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Superstars get the "wrong rub of the green..." |
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On a beautiful Sunday in September the Superstars took on Princes Head at Richmond
on the Green. With many of the team running late due to transport issues Skip went out to do the toss and to
everyone's shock he WON [Editor note - this is not a typo] and elected to bowl. |
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Conway and Sohail opened the bowling with fantastic accuracy and economy on what
was a minefield of a wicket. Conway bowled 2 clean wickets in his 6 overs, Sohail was unfortunate not to take a wicket
but bowled with great economy with 18 runs off 7 overs. The Princes Head batsmen were using their knowledge of the home
wicket to their advantage trying to stay on top of the bowling and keeping a respectable run rate. Duggan and Vijay
jumped into action bowling fantastic line and length and generated some great opportunities for catches and run outs
but the batsmen rode their luck to see off a great bit of superstars bowling but Vijay broke through to clean bowl
the oppositions most dangerous batsmen. |
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Thompson, Plahe and Hewlett got in on the action with Thompson taking 3 great
wickets with some fine fielding from Vijay to take a catch off Thompson and Hewletts overs. Chris provided a great
caught & bowled and a very tasty LBW which was as plumb as jam. Hewlett bowled well at batsmen set to charge down
every ball and was rewarded with a wicket with fine fielding from Vijay. Plahe bowled and hit the stumps but due to the
batsman being 4ft tall it was called a no ball!?! But then made up for it next ball with a clean bowl to
leave Richmond 175 after 35 overs. |
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Superstars started the batting off in fine form with Conway and Gaught/Gaught-Allen
setting a solid base, a chance ball that hit one of the many craters in the pitch and skimmed the edge of Gaughty's
bat and taken by the keeper. This saw Gibbs and Conway start pressing harder for runs with some great boundaries
and classical drives. Gibbs started to toy with the oppo giving them catching practise with a few lofty shots
but thankfully the fielders dropped the ball on each occasion. Richmond turned to their pace bowlers, one ball
suspiciously high edged Gibbs bat and was given out for a well deserved 20. Conway scoring well smashed a shot almost
too well straight into a fielders hands for an unfortunate catch but scored a great jug avoiding innings of 47. |
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The almost inevitable Superstars collapse followed but only due to the
opposition's quick bowlers attacking the stumps saw Hewlett, Vijay and Meyler depart before their
prime in what was an incredibly difficult wicket to bat on. Bishop and Sohail provided some fireworks
with quick fire runs before Bish was given LBW for a well deserved 8 runs and Sohail being caught out
for a rapid 10 runs. Duggan and Plahe were now looking down the barrel with 50 runs needed
in only a few overs but set to work... Duggan warmed up and looked in fine form, a batsman ready for glory but after
a huge heave that would have sent the ball over 200 meters for a massive 6 that Chris Gayle would be proud of
unfortunately clean bowled him. Gigg was feeling a little off and batted himself at 11 which was not usual
protocol but there was life in game yet. About 10 runs an over needed but if anyone can "Run a team ragged" it will
be Skip, he stated off with a booming drive that rocketed for 4, a quick 2 runs taken off the next ball saw our
run rate heading for target rate but then a rank ball unfortunately hit the stumps to end the batting innings
with Plahe Not Out. |
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A great day out with some great cricket against a very friendly opposition
to see the end of another season for Superstars. So started the beer match and I am happy to report that we
thrashed the oppo by over 32 pints! We sent the oppo home before their bedtime with Gigg 2 Pints Retired,
Gaught 5 Pints Retired, Hewlett 5 Pints Retired, Bish 8 Pints Not Out, Duggan 8 Pints Not Out, Plahe 8 Pints
Not Out and Meyler 8 Pints, 1 Brandy Not Out... Huge applause to all for putting in heroic performances. Hope to
see you all at the awards ceremony in October. Date & venue to be announced soon. |
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