VECC Team Red Seniors make it 8 in a row

GAME ELEVEN 20/12/08
VS TORONTO RSL MUDCRABS

The Reds continued on their winning way, showing their depth as different players contributed strongly to the impressive victory, the Reds over hauling the opposition’s 114 for the loss of only two wickets.

The new soccer ground surface does have a great deal of bounce, and the Reds bowlers took every advantage of the extra bounce to make quick inroads into the Toronto line –up. Matt Keast’s height enables him to get the ball off a good length, and his opening overs were impressive, the opposition batsmen playing and missing often outside the off and having a great deal of difficulty adjusting. Matt’s wicket came in the first over, the ball coming off an inside edge to take the stumps. Rohan Kennedy (1/12) at the other end was just as impressive, his wicket coming off an edge to ‘keeper Neil Best from a mis-timed cut shot, the extra bounce Rohan obtained from his powerful shoulder action confounding the batsmen. Dave Lowry (3/15) and Matt Hardaker (2/10) then ripped the heart out of the middle order, both bowling exceptionally. They were well backed up in the field, Joe Pidutti taking a screamer in the covers from their best batsman, the ball hanging in the air for an eternity. Joe didn’t even juggle it! Matt Hardaker also took a high one off his own bowling, having to contend with the batsmen running past and three other fielders all converging, while Neil Best took a more regular offering off Matt. (Mind you, it was good to see Nick Hardaker contribute to the fine tin by dropping one off his brother, his brother unimpressed even though Nick did do superbly to reach it.) Elliot Best (1/31) and Sunny Bhasin (1/12) each picked up a wicket. Elliot completed the leg spinner’s dream by bowling a batsman around his legs, but it wasn’t his best performance, too many deliveries going wide down the leg. A stubborn 9th wicket partnership was finished by a returning Dave Lowry, and Nick Hardaker also got into the act gaining the umpire’s nod to complete the rout.

Toronto’s opening bowlers were quite quick, and Neil Best and Mark Stiller were very watchful for the first several overs, the only runs coming off Neil’s slashes through gully and some well judged singles. Mark was unlucky, his drive through slips only found safe hands. But his dismissal brought Joe Pidutti to the crease. Joe’s back foot style enabled him to take every advantage of every loose delivery, and he soon raced past his partner’s score, clubbing through the leg side and timing his shots to perfection. At the other end Neil continued to noodle runs and occasionally took advantage of short balls down the legside. His “off glance” through the slips showed his opening partner how it should have been done!! With three runs to get Neil’s ambitions again outraced his capabilities when he attempted to hit down the ground, spooning an easy catch to mid-off – out for 45. Sunny Bhasin remained collected for a single, and Joe stroked the winning runs with some five and a half overs left. Joe’s unbeaten 55 was a match winning effort. He refused to let the bowlers dominate, and his efforts enabled the Reds to maintain and eventually surpass the required run rate.

The win continues the good form of the Reds, who are unbeaten in their last eight matches with six victories and two draws. The semi-finals look good!!