NDCC 3rd Grade - Round 13 shaped up to be a big test for the Butchers
3rd
grade side as this round saw them retain their undefeated status for
the season despite being matched up against last years premiers,
University.
The evergreen Curtis Wilson took the
reins as
stand-in skipper for the Butchers with regular captain Pat Tobin
missing for the clash, as too was regular opening batsmen, Dave
"Buckets" Joinking, while Pete Cleaves and Jed Austin had stepped up
to 2nd grade for this round. These changes saw Adam Van Wijk
and Rob Potter step up into the 3's side, while Rob Murphy rejoined the
side following a groin injury and promising junior, Lachlan Dunn joined
the side to continue his development into the senior club teams.
Curtis Wilson had set
expectations high after a huge man-of-the-match performance in the
one-day grand final (which the Butchers won) and the team hoping Curtis
could show the same sort of dominance again today to really push the
Butchers lead out and put any points from the game beyond the reach of
Uni.
Unfortunately Curtis was dismissed for
42 and
Rob Murphy (4) soon followed leaving Alex Tobin (4*) stranded, however
the Butchers lead was now 104 - a great result from the precarious
position of 5-39.
Uni were obviously keen to rectify the
damage from last week as a team huddle converged upon the butchers 10th
wicket loss, but the Butchers got in the sheds and focused themselves
for another big innings in the field.
The Uni intent was evident from the
first
over as big swings were thrown and shots were hit through the air as
they tried to even the scores as quickly as possible, but once again -
as has been the case all season - the Butchers were up to the challenge
of their opponents.
Uni's wicket keeper and opening bat,
Khadim,
fell first with a full blooded smash thudding (literally) into the
chest of Chris Brown at cover off Rob Murphy. It was a great catch by
the brown dog, but Rob (1/16 off 6 overs) bowled extremely quick and
kept the pressure on from the north end to deserve that scalp.
Curtis Wilson (2/19 off 8 overs)
entered into
his own personal battle with the other opener (Glenn) as shots went
through the air or were taken from off stump to the vacant leg side
field. A change in the field, taking the gully out and moving to mid
wicket saw immediate results and Glenn was caught at mid-off next ball,
but the excitement was yet to come as Curtis dismissed the Uni No.3
(Bull) for a golden duck. The scoreboard read 3-23 and Uni closed the
library down at this point as their focus with the bat clearly changed
from trying to score, to trying to survive.
Matt "Killer" Benstead (3/10 off 8
overs) and
Jason Wilson (2/37 off 9 overs) then needed to continue the early work,
but needed to remain patient as Uni continued to block and only look
for the odd single. The pressure was building on both sides and after
some great toil, Killer clean bowled Reid to see his off stump
cartwheeling and the stump in two pieces - right on the last ball
before drinks. Uni went to drinks at 4-38, still 66 runs behind the
Butchers lead.
After the drinks break, Killer
continued to
bowl well and kept the pressure building before rattling the stumps of
Mikhail to see the Uni captain arrive. The call came to send him
straight back to the sheds, and that was exactly what happened as AVW
took a great diving catch at 2 slip to see the Uni skipper depart and
the score now at 6-44.
Benstead was given a rest as Jason
Wilson
dismissed the main resistance (Bjorkston for 29) and last weeks batting
hero for the Butchers, Lachlan Dunn, was thrown the ball in place of
Benstead. Lachlan (2/8 off 3 overs) showed he has all the skills as he
bowled well in tandem with Jason Wilson to see the keeper, Alex Tobin,
take two fine catches.
Jason was able to prove he is a star of
the
future by continuing his fine form and taking the last wicket of Flynn
to see the Butchers take a great win of an innings and 14 runs to move
10 points clear of University at the top of the table.
The Butchers have now ensured they will
finish in a top 2 position, and now need only to secure 1st innings
points in their round 14 clash against 4th
place Wests to secure the minor premiership and go through the regular
season undefeated. The Butchers expect this to be a tough game as Wests
have been a consistent performer all season and need points from the
game to avoid being knocked out of 4th place by Keira who meet lowly
placed Wollongong.
This article has been viewed 269 times!
