Match reports - Essendon

CAVS PROVE "RUTHLESS AND RELENTLESS"

After four matches without a win, finally there was some joy for the Cavaliers with a fairly convincing win over Essendon. And to top it all, we even won the stump game. In first on a decent(ish) track, Jay and his new opening partner FT set about the oppo bowling in aggressive fashion, knocking the bad balls (of which there were plenty) for four. But with his wedding round the corner, Fraze had a momentary lapse of concentration on 20 while, no doubt, thinking about how many canapes are needed to accomodate Burton's belly and was bowled. Jay, the new 'Homebase', was also fighting inner demons (of the house moving variety) and followed soon after on 17. When will we see the 'real' JW at the crease this season? In came the Fifth Year, brimming with promise and chat. Several balls later our innings was in chaos. First The Hat (mind on lady), then Elbo (mind on Glasto) went without troubling the scores. Enter the Lowers. The Judge, having started the season well is battling to get himself out of a trough, and was still battling after this innings, having scored just uno. But Brindo, his first game of the season, pinned his ears back and with the support of his extra-tall cousin on the boundary knocked the leather of the cherry. A sweet 46 for Big Bird. Welcome back. The lower order of Snr, Jnr and BCR contributed well before Burton rounded the innings off with the cameo of the day, partly, in thanks to the Cavs 12th man - Excalibur. After tea, Burton and Hootie opened up and bowling tight. JB ripped out their opener before The Hat snaffled three with his quality line and length. Nine catches went down during the course of the innings but, for once, it didn't cost us and with 22 needed off the final over the oppo couldn't deny us our first victory of 2003. The season starts here.

After five games, here are some Cavs facts:

1. Snr became the first Cav to reach 100 runs in 2003 against Essendon

2. Timmy F has a higher batting average than his bro, but Brindo, PW and the Judge are one, two and three in the averages.

3. Just two 50s have been scored - by PW and the Judge

4. J Handford is the leading wicket taker, followed by PW and BCR. The Hat is also the most economical (if you discount Brindo, who has only played in one match)4.

5. J Burton has played four matches and batted just once, scoring 19. He's also third in the bowling averages

Match stats