2014 Nudeballers Goldfield Ashes
Game 1 (Match 16) v Goodman Shannanigans
The one with Russ’ First Duck
25 January 2014 at CT Airport Reserve Field 40
Batting first, Goodman Shannanigans All Out 151; 30.4 overs. Nudeballers 7/229; 30.4 overs.
Nudeballers win by 7 wickets in 19.2 overs
The good thing about the Goldfield Ashes is that you never know what you’re going to get in an opposition. The bad thing about the Goldfield Ashes is that you never know what you’re going to get in an opposition.
The Shannanigans looked a good squad early as they carefully made their way to 107 in 23 overs. With just two wickets down, it was a solid launchpad to pile on some runs in the last dozen overs. A monumental capitulation followed. Half-A-Night picked up a wicket at the end of the 23rd, then a wicket fell in each over from the 25th to the 31st, with Bald 👩🦲 Tav picking up two and Matt Tav three. Stinky grabbed a couple of catches, Wondergai a run-out and 3 Questions the final wicket to dismiss Goodmans for 151.
Despite the loss of a couple of wickets early, the Nudeballers piled on the runs with Matt Tav, Half-A-Night and Trust-Me all recording 50s. Matt Tav and Half-A-Night set a new Nudeballers record partnership of 87 from 56 balls; Nudeballers getting to 229 from 30.4 overs. The significance of a duck to Cookie in this match was not lost on the absent Donald who was quick to recognise the feat when the scorecards were posted.
A good first up win to the Nudies.
Game 2 (Match 17) v Georgetown Joe’s
The one with Russ’ Second Duck
26 January 2014 at CT Airport Reserve Field 43
Batting first, Georgetown Joe’s 9/106; 20 overs. Nudeballers 6/103; 20 overs
Nudeballers loss by 3 runs
On to tournament big guns Georgetown Joe's ...not sure why there is an apostrophe.
At 1/44 in the 7th, Joe’s could’ve skipped away, but as was the case on day one, the Nudie bowlers fought back well to claim 8 wickets for 62 runs. Matt Tav started the rot with a wicket in the 7th and then bowled a double wicket maiden in the 19th. in between, Eagle picked up a couple, Uncle Bob and 3 Questions one each and for the second day in a row, Wondergai picked up a run-out.
The target of 107, did not seem imposing, even for a 20/20, but the bowling was tight and the Joe’s were very serious. (There might have been a run-up or two that exceeded the max 6 metres 🤫). Matt Tav followed up his 3fa with a 23 at the top of the order, but at the 10 over mark Nudies still needed 63 to win. A run-a-ball 48 partnership for the 4th wicket between Half-A-Night and Trust Me, took the Nudies to 93; 14 needed from 9 balls. Then:
A 2 and a single to #pooinsink; a single to Half-A-Night….. 10 to get from the last
A 2 and a single to Half-A-Night….a swing..oh no…#pooinsink run out. In comes Cookie..7 to get from 3 balls.
A 2 and a single to Half-A-Night…4 to get; final ball; Cookie on strike; first ball; FREE HIT. A swing… have to run…RUN OUT… a Nudeballers first. Golden duck! Second duck of the weekend for Cookie.
A fine 28 not out from 30 balls for Half-A-Night.
Nudeballers closest ever game was a loss by 3 runs.
Game 3 (Match 18) v Rampaging Rhinos
The one with Russ’ Third Duck
27 January 2014 at Goldfield Sporting Complex Field 50
Batting first, Rampaging Rhinos 9/108; 18.4 overs. Nudeballers 9/208; 30.3 overs.
Nudeballers win by 9 wickets in 12.5 overs
As is often the case at the Ashes, the motivation for many teams has waned by the third day. Proposals to play reduced-over matches, are often proffered in the pursuit of getting home early that day. However, Nudeballers have always maintained that you pay rego to play three full matches, so a full match we will play - “and that’s all I got to say ‘bout that”.
The Rhino’s desire to leave early was reflected in the swashbuckling approach of their top order which was reduced to 6/55 from the first 11 overs, thanks mainly to fine opening spells by Chainsaw and Cookie who grabbed two each, supported by a good fielding effort. A 7th wicket partnership of 42 was broken when Matt Tav captured a Nudeballers record 7th wicket for the weekend, thanks to a good catch by Chainsaw - in the action again. Stinky and Eagle took the last two soon after, thanks to catches by #pooinsink (his 2nd) and Matt Tav.
An opening partnership of 72 between Matt Tav and Old Tav closed on the retirement of Mat Tav for 54 In the 8th over. By the end of the 13th, the 108 target had been overhauled and all eyes turned to the potential hat-trick of ducks for Cookie. Coming in at the start of the 21st over, Cookie played out a maiden, but lasted just one more delivery before his stumps were scattered for a third duck of the weekend.
Nudies fell about all over the place. None happier than the absent Donald.
There were quickfire 20s by Half-A-Night, #pooinsink and Wondergai, while Old Tav held up an end for 45.
A win to the Nudies by 9 wickets in the final match of the 2014 Goldfield Ashes.
Retrospective Weekend Awards
Pink Cap: Wondergai
Purple Cap: Flash
Orange Cap: Flash
