NDCC 4th Grade have made it two wins from as many starts after a convincing win over Dapto at Hollymount West.
The Butcher's side was thrown into a slight panic with Dave Bailey withdrawing from the side due to illness only minutes before the start of play. A few quick phone calls and Alex Tobin was on the way to make his Butcher's debut.
Losing the toss and being sent into the field was of no concern for the side, as the captain was going to bowl if he won the toss. Adam Anderson (3/20) got the game off to a great start when the Dapto opener could not deal with the movement of the ball and got an inside edge back onto middle stump. Dan Bond (0/25) opened the bowling from the other end and certainly deserved better figures. Bondy had one difficult chance grassed, and a second caught by Matty Craig behind the stumps only to have the batsman given not out, despite two clear noises being heard by all players. The Dapto opener that was gifted a life didn't hang around too long, dismissed by Angry a couple of overs later. This time he was caught by Matty behind the stumps following a wild swipe, well away from his body. Amazingly, the batsmen stood his ground only to be fired by the umpire and given a justified send off by the over joyed bowler.
The match turned dramatically when the new ball bowlers were replaced. Geoff Burton was unlucky to have a sharp chance grassed at Square Leg off his very first ball. Not to be deterred, Geoff struck twice in his first over and finished with the figures of 5.4 overs, 1 maiden 5/16. Ryan Davidson (2/9) combined to rip the game away from the Canaries. Great bowling was supported by hustle and effort by all in the field. Standard was set by Matty behind the stumps who finished the innings with 3 catches. Geoff Burton, Dan Bond, Chris Ledwidge and Brett Buckley all took catches. When the final wicket fell, the Canaries had been dismissed for 73 off 20.4 overs.
The Butchers chase got off to an anxious start with Aidan Simmons (0) dismissed in the first over. However, Rob Potter (34*) walked out to join Ryan Davidson (33*) to effortlessly steer the Butchers to the top of the table!
This article has been viewed 208 times!
