Under 14's go down at Dora Creek

GAME FIVE
VS DORA CREEK

For the first time this year the Grizzlies batted first, on a field with a thick covering of grass in a quiet, rural setting. They were soon in trouble – four wickets down for 6 runs!! Rhys Cooper played too early, scooping a catch to short mid-on, Mark Rumford snicked to slip and Tim Rodgers and Adam Gunster found the pace of the opposition’s strike bowler too much on this occasion. This left Mitch Brown and Liam Guest to rebuild, and they did this very well indeed. Both batsmen batted extremely well. They held out the pace of the opening bowlers, and took advantage of some short pitched balls from the two wrist spinners which replaced them. Liam was all class, hitting straight when defensive and keeping the score alive through well placed nudges through the leg. Mitch’s shot selection was excellent, as witnessed by his two fours through the leg side, until he tried to hit the spinner out of the park. He and Liam added 41 well compiled runs. By this time Liam was well set, regularly piercing the field, and Mackenzie Morrison (10) gave excellent support in a partnership of 32 before he was narrowly run out. Nathan Birt came and went, trying to do the right thing by hitting out, and Eli Love finished with two runs in a vital partnership which saw the 30 over score at 8 for 94. Liam remained 55 not out, having scored over half of the team’s runs in an excellent display.

The Grizzlies were immediately on top, as Mitchell Brown held a sharp chance off Ben Jenkins’ first delivery. This was the only joy for some time however as Dora Creek slowly built their score. Ben Jenkins’ five overs cost only 7 runs, but he was often too short which prevented him from picking up more wickets. Josh Parson (0/10) was, as usual, very economical, and Adam Gunster (0/19) also bowled an accurate off stump line, only suffering when he dropped short. Matt Mascord (1/14) bowled very well. He increased his pace and bowled a full length, bowling one batsman and forcing the respect from the others. Mark Rumford (1/10) also picked a wicket with three overs of gentle outswing which the batsmen found difficult to attack. Mackenzie Morrison, too, bowled well, as did Rhys Copper whose three overs cost only 13 runs, despite bowling to well established batsmen towards the end of the innings.

Eventually, Dora Creek went past the Grizzlies total, but it took them until the 27th over. The team did well to fight back from their disastrous start, and they bowled well without luck. The intensity of their fielding does need to lift, and they do need to be more positive in the field. The wins will come!

Match Points
3 Liam Gust
2 Mitchell Brown
1 Mackenzie Morison