The NDCC 1st Grade Butchers took on Wests in their last match of the season last Saturday at Figtree Oval. Pride the only item at stake in the bottom of the table clash. The Butchers included youngsters Jack Daskey, & Jackson Stewart, as inclusions into this young team.
Young opening batsman Geordie Crawford has taken his challenge with two hands in recent games showing he has all the goods to blossom into a formidable opening batsman. Recent scores from Geordie had him in good form and he made 46 in his innings to assist fellow opener Mark Cottom in firing against Cottom's former club. Cottom and Crawford steered the Butchers to a strong start before Crawford fell for 46. Salakas came to the crease determined to fend of challengers to his most runs crown and with a blistering (for him) 41 from 46 ball innings, Salakas again furthered the work being done by Cottom who by now had reached his 50 with several fine shots including a six of the spinner (Nolan). Salakas fell and this brought a few changes with Coleman (8), & Murphy (7) falling, before Ryan came to the crease with specific instructions to tee off with the Butchers reaching 4/160 from 65 overs. Ryan was typically awkward but effective in getting to 23 from 23 before skying one from Boncompagni. The Butchers getting to 217 from 8 overs leaving Wests a difficult target. Cottom ending up on a great 68 from 224 balls. An effort not be laughed at but cheered as it was to be the cornerstone of a fine victory!
Day 2 was highlighted by the fact Wests were unable to show the grit shown by Cottom & Crawford to get a solid start on a wicket that had plenty of turn. The Butchers were slightly off on day 2 until captain Murphy (Dag's Elliott in disguise) brought himself on to claim the 2nd wicket with a classic catch from Cottom.
This brought about a match turning event when Ryan then took Georgio bowling him for a golden duck, followed by Andrew "Tailend" Tougher who also went for a first ball golden duck when bowled by nemesis Ryan to leave Wests reeling after being 1/97 to 4/97 in the space of 3 balls and from then on Wests fell into a deep hole and were unable to crawl back out. Tight bowling from Ryan (3/32), & Murphy (2/8), and Jamal (2/28) saw West eventually all out for 139 from 58.5 overs.
A fine end of season win for the guys, however it may have highlighted how with a little more grit and patience, we could have done this more often during the regular season. Still there are some great signs in Crawford, Salakas, & Banfield who are still very young cricketers with their best to come.
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