MPSECA Third Grade, 2009/10
Rusty Shovel v Saggy Greens
Moore Park 11, Robertson Road, Moore Park
12 December 2009 - 19 December 2009 (Two Day)

View Match Scorecard

We won the toss and fielded on a fast outfield as we were without Sam until week two... always bat first when you win the toss :(

A match against one of our old enemy is always great fun, and this one had an extra edge with one of our new recruits being a former Rusty player!

With a gale force wind from one end, it was always going to be difficult toiling into the wind for the fast bowlers, but after switching ends, Jim got the breakthrough with DC holding on to one off the Rusty's slogging opener.

There was a great spell of bowling from all the saggy bowlers without luck before Razzle on debut snared a couple of quick wickets either side of drinks.

The Rustys then pushed a tail-ender up the order to have a free swing and it paid dividends with many a smear reaching the boundary and a few catches were put down, including a tracer-bullet hard and flat shot that split the webbing and broke a bone in Mo's hand on the boundary.

That left us a fielder short and soon two short as Razzle had to leave early.

Wheelo and Dipn combined to get the runout to break the 100+ partnership as the runs continued the pile.

Brownie came on and got one through the centurion slogger finally bowling him, and Wheelo got a wicket soon after with Dipn catching at mid wicket.

The saggies were then another fielder down as Dipn had to leave early at the last drinks, but performed well in the final hour with Brownie and DC picking up wickets and Wheelo another run-out.

We were unable to bowl them out however and we were left with a mammoth 342 to chase the next week.

As goes our luck, it rained during the week and heavily the day before we were due to chase and the ground was a good 100 runs slower with countless balls stopping just short of the boundary meaning twos instead of fours and lots of tired saggies from all the extra running!

We certainly gave it a good crack though, with Ritz and Dipn continuing their recent form getting through to drinks unbeaten and providing some hope, seeing off some good swing bowling from the Rusty bowlers.

Dipn put the foot down after drinks with success and unfortunately bottom-edged a pull shot on 84 into his stumps as the first wicket fell for 138.

Razzle then continued his impressive debut with some aggressive batting as the Saggies furthered their position, but the return of their vicious in-swinging bowler derailed our progress as he took two wickets in 3 balls as Razzle and Sam were dismissed.

Heads sank futher in the next over as Wheelo was caught behind, and so seemingly went our chances.

A worn out Ritz finally succumbed on a well made 80, as Brownie combined with Cam for an entertaining cameo, before Brownie fell to a freakish return catch off the part timer.

Cam and Jim then provided some resistance before both getting LBWs.

And Hunty eventually left Mush with the red ink as we were bowled out convincingly short of the target.

Here's hoping 2010 sees the reversal of fortunes to the Greens' season as there has been many glimpses of good form to capitalise on.