On Saturday January 19 the second week of the Blayney verses St Pat’s GOLD clash, at Dakers Oval, Blayney, saw a few last minute inclusions to the Blayney side.
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Damon Taylor in for Morgan Fuller, Harry Taylor substituted for Alex Kinghorne, and the “ever youthful” Ian Hobby, was in to replace Blair Holgate.
Adam “from the Royal” helped field and umpire, with Damien Bennett putting up his hand to field.
With the rules stipulating a maximum 3 changes for the second week, it meant Blayney, if forced to follow on, were in a real predicament with only ten batsman at their disposal.
Already facing a tricky situation at the end of the first days play, Blayney sat at 7 wickets down for 89 runs, chasing St Pats 217 run total.
It didn’t take long for St Pat’s to strike, bowling Mic Garrity for 23 runs.
As Taylor Hobby (10 not out) did her best to hold out the bowlers, both Hayden and Harry were quickly dismissed, Blayney all out for only 100 runs, with 117 runs still to chase, to avoid an “outright loss”.
Forced to follow on, a glum looking Wellsy asked one simple question, “Who wants to open the batting?” Without hesitation, a confident and determined, Madison Marmion volunteered to partner Harry “Legs” Taylor, at the crease. It was inspiring to watch two of Blayney’s “young guns” step up, and put themselves in the firing line.
Ducking short deliveries, from outstanding bowlers, Maddy (50) and Harry (2) resisted St Pat’s early onslaught. As the pair were finding their groove, Harry edged a ball to slips, with another terrific catch by “Future Blayney Player”, Zac Wykamp. Taylor Hobby (2) was next in, watching on as Maddy played her selection of cut shots to square leg, pull shots over gully and straight drives down the ground.
Taylor, happy to play a support role to help the team, defended some great deliveries, until finally being bowled. (2/25)
Today, was a day when we needed every ounce of Damon Taylor’s experience and/or skills and ability, if we were to somehow avoid our predicament of an “outright loss”.
From the moment a “refreshed and relaxed” Damon (27), made “contacts” with the ball, he was “clearly looking” to build a partnership with Maddy.
Supporting, settling and encouraging her, as she continued her marvellous innings.
A cracking shot saw Madison bring up fifty, just as her dad and her sister Montana arrived.
The “very next” ball, she was bowled. After some convincing and a check of the scorebook, Madison’s dad, happily congratulated his half century getter!
Jordan Hobby (6) was dismissed with a great catch to Zac again.... Jack Garrity was bowled for two runs....and Nathan Wells (40) built a terrific 53 run partnership with a “bruised and battered” Hayden Webb-Pratt, who improved his batting remarkably, staying in for just over 16 overs, before Zac took another catch, caught and bowled.
With one batsman short, “Effervescent” Ian Hobby, joined “Lively” Mic Garrity (5 not out) at the crease, with the strategy now to “survive” as many overs as possible, which reduces the overs St Pats would be allocated to chase their “outright victory” and maximum points.
Sticking to the plan, few runs were added, yet the pair had a great time out there and a bit of a laugh, until Ian was bowled, and wrecked the fun...!
Blayney All Out for 168 runs, with a lead of ONLY 51 runs... St. Pats have 21 overs to get the “outright win and points”, needing just under 21⁄2 runs per over.
“To personally witness and be involved in, I am proud to say, one of the “greatest team efforts” by a group of “underdogs”, up against the odds, with still a player down, backs to the wall and defeat looming, what happened next was remarkable, to say the very least!”
Jack Garrity opened the bowling, hitting the spot from the get go, on second ball, Madison took a “blinder” at square leg.
In his second over, Jack struck again, with Wellsy taking a very decent catch. Opening from the station end, buoyed by the entire teams “brilliant enthusiastic fielding”, Wellsy limited the St Pat’s batsmen, until calling a change!
Madison and Taylor were handed the ball, at a time when St Pats were 2 down for only 23 runs after 8 overs.
Madison grabbed a few quick wickets adding to her great day’s tally. Taylor grabbed a couple of outstanding wickets and Jordan delivered a stunning run out. At the end of the day, St Pat’s were two runs short, saving Blayney’s season!
A very happy captain Nathan Wells commented on the days play, “It was an outstanding team effort, we were gone, they had 21 overs to get 51 runs, and they really should have got the outright win against us. But, everyone was diving around, chasing balls down and cutting off boundaries, from the two Damo’s putting in great efforts, to Adam umpiring then fielding for us, to Ian Hobby going home to get his cricket gear, Maddy’s fifty and Hayden batting for 16 overs, and yet, unbelievably, we were a player down.
Honestly, it turned out to be one of the MOST ENJOYABLE games of cricket that I have ever played in!”
As well as saving the season, Blayney picked up some very handy second innings points.
See You Next Week... GO BLAYNEY!!!!
Next Week – 1.30pm – AWAY GAME – Blayney verses Rugby Union Cricket Club (Police Paddock, Bathurst)
Training – Thursday 5pm
Please Remember
1. Friday Night Raffles @ The Royal Hotel
2. Saturday – After game team drink @ The Royal Hotel