Village Greenies Ones turned in a lion hearted performance to defeat By-Rite in last Sundays Money Express division one fixture at Smith Road Oval.

It what was surely one of the keenest fought matches in recent memory with momentum and advantage changing numerous times throughout the afternoon.  It would be the ability of the Greenies to bounce back from two seemingly impossible positions that would secure the points and keep alive their chances of competing for this season’s title.

Tom Stephens, captaining the Greenies side for the first time, won an important toss in hot conditions on a dead track.  However his batting side would struggle through the opening exchanges with the Cayman Islands national side bowling attack of Conroy Wright, Kenute Tulloch and Troy Taylor doing early damage.  When Wright dismissed Chris Smith and Andrew Ledger both for ducks, the Greenies batting was reeling with six wickets down and only 62 runs on the scoreboard.

With the match heading toward an early close, it would be Stephens who would take the fate of his side into his own hands. He would eventually be dismissed off the final ball of the Greenies innings for 72 runs. The innings featured two big sixes and many classy strokes but it was his fierce determination and refusal to give in that was the most memorable feature of the innings.

Support was provided to Stephens by Scott Watson (28) and Andrew Dean (27 not out), the trio combining to assist Greenies to a defendable total of 194.  Conroy Wright again tormented the Greenies batsmen, finishing with 4 for 35 from 9 overs.

Any thoughts of an easy afternoon for the Greenies were quickly extinguished by By-Rite number three batsman Keneil Irving. An inspired Irving launched into the Greenies bowling, monstering any loose deliveries to all parts of the boundary and beyond. Irving bought up his century and guided By-Rite to 150. He had dominated his sides scoring and done so at a rapid run rate.  

The Greenies were struggling to stay afloat as the game slipped further and further from their grasp. It would be the ageless spin duo of Scott Watson and David McGrath that would serve to rescue their sides’ fortunes. Following the dismissal of Irving for 101, Watson and McGrath ran through the By-Rite lower order, resistance met only by the Wight brothers, unable to hold together an ill disciplined lower order. The flow of the match had changed and a great catch from Josh Brown in the outfield and a direct hit runout from Paul Monico were a reflection of the unwavering desire of the Greenies to win the day.

By-Rite were dismissed for 180, 15 runs short of the desired target. Irving, with his standout innings didn’t deserve to be on a losing side. His fine display of aggressive shot making in oppressing conditions was of the highest order.

A monumental victory for debut captain Stephens and his gallant side.  The Greenies never say die attitude mixed with some sparkling individual performances combined for a memorable victory in a match of high standard, tension and drama.