Match Reports - (Photos: By Kirk Powell)

DOLPHINS DOMINATE MANLY

A blistering century to NSW dynamo David Warner has set up a resounding double bonus point victory for the Easts Dolphins over Manly.

Warner, who has recently burst on to the domestic scene with the Blues brought his good form back to grade cricket in disposing the Manly attack to all parts in a scintillating 116 off 94 balls. After reaching his hundred Warner brought out his infamous switch-hit, hitting two boundries batting on his less-favoured right hand side.

Warner was well supported by fellow opener Sam Robson, who scored 53 in an opening partnership of 183 that had put Easts in a commanding position.

However a late tumble of wickets saw Easts bowled out for 256 when a score of 300 plus had looked well within reach.

Manly's momentum didn't carry through to their batting though with Adam Ritchard tearing through the opposition top-order to leave them reeling at 5-39.

Fellow paceman Anthony Pratt then continued the demolition picking up four wickets of his own, while Ritchard completed his five-wicket haul with Manly being bowled out for a dismal 87 handing Easts a handy Christmas present of two points.

It was not such happy story down the grades however with second and third grade going down heavily. Third Grade's unbeaten season ended ubruptly when they were bowled out for 59.

However a Michael Quinn inspired Fourth Grade provided some lower grade joy after the man known as Meer Cat scored 65 and took five-wickets to help Easts to a 16 run victory. Promising youngster Joel James also made a key contribution scoring 70.

In Fifth Grade Easts managed to lose the unloseable game after in pursuit of 160 racing to 0 for 50 after 7 overs and 2 for 95 only to be bowled out for 145.

PG's also had a narrow loss going down to Penrith by three runs. Easts need four runs off the final two balls but fell just short.

Scoreboard

1st Grade: Easts 256 (D Warner 116 S Robson 53) def Manly 87 (A Ritchard 5-29 A Pratt 4-25)

2nd Grade: Manly 5-155 (B Ballin 2-31) def Easts 154 (J Waller 31)

3rd Grade: Manly 3-60 def Easts 59

4th Grade: Easts 240 (J James 70 M Quinn 65) def Manly 224 (M Quinn 5-45)

5th Grade: Manly 7-161 (T Brown 3-41) def Easts 145 (M Anderson 39)

Poidevin-Gray(Under 21): Penrith 184 (A Ezekiel 4-48) def Easts 9-181 (A Ezekiel 52 J Waller 46*)

EASTS SECURE CONVINCING VICTORY

AN impressive all-round bowling effort from the Easts Dolphins has guided them to a comfortable seven-wicket victory over the Fairfield-Liverpool Lions.

After the match was reduced to 35 overs due to a wet Waverley surface, Easts won an important toss and chose field first but had their concerns when the Lions shot out to 0-38 after eight overs.

But when Ed Zelma picked up the first wicket it sparked an incredible collapse as Fairfield lost 5-7 in four overs.

And it was not about to get much better for the visitors as they fell to 7-66 after Angus Palmer(3-23) in just his second First Grade game picked up his third wicket.

A small lower-order partnership saw the Lions regain some credibilty but when Nick Berry took the final wicket with the score at 102, Easts were well pleased with their work.

Despite losing the early wicket of rising NSW star David Warner and the prescence of a fired up Australian speedster Doug Bollinger, the Dolphins assumed control of the run-chase through a steady partnership between Sam Robson and Greg Calrence.

NSW wicketkeeper Peter Nevill then finished the job with a polished 32 not out to cap off the win, which has put the Dolphins back in the top six.

MEANWHILE Second Grade's match was washed out due to Friday's rain but at Trumper Third Grade made it eight from eight for the season after they secured a 47 run victory over the Lions.

Puru Rathore and Lee Kirk put on 75 for the first wicket that laid the foundation for Easts' total of 167 from 30 overs.

In reply Fairfield-Liverpool were always behind the eight-ball and after 30 overs were 8-120. The win was convincing enough for Easts to earn a bonus point. Incredibly despite their perfect record Easts sit in second spot three points behind Sydney Uni

In Fourth Grade Chris Maurice sent a message to selectors after he scored 85 out of Easts total of 7-187. Unfortunately it wasn't enough for the Dolphins as Fairfield chased the total down with five wickets in hand.

