1STS CHASE DOWN 189 TO OVERCOME BRAVE ROBBIES
After the record-shattering achievements against Robinsons earlier in the season, Totts were made to work far harder for the points this time round. The fantastic pre-match work put in by Dickie, Dash and Kieran in particular enabled the game to take place when in previous years it would have been a certain non-starter.
Robbies won the toss and elected to bat. In an innings which spanned over 3 hours (thanks to numerous rain delays), the visitors began well - Totts bowlers were struggling to get a decent grip and 50 came up in no time at all. When Asif finally broke through, we were already looking down the barrel of a competitive score. The second wicket added a further 100 runs, with Bammy eventually falling for a very well made 91. A clatter of wickets meant that from a very strong position of 140-1 with 14 overs left, the visitors ended with 189-8. Asif was the pick of the bowlers, picking up a well-deserved 5 including three in one over. Totts fielding was shocking for 30 overs, but the final 15 put us back in contention.
A good start was imperative and Doc - batting in a league match AT LAST!!! - and the CDO ensured there were no early dramas. After a relatively slow start, the pair picked up the pace until Kieran fell for a hard-grafted 32 with the score in the early 80s and the overs about halfway through. Enter Big Bird. Doc soon followed back to the shed for a controlled 41, but Russ started to time the ball well and a few big shots followed. He was lucky with a couple of dropped catches, as was skipper Nelly, but the pair added 80 in rapid time to take us to the brink of victory. Scunners finished the match with two booming sixes as we collected 4 points from what was looking at one point a real struggle.
Credit to the Robbies boys, in particular Bammy and H for their batting, and the opening bowlers for a terrific opening spell to keep the run chase under wraps. And credit to our lads for sharpening up at the end of the first innings and a very well paced and confident run chase in trying conditions.
