Cricket Report - Saturday 16th January 2010
Date: 17-Jan-10
Author: Wojt Kowaluk
Pedens Hotel vs Laguna
Laguna Village People managed to hold out and defeat Pedens Hotel in a nail biting finish at the Basin Ground in Cessnock. At the drinks break Pedens were 3 down for 64 runs chasing Laguna's 104 /10. Requiring 41 runs for victory, 7 wickets in hand and 20 overs to be bowled, it would take something of a miracle to save the game for Laguna.
We take up the commentary after the drinks break.
- Over 21
- Steve Sullivan to continue after the break 5 runs conceded. 7 wickets in hand or 36 runs required.
- Over 22
- Injured Tim Williams comes back into the attack with immediate results WICKET! A superb outfield catch by Jack Bailey. 6 wickets or 34 runs.
- Over 23
- Steve Sullivan continues 3 runs off the over. 6 wickets or 31 runs.
- Over 24
- Williams continues 4 runs conceded. 6 wickets or 27 runs.
- Over 25
- Sullivan, WICKET! WICKET! Stunning catches by Ken Barnett in the covers and Wojt Kowaluk behind the stumps. Maiden over, an excellent result. 4 wickets or 27 runs.
- Over 26
- Williams bowls a maiden over. The pressure builds around the ground. 4 wickets or 27 runs.
- Over 27
- Sullivan can he do it again? 4 dot balls pressure building, 4 runs, pressure released WICKET! Talk about pressure. 3 wickets 23 runs game on!
- Over 28
- Williams to bowl his final over of 10 allowed. WICKET! 2 runs conceded. 2 wickets or 21 runs required.
- Over 29
- Sullivan now to bowl his last over, WICKET! SIX! An Eamonn Smith catch. He clutches that one too him like a precious baby. Nine runs conceded but a vital wicket. 1 wicket or 12 runs required for victory. It's all happening here at the Basin.
The pressure now falls on Captain Stuart Gibson to decide on bowling changes. With both Williams and Sullivan bowled out, Jack Bailey automatically takes over from the High School end. Bailey had bowled superbly earlier on, only conceding seven runs of his first five overs. Could he be the one to seal a win for Laguna.
- Over 30
- Bailey bowls another tight over only 2 runs conceded. 1 wicket or 10 runs required for victory.
Stuart Gibson takes his time over the next bowling change. His first choice would have been Eamonn Smith. Earlier on Smith had taken a wicket off his first over, but was forced out of the attack after stopping a certain four runs with the inside of his foot. Ouch! That one hurt. "Greg" came the call from the Captain and a surprised Greg Kelso was thrown the ball.
- Over 31
- With Pedens pinch hitter on strike Kelso bowls his first ball, dot ball. One run off the second ball brings Peden's number 11 batsmen to the crease. Could he be the unlikely hero for Peden's or did the cunning Kelso have a plan. After safely blocking the next 2 deliveries, the batsmen decides to take Kelso on and send the next one to the boundary. It was like slow motion, as he squared up to the ball, took aim and .....WICKET! Clean bowled. Kelso holds his nerve, amazing stuff!
Pedens Hotel managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Laguna Village People won by 8 runs.
It was a day where ball definitely dominated the bat. Laguna's best with the bat were, Wojt Kowaluk (22), Tim Reekes (17), Eamonn Smith (16).
A superb display of pressure bowling by Steve Sullivan (10 overs 5/30) Tim Williams (10 overs 3/34) Jack Bailey (6 overs 0/9) Eamonn Smith (3 overs 1/18) Greg Kelso (1.5 overs 1/3).
With 5 catches taken, the adage of catches wins matches was evident. A great team effort by Laguna Village People to bring about an unlikely victory.
Wojt Kowaluk