Match Report vs Eclipse
10 August 2022 @ St Fagans (Skipper Richie, report
Dan)
The Final Willow league match of 2022 – the Cazh could
stop top of the table Eclipse from winning the title, but
the Causal fate was already sealed at second bottom. In the
same fixture in 2021, the Cazh were the only team to beat
Eclipse, so could the outcome be repeated….
The toss outside the lovely new 2nd pitch pavilion at St
Fagans was won by skipper Rich and it was decided we would
bat. I was out in the middle ready to umpire and I was surprised
to see pinch hitting Steveo promoted to the top of the order
along with Alex.
I’m assuming Steveo had been told to go out there
to have a swish – as that is exactly what he did first
ball of the second over – a lovely elegant swish across
the line to a straight one – bowled. Jesus joined Alex
and the pair began to build the innings – mostly singles
with the odd boundary – as the Eclipse bowling was as
tight as ever. The run rate upped in the 6th and 8th over
and all was looking rosy, until Alex was bowled (16) by the
1st change bowler – who was quick with varying length
and could have quite easily have been the opener. Alex was
followed next over by Will who as he said himself - fell into
the trap that was set for him and guided the ball straight
into the hands of the gully fielder –for a good catch
(39).
The wheels then began to fall off the casuals train –
not necessarily with the usual Cazh collapse – don’t
get me wrong – there were a few wickets to quickly fall
– but the run rate dropped quickly and quick singles
were turned into just singles. The pair that battled on were
Shakey – promoted well up the order to 5 and Rob at
no8. The bowling continued to be very good throughout the
innings, Shakey hit some lovely cover drive 4s and Rob used
the Shakey dab to good effect. The innings closed on 124-6
(with 32 scored off the last 3 overs to make it respectable).
Alex H 16b
Steveo 1b
Will MW 39ct
Bryn 1ct
Shakey 28no
Liam W 0b
Dan L 6ct
Rob 15no
Maxy; Nadders; Richie DNB
With Eclipse needing to win by 5 wkts or more to guarantee
the title, the Cazh opened with Dan and Nadders. Dan’s
first was good and Nadders was better, but Dan’s second
found the liking of the Eclipse opener and with the ball a
little full, he put the last 2 balls away for 6. A discussion
between Dan, Jesus and skipper Rich decided taking pace off
the ball may work – so next over Shakey was introduced
and picked up the wicket first ball ,bowled. Nadders also
took a little stick in his second – but was rewarded
with a wicket via Will caught behind. Liam took over from
Nadders and got a wicket first over – bowled. Eclipse
now on 57-3 off 8 looked a little wobbly and there was some
nerves on the side lines.
However, the Eclipse skipper and number 5 effectively saw
the game home with some assured batting, the number 5 falling
in what turned out to be the last over (17th) stumped by Will
off Steveo probably baffled by the pace. There were some chances
in the deep – Nadders palming one of the rope, which
may have slowed them down, but it looked unlikely to change
the outcome.
Dan 3-0-24-0
Nadders 3-0-21-1
Shakey 3-0-15-1
Liam 2-0-13-1
Maxy 3-0-30-0
Rob 2-0-11-0
Steveo 0.4-0-3-1
Extras 14
Catches – 1 x Will; stumping 1 x Will
Eclipse took the title and Cazh took the buffet. The league
season of 22 hasn’t been the best for the Cazh –
though we did play every game (none rained off) which may
have contributed to the low average, the better performances
this season have been experienced on the weekends. There’s
always next year…
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