Match report by Lyall Gardner OAM
There have been some amazing matches this season in 1st Grade Premier Cricket and today was no exception. It was a day of spectacular batting under sunny skies at Coogee Oval where a total of 575 runs were scored for the loss of just 14 wickets. In the end, Randwick Petersham defeated Eastern Suburbs in the 50 overs a side clash, 8-303 to 6-272. And while the winning margin was 31 runs, it in no way reflected the closeness of the match.
With a little more than 12 overs to go, Easts needed 100 to win. And they looked on track to achieve a stunning victory with the Robson brothers, Sam and Angus, on fire at the crease. Coming together at 2-10 after the team’s opening bats, former Australian Test wicketkeeper/batter, Peter Neville, and Udit Mehta were each dismissed first ball, the pair put on 194 for the third wicket. But the momentum was lost when Sam was bowled by Jason Ralston for a brilliant 103 off 121 balls with 10 fours. The bowlers tightened up and the runs slowed, leaving 64 to get off 36 balls. Angus had dashed to 128 off 127 with 11 fours and a six, but an accurate return from Ralston caught him out of his ground with the total 5-257 and 47 needed off 20. And with two of the best “death” bowlers, Adam Semple and Daya Singh operating, the task proved to be too much and the hosts managed to hold on for their sixth win in succession.
Winning the toss and batting, Randwick Petersham’s 8-303, was its best score of the season. Partnerships of 58, 62, 57, 36 and 44 laid the foundation for the huge total. Camden Hawkins hit 41 off 50 balls at the start. “Mr Reliable” Riley Ayre knocked up 64 off 82 while Anthony Sams smashed three balls over the fence in his 39 off 40. Ash Burton looked good scoring 32 off 42 including two sixes while skipper Daya Singh hit 20 off 14 including one six. And not to be outdone in his 300th match for the club and 299th in 1st Grade, Adam “The Iron Warrior” Semple, thrashed 51 off 27 with three over the fence. But the spectacular performance came from Basit Ali who came in with 10 balls remaining. He hit the first two for six, took a single then faced the final two balls of the innings which he dispatched out of the ground to finish with 25 not out off 5 balls!
Interestingly, the last five overs in each innings may have determined the outcome of the match. After 45 overs, Easts were 4-243 but scored only 29 in the remaining five overs. At the same stage, Randwick Petersham were 6-222 yet belted a remarkable 81 off the remaining five overs (30 balls). Easts hit one six in their innings. Randwick Petersham hit 13. A spectacular match, anyway you look at it. May there be plenty more of it.
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