Scorecards: Police Innings   Greenies Innings

The mighty Village Greenies 1st XI posted an emphatic 4 wicket victory on the weekend against a very competitive Police team in unusually nipply conditions at Smith Road Oval. Captain Tommy "Tails-Never-Fails" Stephens continued his losing streak with the coin on what can only be described as an absolute road.  The Village Greenies quickly found themselves bowling to a star-studded Police line-up in less than favourable flatulent bowling conditions.

All six Greenies bowlers were up to the task however and managed to restrict Police to 9 for 168 after 40 overs.  Sir Hector Robinson bowled well taking 3 for 43 off 8 overs including a very skillfull stumping by keeper Rotsey.  Interestingly Sir Hector noted that in the 40 odd years he has been playing the game he has never before taken a wicket in this fashion.  Nick Sellars (0-30), Michael "Jonty" Reid (1-25), and Paul Hogg (2-30) all bowled their allotted 8 overs and did extremely well to keep the runs to a minimum.  Franky Hinds (2-12 off 4 overs) delivered 2 huge killer blows dismissing Bovell LBW for 20 and Pearson Best for 10.  All 11 Greenies were exceptional in the field except for Matt "Texas" Walker who, having suffered some serious scooter abrasions in the early hours of Sunday morning, was anything but exceptional!  Johny "Puma" Pang looked very comfortable and uber-cool under the high ball taking 2 extremely crucial catches and Tommy Stephens fielded like a horny tiger pouncing on a run out and taking 2 "screamers".

Tex and Ledge confidently strode out to the middle, bellies full of curried goat and brand spanking Laver & Woods in their hands. Three balls later Tex hobbled back to the pavilion having neither troubled the scorers nor the new Laver & Wood.  Ledge was looking supremely confident hooking Big Bovell to the boundary in the early overs.  Unfortunately he soon fell prey to an electric slips catch by the most unlikely person on the pitch, Pearson Best.  The ever-reliable Franklin Hinds was clean bowled by Alessandro Morris shortly after, having only scored 4 runs.  Rotsey played some exciting cricket shots including one sensational scorching square cut to the airport boundary.  Just as Rotsey looked set for a big score he too was sent packing when he spooned a catch to Camberbatch on 18 runs. 

The Greenies began to look a little fragile at 4 for 53 after the 1st 14 overs.  Never fear...Captain Courageous and Jonty Reid are here!  Tommy and Jonty secured the ship with a much needed 68 run partnership.  Jonty blazed 36 runs off only 34 balls in an entertaining knock that included several clobbered boundaries and one giant 6 onto the newly renovated player's pavilion roof.  Jonty was caught off the bowling of Coley taking the score to 5 for 121 off 24.5 overs.  Hoggy joined Tommy at the crease and was clearly nervous about using the new Laver & Wood.  He decided to use his pads instead and was quickly given out LBW for a duck having padded away all 3 balls.  Nick Sellars then entered the crease with the Greenies needing 44 runs to win from the remaining 14 overs with Pang, Pest and Sir Hector still to come.  Tommy (65 not out) and Sellars (14 not out) batted extremely sensibly easing the mighty Greenies to victory with 4.1 overs to spare!  Tommy played a classic captain's knock including 4 boundaries, 1 five and 1 massive six earning him Man of the Match status.

All tings considered, it was a really well executed victory with all players (except Tex) doing their bit.  A joyous victory and an even more joyous fine session! 

Man of the Match - Tommy Stephens (65 not out, 2 catches, 1 run out)  
Play of the Day - Ian Rotsey (scorching square cut / stumping off Hector's bowling)  
COTD - Matt Scooter Texas Walker (for doing jack sht)*

J. Michael Outlet Award - Johno "Son of Ledge" Pang for a lovely ensemble of matching white aviators and white PUMA sneakers. Very nice!

Spectator of the Day - Werner (very unlucky not to take out the J. Michael too...wearing a very dapper pink pinstripe number complimented by / accessorized with a sippy cup)

*Please note Josh Brown was a very close 2nd for COTD having injured himself playing Rugby on Saturday and deciding not to tell Tommy until 45mins before the coin toss.  In his defence he was hoping that the Power of Jah would heel his wounds.

**If anyone would like the Recipe for Ledge's Fine Bottle it is available upon request.