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Two days out and Superstars had a squad of 12 for the Ken Block
Trophy decider against Dodgers. Unfortunately Merv, with no explanation at all, pulled out
late the night before giving 12th man Nick no chance of being available. Superstars were
down to 10 for the biggest game of the season. |
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In the run up to the game I was checking over the Ken Block
Trophy rule book and I'm pretty sure rule 17.4b* was "Any match delayed by a lacrosse tournament
shall be deemed null and void", but despite this we waited for over an hour and then played a
30 over game starting at 3.30. |
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Ralph won the toss for Dodgers (of course) and elected to
bat in gloomy but humid conditions. The 10 men readied themselves for a tough afternoon. |
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After a horrible start where Dodgers went at 10 an over for
the first 4 overs Superstars tightened up their bowling. Plahe in particular testing NJ
and Dollin. It was the introduction of Chris Mountain that bought greater control and two
wickets (Dollin and Quereshi) and with NJ retiring Superstars sniffed a chance to keep
the total within reach, especially with the returning Plahe dismissing James. But Mohan
and Pethwick played sensibly to guide Dodgers to 167. It simultaneously felt a good effort
from the Superstars 10, especially the ground fielding, but a tough chase. |
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Superstars needed a couple of big scores to base their
innings around but unfortunately (the newly named) Gaught-Allen and Gibbs were out early.
A lot of pressure was on Warren and Hewlett but both responded well with a stand of 60.
Superstars had a platform but needed 97 from 14 overs - a tough chase a a familiar collapse
ensued as Superstars chased a famous victory that felt out of reach from the moment when
Merv wrote that small WhatsApp message. In the end we reached 139-8, losing by 28 runs. |
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A gallant effort and Barry sportingly handed over the
trophy as we wondered if the scorebooks had missed one Superstars leg bye in either of
those ties earlier in the season. |
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*Don't worry, all the other rules are essentially
"win or lose, on the booze". |
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