Dark clouds and sporadic drizzle was the scene as players arrived for the third grade fixture against Balgownie at Hollymount West. This was a game that saw the NDCC 3rd Grade Butchers looking to continue on their winning way and further their stranglehold on the 1 Day competition ladder heading into next weeks semi-finals. The game also saw the return of Luke Coleman back to the grade that he scored so many runs in last season and Rob Sheeley returning from injury in his first hit out since mid October last year. Balgownie again left the Butchers scratching their heads with the fact that they would only field 9 players, quite bewildering when they seem to field a full compliment in the grade below each week.The flip of the coin went the Butchers way and they decided to wield the willow first.
Openers Matt Benstead and David Joinking played their opening roles well, taking the shine off the ball and compiling 38 runs before Benstead fell. Aaron McRae (16) managed to also put on a further 38 with DJ before he was caught behind when cutting. Joinking was joined by Rob Potter and together the pair slowly lifted the tempo and were looking in top order before Potter was run out for 23 courtesy of a slight mix up and a great piece of fielding. Lucas Coleman joined Joinking and shortly after Dave bought up a tenacious half century. A great effort considering he'd finished a night shift only hours earlier. He was trapped in front a few balls later for 52. The wicket saw skipper Pat Tobin arrive at the crease and what ensued in the next 10 overs was a sight to behold. Just as the sun poked through providing some steamy conditions, Tobin bludgeoned 7 boundaries and a six in a quick fire 61, a real captains knock and an innings that turned the game on its' ear, his half century couldn't have taken any more than thirty balls. Coleman departed for 17 in an 80 run partnership with his captain with Tobin following shortly after him. During this whole partnership, punctuated by boundaries on the leg side, Balgownie neglected to move one fielder to the boundary. The Wilson boys, Curtis and Jason finished of the innings with some enterprising hitting and superb running between wickets. The innings closed with the Butchers 6/219. All in all it was good score on a large ground with a slowish outfield.
Peter Cleaves and Matt Benstead opened the bowling and it wasn't long before an amazing catch from Curtis Wilson saw the first wicket fall off the bowling of Cleaves. The evergreen stalwart bowled with good pace and accuracy en route to his 3/16 from 10 overs. A short rain delay ensued and a slippery deck saw Benstead go down like the proverbial sack first ball back, suffering a nasty carpet burn in the process. This prompted Tobin to make a bowling change with Jason Wilson bowling in tandem with Curtis Wilson in a scorers nightmare. Curtis bowled with metronomic consistence and ended up with 3/24 from 7 overs. Jason (0/34) was unlucky not to have a wicket or two himself. Rob Sheeley was the fifth bowler used and almost had the opportunity to be on a hat trick after taking a wicket and having a simple chance dropped the next ball. Sheeley finished with 1/7 from 5 overs. Ryan Davidson bowled a late spell with some enterprising length variation and also should have had a wicket if not for a simple chance going down. Benstead and Cleaves returned to finish off the hapless Magpies who, in the end, could only muster 110 runs for 36 overs providing the Butchers with a double bonus point victory.
A good result for third grade who roll on to the One Day Semi-Final next Sunday. The win had plenty of positives but also provided the team with many areas they can improve in, particularly their catching which is often the difference in finals cricket.
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