 |
| Neville Donaldson |
Seniors had the perfect start to the season with two wins in the Duck Hunt 20/20.
The first game was a exciting encounter against Oamaru coming down to the very last ball of the 20th over. Oamaru batting first where dismissed for 92 with evergreen Neville Donaldson taking 3-7 of 2.3 over's while he was well backed up by Phil Crossan (2-27) and Paul Johnston (2-26).
Union struggled through its run chase to be 5-45 at one point, and the required run rate climbing, however the dangerous David Sewell had completed his four over's. With three over's to go with Scott Cameron and Ryan Whitburn at the crease, the required run rate hovering at 9 an over, and only an injured Dan Conlan to come, Oamaru was in a strong position to take out the match.
Bevan Smith came on to bowl the 18th over but in a situation from a bowlers nightmare he preceded to bowl a 16 ball over with a number of wide's and no balls bringing Union back into the match. With only two runs coming from Anthony Sewell's following over, 9 runs were required of the final over. Eight runs came of the first four, leaving youngster Ryan Whitburn to score one run of two balls. No runs came of the first ball but the second was sweetly hit as Union managed a last ball victory.
In the second game Union started strongly taking the wicket of Neil with the first ball of the innings but a 76 run partnership between Pile and Gilbert looked to be taking the game away from the Union side. However after the loss of Pile Valley lost their last 9 wickets for 46 runs. Donaldson being like the earlier game the best bowler taking 2-11.
Chasing 123 for victory Union looked to be struggling being 2-27 after 7 over's and after 12 over's requiring 80 runs to win. Thomas Shields and Todd Sidon had at first started slowly looking to see of the regular bowler and started to hit out. Win the winning runs came on the second ball of the final over Shields and Todd had combined for a 98 run unbroken stand for the third wicket with Shields recording a score of 45 not out while Sidon scored 42 not out. Union, reduced to 10 men after Dan Conlon was injured in the first game, winning by 7 wickets and making it two from two in the first weeks action of club cricket.
Player Pages:
Scott Cameron | Philip Crossan | Neville Donaldson | Paul Johnston | Thomas Shields | Todd Sidon | Ryan Whitburn |
Valley 122 ( N Gilbert 66, M Pile 11, Donaldson 3-11, Johnston 3-25, Crossan 2-24, T Shields 2-26 )
Union 123-2 ( T Shields 45no, T Sidon 42no, C Ware 11 )
Union won by 7 wickets
Full scorecard for the match
Oamaru 92 ( B Coleman 23, K Paterson 22, J Horrell 15, Donaldson 3-7, Johnston 2-26, Crossan 2-27 )
Union 94-8 ( P Johnston 17, J Shields 12, N Donaldson 11, Horrell 3-13, Selbie 2-25 )
Union won by 2 wickets
Full scorecard for the match