2005-06 Match Reports | 2005-06 Batting and Bowling Stats | Current Season

Satllions vs Tawa, 29th October 2005

It was a great start to the season as we eased to a first up victory over Tawa at Kura St. In overcast conditions, we lost the toss and were inserted; however Scott and I managed to see off the opening bowlers in a handy stand of 45 for the first wicket, before Scott was bowled for 9. I was caught behind in the following over for 31, and when Rory followed shortly after, bowled for 13, we were 70 / 3 we were teetering.

We had two inexperienced batsmen at the crease; Hamish MacDonald (Rob Hinkley’s nephew, who is still at high school), and Dan Martin (Greg’s brother). There were concerns about how these two would go, especially with the responsibility of batting at 4 and 5; however, they responded magnificently with a 109 run partnership that ended only 3 overs from the end of the innings; Hamish making 50 and Dan 59. Rob scampered through 8 runs at the death, and we lost 3 wickets in the last over to finish at 208 / 7.

Having defended much lower scores than this at Kura St, we headed into the field reasonably confidently. However, I was struggling with my landing in my delivery stride, having lost three sprigs from the front of my left boot; it was only the fact I managed 2 wickets in my 3rd over that kept me from taking myself off. After I sorted out my boots I ended up bowling 6 overs, Rauru’s testing spell was finally rewarded with a wicket, getting their captain bowled first ball, and finishing with 5-1-1-9.

Nikhil and Raj then picked up the attack. Both copped some flak early on, particularly from their remaining opener, before Nikhil bowled him for 27, in a wicket maiden. At the drinks break (23 overs) they were 83 / 4; a similar position to our situation at the same time.

New boy ‘Renti’ bowled the first over after drinks, replacing Nikhil into the wind, with immediate effect. Their number 5 batsman, who had been swinging merrily including pulled 6 of Raj, was well held by Scott at point.

Raj completed his 9 on the trot with the wind, finishing with 9-1-0-38, and made way for Rory. Rory tasted immediate success, and kept the runs down with such aplomb that he was not replaced, bowling 8 in a row for fine figures of 8-0-3-26. He would have bowled the lat over too, had it been required!

At the other end, Renti was bowling well, but was taken off after 4 overs, despite excellent figures of 1-8. Simon Olsen replaced him, and was successful with his first ball in a competition game for the Stallions. Unfortunately for Simon, his 3 overs saw numerous dropped catches, including one where the fielder couldn’t quite keep inside the boundary ropes (not actually dropped, but 6 anyway), and another which managed to clean out my family jewels after a long run from long off to mid on. Simon finished with 1-28 off his 3, but the figures do him no justice.

Nikhil was bought back for the final 4 overs in to the wind, and responded very well again, cleaning up their #11 for 8.1-2-2-33. They finished with 173 all out off 43.1 overs.

Graham Mann

Stallions v Tamils, 5th November 2005

Two wins from two for the Stallions, another fantastic effort in our 'grudge' match against the other University team in this grade. The game started in slightly auspicious circumstances, as we were a player short and I believed I had left the scorebook at my place. Rauru took the toss in my place while I was trying to find the book; it turned out that I had put it in my bag after all and it was waiting back at the ground for me (I was later heavily fined for this, as you can imagine). Luckily, Simon Olsen found a friend who both could play immediately and lived close, so we did start with 11.

We were on Macalister; the pitch nearest the road, on a day of howling Northerly, and I had the pleasure of bowling into the 'Wellington Zephyr'. Luckily, the wickets fell both cheaply and frequently, as the pitch, which had variable bounce at both ends, conspired with some slightly extravagent stroke play by the Tamils to lead to their downfall. The Tamils went to drinks after 23 overs at 41/7; Rauru and Graham having picked up 5 wickets between them, Nikhil accounting for another and Hamish the last with a dramatic run out of a batsman who wasn't even going for a run.

Some later order hitting, especially by Puru, hit the Tamils over 100 but they were eventually dismissed after 36 overs for 104; Rauru finishing with 8-1-3-21, myself with 8.4-1-4-14, with Nikhil 4-2-1-3 and Simon 5-2-1-23 the other wicket takers.