Scoreboard

1st Grade: Easts 3-104 (P Nevill 32*) def Fairfield-Liverpool 102 (A Palmer 3-23 E Zelma 3-31)

2nd Grade: Washed Out

3rd Grade: Easts 9-167 (P Rathore 48) def Fairfield-Liverpool 8-120

4th Grade: Fairfield-Liverpool 5-188 (M Quinn 2-27) def Easts 7-187 (C Maurice 85)

5th Grade: Washed Out

DOLPHINS SURVIVE FRIGHT OF THEIR LIFE

A FIVE-wicket haul to 19-year-old leg-spinner Sam Robson has helped the Easts Dolphins scrape home against arch rivals Randwick-Petersham in a topsy-turvy match at Waverley Oval.

A century from skipper Nick Berry on day one meant Easts were going in to the second half of the match confident they could defend with their total of 323. But as expected in local derby matches Randwick-Petersham produced a fighting effort.

And it was the visitors who took the honours in the first session racing to 2-100 at lunch and looked on course a big run chase despite losing their star batsman - NSW representative Usman Khawaja.

But it was the second session where Robson put Easts in the ascendency when he took two quick wickets midway thorugh the second session just when Randwick-Petersham were getting away to make it 4-141. Two more wickets right before tea now saw the Dolphins take a firm advantage going into the final break with the visitors 6-180.

If the match wasn't over then it certainly looked that way after Robson had collected his fifth wicket as Randwick-Petersham limped to 9-231.

But Easts were about to get a rude shock as Eddie Otto and Burt Cockley put on a whirlwind 73 run partnership in 44 minutes to narrow the gap to just 19 runs and set up a tense finish.

But thankfully from the Dolphins point of view opening paceman Ed Zelma struck with the second new ball thanks to a great low down slips catch from skipper Nick Berry much to the relief of a decent crowd at Waverley Oval that were celebrating President's Day.

Unfortunately the Dolphins couldn't back up their good work on Sunday going down to Northern Districts by six wickets in the limited-overs competition. Berry continued his good form with a lone hand of 68.

Scoreboard

1st Grade: Easts 9dec-323 (N Berry 105) def Randwick-Petersham 304 (S Robson 5-102)
2nd Grade: Easts 289 (C Weeks 90) def Randwick-Petersham 219 (M Abbott 5-72)
3rd Grade: Easts 7-229 (L Kirk 85) def Randwick-Petersham 228 (D Richards 4-51)
4th Grade: Randwick-Petersham 5-215 def Easts 214 (M Quinn 62)
5th Grade: Randwick-Petersham 257 def Easts 230 (B Murphy 89)

BERRY TON PUTS DOLPHINS ON TOP

FIRST Grade captain Nick Berry has put the Easts Dolphins in a strong position at stumps on day one of their clash against local rivals Randwick-Petersham.

Easts lost the toss under grey skies and were sent into bat but made a steady start with openers Justin Waller and Sam Robson putting on 37 for the first wicket. Greg Clarence continued on with Robson before both fell in quick succession after making promising starts leaving Easts' innings in the balance at 3-83.

However this brought together Nathan Catalano and Berry, who took the game away from Randwick with a 119 run partnership that only ended when Catalano was caught for 68.

Berry wasn't finished yet though and went on to bring up his century that had helped pushed the Easts score over 300. A useful 24 not out from Adam Ritchard in the lower order saw Easts finish the day 9-323.

In Second Grade the match is evenly poised at stumps with Randwick 1-40 in reply to Easts score of 289 after day one. After being 2-8 early in the day Easts rallied through Luke Bower (44) and Chris Weeks, who put on 80 for the third wicket before Bower fell right before lunch.

After lunch Second Grade debutant Dai Williams (28) continued Easts momentum to put the Dolphins in a strong position at 3-170. But when he fell it sparked a collapse, which included the dismissal of Weeks for an impressive 90 and Easts were all of a sudden 8-216.

But again the match turned with Bernhard Ballin and Dan Mitchell (17) put on a crucial 60 run 9th wicket partnership. When Easts were dismissed for 289 Ballin was not out on 46.

In Third Grade, Easts are well placed with another fine spell of bowling from Dave Richards (4-51) putting helping the Dolphins bowl Randwick out for 228. It could have been a lot better for Easts at one stage Randwick were 6-90 but resuming at 0-10 next week the undefeated Third Grade side will still be confident of victory.

A crucial innings from Michael Quinn has given Easts a good chance of victory in Fourth Grade. Quinny scored 62 as Easts made it to 8-210 at stumps on a shortened day due to wet conditions.

