being bowled for 10.
Jarrod Bailey was unbeaten on 12, while Perkins hit 25 in the Fixers total of 100 all out.
Chasing 101 to win, Son’s of Pitches were confident of victory. Bradon Surrell, 11, Dennis Armour, 18 and Dan Wilde, 17, took the score to 3 for 62, before Dan Wilde hit an unbeaten 28 to take his side to victory.
Corey Rickard was the pick of the bowlers with 2 for 15 from 2 overs. This game brought the finish to the Match Fixers inaugural season and I thank them for their efforts this year.
Tuesday night had the Heavy Rollers playing their last game for the season, up against the Jack of All Trades.
The Jack’s opened the batting, with Cam Roberts and Timmy both retiring, hitting 35 and 25 respectively. Jason blasted 23, while Brad’s unbeaten 27 at 9 helped to take the Jacks to 7 for 158. Glenn Waterhouse taking 2 for 12 to be his teas best bowler.
A score about 20 runs shy of par, but a good bowling effort could give the Jacks victory.
Waterhouse matched his bowling with his batting, making two runs before being run out.
This brought Dave La Motte to the crease to join Jack Marwick. La Motte and Marwick hit an unbeaten 28 each; while Glen Anderson and skipper Paul Keen hitting 27 not out and 26 not out respectively.
When Jamie Terkildsen was run out for 22, the Rollers were rolling along at 3 for 143 with 2 overs to go.
Spanna Annadale was joined at the crease by Mick Barnes, and with the total getting almighty close, they could almost taste victory.
Victory they weren’t going to get, with another brilliant game of cricket ending in a draw.
The third game of the week had the Bin Chooks against the Swingers, in what could be a grand final preview.
The Chooks batted first, with Chris Brook towelling up the bowlers with 27 runs to his name. Ash Leaney came and went; a beautiful delivery by Sanford ripping his stumps out of the ground.
Miles Armstrong hit the ground running and blasted a 15-ball, 32-run innings. Nathan Larson, batting at 6, went a bit better, hitting three 6’s in his innings of 34 while skipper Danny Brook hit an unbeaten 21.
Bryce Clarke was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 17, while Aiden Fraser took 2 for 8 from his overs.
Chasing 173 runs, Jackson Arbon, 25, Aiden Fraser, 28, Brendan Cribb, 25 and Beau Chinnery, 26, all retired unbeaten to have the Swingers 1 for 125 in the 14th over.
Haig Columbera hit 14 runs batting at 7 and when he was dismissed, the Swingers were 3 for 156.
Three overs left, 17 runs needed. Enter Bryce Clarke. Continuing on with his great match so far, a seven ball 17 took his side to victory with 2 overs to spare.
Then all of a sudden it was Friday night which meant the Lemons and the Fine Legs played the last match prior to finals.
Shaun Scadden continued his good season with the bat for the Leg’s, hitting an unbeaten 26 runs opening the batting.
Brad Price and Darren Cummins came and went, before the three amigos, Noney, Chandler and Priest all retired on 25 runs. Culnane fell one run short of joining them, making 24 before being bowled by Macorra.
The Fine Leg’s finished up with 3 for 172 from their allotted 20 overs. Paul Christenson and Jarrod Simpson started perfectly, both retiring on 25 runs.
Mitch Gerrans hit 21 before becoming one of Cummins’ 3 wickets. Dave Holmes, 30 retired, and Aaron Beckett, 25 retired, took the score to 135 runs.
When Ritchie was run out, the Lemons were 4 for 158, and 5 for 159 after 19 overs, when Macorra became Cummins third wicket. The Lemons could only make another 6 runs and fell 7 runs short of victory, but will be keen for a huge finals week.
