Scorecard

Greenies Too succumbed to a very strong Esso Cubs side last Saturday in the Twenty20 Division 2 Semi-Finals.  The Cubs, consisting of the bones of last year’s champions West Bay along with a host of young national and soon-to-be national team players, looked favourites on paper and did not fail to disappoint the decent sized crowd that had gathered to watch.

Making a bold statement after winning the first toss of the season, I decided to put us into bat on a hard glassy track, knowing that the ball would come on well to the bat.  After last week’s knock of 60, I took the opening duties with Tex, wearing a helmet for the first time in my cricketing career. With the young national tyro Kervin Ebanks bowling against us, it seemed like a wise decision. Tex and I got off to a reasonable start before Tex was unluckily run out backing up a step too far (apparently it was my fault for hitting the ball to the fielder). With Kervin bowling short, we were able to get a couple of healthy nicks for 4 and Alex at number 3 hit a sumptuous cover drive that screamed over the boundary. At 57-1 at the 9^th over, Greenies were looking set to post a challenging total that would put the Cubs under some pressure.

Unfortunately, as has been the case in every game played so far this season, the fall of the second wicket (me holing out tamely to midwicket) led to a Sabina Park like flurry of wickets as the runs dried up and the Cubs turned the screws. Alex fell a few balls later, and then Dogga out to another needless run out, which we would be hearing about ad nauseam during the post match fine session. Hugh, in his last Twenty20 match before leaving for Singapore, managed to post double figures before having his stumps knocked over and thereafter the last 5 wickets fell with a certain inevitability. Shan and Simon played some entertaining, if risky, strokes at the death, but too little too late given the circumstances. From 57-1 to 105 All Out within 10 overs is just not good enough, and has really been the story of the season to date.

With little to defend, our bowlers went out with good heart. Openers Chris and Sam worked hard and Chris in particular was getting good movement to beat the bat regularly.  Sam cajoled Roach into a false shot that was snapped up by Dogga. A straightforward enough catch made more difficult by Tex screaming in his ear the whole way. With Sealy and young Cato (who will doubtless get a go in the national team in a few years) at the crease we spilled a couple of sharp chances that we could ill afford and the Cubs went into cruise control. The youngsters were running like hares between the wickets and grabbing singles at will. With Dave McGrath finding no turn on the pitch, our spin option was unable to pose a threat. After 12 overs the writing was on the wall with the Cubs closing relentlessly on our total. Hugh, with his last ball of the tournament got Sealy with a jaffa, but with only 2 runs to win, the celebrations may have been a bit excessive.

Esso Cubs eased through to the final while Greenies were left to lament another miserable batting performance where extras were the top score. The fine session was very tough on Dogga, who would not have been Cheryl's favourite man when (if?) he eventually made it home on Valentine's night.

MOTM – Dickie, for scoring only one less that the extras
POTD – Dogga, for his catch. I think Shan would have been a good candidate for getting drunk at the fine session then swiping a rose to take home for the missus.  Very smooth.
COTD – Dogga.  Dropped catch, getting smashed for 6 on his 1^st delivery, being generally obnoxious through the fine session. Any one was a contender, put them all together and he was a shoe-in.