Bashers vs Maharajahs Lumberjack, 27 June 2004

Report from the SCC Newsletter by the Anti-Basher:
The Hallelujah Chorus rang out over Pudong as the Bashers – at the sixth attempt – finally claimed their first ever win.

Canny bowling by the Bashers, lead by John l’Epagniol with 5-30, saw the Maharajahs flop to a below par 114 all out – only Vinay Ashdir, with 29, made a significant contribution. With several new signings bolstering the batting line-up it was always going to be a tough total to defend, and once Paul Turner had hit a typically belligerent 57 the Bashers could taste victory. The middle and lower order saw them home, but credit to the Maharajahs for fighting on and nearly bowling them out as the Bashers finished on 154-9.

Thanks to the win and the bonus points the Bashers leapfrog the Maharajahs and move into third place… and with their new found confidence will be pushing for honours later in the year.

Quotes from the Match:
“My team finally wins but I still ended up on the losing team!”
Neal Watkins, Bashers 12th man and Pudong fill-in, reflecting on another defeat.

“How’s the cheek mate?”
Adam Taylor, enquiring about the status of the President’s recently fractured cheek – just before bowling him a bouncer.