VECC Senior Team Reds do club proud at home game at Barnsley

GAME FOUR 8/11/08
VS NELSON BAY

With the home ground out of action, the game was moved to Barnsley, a cement pitch and a fast ground. And the Nelson Bay batsmen made it very clear they were going to take advantage of the conditions, hitting consistently and generally effectively across the line to the boundaries. They weren’t playing test cricket. Dave Lowry (0/19) was the unlucky bowler early, two catches in the gully going down. Matt Steele (2/23) at the other end copped the same harsh treatment from the batsmen, but fought back well to bowl the two openers with fast deliveries which pitched on leg and took middle out of the ground. The next batsmen continued to attack, Paul D’Elboux copping some harsh punishment. His plan B was to come around the wicket, which led to a 4 – 6 – 6 scoring sequence. (He rightly took himself off, despite the two wickets he did take in his earlier over.) Matt Keast also came into some strife – his first three overs cost 26 runs, the balls disappearing regularly through the leg side. After 18 overs the Nelson Bay score was an imposing 100!

It was the introduction of Mark Stiller which finally added some respectability. His third delivery went for six, but he responded immediately, knocking the wicket over with a yorker. Drinks were taken and Mark continued his good work with a second wicket, and he tied the batsmen down with a succession of dot balls. At the over end Matt Keast copied Mark’s method and tightened his own bowling, and he knocked over the stumps of two of the remaining batsmen, his last three overs recording figures of 2 for 8. Sunny Bhasin bowled his first overs for the club, not taking a wicket (this was his own fault – he dropped a stinging catch which almost took his head off when it was belted back at him!). Joe Pidutti showed him how it was done by bowling by bowling the last batsmen. Nelson Bay lost their last six batsmen for 28 runs, and the Reds were back in the game – despite not being able to take a catch – nine batsmen were bowled, one lbw, and there were a couple of chances put down!!!

Dave Lowry and Neil Best were unable to replicate the previous week’s success, and were soon back in the shelter. Paul D’Elboux (22) and Mark Stiller (22) consolidated, both ropeable when they were dismissed, Paul believing that he bit a bump ball, Mark because he had done the hard work and wanted to cash in. (Reds 4 for 58) Matt Barker (6) (5 for 78) smashed one to the boundary then succumbed to a full toss. This brought Joe Pidutti to join Tony Farnham, and the two heavyweights batted superbly, defending when needed and taking advantage of any loose deliveries. The score climbed consistently, over by over, Tony eventually half hitting one to mid-off for an invaluable 27 (6 for 100). The super veteran Justin Dunne joined Joe, whipping balls behind square and angling through point to frustrate the opposition. Joe finally departed for 19 (7 for 120) and Justin followed for 14 (8 for 128). Matt Keast struck one blow, but he missed a straight one - lbw. 9 for 130, with Sunny Bhasin to face four balls in the over, the hard hitting Matt Steele stranded at the other end.

(Let’s just say that Sunny has not played since school days and his batting form in the nets was not that impressive!!)

But Sunny held out the four balls.

Matt Steele then calmly struck the first ball of the next over cover for a scurried two and clubbed the next one down the ground to put the victory beyond doubt. A great win, with everyone contributing.