Kai Tak Vs Laguna Gully, Mission Rd
Kai Tak 4 / 286 J.Doubleday 123*, T.Patidar 84*
Laguna Gully 128 D.Grobler 6-4-22, G.DeLaine 5-2-22, B.Haskett 4-2-18
Well what a great Kai Tak win. Against a team who we thought would have given us a bit more run for our money, our batsmen (well Tiks and Jem) did a great job to put one of our best scores for a long time on the scoreboard. We then followed up with another great bowling and fielding effort.
Sent into bat i could only wonder what they knew that i didnt, obviously must have a very good bowling line up??? Anyway, Fitzy and Morls got us off to a solid start before Morls, backing himself a bit too much as a fast runner called for one that wasnt there and saw the only bit of decent fielding for the day from them, a direct hit and well short of the mark. The skipper still smiting from his last effort couldnt repeat and was given LBW for not much and soon after Fitzy came dancing down the wicket and forgot to hit the ball, being stumped in the process!!! Alton Carmine joined Mr Cricket at the crease and they both looked to be settling in for a long affair. Until that is that Tiku decided he wanted his mate Jem in and called Alton through and then sent him back when all was lost....another bloody run out. Laguna were well and truly thinking they were on a roll. Then Jem came in and straight away decided that enough was enough, smacking the ball to all ends of the boundary and absolutely showing no respect. After 20 overs we were 4/98 and well behind the 8 ball. 25 overs 4/149 and then 30 overs 4/212. Jem in the process knocking up a great 100 and Tiku at the other end happy to play 2nd fiddle and still knocking up his first Kai Tak 50 for the season!!! It didnt stop there much to Laguna's disgrace (which is about all you could say about their fielding!!) 35 overs 4/286, 140 runs in the last 10 overs!!!!!!!
Jems 100 coming off only 48 balls and although a bit lucky with a couple of dropped catches was a delight to watch as he punished their bowlers all over the park!!!! Tiku finishing on 84 not out and poor old Fidel who ended up appealing with the opposition was desperate to go into bat and join the fun. Not to be.
So an excellent score but again at this end of the season not one to take for granted. Morls opened up with Bob Ward and the two of them were on the spot straight away, forcing the batsmen to play some risky shots and in the end a couple of early wickets for us putting the pressure right on them. Debutant Geoff DeLaine was then thrown the ball early and again from ball one was on the spot and swinging it well into the right hand batsmen. Geoff got one right through one of their troubling batsman which swung a foot to take leg stump!! Meanwhile Dirk Grobelator came on and toiled from the other end. His first over or two were a bit of a worry but then the flight, the turn, the spin came back and before we knew it, Dirk was on a hattrick!!! Brad Haskett was awarded for his left arm offies, claiming a couple of good wickets and upsetting the umpire in the process. Brad has succeeded in not getting a Teflon nomination but later at Stauntons it was decided a "Throwing of the toys" nomination was a must!!!! Now we come back to Dirk and his hattrick ball. The Captain, backing his bowler brought the field in and hoped for a close in catch. Much to our surprise, Dirks hattrick ball came out and basically hit the deck about 5 feet in front of him and dribbled to the keeper.....ummmmmm...what tha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So nearly a mug of the day nomination but more was to come. Dirk then dropped a caught and bowled that would have seen him get his 2nd 5 for of the season. Now all bowlers know, you dont drop your own bowling and definitely not when you were in contention for a Michelle!!!!!
So their tail pretty much crumbled and couldnt handle the slow stuff. The fielding was again top notch although Alton norrowly missed the "Teflon" nomination to Dirk. Usually a very safe pair of hands poor old Alton made a meal of this one oh well, not the first and definitely not the last guy to do that!!
So 12 very important points to us will see us roar up the ladder and well into contention for the top8!!!
A good crowd at Stauntons to hear Dirk and Jem describe in incredible detail their efforts of the day.
It was all agreed an easy man of the match to Jem Doubleday, the best knock of the season!!!
"Teflon": Dirk Grobler
"Throwing of the toys": B.Haskett (upsetting the umpire after some dodgy wide calls)
Mug of the day: Tiku Patidar (Yes Tiks, for running out Alton, sorry bud, but it was all voted for at Stauntons)
So the last game is on the 19th of Jan against the cellar dwellars of Islanders, another mist win and not to be taken lightly, it will be great to go into the Cup with some real form and another huge win!!! I will be away unfortunately, but either Tiks or Nick will be running it, let me know your availabilities if there are any changes!!!
Go the TAK!!!
Steve