Match Report: Anza V vs IIT

As is standard for ANZA, the opposition won the toss, however what is not standard was the opposition sending us in to bat, especially as there were only 8 players on the field for the first over. Skipper Spainy unveiled the new batting order which contained a few surprise promotions, most notably for those who were in the Anza Sloggers Sixes side that knocked out Skipper Spainy's Anza Champs last week ( although it was all a coincidence he claims ).

So it was that Paul and Howard opened the batting to a wide open field, with the plan to take their time and settle in. This plan didn't last long as the runs started to come quickly, especially for Howard who was finding the boundary regularly. A bowling change brought results for the opposition with Howard holing out to a great catch over the back of the head skyer. Out came Koushik, but the new partnership didn't last long, with Paul trying to dribble one down leg and sending an easy catch to backward square leg. Koushik soon joined him in the pavilion, out to a dubious LBW.

Runs started to slow down for Josh and James as the real openers started to apply pressure, luckily for James, Mark finally remembered his call of "Noonan" to throw off the fielder when James skied one ( Howard and I thank you for finally remembering ). During this partnership, our new recruit from America Aaron was heard to remark that in his six weeks in Singapore he had never really seen a downpour. Well, that was tempting fate just a bit too much, as just after Mark's "Noonan" call saved Josh, after he danced down the pitch to make sure the ball was not a no-ball, the heavens opened up. Aaron got to see a moderate downpour in Singapore, as those from the British Club game remarked that this wasn't a real downpour and that they should have seen the one at BCC.

Some period of time later, and the match was reduced to 20 overs, and the word was given to James and Josh to get the run rate moving, which the promptly did, with James hitting a lovely straight six. Unfortunately the heavy ground meant most of the runs would need to be made running between the wickets, which proved too much for Josh, playing his second game of the day, run out. This brought out the skipper, and James continued to pile on the runs. With the last over coming up, El Presidente Peter Clarke, who was padded up to come in next, made the outrageous claim "I guess I won't be needed", next ball saw Andrews stumps knocked over and another claim from El Presidente.

Fortunately no other wickets fell, ANZA V were 5 for 136 after 20 overs
After a short break ANZA took to the field with Lawrence taking the new ball with Simon. Lawrence was spot on, however Simon's bowling was a bit wayward, with the fourth over first bringing joy with a wicket, and then Simon was forced from the attack due to dangerous bowling, the slippery ball working against him. Mark completed the over and Lawrence continued his economical spell from the other end. Mark also picked up a wicket with his second over, however sundries were starting to add up, with the ball slipping out of the bowlers hand with maddening frequency. James replaced Lawrence after his spell and picked up a wicket in his first over, going into drinks IIT were 3/57, with ANZA looking the goods.

Unfortunately it was a different story after drinks, as there must have been something in the Alumni drinks because the batsmen started going after the bowling. A few errors in the field, a couple of dropped catches (including a groin splitting slip from myself) and a missed stumping, were all the batsmen needed. After the missed chances the batsmen tried their luck and kept finding the boundary.

Alumni needed 4 off the last over and got it easily, a missed opportunity for an ANZA win.
With our heads bowed, we headed to Harry's to watch the Aussies beat the poms in the Union, so we at least had that to celebrate (except for James)

Batting
James - avoided a 50 again - 46 not out
Josh - 27

Bowling
Mark Flynn 1/25 off 4
James Dickinsen 1/28 off 4

Debutants
Aaron Simmons
Mark Flynn


by Paul McLean

Match Report :: Anza Div V vs Jelutung CC

I had a sense of apprehension leaving the 5 division squad to the second in command. And like the captain of the Titanic awaking from his slumber to find his beloved ship sinking in to the depths of the ocean, I found the team in disarray

Not much to be said really, we lost miserably to a side that had one good bowler who, when pitched on the wicket was unplayable (well im hearing that a lot from the top order)

Anza was put into bat with a reasonable batting line up. As been on several occasions this season without a full side. The air was humid (from what many were saying) and the ball was swinging like an unhinged door in a cyclone. After many wides Tom was the first to depart before his time for 1.

Fast forward to just after the break and the score was looking like an uneven soccer match at 9 out for 63 and if it wasn't for Geoff Forday's heroics for arriving to his scheduled 4s game prematurely that's where the score would've stayed.
Both Geoff and Lawrence toiled and survived another 3 overs before Lawrence committed a grievous error in having a part of his body hit by the ball before going anywhere near the stumps or in Singapore whats known as LBW. So the results

Score 113
Lawrence 23
Geoff 14
Phil 15
Sundries 46
7 batsmen not making it past 2 runs

So defending 113 the guys set upon the task of choking the runs and taking wickets. Lawrence kept on contributing by keeping the run rate to a minimum and ending with 1 for 10 off 6 overs. Unfortunately the other bowlers fell by the way side and conceded more than the asking rate to achieve the score. Dropping a number of catches didn't help the matter and the opposition passed the total in quick fashion with a 9 point result in their favour.

