Cricket Web Blue v Cricket Web Colts
at PDV Dome
Stephen Burke and Gary Nayak both hit maiden centuries for his Colts team, who nevertheless gave up vital points in the battle for the second final spot in the Manuel Ramprakash Trophy. After batting first, Colts made inroads rather quickly, as the scoring rates of both Burke, Pitt (17) and Jasotharan (46) went through the roof - by tea, Colts had made 280 for 7, with Burke's 145 the highlight. The Blue bowlers toiled, with Collins (12-2-28-2) the only one to keep it reasonably tight - Halsey and Fuller got vital wickets, but both went for more than four and over, and Colts closed on 316.
Blue responded somewhat shakily, having lost three wickets to Thomas, Wright and Rai by the time the third ball on the second day was bowled, but a 108-run stand between Cloete and Dinu de Silva turned the tables somewhat. Part-time bowler Nayak got rid of them both for 73, and Hancock got the last four wickets, but Blue nevertheless eked out 366 - with Collins (28) and Ben Wilshere (71) adding 60 for the eighth wicket.
Colts once again had good help from their openers, and closed the second day one run in arrears with all wickets intact. However, an outstanding morning spell from Collins turned the tables, and Colts were 81 for 4 before Nayak stepped up. His 115 - well supported by Malthus-Howell, who made 47 before wilting to the leg breaks of Halsey - helped the Colts past 300 for the second time in the match, and they had posted a very solid target on a wearing Dome pitch. Trav Demeza returned wickets at regular intervals to end with five for 78, while Collins went off the boil after the opening spell - his four for 59 was more than acceptable, however.
Camps departed in the first over to Greg Thomas, but from 69 for 2 Blue put the pressure on. Brendon Goff slashed 81 in a brutal 131-run partnership with Andrew Cloete, who was named Man of the Match after his second score above 70 - he eventually made it worth 118, as the Colts bowlers were duly punished. The most economical was Rai, who conceded 48 in 14.1 overs; Hancock got two wickets, but gave up 51 in 9.
Cricket Web Colts 316 all out
Cricket Web Blue 366 all out
Cricket Web Colts 305 all out
Cricket Web Blue 256 for 4
Cricket Web Blue won by six wickets
Man of the Match: Andrew Cloete
Cricket Web Red v Cricket Web Black
at CW Oval
The Reds were outplayed in their own home ground, surrendering a morale-eroding defeat along with the championship title to the rampant Blacks. The opening stand of 104 between Simon Fitzsimmons and Daniel Smith set the pace of the innings, and though five bowlers got wickets, none of them possessed consistent threat the way Nathan Hoy did in both innings. He had the wood on Håkon Mørk, who could have wished for better luck - in both innings, he was dismissed in the very first over, and only the two first-innings deliveries he faced prevented a king pair. Hoy picked up three wickets in the first innings after his side had made 323, and with Harry Warwick and Neil Pickup also taking three, Reds wilted to 173 - with seven batsmen out in single figures. Thamba Mamesh (59) and Marc Robbins (49) were understandably furious with the lack of support.
In the second innings, Black batted on. This time, the opening stand was worth 102, Kearsley and Blackman pounded on the runs after Feeney and a run out took care of the openers, and when Alex Blackman was dismissed two runs short of his century, Pickup declared - with the lead a massive 504. Dave Watt's two for 84 were the only respectable bowling figures, and Reds wilted once again - this time with six single-digit scores. Feeney resisted with 58, but the unplayable Hoy got rid of him, ending with figures of 16-6-18-4, seven wickets in the match, and a Man of the Match award. Black received the Championship cheque from a somewhat disgruntled CWBCC chairman, who was seen reprimanding his son severely for the batting performance.
Cricket Web Black 323 all out
Cricket Web Red 173 all out
Cricket Web Black 354 for 6 declared
Cricket Web Red 144 all out
Cricket Web Black won by 360 runs
Man of the Match: Nathan Hoy
Should really have taken more wickets, though.
