Login

Title Beckons With Victory

The Civil Service entertained Merz and Maclellan at Blue Flames on Thursday night. The wicket looked nice and brown but Miller won the toss and inserted the opposition with an agreed 16 over a piece match in the offing.

Fox opened the bowling and used all his cunning to bowl exceptionally tightly, the openers struggling to get him off the square. He was backed up excellently by Rhodes at the other end and it soon became apparent that the a score over 100 would require a good effort. The tight line and length eventually got Fox a wicket caught behind.

A double bowling change gave opportunities to Naylor and Johns and the latter struck with his first ball, bowling a bemused Mallabar for 11. The Civil Service fieldsmen's initial delight was quickly tempered by the realisation that they would be treated to several accounts of the wicket after the game by 'golden arm' Johns. Johns quickly followed this up with another wicket, having Madsen caught behind.

Hearty and Hale came on to finish the innings bowling and the opposition managed to score at a more swift rate despite Hearty grabbing a couple of later wickets. The Civil Service were left to chase 95 in 16 8 ball overs.

The reply began unfortunately with Ferguson finding third man with a cut shot off the bouncy Blue Flame wicket.

This brought Hale to the crease who quickly began scoring with some nice shots all round the wicket. He was ably supported by Moore who characteristically nudged quick singles behind square on both sides.

Moore was eventually given out LBW for 14 which brought Dejager to the wicket in the hope of some batting fireworks. Alas, the wrong 'Hansie' turned up and after some trademark comedy running he was bowled with only 10 runs required. Miller and Hale saw these through easily and with another victory on the board, the coveted division 3 title is almost within reach.