South Brisbane v University - 2nd Grade
Allan Pettigrew Shield 2020/21
Round 17
30 January & 6 February 2021
WEP Harris Oval
DAY ONE:
Trent Pearce made it two in a row and chose to bat in warm conditions at University of Queensland. Tight lines and movement off the wicket made it difficult to get in, but once established, runs could flow.
Brandon Honeybrook and Alexander Robynson proved it in a solid, 102-run, 2nd wicket partnership, taking Souths well into the second session. Cautious early, Honeybrook accelerated beautifully after lunch smashing spinners and quicks alike to all parts of the ground. Robynson played a fine anchor role frustrating the bowling and rotating the strike. Unfortunately, both fell within a few overs of each other making an imposing 1/114 look a little less so at 3/133.
Harry Jones and Pearce had just started to settle when an LBW (?) claimed Jones in the second last over before Tea. Worse was to come when Pearce fell on the stroke of Tea, reducing Souths to 5/183. 122 runs in the session, but at a cost of 4 wickets.
Another wicket in the over after tea, made it three in consecutive overs; all off the 5th ball of the over!
From there, partnerships were snuffed out just as they got started. When Joe Rangiah joined Matt Casey for the 9th wicket, it was 8/208. Rangiah played some glorious shots in an entertaining cameo. The partnership had added 38 from 45 balls and looked as comfortable as any during the day until Casey (34) strangled one down leg in the 83rd over of the day. Dominic Coote joined Rangiah to add a few more valuable runs and take Souths to 258 before Rangiah edged to slip to end the innings.
University saw out two overs to be 0-4; setting up an intriguing day 2 next week.
DAY TWO:
University resumed their first innings on 0/4, chasing 259 for a first innings result. The day began badly for Souths with wicketkeeper Matthew Taviani having to leave the field due to an injured finger after just 30 minutes of play (bad dislocation, but no break, thankfully). Souths bowlers and fielders dug deep to restrict University to just 45 runs in the first session, claiming two wickets along the way; one a good catch to Joe Rangiah off the bowling Dominic Coote and the other an LBW to Matt Casey .
University consolidated in the second session adding 80 runs for the loss of just one wicket, a Harry Jones catch off Coote, setting up a final session chase of 134 from 34 overs.
Things seemed to be going swimmingly for Uni until the 69th over. Coote enticed an edge and a fine catch by St Lawrence’s Jared Cooper, (deputising as keeper), claimed the wicket. Four balls later, an LBW dismissed the new batsman and all of a sudden, 3/134 was 5/134; all three results now a real possibility.
Notwithstanding, with 125 required and 29 overs still in the bank, University remained in the box seat.
A dangerous 60-run, 6th wicket partnership further advanced the University cause but, was snuffed out when Arlen Wells-Peris drew the batsman out of his ground for a Cooper stumping. 65 needed from 67 balls. The required run rate had increased but 51 from the next 57 balls took University to 6/245; requiring 14 from 12 balls.
The 97th over was scintillating!
After a dot first ball from Brendan James, the batsmen made the fatal mistake of attempting a quick single to mid-off. A Trent Pearce direct hit claimed the opposition skipper; 7/245.
The very next ball was struck to Wells-Peris at wide mid-on. There was a call of two, Wells-Peris swooped; threw; McNae gathered; broke the stumps; OUT! Without facing a ball; 8/246.
Ball four: a two. Then, a wide (“surely not” asked an anguished Marble).
Ball Five: a swing. The ball high in the air. Coote under it. OUT!9/249.
Whaaa....? 😳
University still needed 10 from 7 balls, but, now Souths needed just one wicket! 😬
A single..... 9/250; 6 balls to go.
Unfortunately, for the supporters, the last over was an anti-climax as University went back into their shell and played it out for a draw. 😒
A remarkable day’s cricket. Two matches in a row within a wicket of victory. Helluva team this one! Well done chaps.
Big thanks to Jared.
Good luck in Canberra, Joe.