The batting started out a little more shakier than the previous match; Scott was caught sauntering when he should have been spiriting back for a second and was Run Out for 4, and the following ball Rory went back to pull a short one but the ball never bounce and he was back in the shed for a golden. Hamish and I settled things down and the third wicket went down at 52 when I was trapped in front for another 31. Our ring-in came in at 5, as we were missing Dam Martin from the previous week, and was unlucky to be adjudged LBW to a ball he looked to have edged into his pads for a duck.

However, Hamish and his uncle Rob saw us through to the total with no further loss of wicket; Hamish making his second 50 in two games for us and finishing with 56 not out. Robin admittedly played a little defensively, allowing Hamish to reach his mark, but has not yet been dismissed and made 12 not out. We took 27.2 overs to reach our target.

Stallions v Easts, Day 1: 12th November 2005

This was a very promising first day against a team (Easts Roosters) that has usually beaten us in the past. Again there was an auspicious start as a certain player sent me a text message fifteen minutes before the game was due to start saying that he couldn't make it; we never did get an 11th player. As it turned out, we didn't need one.

We were at MacAllister again; in fact on exactly the same pitch we had used against the Tamils. Having seen how that played the previous week, and with another howling northerly this week, I had no hesitation when deciding to bowl on winning the toss. Handily, Easts agreed to end the first innings after 45 overs, so we may well see a result in this game, weather permitting.

Rauru bowled a tight initial spell, taking 6-2-2-17 early on. I was bowling good lines, particularly to left handers, but unfortunately bowling 4 balls far too often, and ending up with a wicket less 7-1-0-28. Unlike the Tamils and Tawa in the weeks previously, Easts were punishing us for these indiscretions.

Raj and Nikhil then came on, and both bowled economically, but neither had success before the drinks break at 23 overs. At this stge, Easts had 72 on the board for the loss of Rauru's two wickets. Raj and Nikhil continued after the break. Raj was economical, bowling 17 straight overs for just 43 to finish the innings, and taking his first wicket this season in his last over. Nikhil was penetrative, taking 3 wickets for 58 in his 13 overs.

However extra special mention has to be made of Dan Martin; he ran out two Easts batsmen with direct hits and a third with a throw to the keeper (Hamish at that stage).  It was a very good all round effort in the field, with only the odd dropped catch and very few misfields.

Easts finished their 45 overs on 168/9, but the pitch conditions did not look great.

Scott and I started tentatively as we showed the pitch some respect. The Easts bowlers included a new guy we hadn't seen before, as well as 'Question Mark guy'; Gerrard Rendal, who's run up resembles a question mark. I was caught off a leading edge for 10 to give me my first batting fines of the season. However, Scott and Adam Slater, playing in his first game for us this season, saw us through to 23 overs and drinks with no further loss; some punishing batting seeing us to 104/1 at that point.

Scott was bowled shortly after the resumption for 41; the partnership was 90 runs. However Easts suffered worse, a century stand between Adam and Hamish MacDonald, before Adam fell in the dieing stages for a brilliant 78. Dan and Robin also fell quickly in pursuit of quick runs, but Hamish finished with his wicket in tact, for 67 not out. He now has an aggregate (not to mention average) of 173. Rauru, who only been needed for 2 balls previous to this innings, joined Hamish for the last 3 overs and contributed 16 not out of his own.

We finished on 262/5, which gives us a lead of 95 going into the second day. Needless to say, we look forward to this second day with anticipation and confidence.

Stallions v Easts, Day 2: 19th November 2005

A first up two-day victory for the Stallions and well ahead of schedule. The past few seasons we have not won a two dayer until well into the post Christmas part of the season. The day was not without its twists and turns, however.

We welcomed back our long standing captain, Mike Butchard, who has been returning to study in Auckland this year. As we were missing an opening batsman, with Scott Oliver out of town, Mike timed his only weekend in Wellington to perfection.

However, before it was time for Mike to bat we had the small matter of dismissing the Easts Roosters. We got off to a fantastic start, with a wicket in the second over. We then proceeded to run through their batting line up like a knife through butter; after 18 overs they were 54 / 8.

