The Night Watchman

Odins Revenge vs Yardley Massive
Pitch: Hard   Weather: Sunny
Result: Odins Revenge won by 141 runs
MOTM: Alfodr Fjolnir (5/48)
Match Ratings: OR:145,082  YM:141,144

Francis won the toss and decided to bowl first, an interesting choice given the conditions.  Gondlir and Eylúðr made him pay for that decision, putting on a fine opening stand of 160 at a run rate of 8 an over. Eylúðr’s wicket triggered a mini collapse, but Brathwaite and Rauðgrani steadied things up and a big score looked on the cards.  A couple of wickets fell, but Rauðgrani remained and with some lusty hitting in the final overs, he got the team to an imposing 147.  He was unlucky not to make a century, finishing with 93 runs from 63 balls.

Yardley’s chase didn’t start too well, with 2 bats back in the sheds before the opening bowlers had finished their spells.  Francis and Seaman set about getting the chase back on track, but Francis didn’t look all that interested and threw his wicket away with the score at 123.  Unfortunately for Yardley Massive, Seamen was the only player that looked like he wanted to be there, top scoring with 99 runs.  In the end they were bowled out for 206 and were well short of the total required.

The two sides were evenly matched ratings wise, but Odins Revenge had the better seamers and this was the difference.  In conditions that favoured the batsmen, Alfodr Fjolnir’s effort of 5/48 was well worth the MOTM award.

wakatipu vs North Merseyside CC
Pitch: Flat  Weather: Windy
Result: North Merseyside CC won by 4 wickets
MOTM: Louis Morcom (33, 2/34)
Match Ratings: WAK:154,358  NMCC: 156,116

Carew won the toss and decided to have a bat.  The home supporters were expecting a much better showing than the lads put up last week, but it wasn’t to be.  In conditions which should have seen the runs come thick and fast, only S Chiswicket showed how you should wield the willow.  His unbeaten knock of 90 was a shining light in what was an abysmal batting performance.  Morcom added some late fireworks to the innings, but 183 was once again well below par for the conditions.

After a fine bowling display, confidence was high in the Merseyside camp.  Despite a shaky looking middle order, the top 3 batsmen did enough to allow North Merseyside CC to cruise home with the better part of 8 overs to spare.  Wilkinson was the standout bat, scoring an unbeaten 60.

Once again the ratings were close, but wakatipu’s top order once again exposed their weaker middle order too quickly and North Merseyside CC’s seamers did the rest.  Despite being on the losing team, Louis Morcom was handed the MOTM, which raised a few eyebrows in the commentary box.

Yorkshire Tykes vs Roke Island XI
Pitch: Crumbling  Weather: Humid
Result: Yorkshire Tykes won by 9 runs
MOTM: Ginger Lacey (3/21)
Match Ratings: YT: 163,186  RI: 147,788

The bowlers were licking their lips in anticipation, so it was no surprise when Tibbs sent the Tykes into bat after winning the toss.  The Tykes got off to a bad start, losing 2 batsmen inside 5 overs.  Dries and Morton put down the anchor and looked good; until a mini collapse saw the Tykes lose 4 wickets for 30 runs. With wickets falling around him, Halbertsma took control and with the tail, managed to put on another 60 runs and give the Tykes bowlers something to defend.

Just like the Tykes before them, Roke Island also had 2 batsmen done for the day before 5 overs were on the scoreboard.  Once again there was a 50 run partnership for the 3rd wicket, before Patel removed Manny for a well crafted 38.  From there regular wickets fell and despite Gorringe’s best efforts, Roke Island fell 10 runs short of their total and the Tykes walked of victorious once more.

Despite the difference in ratings, both innings played out very similarly and the result could have gone to either side.  MOTM was Ginger Lacey, who destroyed the Tykes top order with some great line and length bowling.

HG/Origin Peregrines vs Tales of the Unknown
Pitch: Sticky  Weather: Humid
Result: HG/Origin Peregrines won by 4 wickets
MOTM: Clive Thomas (6/25, 9*)
Match Ratings: HG: 168,588  TotU: 149,278

Samad won the toss and sent his side in, hoping they could make the most of the treacherous batting conditions.  It looked like he made the wrong decision, when Mosby and Parker were back in the sheds with the score at 4.  The game changed when recent U19 star, Merriweather strode to the crease.  With the experienced Samad as his partner, the two looked to be taking the game away from the home side.  A brilliant 80 run partnership was broken by Wiltshire and this was the beginning of the end.  The next 7 wickets fell with only a further 40 runs being scored.

JuJoh’s men looked confident, maybe too confident.  Williams and Robson were sent back a quickly as they came out and it looked like we may have had a match on our hands.  du Braxin had other ideas and with Gilbert, they plundered the bowling, scoring boundaries at ease.  HG/Origin Peregrines were in complete control, but Brannigan once gain changed the course of the game, picking up two wickets in quick succession.  McCormick followed suit, but the damage had already been done and the home side cruised to a much more convincing win than the scoreboard suggested.

HG/Origin Peregrines dominated the ratings and were by far the better side on the day and deserved winners.  There was no disputing Clive Thomas was the MOTM.  He tore through the batsmen like a hot knife through butter.

So after 2 rounds, we have 3 teams undefeated and 3 teams yet to register a win.  Will this trend continue or will the cellar dwellers lift their game and throw the cat amongst the pigeons?