Fifth Grade will have their work cut out next week after Randwick made it to 7-257 at stumps

Scoreboard

1st Grade: Easts 9-323 (N Berry 105 N Catalano 68) v Randwick-Petersham

2nd Grade: Easts 289 (C Weeks 90 B Ballin 46*) v Randwick-Petersham 1-40

3rd Grade: Randwick-Petersham 228 (D Richards 4-51) v Easts 0-9

4th Grade: Easts 8-210 (M Quinn 62) v Randwick Petersham

5th Grade: Randwick-Petersham 7-257 v Easts

DOLPHINS REIGN SUPREME OVER WHALES

By Max Abbott

A terrific display of pace bowling from Ed Zelma has thrusted the Easts Dolphins into the top six of the competetion for the first time this season with a victory over the Mosman Whales.

Zelma, who arrived at the club from Gordon only this year picked up his first five-wicket haul for the club that completed a terrific fightback from the Dolphins.

After the Easts tail scrambled on day one to produce a first innings score of 239, Mosman resumed in a strong position at 1-61. But it didn't take Zelma long to get into his stride as he picked up three wickets in his first spell to put the Whales on the back foot at 4-72.

Mosman however fought back from the early onslaught and looked to have the Dolphins measure when they had progressed to 4-140 at lunch.

But it was that man again Zelma, who returned to pick up his fifth and perhaps most important wicket that incited the Mosman collapse. As once the main partnership was broken Sam Robson and Nick Berry took two wickets each in quick time to kill off any chance the Whales had of victory.

Fittingly it was Zelma, who returned to pick up the final breakthrough and dismiss Mosman for 182, handing Easts a 57 run victory.

Scoreboard

1st Grade: Easts 239 def Mosman 182 (E Zelma 6/32)

2nd Grade: Mosman 183 def Easts 167 (S McGoldrick 39)

3rd Grade: Easts 7dec-294 def Mosman 227 (D Richards 4-48)

4th Grade: Easts 8dec-201 (M Hughes 77) def Mosman 151 (M Sutherland 7-40)

5th Grade: Easts 101 & 6-194 (N Loveday 77) def Mosman 144 & 4dec-148

DOLPHINS BATTLE AGAINST THE WHALES

By Max Abbott

ANOTHER lower-order partnership involving Anthony Pratt has give the Easts Dolphins a chance of victory against the Mosman Whales.

After being sent into bat in damp conditions the Dolphins got off to a disastrous start. With the score only on eight Easts had already lost three wickets and were forced to go on the defensive.

Opener Sam Robson survived the early onslaught and combined with Peter Nevill to steady the Easts ship before the latter was dismissed just as Easts were clawing their way out of trouble with the score on 49.

Robson's innings was ended with his score on 55 after lunch and it sparked another collapse and Easts fell to 8-148.

But captain Nick Berry and Anthony Pratt then combined for an aggressive counter-attack which brought Easts back into the game. Pratt, who was involved in a 72-run last wicket partnership in the previous match blasted 43 from 41 balls that helped lift the Dolphins to a competetive target of 239. Berry was the last man dismissed for a crucial 62.

In the short session before stumps Mosman made steady progress and will resume at 1-61 next weekend.

MEANWHILE it is shaping up as a nail-biter in Second Grade after Easts were initially on top in bowling Mosman out for 183. At one stage the Dolphins had the visitors 7-118 but some aggressive batting from the tail - which was in stark contrast to their top order - ensured a defendable target.

In the 15 over session before stumps Easts scrambled to 4-54 to set up a crucial first session on day two.

THIRD Grade kept their run machine flowing, setting up a solid score of 7 for 294 with Dai Williams making 89. Captain Kirk and Chris Maurice were again in the runs scoring 48 and 60 respectively.

Fourth Grade was abandoned due to a wet Trumper.

There was plenty of action in Fifth Grade after Kirk Rimmer destroyed the Mosman batting line-up with a five-wicket haul that helped bowl the home side out for 144. In reply Easts are in trouble at 9-101.

Scoreboard

1st Grade: Easts 239 (N Berry 62 S Robson 55) v Mosman 1-61

2nd Grade: Mosman 183 (A Palmer 2-23) v Easts 4-54

3rd Grade: Easts 7-294 (D Williams 89) v Mosman

4th Grade: No play due to rain

5th Grade: Mosman 144 (K Rimmer 5-34 B Murphy 3-52) v Easts 9-101

TWO OUT OF THREE NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR DOLPHINS

THE Easts Dolphins inferior run-rate has cost them a place in the quarter finals of the inaugral Power Education Twenty20 cup after a solid performance in the pool stage.

The format of the new tournament meant that Easts played three matches spread over day and were required to finish top of their pool or be a high ranked second to advance.

