LAGGAN WERE greeted with clear skies and steamy conditions for their clash with Tuena. The ground was in tip top condition give or take a couple of minor water hazards. Laggan won the toss and sent the home side in.
The option worked well with tidy opening spells by Steve Canack and Gary Cooper keeping the Tuena openers pinned down.
Gary Cooper was first to strike clean bowling Brendan Hewitt for 2. Canack kept the pressure on and had Tuena in trouble at 2/20 as Dan Knight departed caught behind also scoring 2. Both bowlers continued to create chances but the hands were not capitalising.
Geoff Gilbert was starting to see the ball well and consecutive sixes signalled the end of Cooper’s spell which was an otherwise respectable 1/21. The big man mistimed one though taking on Canack and Coda Collins bagged the catch. 25 to Geoffrey and 3/38 for Tuena.
It was now up to the protégée, young James to take over and he did just fine. He and Bronson Collins took the score to 102 at drinks, but as so often happens drinks got a wicket.
Stuie Campbell’s persistence paid off with Bronson maybe taking his eye off the ball as he was bowled for 20. Matt Mills was given a couple of sizzling chances by James Gilbert as he rattled past 50. Stuie picked up his second in a wicket maiden with Dan Hewitt caught and bowled.
Matt Mills got James for 58 in the end but it was Ben Swift who had to take the catch. Matt’s hands were still too sore anyway! Dave Amey continued his good form and started to punish the Laggan bowling. He was looking the goods but was trapped in front for 35 by Coda Collins.
Coda was right on the money, and on a hat trick next ball bowling Greg Jones. Sparra was getting amongst the action too. He came out swinging like a rusty gate and connecting every now and then to boot.
Will Gilbert accompanied him to stumps on 9 not out with Sparra clouting 5 fours and 5 sixes to finish unbeaten on 59. I strongly feel both batsmen may well have been denied their maiden centuries. 236 was the target for Laggan with Anthony Young and Carl Banfield the chosen ones to open.
Correct me if I am wrong, but is Dan Knight maybe a yard or too quicker this year? Yae or nae, he is certainly proving pretty hard to get away, and to keep out for that matter. By contrast, Sparra partnered Daniel from the other end. Not much to report there – a single off a rank full toss then 23 dot balls.
Oh, there was a venomous bouncer but wicket less for the first time this season. Daniel’s bouncer proved harder to handle for Anthony Young, finding his glove on the way through to those of the Tuena captain. Steve Canack may have been a bit unlucky but the scorebook reads LBW to Bronson Collins for 10. Carl was being very responsible and conservative for 15 overs, then went on a 60 second rampage launching Brendan Hewitt for two sixes.
A change of pace was his undoing though with Geoffrey Gilbert triumphant first ball. Still and all a good effort Carl with sixteen. At the break Laggan were fetching pretty good odds at 3/36 requiring a further 201 to win. As it happened they added another 36 to score 72 in 31 overs.
Stuie Campbell and Shaun Gann made 9 each and Gary Cooper hit the ball as well as any to finish 11 not out. Tuena only called on eleven bowlers with Dan Knight’s 2/6 from six the standout. Dan Hewitt has been reliable change bowler all year and could not complain with 2/1 off three.
Jethro Knight caused all sorts of carnage with his spell and had to be taken off with 2/7. A healthy crowd enjoyed an entertaining match, country cricket at its best at as good a bush cricket venue as you will find.
In the other match at Todkill Colts were too strong for Laggan Centrals. This means Colts and Tuena still share the competition lead. It may even come down to the final match to decide minor premiers when these two teams meet at The Grange. Sparra’s Tip: the best tip you’ll ever get, always play in the spirit of the game.
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