I’m going to change up the Scarecrow a bit this week. Undoubtedly the highlight of the weekend was the U/24’s getting up on the last ball of the day against the Roses. So that will be the main feature this week. In the other games on the weekend 1^st grade got out of jail with Kirwan picking up 6-27. 2^nd and 3^rd grade went down with Will making 54* and Tim 48 in 2’s, and Nandana, 52, and Mitch Wakeford continuing his good match with 37. 4’s got up mainly from a man of the match performance by Trent Miller who picked up 4 wickets and the skipper getting 2 wickets and 5’s went down in a low scoring affair. With no real stand out performers to mention.

 

U24s 9/251 defeated Roseville 8/250

 

Cooky lost the toss and the roses decided to have 1^st use of the George Parry Highway. Roseville got off to flier scoring at 6 an over before Stevo picked up the 1^st wicket caught by Vella senior to have Roseville 1-48 off 9. Stevo, Ash and Cooky got one a piece soon after to have the Roses in a bit of trouble at 4/81. A good spell of bowling through the middle overs by Mitch Wakeford,1-24 off 8, made it look like we would be able to keep them to around 220, but some of the clean hitting by the Roseville tail saw them reach an imposing 250 off their allotment, which at the time was a good score but definitely reachable, due to the flat nature of the wicket and the lightening quick outfield. But we would need wickets in hand at the end to cash in. Cook ended up with 2-38, Stevo 2-52 and Ash 1-32 and 2 run outs, one a good direct hit from Cook, were the wicket takers

 

It was decided by team management, ie, Ray to send Cooky out to open to try to get us off to a flier and he padded well until he was caught behind. Will went soon after trying to lift the run rate and Stevo joined those 2 not long after to leave us languishing at 3-30 in the 10^th over still requiring 221 to win at 5.5 an over. A good partnership of 51 from Matt Treloar and Tim got the momentum going our way again but we lost Tim, 16, and Matt Treloar, 37, in quick succession to leave us at 5/85 in the 23^rd over still need 165 off 27 with only 5 wickets in hand. The highlight of the partnership was the good running between the wickets and which got the innings going again. Gordon Starkey and Mitch then set about rebuilding the innings and all of a sudden if they could stay there we were in with a big chance. They put on 81 in 15 overs and made victory a distinct possibility. Once again the running was sensational and the best running I have seen by a 24s side ever for Auburn. Gordon Starkey holed out for a well made 38 and Stillman was gone soon after for a globe and we were once again in trouble at 7/168 in the 39^th over, still needing 83 off the last 11. Ash Vella came in a played a streaky inning and scored at better than a run a ball 29 which got the score to 204 in the 43^rd over, with us still needing 7 an over. AV came and went for 3 at 9/209 with 42 to win off 33, and with Charlie walking to the wicket not all hope was lost but it was sure getting that way. 46^th over 6 runs off it 36 off 24, 47^th 7 off it 28 off 18. 48^th over 9 off it, 19 off 12, 49^th over 9 off, 10 off 6.

 

1^st ball Charlie on strike, tries to work a single to get Mitch on strike dot ball 10 off 5

2^nd ball Charlie swings straight, 4 runs and his 1^st boundary in Oz, 6 off 4

3^rd ball Charlie works a single, 5 off 3

4^th ball Mitch works a single, 4 off 2

5^th ball Charlies gets 2, 2 off 1

It must be mentioned at this time a tie would be enough for us to get through so the field is brought up, what will Charlie do will he go big or just try and get bat on ball? But he probably did the sensible thing and played the ball on its merits and worked a 2 behind square and the good guys get up in one of the tensest and most dramatic matches. For those who witnessed it it’s a game they will never forget and for those of you who missed it sucked in because it was brilliant. Everyone get down to Tantallon to support the boys because every bit will count and you support may just help to get the boys over the line.

 

Mitch Wakeford made 64 not out and Charlie Leonard ended up with 14

 

Burto’s Bit

 

A 50/50 performance against the Briars with 1’s pulling off a shock win & my guys going down in what should have been a comfortable chase. The disappointment of Saturday was erased on Sunday at George Parry with an unbelievable come from behind win by the 24’s in one of the tensest matches I’ve witnessed in many years. I just wish more of our guys had been there to witness it. The final is next Sunday so let’s get a bumper crowd there to support the guys in bringing Frank back to Mona Park. We’ve now dropped to 2^nd in the Club Championship but if all grades show the fight & spirit displayed on Sunday, we’ll be back on top before we know it.

 

The Big Pads Award had a big weekend with Bakes copping his 5^th of the season & moving ahead of Jamie who has returned the UK. Big Guy Stillman decided it’s time to make a charge, getting 2 LBW’s on the weekend.

 

Bakes 5

Jamie 4

DB 3

Tim 3

Dave Wood 3

Bruce 3

Trent 3

 

The Rouillo Average is still Sheargold’s for the taking with Cooky globing up on Sunday & taking himself out of the running;

 

Geoff   7.86

AV   13.29

Peter Ananin  14.67

 

Red inks;

 

Raoul 5/8

Ash Vella 5/11

Flash 5/12

 

Not a lot of movement on the table of the coveted Duck Award and anyone could win it.

 

Fantasy league looks all over with Don Rose opening up a bit of a lead now, but anything could happen (particularly if yours truly gets a wicket or a couple of runs!!)

 

This week was going to Pete Bastow week, but with the 24’s in their 2^nd consecutive Grand Final, the focus is all on the Eaglets bringing Frank back. As Pete says, “You have to lose 1 to win 1”, so we need the whole club to get behind the boys. This should lift the entire club to bigger & better things for the remainder of the season.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BURTO

 

 

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