The game started in misty rain, and with Bashers bowling first, both batsmen and bowlers faced different challenges. Batsmen have to cope with deliveries that fly off the wet pitch, and bowlers need to manage the wet ball. Two early wickets \u00e2\u20ac\u201c fine catches for L\u00e2\u20ac\u2122Epa and Hog \u00e2\u20ac\u201c suggested the bowlers were winning. The key passage of the match was to follow \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Sanjay and Newton put together the only sizeable partnership of the game, and in the final analysis, this was the match-winning period of the game for the Devils.<\/p>\n
From a powerful position, the Devils were not able to press on to an imposing score, and the Bashers enjoyed their best period of the match. New father Chitty persuaded Sanjay to go off for a rest, and the Growler-Tiny double-act snared Newton. Growler took his second excellent catch at mid-off to account for #5 and Dazzler took the next catch offered for wicket #6. Devils had lost 4 wickets in 4 overs, and Bashers smelt blood.<\/p>\n
Post-op\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s keeping had improved throughout the innings, and now he got in on the act. He safely collected a snick off Tiny, and moved well for the gloved chance off Filthy. 2 wickets to go \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Papps came back as the angry fast bowler to knock over 10 and 11 \u00e2\u20ac\u201c one caught behind, and one bowled. Devils all out 174, 9 of the wickets caught, and only 2 sharp chances grassed.<\/p>\n
Chasing down any target always requires a team to be fit enough at their standard. We did not manage to demonstrate the energy required to put the bowlers and fielders under pressure, and could only manage isolated success on the batting side, unlike the sustained dominance of the Sanjay-Newton stand. The Devils were able to apply the squeeze, and the Bashers were unable to escape. Most of the risks we took went against us, leaving our batsmen disappointed.<\/p>\n
Batting highlights \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Growler was nudging it nicely before he was despatched LBW. Dazzler played some outstanding shots, before finding deep midwicket with an accuracy of which a golfer would have been proud. Filthy took the fight to the Devils for the longest, but lacked the support to score at the rate required. Post-op smoked everything for 5 minutes, including the one for an outstanding caught and bowled. Papps struck out, and ran hard (but not hard enough). Tank gave us an American cover drive to enjoy, and L\u00e2\u20ac\u2122Epa finshed not out. Bashers all out 120.<\/p>\n
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