9th Wicket Revival

Tuckwell was never in doubt of the Tuesday match, despite persistent daily drizzle and a rather suspect, angry looking cloud, hovering above the Field of Dreams at 5.45.

Ellerslie were the visitors in the Newark League, 18 overs aside, with the home team batting first. As planned the batting order was jumbled to give everyone a chance in the middle.

The emphasis was on aggressive running and putting pressure on the fielders. Steiner and Hennessy opened up positively before Steiner lost his off stump to a peach of a delivery. 8-1 off 2. Brown entered at 3, having already scored 10 earlier in the day while on district duties, but chipped to mid on. 15-2 off 4. Captain Normington was immediately in on the act keeping the run rate at 4 an over before 2 wickets in the 7th over, Hennessy (7) and Normington (10) put the skids on.

Healey (7) and Coulthard (8) followed two overs later, with Stolworthy (6) an over after. At 50-7 off 11, the run rate was pleasing but the wickets lost worrying. Shepherd (1) came and went in the 13th over leaving Cairns and Tudor with the 9th wicket honours. And what a partnership unfolded! 44 runs were plundered in the last 6 overs, with 29 coming from the last 2 as Tudor finally threw his bat on the off-side - crashing the shot of the day to the boundary. Cairns was his opportunistic self and finished on 14* with Tudor 19*. 97-8 off 18.

A huge boost to the end of the innings and excellent team display of running between the wickets and seizing opportunities, only 17 singles.

After high fives all round, Legge and Tuckwell made sure that everyone was grounded. Healey opened up down the hill, with some fire in his belly, and sent the off stump cart wheeling. Mills followed up - with Shepherd taking a magnificent catch round his ears, at slip. Healey followed with a maiden as Mills returned with a wicket maiden, removing off stump. A proud Grandfather looking on! A further clean bowled by Healey was followed with a maiden by Mills. Ellerslie in all sorts of trouble 3 for 4 off 6.

Shepherd, decided on a 9 ball over, instead of yesterdays 12, but found the edge and Healey took another belting catch at first slip. There was to be no let up as Normington entered the attack and was left with the task of whipping off the bails with both batsmen at the strikers end. 6 for 6 off 8.

Ellerslie steadied the ship but Shepherd produced the catch of the day extending a fully stretched arm to a crashing drive at mid off, the ball sticking to the palm, off the bowling of Normington. Tudor was miserly with 2 maidens before Cairns removed off stump for the final wicket of the evening.

An excellent game, in good spirits with exceedingly overcast conditions. Fantastic momentum to take into the 3 games next week.

Bowling figures:
Greg Mills: 3-2-1-2
Ben Healey: 3-1-2-2
Harry Normington: 3-2-1-1
Mackenzie Shepherd: 2-0-7-1
Jack Cairns: 1-0-6-1
Zachary Tudor: 2-2-0-0
Isaac Brown: 1-1-0-0
Harry Stolworthy: 1-0-1-0
Josh Coulthard: 1-0-8-0
Dominic Steiner: 1-0-6-0