Santa Fe Sixes Report, 8 August 2004

SCC Newsletter Report by Omega:
An ambitious schedule of 14 games proved a little too much… a few stragglers delayed the first game, and the schedule never recovered to offer the 4 games for each team. A big congrats to the Aussie Rules boys who turned up on time (if not rested and sober) and had a good showing in their first game. Apologies to those who only played 2 games, and a big thanks for those who played for 2 teams early on to get it all going. Next week’s schedule will have 3 games per team in what we hope (if everyone turns up on time) to keep on time but more of that later.

With the return of some of the big guns of the league, the day promised some serious slogging and didn’t disappoint.

Game 1
The Aussie rules boys (Lions) play a depleted Cougars team. A quick re-shuffle of the teams and the Cougars got off to a shaky start. M Mittash in his debut game, had the amazing figures of 2 wkts for 10 runs in his first 2 legal deliveries. V Ashdir (26) and Mayank (11) (both ring ins) settled things down and the cougars ended with a defendable 66.
Shrek Turner and M Mittash began the task of taking it back to them and between them bludgeoned a combined 61, with Paul retiring one ball prior to the end of innings. Thinking themselves the loser, it wasn’t until the scoresheets were added up that it was discovered they had only added one run for extras, a quick recalculation and the Lions home with 74. P Turner 31 from 11 and Mittash 30 from 16. M Bernhard with 7 from his over.

Game 2
A replay last weeks top teams, with the Tigers hoping to get one over the Jaguars. Sanjay 35 from 13, and J L’ep 20 from 17 gave the Jags 57. T Stuckey 17 from 9 and Jagath 9 from 11 combined well, but S Aikman’s opening over gave just 3 runs away and the Tigers were always in for a tough chase. N Watkins, again the killer 2 for 9 from his over, and the Tigers falling just short with 50 runs.

Game 3
Lions vs Jaguars. Reversing the batting order, the Lions were soon in trouble 2 down into the second over (R McGregor run out without facing). Turner 26 from 9 and B Bates 16 off 11, settled things down until S Singh’s last over, getting 2 for 6 and the Lions on 55. In return the lions did themselves no favours giving 18 runs away in extras, Sanjay 18 off 9, and Steve A 17 from 8, the Jaguars accounting for the runs in 3.1 overs.

Game 4
Tigers V Cougars. Cougars batting first and Mayank 25 from 13, and a cameo from A Maxwell 9 from 8, saw the economical Tigers not concede any extras. 40 runs the target. D Harvey fell first ball, and then came the excitable Simon Ha for his first (and only bat) of the day. Not out 9 from 12 at the end of the innings, he accounted for R Kumar, 3 from 5, T Stuckey 1 off 1, and M Collins 18 off 10 all by way of run out with Manjula (the keeper) accounting for 2 of these. Tigers home with 2 balls to spare. Vinay 1 for 3 off 4 balls and Miland 5 off his over.

Game 5
Lions against the fresh Pumas. After going winless the previous week, the Pumas were happy to accept Andre the giant into the fold and he didn’t disappoint. With the Lions opting to bat, the Turner-Mittash partnership got them off to a flyer (22 from 8 and 24 from 10 respectively). The very excitable and verbal Will leaf scampered 12 off 3. One ball remaining and B Bates came in to RUN 4 from the last delivery and the Lions 3 for 76. Happy with their lot, J Gooding (10 from 10 not out !!!!) and Andre came in to open with Andre bludgeoning 38 from 10 balls 2×4’s and 4x 6’s. With extras accounting for 20 runs, the Pumas home with 3 balls to spare. M Mittash with a tidy 0 for 5 off his over.

Game 6
Jaguars against the Cougars. The Jaguars batting first, and with N Watkins run out for 2, Sanjay 41 off 16 and S Aikman 39 off 13 again flogging anything and everything. J L’Epagniol with a big 6, and 16 from 6, saw the Jaguars to an intimidating 98 from their 5 overs. With nothing to lose (or win) the Cougars batting second saw the first over from S Aikman come and go a wicket maiden. M Bernhard 11 from 6 and Manjula 19 from 11 the pick of the Cougars, and Sanjay 2 wkts for 8 runs in the final over: the Cougars 48 runs.

