1st XI (A2 Grade) 1996/97

We started well, but not long before it was over, all out for 156. Burwood District had already started celebrations... but wait a minute, there is 69 overs to go in this match. Whilst some players were ready to concede, the majority said let's play!

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We bowl with the added inclusion of Craig Brown after missing the first week due to the wedding. Lubo starts the show with a no appeal caught behind. Finally, the luck had started to turn our way. 1/0, then a combined effort from Warren Hale and K.J get a majestical run out, 2/6. Then after four maidens, Browns bowling was so quick the crowd couldnt even see the ball and nor could batsman Pitt, who had his stumps scattered taking Burwood district to three wickets down and keeping them to only scoring six out of the required 45 runs to win.

Merv calls on Caldarelli, who spins his way to another wicket. Four wickets down and only 29 runs required. Soon after he strikes again, 5/32. Tea break comes around giving Burwood Districts time to regroup and rethink. Both teams enjoy a feed, and the supporters dig into a few pots.

As play resumes, Brown bowls the first which he claimed two more, 7 down and 16 required.  Caldarelli comes back on and cleans up the tail enders, having them all out for 59. Johnny Caldarelli - 5/29 and Craig Brown - 3/13. 24 overs to go and 105 to get. "We can still win this!!".

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As the crowd hang on to their chairs, K.J and Hoy walk out to the crease. They swung at anything loose, putting the opposition on the back foot as they constantly dropped sitters. We lose K.J and Hoy for 19. A change in line-up fails as Pete Alderton is ran out. He goes on to argue the point, but when the umpire says your out, your out! we were now 3/19 as big Warren Hale goes out swinging. The score was now 4/28 as Merv Miller and Johnny Caldarelli steady the ship and put on a few cheeky runs. A quick 20 saw Johnny Caldarelli gone and the score sitting at 5/59. Molden meets Miller out at the crease and is told by the captain "Sh*t... we can still win this, so stick it up em". 18 runs were put on between the two before Molden was gone. Miller was then met by another batsman in Brown. After another pump up speech from Merv, the pair got at it until Merv lost concertation and was bowled, a great captains knock of 32 taking the team to 7/82.

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Next batsman to the crease was Andrew Alderton and he was given a quick pep talk by the skipper on the way there. As it looked, we needed 23 off 18 balls. Everyone was on tender hooks. A. Alderton and Brown dont muck around as the equation starts to move our way. 15 off 12 balls, then 9 off 6, 6 off 5, then a simple three hit takes us to only need 3 off 4. But then, DISASTER! Craig Brown caught at mid on after making 10. Score 8/102.

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We need 3 off 3, and everyones pacing up and down. Lubo joins Andrew at the crease. The two that started off the day were set to finish it and that they did. Lubo faces up, glancing for one. 2 off 2 needed. Andrew on strike. The bowler steams in at full pace bowling the 1439th ball of the 1440 ball match. A well played square drive from Andrew through extra gully is all that was needed to bring the game home.

The last ball was driven to mid on for one, as the crowd charges onto the ground. Players and club members jump in a huge huddle, cheering, spraying beers, shedding tears whilst singing and shouting.