Low dark clouds and a cool southerly set the backdrop for the 2012 season opener for Gold against Dapto. The unavailability of key Nuggets provided the opportunity to blood some “new” players. Josh Shelton made a welcome return to the game and Shaun Minogue finally had a Saturday arvo free to make his comeback after 33 years.
Dapto batted first and ironically it was Shelton and Minogue that had an immediate influence on the game. With Dad Glasgow given the new ball and slotting straight onto his usual line and length the Dapto opener lifted a drive and was well caught by Minogue in his second touch of the ball. Shelton took the ball at the northern end and into the teeth of the wind and off a four step run up was quick, accurate and at times, menacing. He returned the terrific figures of 2-18 off 9 overs.
Earle Canvin made sure that Dapto were kept under pressure with a great spell that read 3-31 and Ant and Sir Pat kept the run rate down with tight bowling. In the field Marcel was impressively sharp in gully saving quite a few runs and Blooma Partland was like a Jack Russell on speed.
All credit to Dapto though, who batted out their 45 overs, and in the conditions, set the Nuggets a challenging target of 155.
With a required run rate of around 3.5 Gold knew that a solid start was required but we soon found ourselves at 2-0 after three overs with both openers back in the pavilion / bus shelter.
Canvin snarled “if this bat wasn’t new it would be broken by now.” On a positive note Earle, it will be just as new the next time you use it. Dapto were talking up an early afternoon.
Josh Shelton with a grin that bellied the gravity of the situation set about showing why he is considered a talented all rounder and played an entertaining knock of 28. Ant provided stability at the other end and they put together a vital partnership of 40.
With the successive dismissal of both players Gold were back in strife at 4-45 off 20 overs. Wheatley was joined by Minogue in the middle to rekindle a cricketing flame that had not burned for 33 years. Minogue, in a brief stay, showed a glimpse of the cavalier style that made him one of the more entertaining Thirroul juniors of the late ‘70’s. Gold, however, were 5-56. Steve ‘Dad’ Glasgow came to middle with a look of determination in his eyes and distinct liking for the Pommy playing conditions. Wheatley departed for 19 and was seeing the ball well but unfortunately didn’t see the fielder at mid-wicket when he smacked a ball straight to him.
Glasgow was quietly going about building a solid innings. Partland lifted the run rate with a lusty 9 off 3 balls but Gold were running out of batsmen and overs. As Mark Richard Smith strode onto the field with the Nuggets at 7-83 off 30 overs Sir Pat called out, “good time for a skipper’s knock Smithy”.
With rain driving sideways (there was no way Dapto were coming off) Smith and Glasgow needed to produce 5 an over for the next 15 overs. They set about the task with intelligent running and Smith’s trademark punchy lofted drive over cover was working a treat. Dad was working the Dapto fielders around and punishing anything wide. The boys took the score to 148 before Dad lofted a lusty blow over mid-wicket to be well caught on the boundary. A great knock of 45. Two overs left to get 7 runs, weather getting worse. Enter one David ‘Digger’ Bateman to an atmosphere that was electrifying both on and above the ground. Showing all of his experience Davo immediately dictated the pace of the game and his mid-over equipment readjustment took longer than a coal train at the Bellambi boom gates. A frustrated and cold Dapto bowler fired a short delivery just outside off and Davo played a delightful little late cut for 2 runs off the last ball of the 44th over. One over to go, one run to get, Skipper Smith ringed by the field and the bowler putting it on a beautiful length. Smith played with the minds of the players and spectators by blocking the first three deliveries. With two balls of play remaining Smithy stole a cheeky single to finish on an unbeaten 31 and complete a remarkable comeback for the Nuggets.
Congratulations to Dapto who played the game in great spirit, and although obviously disappointed, were very gracious in defeat.
Just the confidence boost Gold needed as it builds momentum towards the much anticipated clash with the pretty boys of Sky.
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