Washington Cricket Club - 40th Anniversary Year

Washington overcame an attack of  the wobbles on Sunday to overcome Edmonton.  Chasing a testing target of 140 on a seaming pitch, they found themselves 65-4 with reliable run meister Pete Demetri back in the hutch.  However, a brilliant partnership of 72 between new Aussie all rounder Richard Jones (38 not) and club keeper John Roche (32 not) saw Wash home to a convincing 6 wicket victory.

Winning the toss allowed skipper Justin Gurney to give Washington’s formidable seam attack to have first use of a very green wicket, and they didn’t disappoint.  Mick Kennedy blew off the cobwebs and grabbed 3-25 in his first outing of the season, and the skipper himself twirled away to good effect, bagging 3-15 in 7 deceptive overs of leg-spin.  New recruit Chris Davis continued to impress as he took 2-15 off six overs, and the youngest member of the Tidey dynasty, Rob, ended with the remarkable figures of 1-0 off 3 almost unplayable deliveries.

The final Edmonton scalp belonged to Jones (1-20);  however, it was with the bat that the Aussie was destined to star this weekend.  Demetri led the charge as Washington began their reply:  he scored 21 of the first 25 runs, but was then well taken in the slips, leaving young Rob Tidey (18) to keep up the momentum.  In company with Dave Walker (4) and brother Nick Tidey (5) he took the score up to 66 before perishing.

At this point, there was the possibility that things might go wrong for Wash.  However Jones and Roche adopted a policy of sensible aggression, and after a couple of howitzer 6s from the Irishman, the Australian wrapped it up for the Wash with a big 6 of his own.