Game 7
After their first game win , the Pumas went into this game with the Tigers confident. Batting first , Steve Gallagher (22 off 16) and newcomer Bruce Francis 2 from 3 were met by the tight bowling of Jageth who claimed Bruce from his last ball and conceding only 5 runs. Andre (24 from 11) and Steve were constrained by tight bowling throughout , saw the innings out for 52 runs. In Reply the Tigers with R Kumar 24 from 11 and T Stuckey 28 from 14 balls saw the Tigers home with 3 balls to spare and the Pumas only loss of the day .

Game 8
Cheetahs vs Leopards. Cheetahs batting first and the young Leopard, A Cameron, doing all the damage in this game. His first over saw a blinder of a catch off his own bowling to remove Captain Tony Finnochiaro for 4. A revival of sorts saw Vinay Ashdir 19 from 19 and Ed Molony 11 off 10, bowled by Trevor B last ball of the innings with a gettable total of 48. 13 of those in extras. In relpy, A Cameron (18 off 10) stepping up with Robin (17 from 18) to guide a victory with 2 balls to spare. T Finnochiaro 1 for 3 , and T Barsenbach 1 for 6.

Intermission
With the Cougars and Lions deciding it was time for a beer, and things running behind, they graciously decided to forgo their next match. Not one to knock back an opportunity to play on the big ground, the Beginners squad who were going through a vigorous stretching drill under the expert tutelage of David Boyle, the Kittens and Cubs were selected and waited for their chance on the field.

Not strictly adhering to the wide rules, the and playing that other sport, 7 a side, the Cubs batted first, and with a mix of men and women in each team the contest was a close one. Irene (4 off 7), Serge (4 off 5), Grant (10 off 5), Pru (4 off 8) were all retired, and KC (5 off 4) stumped by Clodagh, and Kirrily (4 off 5) caught behind. 35 runs off 6 overs. Julia the pick with 3 from her over. In reply, the Kittens fell just short with 33 to give the Cubs the game. Annie 4 /7, Vivien 2/4, Andreas 3/2 all retired, and Julia 2*. Clodagh run out on 2/3 (Glad she got through in the Bashers game!!!) Nicholas 1/4 and May 0/1. Pick of the bowlers, KC 3 runs, Grant 2 for 1 wkt, and Serge 6 for 1 wkt.

Game 9
Rested and thirsty, the Jaguars and Leopards faced off. Jaguars batting first and off to another flyer. S Aikman retired on 40 from 12 balls, and S Singh not out 9 from 10. Sanjay finding things tough from Bruce the dragon slayer being the only wicket to fall and the Jaguars 67 after 6 overs. Captain Barsenbloke bowling a tight last over to stem the flow going for 5 runs. In reply the Leopards took advice from Simon Ha and began the task of running themselves out. A Cameron 3 from 4 and Robin 16 from 10 both victims. Ian Syer getting a bit of a hit with 7 from 5, it was always going to be tough as the Jaguars bowled economically. S Aikman, N Watkins, Sanjay and S Singh (1 wkt) all going for 4 runs an over. Leopards 33 runs from their overs.

Game 10
As the sun began its decline over the sports club, and hearts sinking along with it that there would be no more play, the Cheetahs and Pumas took to the field. Jugs all round on the sidelines and Andre (37 from 13) and J Gooding (33 from 16) got the Pumas off to a flyer. With Andre’s retirement P Cain added 10 from 5 and another not out innings to leave him undefeated for the day. With no wickets to fall bowling highlights were few, with V Ashdir the best on 11 from his over. Pumas 92 runs and in control. With 18.4 an over needed the Cheetahs were hoping for a few wides. Pat Morgan (8* from 11) and Ashley (8 from 3) opened the batting. With the first over going for 18 runs from B Francis and the scalp of Ashley. M Lucas into the attack for his only bowl of the day gave P Cain the chance to give N Porter a lesson with a stumping. Vinay Ashdir showing his mettle added 12 from 14, but it was never going to be enough. Andre bowling the innings and the day out for just 3 runs and a victory to the Pumas. Cheetahs 45 runs with extras top score on 15 runs.

Game 11 and 12 cancelled due to bad light!

A big thank you to those who put their hands up to umpire and score during the day especially Jock McGregor.

Quote of the Week:
Sir Viv Richards, having been asked whether China were likely to struggle in their early years in international cricket, offers some hope in true Richards fashion:

“You’re gonna get that, but you must learn. Look at recent examples in other sports like soccer. If you prepare well and put the work in the results change. Look at some of the wins in the recent Euro soccer, Greece used to be the whipping boys, now they are the ones doin’ some whipping.”