Their opening batsman ‘M. Cree’ was providing the only resistance, although he had clearly been dismissed after providing a straight forward catch to Simon at short leg early in his innings. However, he had refused to walk and the umpire had accepted his word for it that the ball came off his leg. With every subsequent change of umpires, another Roosters player would apologise to us for their opener not walking.

This did not concern us at drinks; as far as we were concerned we were well on the way. I already had my first 5 for in 2A; its been a long time for me between drinks on that score. Rauru also had a couple, and a run out rounded out the wickets.

However, we did not bargain for what happened next. We did not get another wicket until the 9th wicket partnership was worth over 150. They finished with 224; M Cree who was 4 when he was ‘caught’ went on to make 127. Their number 10, Rajeev, made 47. Both had their innings finally brought to an end when they were bowled by Nikhil.

That left us 30 overs in which to make 130. Mike and I, captains past and present, went out to open. We put on 117 for the first wicket in 18 overs; after hitting two successive sixes Mike finally fell on 44 (off 53 balls) seeking a third and his 50. I followed him back to pavilion shortly after, after making 66 off 59. Nikhil, who had successfully pestered Rory into letting him bat at 3, managed to run himself out for 4, but Hamish and Rory saw us through to a comfortable 7 wicket victory.

Stallions v Onslow, Day 2: 3rd December 2005

Our first loss came in unfortunate circumstances. The first day of our two day game against Onslow had been literally washed out when a sprinkler had been left on overnight and saturated the pitch. In some ways this was a blessing as most other games played on that day were curtailed due to inclement weather, whereas we were not even required to go to the ground.

However, some matches had managed some play, so we were still playing a two dayer. Before the toss, I negotiated with the Onslow captain regarding the nature of the game, and we agreed the following:
• Both sides would forfeit their first innings
• No restrictions on bowlers
• The team batting first would declare their innings at 45 overs.

I was a little uneasy about the third point, as I felt it gave a bit too much advantage to the team batting second. However, I accepted; partially because our batting had been so strong I was confident that if we had to bat first we could post a competitive total.

I proceeded to lose the toss, and we were inserted. I was speedily back in the pavilion for 17 in the 4th over as the pitch showed some signs of bounce and movement. Scott pushed on to 23, but found little support from our middle order, as Rory fell for 13, Hamish suffered his first failure for us making a duck, and Dan perished for 8, as we slumped to 81 / 5.

The old guard off Aaron Lister and Robin Hinkley then stood up and posted a much needed 74 run partnership. Robin, who hasn’t had that much batting so far this season due to the success of those above him, made 55. Aaron also looked in good touch before being bowled for 19.

Our innings petered out with Manoj, Simon and Nikhil all dismissed cheaply as we were dismissed, for the first time this season, in the 45th over for 179.

We were missing Rauru, so Raj opened the bowling with the wind. However, early breakthroughs were not forth coming, even when they sent out a tail ender to have a whack because he had to go home early. However, after finally dismissing their openers we managed to take wickets at regular intervals, and with 10 overs to go they needed 38 with 4 wickets in hand.

Nikhil and I bowled the last 10 overs, and we managed to take three of those wickets. With one over to go, all three results were still possible; they needed 7 runs, we needed 1 wicket. My first ball brought an edge from their number 11, which went between keeper and slip to the boundary for 4. My 4th ball, which I’d dug in short, was pulled for 6 and they had the game.

A very commendable performance however from Nikhil, who kept us in the game with his 13-2-3-41.

Stallions v Collegians: 4th December 2005

The second day of our double header weekend. We had Rauru back for this game, and two players from the reserves to replace Aaron, Robin and Manoj, who couldn’t make it.

The advantage of the Sunday game was that we could play at Anderson Park, scene of an epic Knights victory a couple of seasons ago.

For the second day in a row, I lost the toss and we were inserted. Their was a little life in the pitch, however Scott and I negotiated it reasonably well to post our first 50 partnership of the season. Gallingly, I was caught behind for 35 off ‘Rookie’ Jeremy Riddell, who used to be a Knight before defecting to Colls. It was the first off three wickets he took, as Scott was there to witness our middle order disintegrate again.

Scott was finally bowled for 42, and this time there was no Rob and Aaron to save us, as the Reserves made 5 between them. However some lower order defiance from Raj, who made 21, Rauru who made 14 and Nikhil who made 10 saw us through to be dismissed, in the 45th over again, for 181.

