Forget the first test match, it was all happening at the Recreation ground last Saturday as the two local teams played out a low scoring nail biter that saw the Green Beret’s prevail by just nine runs and in doing so wrap up a semi final spot that looked very unlikely just three weeks ago.
It was a match that was dominated by the ball as both sides batsmen failed to take advantage of the lightning outfield.
Batting first, the Beret’s batsmen struggled to get on top of some good bowling by the Gold’s who really put the pressure on with some fine fielding.
At 2/12 the Beret’s were in early trouble before a 40 run third wicket stand between Sam Lynam and Brendan Shean saw the score reach 2/53 in the 11th over.
A useful spell of bowling from Ross Gibson saw two quick wickets fall before the score had reached 5/85 in the 16th over.
Jeremy Hewitt then produced a devasting spell to rip through the lower order with the Beret’s losing 5/8 to be all out for a paltry 93.
Best of the batsmen was again Rick Bennett with 29 whilst Sam Lynam scored 25.
Jeremy Hewitt and Ross Gibson took three wickets each for the Goldies with Russell George and Peter Blundell the other wicket takers.
The Beret’s were disappointed in not scoring more runs but one thing this side has shown is a never say die attitude and they weren’t about to surrender meekly.
In reply the Goldies began steadily and at 0/17 looked like they were on their way to a comfortable victory requiring just another 77 runs.
Sam Lynam got the breakthough and then removed the ever dangerous Simon Pye who on his day can score very quickly.
The Diggers then lost the key wicket of the experienced Tony Croker and at 3/28 the innings looked shaky.
Ross Gibson decided the best way home for The Diggers was to attack and he proceeded to play a couple of spanking shots through mid wicket to get the innings back on track.
At 4/58 Chris Turner had Gibson caught behind for 26 which proved to be a significant turning point in the match.
Shortly after the Gold’s plummeted to be at 8/66 and it appeared the Greens were now back in control. Russell George had other ideas and he too thought the best form of defence was attack smacking three much needed boundaries.
At drinks with the score on 8/78 you could cut the air with a knife as both sides knew that the next few overs could well determine their fate for the year.
The Beret’s went on the attack bringing their strike bowlers Lynam and Dwyer back in a last ditch effort to save their season.
Lynam knocked over the castle of the resilient Peter Blundell and then Chris Dwyer removed Anthony Howell’s stumps in the next over to dismiss the Gold’s for 84.
Best of the Batsmen was Ross Gibson with 26 whilst Rick Bennett may be eyeing off selection as the next Aussie all rounder with 3/28 for the Beret’s.
A special mention must be made of Umpire Dennis “Dicky Bird” Watson who did a great job in acting as the official umpire for last Saturday.
This weekend will see the Goldies attempt to join the Beret’s in the semis as they take on Shamrocks at Gus Smith oval in Young.
We wish them all the best and hopefully another local derby may well be on the cards in the playoff’s. The Beret’s meantime will enjoy the week off with the bye although it may well be a case of hitting the nets to sharpen up on their batting and hopefully push on to further success.
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