The first game against Manly saw Easts dominate from the outset with a rapid fire 85 run stand between Zac Zinman - who made 46 off 28 balls and Greg Glarence - who finished not out 73 off 56 balls, boosting Easts to a score of 6-177 from their 20 overs.
The chase saw Manly start quickly but lose too many wickets and despite a 53 last wicket partnership were still well short of Easts' target at 9-143.

After losing the second game against North Sydney the final match against Mosman was a must win for the Dolphins.
The innings followed a similar pattern to the first match, only this time Steve Warner, who was elevated to the opening position was the chief contributor smashing 61 off 50 balls. Some late sixes from Nick Berry pushed the Dolphins up to 163.
Easts got the perfect start in field when Angus Palmer took two wickets in the first over and from there on Mosman never recovered. Some middle order wickets to Nick Berry (2-24) and Kirk Powell (2-28) held Mosman to a total of 8-146.

On Saturday in the two-day competition Anthony Pratt backed up his 66 not out from last week to take three wickets in bowling out Wests 183 - 38 runs short of Easts' target of 221.

Scorecard

Match One: Easts 5-177 (G Clarence 66 Z Zinman 46) def Manly 9-147 (S Robson 3-17 A Palmer 3-28)

Match Two: Norths 6-112 (M Abbott 2-22) def Easts 111

Match Three: Easts 6-163 (S Warner 61) def Mosman 8-146 (A Palmer 2-14)

DOLPHINS SWIMMING UP THE LADDER

THE Easts First Grade side registered their second win in a row to move just outside the top six on the competition ladder.

AFTER scoring a crucial 66 not out propelled the Dolphins first innings score to 221 the week before, Anthony Pratt took two early wickets to place Easts on top with Wests 3-12.

Wests then fought back with a fifty run partership but it was that man again Pratt, who broke it and the Dolphins were again on top at 4-67.

After Wests agained developed a partnership to move to 4-112, the match was in the balance but when Tim Armstrong made the breakthorugh wicket a collapse ensued and the Magpies crumbled to 9-152.

For a moment another big last wicket partnership threatened to make the game tight but Ed Zelma produced his second wicket of the match to ensure Easts a first innings victory. Wests were all out for 184.

In Second Grade, Easts lost outright but were by no means dominated as perhaps the result would suggest but it does continue what has been a disappointing start to the season for last year's minor premiers.

Resuming at 7-105, a first innings lead of five for Wests, they batted on but were bowled for 151 including an incredible direct hit run-out from Brad Chilko at fine leg.

Easts decided there was no point scratching around and led by a quick-fire 83 to Adam Ezekiel blasted their way to 8-214 from 41 overs leaving Wests 165 for victory from 35 overs.

The Dolphins picked up regular wickets, including four to Adam Ezekiel but were always just behind the eight-ball and Wests did well to chase the target with one over left and four wickets.

BERNHARD Ballin made an impressive debut for the club in Third Grade and ensured their perfect start to the season continued with a five-wicket haul.

After scoring 301 on day one, Ballin finished detroyed the Wests top-order and finished with 5-29. He was well supported by Sean Paul McGoldrick, who took 3-22.

FOURTH Grade recorded their maiden win for the season with a gutsy 31 run victory.

Defending 224 for victory from day one, Easts led by Tim Doyle who had just been promoted from Fifth Grade continued his impressive start to the season grabbing four wickets. Skipper David Dunne and Jacob Taucher also chimed in with two wickets each.

IN Fifth Grade a defensive batting performance from Wests led to drawn result. Wests batted into the second day and eventually declared at 7-270 with Tim Brown picking up four wickts.

With not much time to score the runs Andrew Gay led the way with 48 but when the runs became unreachable Russell Grimson led the anchoring effort and denied Wests the six points.

Scoreboard

1st Grade: Easts 221 def Wests 183 (A Pratt 3-29 S Robson 3-31)
2nd Grade: Wests 150 & 6-165 def Easts 100 & 8dec-210 (A Ezekiel 83)
3rd Grade: Easts 8-308 def Wests 148 (B Bahlin 5-29)
4th Grade: Easts 223 def Wests 185 (T Doyle 4-61)
5th Grade: Wests 8dec-260 (T Brown 4-93 T Petrie 3-43) drew Easts 9-170

ROBSON LEADS PG'S TO NARROW WIN

By Max Abbott

A CENTURY and four wickets to skipper Sam Robson has given Easts the perfect start to their 2008/09 Poideven-Gray Shield campaign.

Easts batted first in good conditions and got off to a flying start with Adam Ezekiel and Robson. The pair put on 70 for the first wicket before Ezekiel was dismissed for 39. Prinya Kham ensured the run-rate hovered around five with an aggressive 55 that helped pushed the Dolphins to 2-210 after 41 overs. But a late collapse torpedoed hopes of a score of 290+ and Easts were bowled out for 259 with Sam Robson the last to go for 120.

