Match
reports
Z
A
great all-round performance on Sunday saw the Cavaliers
register their first non-tour victory for 13 months, against
the Players & Jesters.
For
a team boasting 9 old Roundwoodians, it was ironic that
the scene of the victory was at Bogeyville, home ground
of former arch-rival school St Georges. Whether the Cavs
raised their game because of this is a moot point, but having
lost the toss and been sent out to field, the Cavs came
out firing on all cylinders. Frase was given the new ball
by skipper Jimmy Hat and forced the tall opening batsman
to retire hurt in the very first over with a ferocious delivery
that reared off a length and caught him square on the elbow.
From the other end, Timmy F was bowling a great line and
length and soon had the breakthrough when the cocky, ex-bogey
number 3 mistimed a drive in to the grateful hands of Hat
at mid on. Hat was also the recipient of the next chance,
safely pouched, when the dangerous South African Clooney
lookalike spooned a drive off Tanty to him at mid on. Lloydy
was soon in on the act, safely taking the finest of nicks
off a beaut from Frase to dismiss the now-recovered opener,
and the P&Js were reeling at 60 for 3 at the half way
stage. Foz's stats of 8.1.39.1 were skewed by a costly last
over, and combined with Chianti's 8.2.17.2 were just the
start the Cavs needed.
The
boundless enthusiasm of Firms and the guile of offspinner
Shaun replaced the opening attack. Firms' first over had
everything: three wides, a couple of four balls, the mandatory
apology to the batsman for bowling some buffet, half a banana
and the site of the stumps being shattered by a great inswinging
yorker. Meanwhile, Shaun was tight as Snr's wallet, starting
with 10 consecutive dot balls followed by two Ws, and his
figures were exactly the same as Tanty's - with a great
caught and bowled to boot.
It
was left for Brindo to polish off the tail with 3 wickets
in 4 overs, one a quality diving catch by Shaun, and after
tea and a heavy downpour, the Cavs would be chasing 125
for victory.
BCR
and Jay Wise opened the batting and before long the Cavs
had the platform they needed. Looking like Barry Manilow
and Wayne Larkins, this duo put on 30odd before BCR got
underneath a drive and was caught, but Jay looked unflappable
and had clearly set out his stall to play the anchor role
and see the Cavs home. Jimmy Hat came and went three balls
later without scoring, playing on, and Elbow didn't last
much longer, but kiwi Aaron (already odds on favourite for
Overseas Player of the Year) plundered a quick fire 31no
and saw the Cavs home. Jamie finished with a chanceless
55 not out which, added to his previous scores of 91 and
94* against the P&Js, mean that when he and Suzie tie
the knot in 2005, it won't clash with this particular fixture.
Man
of the Match: Shaun Roy, for great bowling figures and two
great catches, narrowly pipping Jamie by 6 votes to 5
Champagne Moments: Timmy F realising that he'd left the
Book of Justice in the changing room; Firms finding £50
in the 'Eppercorn carpark; the new chant resonating around
the home changing room: "We don't need the uppers,
we don't need the uppers, la la la la, la la la la"
Orange Cap of Ignominy: Jimmy Hat, for a duck. He's not
playing in the next match so it was unanimously decided
to roll-over to the absent Snr, who was awarded it after
the Essenden match.
