Friday

Game 1
Granite Rocks 183 beat red24 by 53 runs
Action cricket Stadium on Main
12 May 2006
19:30

The 24's first encounter with the Granite Rockworks was a fiery affair and lived up to its pre-match billing of "TUFF!". Tensions between the two camps were running high early on, when at the pre-match press conference, captain of the Granites, Jawaap, fired the first of many indiscriminate verbal salvo's, calling the 24s wannabees. Captain courageous 'Rob' replied with a quick retort pointing out that the doekie on captain Jawaap's head was an obvious tactical and fashion faux pais. Granite 0-1 24s.

Once the pre-match verbal’s were over - and Sarah had finished her second savannah (light?) - the 24s were left in no doubt that the game would be a long an arduous 45 minute affair. The 24s won the toss and sent the Granite in to bat to the delight of the opposition who got much needed rest following a long day at the obelisk quarry.

The match got under way with Granite opening proceedings with a massive 183. The score owed much to a second half fight back by granite and less than flattering fielding by the rookie team, who will need to do a lot of work if they are to compete for the top spots. Despite the second half collapse the 24s showed sparks of brilliance in the bowling department early on.

Grant and Sarah combined well to restrict Granite to 14 runs in the first 2 over’s. Mark and Cath then paired up and after 4 over’s Granite were faltering at 26 runs. The middle over’s proved to be a mixed bag for the 24s bowlers. A Massive 20 run over in the 8th and 17 in the 10th proved to be turning points in this contest as Granite went into the final 4 with 112 on the board. Rob urged calm from his players as he, Angela, Nick and Miyako were tasked with wresting the innings away from the opposition in the dying overs. However, it was Granite who made most of the excellent batting conditions to post a record 72 run partnership...you read write 72, at 18 an over. The hill, which looked steep after 12 over’s, looked ‘well challenging’ at the end of 16 with Granite on 184. Granite owed much to Althman who scored a Stadium-on-Main record 56 runs.

With an asking rate of 11.56 the task for the 24s would always be hard. However, Cath and Grant started well opening up with a respectable 46 runs in 4 overs. Cath dominated proceedings with a commanding 26 --leading the charge-- while Grant batted admirably, unfortunate to be caught twice off consecutive sixes. The second partnership between Angela and Mark never got going with some fine bowling restricting the partnership to 21 runs.

Rob and Sarah's efforts to boost the required rate, which after 8 overs stood at close to 15 to the over, was never going to be easy; however, the 24s fans (suzie, andre, torie, Hiro, ice pack Aiko et al) buoyed by copious amounts of alcohol and dreams of the 438 game never gave up hope. Unfortunately, good bowling and field placements restricted the 24s to 19 runs. Consellation prize for Rob was injuring the Granites star bowler- Sadika- in the midriff with a well executed cut, leaving her in no doubt that he was in fact 'da man.' Left with a massive target Nick and Miyako could do nothing but chip away at the massive 99 required off the final 4 overs. Even Gibbs and Smith would have found this task difficult. A score of 47 off the final four showed glimpses of brilliance and the selectors would do well to develop this young talent in the future.

After one game the 24s have much work to do. However, the spirit shown by the players and the spirits in the supporters stomachs are positives that can be taken to training this week. The next game is on Thursday 18 May.