MATCH REPORT - Under 16's ROUND 8 v Strathmore (Day 2)

What a difference week in cricket makes. From the big highs of the previous 2 weeks, the team came back to the ground with a thud this week. Complacency, poor weather conditions, bad bowling, 8 dropped catches, poor bowling rotations and field placings and just good batting by Strathmore all contributed to the loss to Strathmore by 6 runs.

The result was also a reflection on the lack of commitment to trainign thhas crept in to the team since the Christmas break.

In essence the loss is a blessing as it now means that every week of cricket is now finals. No talk of how good we think we might be; any loss will mean the end of the season for the team and any perceived dependency on one or two players will result in a loss.

Tommy Krajina bowled well taking 3 for 11 in the conditions, and Karl Wentzel took 2 for 11. Adam Harris who bowled 3 overs for 4 runs was not bowled enough neither were Alfie Teixiera or Petar Pavlovic who can be depended on to put a ball on the spot.

MATCH REPORT - Under 16's ROUND 8 v Strathmore

Having defeated 3rd placed Haig Amateurs last week, set up another match against 3rd placed Strathmore his week.

With finals still no certainty a win against Strathmore would put the finals question beyond doubt. Strathmore covet the prized 2nd spot on the ladder. all in all the scene was set for a good match.

We won the toss and batted first and Strathmore with good line and length bowling had us in deep trouble at 2 for 4 after four overs.

Rohi Allada and Tom Krajina then joined forces with the target of batting out until the 25th over. They achieved this milestone and the frustration of the Strathmore boys started to show. At 2 for 46 after 25 overs, we could begin to launch an attack on a competitive run rate.

Tom and Rohit started well after the break before Tom was out for 27 in a partnership of 47. This brought Mathew Montesano to the wicket. Matty had opened in the previous two matches but was back in the middle order this week. The lefthander managed to break up the line of the tight Strathmore bowlers and each ball to Matt got shorter and shorter. Rohit didn't hang around long with Matt to be out for 33, but Victor and Matt put on 46 in quick time. Victor was run out for 5 but every short ball bowled to Matt was dispatched accordingly. He racked up his highest career score of 53 to have Strathmore questioning how a team could struggle for so long and still make runs.

The answer is bat out the 50 overs.

Pete Pavlovic and Pat Kiss lost their wickets trying to score quickly but when Karl joined brother Luke Wentzel, the pair put on 21 in the last 3 overs to reach 150. Another all over team effort is fast giving this team the depth it lacked in the early part of the season.

The players realised the significance of this score and good tight bowling should get us the points.

There is still a lot of work to do and tight fielding and good bowling is a must if we are to get back the win Strathmore stole from us in round 1.

Good Luck Boys.