Washington Cricket Club - 40th Anniversary Year

The Wash season finally started and while hoping it was with the sweet smell of success, it was a different (and yet strangely familiar smell) as the team went down in the last over in a game which had earlier looked to be a short affair. 

Shawn Hill had no troubles with the spongy pitch hitting the first ball of the season back down the pitch for four put while he put together a nice innings, he watched in despair as Cruickshank (0), Das (2), Bhaskar (0) and Coetzer (0) all came and went very quickly. 

It was only the introduction of Dugmore that saw the ship steadied with a 52 run partnerhip before Hill was caught deep for 62 by an excellent catch considering the conditions.  Dugmore then watched Pendry, Marsh and Furgeson all depart for ducks before cameos by Mariner (10) and Mitchell (2). Both players supported Dugmore with 36 and 27 run partnerships respectively enabling him to finish with a fine 68 no. and the Wash with a better than expected 160. 

The Wash hoped to take advantage of the difficult conditions with a team stacked with bowlers and a dropped catch in the second over was fortunately not too costly as the opener only made 4 before being dismissed by Mariner (1-33 off 8).  A strong partnership followed with another dropped catch as Ruan Coetzer (0-19 off 8) was very unlucky not to have a wicket although the Wash kept the run rate in check with only 23 runs off the first 10 overs. 

The Oppo did start to push the runrate, going after Dugmore (0-21 off 3) and Pendry (0-13 off 1) before the introduction of Hill turned the game. Lynch (40) was caught by an excellent catch by Bhasker who had a great day in the field with 3 catches followed by the left handed opener Dolby (67) who after blinding the Wash with science-tific strokes was caught one handed by skipper Mariner. 

The game was in the balance (although f.o.w.) aren't available as the Wash started to apply pressure with tight fielding with a great first game performance shown by Puru Das both in the field and with the ball (0-15 off 4). Hill (5-25 off 8) continued to take wickets and along with an inspired second spell by Mitchell (2-26 off 8) saw the run rate slow, wickets fall and a nailbiting last few overs. 

In fact, the Wash had the opposition needing 4 off the last over with 2 wickets in hand but oppo got there with a few balls to spare. 

After the game skipper Mariner commented that "There's nothing I can say about Hilly's performance today that hasn't been said in the past...we were gone without him...although it was a fantastic knock by Clint following on from his form on tour.  We fought back hard but in the end we just didn't have enough runs". 

Man of the Match - Shawn Hill with his 62 runs, 5-25 of 8 and 20 overs well kept. 

Packing the kit - Despite 6 ducks, Ash was the only one whose was Golden.