UNSW looked in control of the run chase at 3-191 after 39 overs but a terrific spell of bowling from Tim Doyle turned the tide and the leg-spinner picked up three crucial wickets that slowed the momentum of the Bumblebees chase. Robson also caused problems for the batsman and finished with four wickets for himself.

The match still came down to the wire though with 9 runs needed off the final over. Ice man Brad Chilko bowled a tight last over though and ensured UNSW came up four runs short.

TAIL SAVE DOLPHINS

By Max Abbott

A 72-run last wicket partnership between Anthony Pratt and Rob Wilson has put the Easts Dolphins in with a strong chance of victory against Western Suburbs.

At 9-149 the picture was looking grim for the Dolphins but it was a swashbuckling innings from number 10 Pratt, who scored 66 not out that turned the tide for the Dolphins. His innings included eight fours and came off only 77 balls.

Earlier it had been a grind for Easts after they were sent in to bat under grey skies and a dicey pitch. As a gauge of just how tough things were Easts managed only 49 runs from the 31 overs before lunch but for the loss of only two wickets.

After lunch a collapse ensued with only a defiant 36 from opener Justin Waller and a classy 31 from Zac Zinman providing top-order resistance before the last wicket stand.

At stumps Easts had reached 221 and Wests in reply were 0-4 setting up a thrilling chase next Saturday.

In Second Grade 17 wickets fell on day one but it was Wests who emerged with first innings points.

After being sent in on a soft Waverley wicket, Steve Warner and Nick Leyden had appeared to have done the hard work getting Easts to 1-63 just before lunch but this was undone when a massive collapse saw Easts skittled for 100.

In reply Angus Palmer picked up three early wickets to have West on the back foot. Adam Ezekiel then joined the party as Wests crumbled to 6-60 before they were able to crawl past the Dolphins on the last ball of the day with three wickets in hand. Ezekiel finished with four scalps.

More reports to come ...

Scorecard

1st Grade: Easts 221 (A Pratt 66 J Waller 36 Z Zinman 31 R Wilson 20) v Wests 0-4

2nd Grade: Easts 100 (S Warner 32 N Leyden 27) v Wests 7-105 (A Ezekiel 4-32 A Palmer 3-19)

3rd Grade: 8-308 (P Rathore 98 L Kirk 70) v Wests

4th Grade: Easts 221 (D Williams 58) v Wests

5th Grade: Wests 6-215 (T Petrie 3-31 T Brown 3-58) v Easts

EASTS GO DOWN BY TWO

By Max Abbott

LUCK again wasn't on the side of the Easts Dolphins on Sunday as they went down to the Penrith Panthers in a last-ball thriller at Waverley Oval.

Easts needed an unlikely 11 runs from the last over with only two wickets in hand but some good hitting narrowed the equation to three needed from the final ball to win. Unfortunately the swinging willow of Rob Wilson couldn't get the ball into the outfield and he was run-out.

But the turning point of the encounter had come in the penultimate over when the established Ed Zelma, who had hit 30 off 27 balls was run-out at the non-strikers end after an Anthony Pratt drive flicked the hand of the bowler and cannoned into the stumps. It was a blow that proved costly and the two run loss has virtually ruled out Easts' prospects of playing in the Limited-Overs semi-finals.

Earlier on the Dolphins had put in a fine effort with the ball to restrict Penrith to 7-196 from their 50 overs . The Panthers at one stage were 0-63 after 11 overs but some tight bowling led by skipper Nick Berry restricted the visitors. Berry finished with the very impressive figures of 5-25 off ten overs.

The run-chase also appeared under control with Greg Clarence and Pete Nevill guiding Easts to 2-82 after 24 overs but a middle order collapse ensured a tight finish.

Scorecard

1st Grade One Day: Penrith 7-196 (N Berry 5-25) def Easts 8-194 (G Clarence 34 Z Zinman 31)

Tim Cutler's Third Grade Mail

Week one vs. the Hawks

Another bizarre game of cricket was witnessed when the undefeated threes took on the winless and evidently wingless Hawks from Hawkesbury. Week one got off to an indifferent start with Bollywood being over half an hour late for the warm up, apparently due an early morning filming commitment. This lateness was lost in the excitement though as the umpires discovered a potentially disastrous fact; that the leg stump hole was 5mm forward than it should be - outrageous! Philfy managed to injury his "Turkish Pide" during the soccer warm-up....of course instead of resting the injury that could potentially rob the team of a strike bowler, being Philfy; he soldiered on into the warm up. What a trooper. Captain Kirk (pictured )proved his tossing skills had only been temporarily out of order, winning and asking the extremely young looking Hawks team to rock'n'roll.

