3rd Grade Bounce Back Against The Burgh

A great fight back from NDCC 3rd Grade has left their match evenly poised after day 1 of their clash against Helensburgh at Hollymount Park West.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, Helensburgh made a solid start as Hall and Derrick shared a 49 run opening stand, frustrating the Butchers bowling attack. The Helensburgh openers chancing their arm as Derrick particularly was aggressive early. Despite a few shots being hit in the air opportunities for the bowlers were few and far between. Rob Murphy got the initial breakthrough for the Butchers when Derrick edged one to the keeper.

Runs continued to flow for the Burgh as Hall soon passed 50 and continued to pile on the runs. He looked set for a big score but when Jason Wilson was introduced it paid instant dividends for the Butchers as Hall popped one straight up off Wilson's first delivery to end his innings on 74. When Hennessy joined Morahan at the crease the runs kept coming for the Tigers as Morahan also passed 50 just before tea. At the break, Helensburgh appeared to be in complete control at 2/175.

Talk in the home sheds was still positive at tea as they knew they had bowled well but just needed 1 or 2 wickets to get back into the game. The tea break was the best thing for the Butchers as Eric Denhartog (4/24) changed the match in the first over after tea. When Hennessey tried to cut late the fourth ball after lunch he only succeeded in getting a feint edge to part time keeper Pat Tobin. This saw the dangerous Mal Spencer walk to the crease and the Butchers spoke about the importance of getting him early. 2 balls later Denhartog delivered again as Spencer tried to pull a short one only to get a top edge that popped up for Tobin to take again. 4 overs later the runs had dried up and Denhartog struck again when a ball was hit to young Jorey Wilson at point.

The momentum had completely changed when Morahan edged one behind that Potter caught after a deflection for 58 to give Jason Wilson his 2nd wicket. When Tobin stuck out his left hand whilst moving to his right and the ball stuck he has his 5th catch behind the stumps and gave Murphy his 2nd wicket. Ryan Davidson cleaned up the last 2 wickets including a sharp catch from Jason Wilson at short square leg. The Tigers were all out for 208, having lost an incredible 8/33 after tea. The Butchers were very happy with the fight back and started positive in their run chase.

Needing to bat for an hour before stumps, Joinking and Davdison set about knocking the ball around. Just when it appeared the Butchers would see out the day without loss, once again the momentum swung as Joinking was trapped in front for 20, and then Van Wijk has his leg stumped removed the very next ball. Rob Potter strode out to face the hat-trick ball and suddenly stumps could not come fast enough for the butchers. Despite surviving a strong appeal on the hat-trick ball, Potter and Davidson saw out the day to leave the day at 2/43, the match, intriguingly poised after day 1.

Both sides will have to work very hard next week to claim victory.

This article has been viewed 224 times!