Again its good to see the fighting spirit of the 5ths this season even against all odds we come up with a win, however on this occasion there no joy and more lessons learned.

To play on the Titanic theme we had our very own version of romance shared between Jack and Rose Dawson. Now imagine that last scene where Jack is about to plummet into the cold abyss clutching Rose and in the process saving her. Now.....just change Jack with Phil "the all talented Younger" and Rose with a Tiger beer and you will get the picture

Written by Spainy who was not present at the match

No thesaurus was hurt in the making of this match report

Match Report :: Anza Champs vs Andhra CC at GIIS on 12th June, 2010

The mood at the ground was optimistic, almost expectant, as each Champ arrived at GIIS to play Andhra CC2 yesterday. The Champs had not had a win this year and there was a certain resolve about the group which had each and everyone of us feeling confident as we awaited the start of the match.
Munib won the toss and elected to bowl. His reasoning was simple - let's know what we have to chase.

Klaus opened the bowling with Lord Gibb and the two of them got the Champs off to a seriously good start. At the end of his fifth over, Gibby had just 15 runs scored off him. Giocomo, who had come out of retirement for the match, was shouting "have a go" as the two Andhra openers blocked ball after ball. It appears the sledging had the desired effect - Lord Gibb claimed his first Champs catch on the boundary off the bowling of Feroze. There were hugs all round - this was certainly looking like the Champs day! By the end of 15 overs Andhra were just 1 for 82 on the divisions smallest ground.

After drinks things did not go all the Champs way. Both Ashwin and Feroze continued the good bowling of Gibby and Klaus. Feroze claimed 3 wickets in a spell that included just 1 wide, whilst Ashwin was 0 for 33 off 5 overs - a tight spell which was marred by one six. Andhra decided to up the tempo. The second 15 overs produced 158 runs, almost double the run rate of the first 15. They had set a target of 241 to win. This was still considered a modest total on a 250 - 280 ground.

Tony "Muddy" Waters and Geoff "Mr Reliable" Forday opened the batting and it wasn't long before a wicket fell. Tony was gone for 4 in the first over trying to smash a wide delivery. Ashwin replaced him and with Forday made a sound partnership of 48 before Ashwin was bowled by a good delivery.

Controversy ensued following Homi's dismissal for 5 - a turned down LBW appeal found him runout as he awaited the umpire's decision with a foot slightly out of the crease. Nervous smiles on the faces of Andhra players filled the players pavilion at drinks. This may have been because drinks had been called one ball early - Forday hit the ball out of the park for six, bringing the Champs to 140 runs to Andhra's 82 at the same stage. It may have also been Lord Gibb's suggestion of an end of match fight following Homi's unsportsmanlike dismissal.

Feroze and Geoff continued their 82 run partnership after drinks before Feroze was clean bowled for a respectable 30. The batting collapsed after this in a session that included two ducks. The only shining light was Munib who followed up his good bowling with a Captain's knock of 40. His dismissal saw the Champs all out for 213.

Lord Gibb asked if he would have to pack the kit as he never faced a ball, then suggested that it was time for the fight. The Andhra players cleared the ground surprising quickly. The Champs sipped beer in the pavilion rooing the loss, each player resolving to do better the next time. Champs Man of the Match was undoubtedly Forday with 65 off just 51 balls.

ANZA III vs Wanderers Match Report

Following on from ANZA V success in the morning ANZA II completed a winning combination on Sunday at Fernvale.

Winning the toss and batting, Garry Hawker was run out second ball to get us off to an inauspicious start. Shubham made 16 while Tony Edmondstone held the top order together with 39. Phil Davies who was not well came in at 6 and batted through to the end making 47no. Not much else from the batting but we did manage to bat the 28 overs (reduced to a brief rain break) with Venky and Phil putting on 13 for the last wicket. A score of 160 on Fernvale B would be difficult to defend but the slow ground would help.

Things started well with Clive getting a wicket off the first ball of the match (again). Clive and James Dickinson each bowled out their six overs keeping things tight and taking wickets. Clive picked up two more with catches at 2nd slip from Tony and a ripper at first slip from Rohan. James picked up their number 3 caught behind by Chiro. After 12 overs Wanderers were 4/38. We lost our way a little over the next few overs with Wanderers scoring 50 in the next 5 overs. Rohan came on and bowled their number 5 and had their dangerous number 6 caught at long on by Venky. Shubham tied up the other end and with 3 overs left they needed 37. Shubham kept it tight and Tony picked up 2 wickets in the last over to see them fall 17 short