The innings started slowly, with the scorecard ticking along at 2 an over past the twenty over mark. On the bright side however, no wickets had fallen. The seamers were bowling fairly tight lines and the fielders' enthusiasm was making it hard work to score at a good rate. Maurice was the first wicket to fall, playing his now-signature dolly-scoop shot to Mid-on who took the simplest of catches. The wicket brought the Mexican newbie to the crease; Chris Weeks. Chris made the move north of the border with good mate and state contracted player Peter Neville. Weeksy is also a quality player and having made his debut for Easts, (as well as a return from an off-season shoulder reconstruction), last week in 4th grade, showed great class during a superb partnership with the skipper.

The change in the game came with the introduction of spin to the attack; the first 4 overs of the young leg spinner 'did' go for 7 an over, but he looked to have pretty good control and had a big appeal against the skipper turned down. Another ball struck the pad and the bowler again went up with all his might, at which time Weeksy understandably pointed out that you didn't have to appeal everytime the ball hit the pad. The young tweaker took offence to the comment from the wise one and retorted with an obviously well constructed, rational argument - this was met with another witty rejoinder from Weeks. The young man lost it in a spray of expletives again. And in great Zaheer Khan fashion in the final of the '03 world cup, it appeared that the bowler had out sledged himself - this kid's figures were eerily similar in that when he was given a spell, his 6 overs had gone for 58. Ouch.

From the other end, the Hawks skipper brought himself on with Chris Gale-esque 2 step off-spin, trying to speed the game up. Detecting the ploy, captain Kirk managed to frustrate the bowler by not only wanting to be watching when the bowler started his run up, but also when he let go of the ball….. The keeper chimed in to remind Kirk that you were not allowed to tap your bat when the bowler was ready - lucky we had him there to advise the rules. Thankfully at least one person not batting out there knew the rules, this was pleasingly the umpire, who called a dead ball when a delivery was released whilst Kirky's head was down adjusting his feet….quite a sight - many a giggle was had

Kirk and Weeks continued on with both players going past their half centuries in style……..but to be honest the batting was not the thing attracting the crowd as it was the fielders who managed to take themselves to a new position every ball…..and the captain not noticing that got the masses through the gates. This all came to a head when the Skipper noticed a key position missing in the captain's ring. Weeksy's gesticulating was not necessary as the Captain had noticed the gaffe….and the next ball was almost poetic, a full toss on leg stump…..L R Kirk leaned into it, bunting it down the ground…..as the ball ran along the Trumper turf, the skipper confidently raised his arm from mid-wicket (as he must've seen on tv) to alert the fielder of ball approaching….and the crowd erupted as one, there was no mid-on, no fielder…..four runs.

An hour later after the home side picked themselves off the ground, the runs continued to flow and Kirky saluted the crowd as he reached his century. Kirk Powell located the air horn from the Trumper canteen just in time to celebrate the captain's knock…. But loved the thing so much he decided to blow it 3 balls later just as the bowler was about to let the ball….well done Kirk - stick to photography!

Weeksy began bludgeoning the attack continually down the ground and eventually fell for an entertaining 80, caught at mid-on from a middled drive, bringing Bollywood out to the centre. For those who do not know Mr Pururaj Singh Rathore aka Bollywood you can see his fresh face here http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/india/content/player/33116.html (sans-diamond earrings) what a good looking bloke, no wonder he is DJ to the stars. The Huss has nothing on Bollywood, this guy IS Mr Cricket. His teammates have been astounded as he extends his record of most throw-downs in a training session, and his continued ability to manage to hit himself in, AND out of form, five times in one session.

Anyway, his wristy style is anticipated greatly by his teammates and he began with a VVS signature flick over the leg-side, was this going to be his day to shine? Unfortunately it didn't get off to the best start as he injured his recovering hamstring… the captain saw the injury and yelled to the sidelines for a runner. All the Easts boys motioned to Chris Maurice to put the pads back on….yes, he does run like a spider with 7 legs pulled off but surely he was the best option…..but no, "WEEKSY" was the cry from the middle. The beetroot faced Weeks put the pads on and belatedly headed back out to the middle. There was a slight drama when the umpires needed the runners' crease marking to be done 30 yards west of the pitch, and "Spider" Maurice struggled with the instructions from the umpire, ending up drawing a do-decahedron instead of a crease….