They started their innings in aggressive form, and Rauru and I went wicket less until I picked up to in our 10th over.

They were ahead of the run rate throughout and every bowler was getting hit for runs. However, this Stallions team does not know when it is beaten, and with them  cruising at 159 / 4 we mounted our comeback.

It was started by Raj, who took two wickets, and continues by Nikhil, as they slid to 181 / 7, level with our score. Then followed four successive maidens, two each from Nikhil and Rauru, including a wicket maiden each.  Finally, a misfiled allowed their number 11 to seal the victory, in the 43rd over. However it was another good performance from Nikhil, who bowled 7.2-2-3-30.

We later found out that their opener, who made 85, and their principal bowler, who took 3-18, were both ‘Senior 2’ players. If only we could have reserves that played like that!

Stallions v Karori, Day 1: 10th December 2005

After two 1 wicket loses, it was time for a return to form for the Stallions, against bottom of the table Karori at Cobham. I returned to form with the toss at least, and inserted them on a typically dry Cobham day.

However, it was the Cobham round about traffic that was threatened more than the stumps has Karori whacked their way to 213 / 6 off their first 45, which included an over of 23 from me and one of 21 from Rauru.

However, we felt we could bat just as well on a flat Cobham pitch. Then Scott was caught behind for a duck, and Rory, Hamish, Robin and Dan all followed with a total of 1 scored between them. We were 13 / 5 and their captain Damien had figures of 5-2-5-5. Admittedly, he was the first bowler that we had seen who could swing a four piece ball, this year’s new standard.

Dan’s mate Andrew Jones (no, not the Andrew Jones) provided some resistance with myself. However, having seen off their openers and hit the first ball of the new bowler’s spell for 4, I attempted to repeat the dosage, only to cut a short ball straight to a deep gully. Having made 19, we were 34 / 6. Rauru (17), Raj (16) and Manoj (18)  all contributed to getting us passed the follow-on mark. Andrew top scored with a valiant 30.

However, we were dismissed within 34 overs for 121. We still had to bowl a further 8 overs at them before we could escape.

We managed to claim one wicket in this time, but were still staring down the barrel, 130 odd behind with 1 wicket down.

Stallions v Karori, Day 2: 17th December 2005

This was certainly the cricketing day of my life; I doubt I'll ever see another one like it.

There was a great deal of mist about early on, so we held out hope early wickets might spark a collapse. I got a return catch digging one in short to short muscly guy, but the tall guy prospered. I eventually got him caught behind attempting one swipe tom many, but by that time they had 82 second innings runs in good time.
 
Andrew and Manoj took over from Rauru and I. Manoj played well in taking 2/44 from 9 overs; being very miserly at a time when they were looking for quick runs. Andrew did not fair quite as well; he did look penetrative but unfortunately edges flew to the boundary rather than to hand. He also dropped a return catch on his last ball, after doing all the hard work; finishing with 0/41 off 5.
 
Nikhil and Raj (known as Thorakdas, in the book) both went for a few before the declaration came at 236/5.
 
They set us 329 to win in 52 overs (Required Run Rate: 6.33). That looked a long way off when we lost Scott and Adam, both bowled, to be 28/2.
 
However, Aaron and myself set about building a partnership. This gained momentum when their captain and taker of 6/12 in the first innings bowled a short one that I top edged into my right temple; the next 3 balls (which included an accidental follow-up beamer) all went for four.
 
We went to the first drinks break on 121/2 after 22, needing 208 off 30 overs (RRR: 6.93). Aggression continued after the break, with Aaron also bringing up his 50. Unfortunately he could not quite get a big shot to long-on over the fielder, and perished for 61, ending a partnership of 125 with the score at 153/3.
 
Rory was tentative early on, which was to be expected given the season he has had to date. I kept the scoreboard ticking while he took some time to get himself in, but eventually the fluency returned to his blade. I was lucky enough to raise my ton with one of the many singles that were available now the field was well and truly set back.
 
