The under 16Bs of Thirroul and Northern Districts are a Butcher side who have lacked synergy this season with players unavailable for various reasons. However, as the sun rose on the morning of Saturday the 10th, one could sense a change in the air. For the first time in the 2011-2012 season, the mighty 16Bs had a full team of 11 arrive at the dewy Hollymount West.
Jamberoo won the toss and set out to control the action, electing to bat. After a strong warm-up, the butcher boys took the energy onto the field and ripped in. Supported by the economical windmills of skipper Paulo Harrison, a fiery Tommo Walker induced two early edges and on which both found the gloves of Owen Cannings. Blake Scofield was noticeably agile and floated across the turf in the covers after his pre-match yoga session whilst Josh Riley needed no such assistance, taking a catch and making some good stops at point. New player Big Al Alex proved an asset, bowling a very tidy spell of outswingers from the southern end. Just as big Tommo warmed into a second spell, Jamberoo ran out of batsmen with three lads still waiting in the toboggan queue at the recreation park.
71 runs required for first innings points, the Hubster was joined by Sensei Blake in his usual role of opening the batting. The reliable Hublay looked solid until he skied a short one and Blake departed in similar fashion an over later. Despite further losses of Owen and Josh, the butchers looked to have the run chase under control, thanks largely to some loose bowling and resultant sundries. Needing to alter the momentum, Jamberoo opted for their awkward leggy, and it proved to be a masterstroke...
The young lad built pressure and snavelled two wickets in as many balls. With leading run scorer Lachlan McKinnon remaining at the crease, the butchers held the superior position, however, the collapse continued as the most talented player in his family was dismissed in the same over by a sharp catch at slip. When Paul ‘Lightning’ Harrison was run out, the injured Nick Ryan joined pocket rocket Paddy Johnson at the centre, still with 30 odd runs required on a green deck and with only two wickets in hand. Johnson was solid in defence, dynamic on the cut and quick between the wickets, showing his teammates how to do the job. He departed for 17 just four runs short of the target when he picked out backward square leg. Everyone’s favourite young cricketer Lachie Jeffs rose from his chair, with a smile on his face and headed to the middle saying “I’ll have a crack”. After being solid as a rock at mid off in the morning and working hard to dry the ball for our bowlers, could he get us home? Nick Ryan showed great maturity throughout his whole innings, and patiently picked a solitary 2 off the dangerous leg spinner’s final over. Jeffsy came on strike with two runs to win, and confidently defended and left the first three balls. The bowler charged in and, true to his word, Jeffsy had a crack, French cutting to fine leg to level the scores. Nick Ryan finished the job with true panache and the mighty butcher 16Bs claimed their first win of the season. The lads will take a 3 run lead into the second day next week, and hopefully push for what could become a season changing outright victory... Up The Butchers!
This article has been viewed 355 times!