However this was only the beginning of the drama as Weeks lined up at square leg with Bollywood on strike. Bollly struck the ball and the single was run - easy enough…..tell me, who here doesn't how being a 'runner' works? Anyone? Well, I know that there is at least ONE of you out there….. Anyway, Weeksy was now at the bowler's end still 30 yards west. Surely all he had to do was walk to the bowler's end of the pitch now as Bollywood hobbled out to square leg…. Now, what was this, Weeksy is wandering towards the Batting end of the pitch…what the??? The bails are taken off by the bowler and the appeal goes up…as does the Umpire's finger…..Weeksy is out, no, well, BOLLY IS out!!! There is confusion - a conference between all three batsmen, two umpires and the opposing captain - does the appeal stand….yes it does…OUT! One PS Rathore storms off the ground, surely those throwdowns will get a spanking this week, and Weeksy shuffles after him, shaking his head…. As the boys get off there is somewhat of an altercation, again, confusion. Then it all comes out after Chris "Runner" Weeks explains it "I thought I was running for Kirky" - the boys are back on the ground again, holding their insides from splitting - if you thought you were running for Kirky, why were you at the opposite end…and running with him when the bloke who was limping around, hit the ball?!?!?! OMFG-LMFAO

To be absolutely honest with you the rest of the day is somewhat of a blur after these events, and that had nothing to do with the 25 vodka redbulls and 5 tequila slammers afterwards…. There was a four-run-overthrow when a shy at the stumps hit Poppavally Coen's bat…. I also remember Poppa playing a great innings for 70 odd not out, and the skipper fell for 131….. David "Hoover" Richards smashed some runs at the end and SP did the same - the good guys finished up at 5 for 358, a great effort - but the day belonged in the chronicles of Village Cricket.

After game saw a case bought and the door locked, for the boys to do some much needed bonding…families schmamalies, jobs schmobs…. It was a huge night out, with at least two of the boys (Maurice & Runner) continuing on at 2nd grader Mitch Power's abode until after sunrise.

Week two saw a softer Trumper pitch and another 3 minutes to Philfy's tally, bringing him under the half-hour mark…go you good thing - SP McGoldrick, get those odds up soon!! Shock me to tears Bollywood was late again - something about Miss Russia 2006 bugging him, wanting to get back together again….whatever huh. SP started the day in great form taking a hat-trick in the warm up soccer game.

Now, after scoring 358, the only bat that was taken out for Easts' warmup was to hit catches with and the time was spent either fielding or bowling - so you can understand the surprise of the boys, as they walked off the field to get the whites on, whether they were going to bat on????? This was only compounded when the Hawks' captain reiterated the enquiry…..Alas, Kirky had informed not only the umpires, but half the Hawks' team - perhaps a little breakdown in communication???

Anyway, the village theme continued as the first wicket fell to Hoover's first delivery with the opener leaving a straight one, only for it to take middle & off - Hoover's great spell was topped off with two more wickets, an LBW and a great catch at short cover from SP. Cuts came on and took advantage of the soft, turning Trumper wicket, to finally turn a ball - if only he could carry this deck around with him! The next four wickets were all his, Runner took a catch at 1st slip, Mitchell took a catch behind and completed a speedy stumping, and Cuts maximised those player of the year points with his fourth being a caught & bowled. He finished with 4/31 off his 13 - having his Michelle Pfeiffer, courtesy of a great bat-pad catch from the skipper, shaken away by the cigar smoking umpire.

Meanwhile, one spectator up on the hill had decided to get some of the Trumper skin onto her mammary glands, which is fair enough - nobody like liquorice all sorts…. Phil Winterton had the best view when retrieving a boundary - unfortunately the spectator's male companion must've heard of Philfy's "Sneaky Hand Hold" pick up technique and duly put up the beach towel to protect the puppies from prying eyes…..better luck next time Phil. The Hawks were 7/126 at the break.

The skipper brought Philfy on from Cuts' end after tea and this paid dividends as the man in disco pants set the floor alight taking the two mainstays in his first 3 overs. Leaving only the last wicket, Hoover 'cleaned' up, taking the number 11's castle down - finishing with identical figures to Cuts of 4/31. Hawks all shot down in 130s.

As the skipper enforced the follow-on to press for 10 points, attentions moved to arranging who was to go and pick up a case for the end of play - Having scored all day, nursing his pulled heartstring, letting sub Chappy do the work in the san, Bollywood was volunteered and the watch was checked when he left - how long would he take…… the TAB picked up all the funds with all bets going on the "OVERS" of 25 minutes, with the man getting back in 13 minutes….if only he was that good getting there when it counted!

