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Georges River 160 (B Frawley 4/29; A Zell 2/13; N Goradia 2/28; Paul Manoharan 1/31) defeated by OICC 8/161 (A Zell 33*; N Goradi 32*; C McKenzie 28; B Frawley 23; B Callaway 16*)
Running bottom of the ladder in 12th, and having lost one of our best, Neil McLeod, to a virus on game eve, we didn’t hold high hopes for a successful day, coming up against Georges River, consistently quite strong and sitting 3rd on the ladder. In any event, Georges River won the toss and elected to bat, ensuring at least there would be a full 40 0ver 1st innings.
The wicket was a bit up and down, but an excellent opening spell by Zelly & Fingers Callaway had Georges River 1/35 of 10. We let things slip a bit in the 2nd 10 over block before drinks, and with 1 wicket to Paulie Manoharan (1/31) and 2 retirees, Georges River went to the 20 over drinks at 2/98. It was looking like a long day ahead, and a score of more than 200 was very likely.
Skipper Toalie made an inspired decision to start the 2nd set of 20 with Zelly to bowl his remaining 2 overs of his allotted 8, and took 1 for 1 to finish with excellent numbers (2/13 off 8). He replaced himself with Frawley, who although he took a wicket in his 1st over, went for 9 runs. His 2nd over went for 1. So thanks to Zelly the 1st 4 overs after drinks only went for 11, but we had 2 more wickets.
With Zell finished, Nirav came on and went for 17 off his 1st 2 overs. Frawley pulled things back and found his length and after 9 off his 1st over, bowled his next 6 for 20, taking 3 further wickets (including an excellent legside stumping to Bomber McKenzie) to finish with 4/29. After 17 off his 1st 2 overs, Nirav gave away his medium pacers and turned to left arm orthodox, taking 2 for 11 off his next 3.3 overs. Included in there was a run out to Garlo.
Never run when you hit it straight to Garlo at Gully (a Georges River sacrifice to try and get their retirees back in early). It worked and their 1st retiree came back in the 32nd over and the 2nd retiree in the 34th. Plenty of time for plenty more runs.
With the 2 retiress now in, Frawley having only 1 over left, and the likelihood of Callaway having to come back and bowl overs 38 & 40, Fingers Callaway politely asked me to “make sure that doesn’t happen”. Well it didn’t as Nirav finished proceedings in the 35th over, and this proved to be critical. Georges River all out 160.
We fought back excellently, with Garlo, Lanham & Fahey covering plenty of ground from point to Third Man. We fielded really well, Bomber kept beautifully as usual, and new man Steve Geyer took an excellently judged running back over his head catch at Mid Off. Welcome Sloth.
So it was – 4 an over, chasing 160 – do it in a march right?? There’s been many a time OICC have floundered chasing 160 or even less.
So the sick McLeod put pressure on our bowling stocks, but luckily Nirav’s left arm orthodox provided a good slow bowling option…now for the batting. We’ve been fortunate to be able to rely on McLeod getting us off to a good quick start opening or batting 3 or 4. Quality player.
With Bomber having kept all innings in the heat, opening options were thin, so Toalie (10), who’s often been the finisher and Paulie Manoharan (7), who’s normally batted 9/10/11 opened the innings, with newbie Sloth Geyer (2) at 3 and Garlo (4) at 4.
4 for 23 after 9.1 overs. That’s about as bad as it got.
Frawley fell for 23 while Nirav put on 25 for a 50 run partnership in 7 overs. Zelly then arrived at the crease, and after a single from Nirav, he went 2/4/2/4. Nirav hit the 1st ball of the next over for 6 to retire on 32, bringing Bomber to the crease. A single to Bomber and Zelly another boundary. 5/101 at the 20 over drinks break.
Zelly and Bomber kept the runs flowing until Zelly retired for 33 in the 29th over with the score on 130. Pete Lanham fell for a 1st ball duck, and Mick Fahey a 2nd ball duck. 7/136 at the end of 30 overs. 25 required off 10. A few jitters.
But never in doubt with Bomber (28) dismissed in the 36th over with 3 to get, and Callaway (16*) steering us home. Nirav re-entered the fray, returning to the crease when Bomber fell, but Callaway finished proceedings – 8/161.
Very enjoyable winners’ beers, and losers’ beers for Georges River. Their personnel has changed a fair bit over the past 3 or so years, and seem like a good bunch of fellas these days.
Welcome to Steve Sloth Geyer.
Good luck to Neil McLeod, Benny Callaway, Michael Toal, Ben Frawley, Nirav Goradia, Craig McKenzie, & Nick Garling in the Over 50s State Champs in Albury next week.