We went to the second drinks break on 234/3; needing 95 from our last 14 (RRR: 6.79). Knowing that for the first time in the game, we were in the box seat Rory and I again started aggressively after this break. Rory brought up his 50 with the second of three sixes. With the third (that went straight over the bowlers head and into the car-park behind the ground), we had a manufactured break; a long while was spent trying to find the ball.
 
This was an opportunity to revise our targets; we were told we still needed 7 to 8 an over for the last 7 overs. We continued to better this rate; however we found out a couple of overs later that their had been a miscount in the number of overs left; we only needed about 20 from 6 overs at that point. Their captain was justifiably less than happy with the misreport; Rory and I were just happy we had not taken risks that would not have been warranted had we known.
 
My innings came to an end when I was bowled by one that kept low, for 146. The partnership between Rory and I was 161 runs; the score was 314/4. We needed 15 off the last 4 and a half overs (RRR: 3.33).
 
A couple of nervous moments were provided when Rory followed me back to the pavillion 3 balls and 5 runs later, dismissed in identical fashion to me, for 80. However, Dan and Andrew kept cool heads to see us home with the last ball of the 3rd last over, Dan making 7* and scoring the winning boundary, and Andrew making 5*.
 
An epic 5 wicket win to the Stallions!

Stallions v Onslow: 7th January 2005

A fine win for the Stallions over top of the table Onslow. The New Year started on a good note, with the Onslow captain calling incorrectly, allowing us to bowl first on a sun baked belter at MacAlister.

There wasn't much in the pitch early for Rauru or I, although Rauru clean bowled an opener in his first over. However some good containing bowling, notably from Manoj, Nikhil, Rory and his brother Ash kept them to 110/1 at 25 overs, when we took drinks. I'd put down a tricky caught and bowled, but that aside our fielding had been sound, the odd overthrow aside, which is probably always going to happen when you have five ring-ins.

Both the batsmen in made pedestrian fifties, and to be honest, the longer they stayed in the better for us the situation was.  The bowling continued to be accurate after the break, and even during the inevitable flurry of wickets at the end the run rate never reached any kind of dizzying height. After 45, the damage was a very gettable 231 / 6, thanks to Manoj 9-2-33-2 and Nikhil 8-0-2-32, both of whom bowled at the death, and Ash 9-0-1-36. 

Manoj in particular has impressed in the last couple of games, especially when batsmen have been trying to go after the bowl. He and Nikhil are now our formidable partnership in death bowling.

Given the total, we were quietly confident when going out to bat; I guess when you've successfully chased 326 from 52 you get that. It helps when the opening bowler (Burgess the swinger) starts with a nine ball over, several of which make it to the boundary without a bat in sight.

Extras in fact made a chanceless 46 (23 wides, 15 byes, 7 leg byes and a no-ball), and when Scott was bowled for 6 with the total at 48, had already made a significant contribution. Rory and I then put on 68 for the second wicket, until he was bowled by Treder's first ball, for 16, taking the score to 116/2. They took drinks after 27 overs, at which time we required 90 off 18 for the victory.

I was run-out in the second over after the resumption, after hitting the ball to a fielder on the point boundary, calling for a run, and been incredulous as my partner Laven Selva, called no. I made inappropriate comments to Lavs as I left, to my shame. Sorry, Lavs, and thanks very much for filling in for us. I had made 66, and we were 140/3.

Dan then came in and smacked a quick 20 before falling to Burgess with the score 163/4. This brought Nikhil's mate Sagar Patel to the crease; Segar and Rory's brother Ash have both been playing for the Rongotai College 1st X1. Sagar is obviously a quality batsman, and had no problem timing the ball, including an exquisite hoist over long-on for 6. When he left, caught for 40, the game was all but won with 222 on the board and 3.3 overs left to get the remaining 10 runs. By that time Lavs had also been run out, having made a solid 20, but more importantly been an anchor around which others had been able to play strokes.

Rauru and Nikhil polished off the rest, Rauru making 19* and Nikhil an undefeated 1.

Manoj was player of the day for his wonderful death bowling. Special mention also goes to Jules Bailey-Rotman, who stepped in to the breach to don the gloves, in the absence of the three other men (Hamish, Robin and Adam) who've taken those duties this year. He conceded less byes than his opposite (11 v 15) and was generally very tidy.

