Tuesday 1st February
CW Blue v CW Green
at the CWBCC Stadium
A terrible lack of commitment and basic technique from the Blue batsmen was shown up in the second innings, as the Greens cruised to a huge 271-run win at the CWBCC Stadium. The Blues tumbled to a record low of 62 all out on an admittedly less than certain batting surface.
Green was inserted to bat first due excellent seam bowling conditions at the start of the game. The plan backfired badly, and the Greens were boosted by quality innings from Rose and Cunningham to 338 all out. Debutant Demeza bowled with great heart, but failed to get support in the field.
The Blue reply started characteristically poorly. A fighting half-century from veteran Peter Young in the middle order and a breezy knock by Phillips helped the score over 200, but a concession of 123 runs was made on first innings. Hoy and Timewell impressively shared 9 wickets.
Craig Walsh and Alex Feeney played well at the top of the order, but Blue fought back into the game with a concerted spin-based effort to limit Green to 210. With 334 needed for victory and the better part of 2 days available, the Blues still counted themselves in the game.
Rob Timewell quickly changed that. The man traded for Cloete pre-season, Timewell knocked over the first 5 batsmen and left the Blues absolutely stunned at 25/5. He then surrendered the acclaim to Cunningham and Weber and they ensured just two players reached double figures.
Cricket Web Green 1st Innings 338 all out
Cricket Web Blue 1st Innings 215 all out
Cricket Web Green 2nd Innings 210 all out
Cricket Web Blue 2nd Innings 62 all out
Cricket Web Green won by 271 runs.
Man of the Match: R Timewell
CW Black v CW Red
at the CW Oval
A keenly anticipated contest between Red and Black certainly lived up to expectations. Indeed there was fight up until the final hour with both teams displaying purpose and courage. Ultimately the Reds hung on at 247/6 chasing a target of 349 runs off 100 overs.
Dave Richards' Blacks decided to bat first after winning the toss on a solid surface at the CW Oval. Whilst debutant Loc was an early casualty (following a period of uncertainty at the crease), the batsmen ultimately vincated the decision. Darren Dub-Lynch set the pace at the top of the order, Blackman held steady at 3, then Kearsley continued to establish himself as a premiere batsman with another unbeaten innings. Mike Wilson and Callum Thompson also stroked the ball nicely down the order. Once more Kearsley chased a century, but was left stranded a couple strokes away.
The Red turn at the crease was quickly set back with Iyer's dismissal, but Mørk and Stedman dropped anchor for a good recovery. Both men got fifties and set the platform, as Dauth, Dobson, Whelan and Bennett contributed solidly. Bennett helped reduce a potential 100+ Black first innings lead to 76.
In their second turn at the crease Black set about to score 272/6, due middle order acceleration following a steady start. Kearsley once again anchored the innings and allowed Mohammed and Hing to play more aggressive knocks. Hing continued his golden form with an unbeaten half-century, denied his hundred by the declaration.
The Blacks took to the field with 10 overs left on day four and sought to dislodge wickets before the close. The gamble paid off, and both openers were back in the hut by stumps. Nightwatchman Kennett resumed with Dauth on the final day and it proved a true exercise in frustration for the visitors.
A clear four chances were missed off Dauth, whilst three catches were dropped off Dobson and both men registered crucial half-centuries. Andre Maddocks then put his experience to work and batted alongside Tim Whelan to the close.
Cricket Web Black 1st Innings 360 all out
Cricket Web Red 1st Innings 284 all out
Cricket Web Black 2nd Innings 272 for 6 dec.
Cricket Web Red 2nd Innings 247 for 6
Test Match Drawn.
Man of the Match: DA Kearsley