The Stallions will now at least overtake Onslow in the table, but will have to see how Tawa did before knowing if they are top or 2nd.

Stallions v Karori: 14th January 2005

A fine and in many ways amazing win by the Stallions cements our place at the top of the table. We only had 10 men for this game, but thankfully the Tamils were playing a pitch over, and given they batted first and we fielded, we were able to borrow 12th men from then on a reasonably regular basis.

That was after Damien had called incorrectly and I elected to bowl on a MacAlister 1 belter under a hot sun.

I like playing this Karori team; they are a new team this year and are a breath of fresh air for the grade. They seem to be a team of genuine good guys. When we first played them (in our two dayer in December), they were at the foot of the table, but the way they dismissed us for 113 in our first innings gave lie to that position. They will beat plenty of teams in the rest of this season, and will do better next year if their team sticks together.

They started well, taking 12 off the match’s first over, although a catch did go down before a run had been scored. However we were able to contain them as Rauru, myself, Manoj, Nikhil and Ash managed to hold them to about 4 an over without taking a wicket before drinks. At that stage the score was 101 off 23 overs.

After Onslow’s 230 on the same deck the previous week had been inadequate, we were comfortable with the idea of chasing anything around 250; we didn’t feel that Karori would get another 150 off the last 22 overs.

The one bowler who was causing concern at that stage was Simon Olsen, who had gone for 12 off his first over just before drinks. Worse was the manner of the over; there were several half-trackers and it was clear he hadn’t found his rhythm.

However, Simon was the first to strike in the over after drinks. The less said about the ball the better, but the batsman was well held by Rauru on the boundary.

Simon struck in each of his subsequent three overs; although he also took some punishment. I dropped a catch from one batmen right on the long-off boundary, which I in fact dropped over the boundary for six. However I made amends for the mistake the following ball, when the batsmen tried the same stroke but didn’t quite get hold off it as well as he had the first.

Although Simon had taken 4 wickets off 4 overs, he had also conceded 46 runs off his 5, and still did not look to have his rhythm. It was a difficult decision, but I decided to take him off and keep him in reserve. I came back into the wind and managed to keep the wicket-an-over trend going, for my first over at least, having their other opener caught behind by Jules.

At the other end, Rory’s brother Ash Jones was again doing sterling service stemming the tide of runs, and for the second week running bowled out his 9 in a row, this time with the tremendous figures of 9-2-21-0.

Manoj and Nikhil were again our death bowling partnership, and both performed admirably. Nikhil’s figures of 9-0-23-1 are testimony to the advantages of a spinner at the death, and Manoj’s 7-1-33-1, while not quite up there with some of his figures, were nonetheless very good.

They finished with 217/6, a score we were reasonably confident of matching, even if we only had 10 batsmen.

However, things started badly for us, as I got a ball that popped a little and took my glove, for my first single digit score this year, 2. Aaron also fell cheaply, for 13, caught by the same extra bounce off the same bowler (Kyle), and we were 32/2.

Dan again managed a quick cameo in which he dominated the scoring, but was caught for 19 with the score 45/3.

We were short a batman, and poor old Jules had done some sterling service for us behind the stumps in two matched, so in a moment of weakness I put his name down at 5. By drinks he had managed to edge his way to 7, but by this time Scott had blazed his way to his first half century this season.

When drinks came, we were 117/3; teetering a wee bit due to a lack of batsmen to come, but comfortable in terms of run rate. However, no-one expected what was to come. When Jules and Scott were finally separated, Scott being bowler for 87, they had put on 157 for the fourth wicket, and Jules had posted his half century. Moreover, in the cracking time they’d achieved this, we required just 16 from 14 overs.

Their keeper had managed to injure himself by this time, and they requested a fielder; a request I was happy to comply with. We were under no obligation to do this, and for other teams in other situations I might not have done this, but I certainly had no second thoughts with this Karori team.

However, the inevitable happened and I ended up running out Ash, who’d come in at six. I didn’t make it to the pub that night, but am sure I was royally fined for that.

Rauru came and went for a duck, but Jules and Nikhil saw us home with over 9 overs to spare, Jules finishing with 73* and Nikhil, his second 1* in as many games.