The first three second innings wickets went to Kirk Powell who bowled with great wheels on an ever-deadening pitch. Then, without warning a swarm of bees descended from the heavens onto Trumper Park causing all 15 grown men out there to lie down, faces in the grass, quivering with fear until the buzzing subsided. It was just one of those things you will never see again - well you will see me do it every Sunday night when Chrislyn performs on Australian Idol…

As the match seemed to be petering out to a draw the skipper brought on Poppa who took the two batsmen's wickets in his first over, a skied catch to Mid-off and a 'close' stumping…. Could the boys pull off a miracle to take 5 wickets in the remaining 12 overs? It was not to be as the batsmen took attack as the best form of defence hitting Cuts & SP as they tried to give the ball more loop to bring a false shot. No further wickets fell and the match was called off, with one over to go, after the ball had been lost off a straight six.

Speaking of sixes, another one went to the tally of third grade who remain only 2 (bonus) points behind the leaders…..Look out Blick oval & Western Suburbs next week! See you there!

DOLPHINS DOMINATE HAWKS

THE Easts Dolphins secured the first innings points they had earnt on day one but were unable to force an outright result.

Easts resumed at 2-142 and blasted their way up to 231 in the morning session before the declaration from Nick Berry came. Greg Clarence continued his good form carrying on to 107* with Nathan Catalano also providing good support with 54.

However in the second innings Easts were unable to make much headway and the match was called off with Hawkesbury cruising to 1-122.

In Second Grade Easts declared in front over night but despite having an opportunity to set a target Hawkesbury decided to continue batting until tea and the match petered out into a farcical finish at tea with everyone getting a bowl including wicket-keeper Ben Carey. The Hawks for the record made 5-308.

Third Grade continued their perfect start to the season with a comprehensive victory. Defending a mammoth 358, the Dolphins knocked the Hawks over for 127 with Tim Cutler and Dave Richards the chief destroyers with four wickets each. Easts had a go at Hawkesbury a second time but could only manage the five wickets. Kirk Powell chimed in with three second innings wickets.

Fourth Grade were the only side to miss out after failing to defend 223. The match was evenly balanced at 5-150 but a strong sixth wicket partnership from the Hawks kept Easts at bay.

A nine wicket match haul from Tim Brown led fifth grade to and impressive victory over Hawkesbury. After picking up four wickets in the first innings Brown backed it up with a five wicket bag in the second to signal his comeback to cricket is well on track. Mark Hughes starred with the bat in Easts' total of 2dec-161making 89*. Despite dismissing the Hawks for 238 in their second innings their was no time for Easts to begin their chase.

SCOREBOARD

1st Grade: Easts 3dec-231(G Clarence 107* N Catalano 54) def Hawks 131 & 1-122

2nd Grade: Easts 3dec-142 def Hawks 131 & 5-308

3rd Grade: Easts 4-358 def Hawks 127 (D Richards 4-31 T Cutler 4-31) & 5-138 (K Powell 3-19)

4th Grade: Hawks 5-224 (M Sutherland 3-49) def Easts 223

5th Grade: Easts 2dec-161 (M Hughes 89*) def Hawks 142 & 238 (T Brown 5-59)

MIXED RESULTS FOR DOLPHINS

By Max Abbott

THE Easts Dolphins took first innings points at the halfway stage of their two-day match, in a dominant display against Hawkesbury. But lost to Blacktown controversially in a one-day game on Sunday.

On Saturday, after losing the toss and being asked to field first, Easts wasted no time in putting the visitors to the test with each of the four seamers picking up early wickets to put Hawkesbury on the back foot at 4-26. By lunch the Hawks had scrambled to 5-61.

After the interval, the Dolphins continued to pick up regular wickets and Hawkesbury's innings was ended midway through the second session with their score on 131. The wickets were shared around with Anthony Pratt and Adam Ritchard taking the honours with three wickets each.

After losing Sam Robson early in the run chase, Greg Clarence and Justin Waller guided the Dolphins into safe waters before the latter was stumped for 33 trying to increase the run-rate. This didnt halt Clarence though, who finished with an impressive unbeaten 79 and with the assistnace of Nathan Catalano saw the Dolphins pass Hawkesbury's total by stumps. For the record Easts finished the day 2-142, eleven runs in front.

The loss on Sunday was a trifle unfortunate, as the dreaded Duckworth-Lewis
system awarded the match to the Blacktown Warriors with the match fairly evenly
placed.

Easts batted first and got off to a flying start with openers Justin Waller and
Sam Robson putting on 101 in 22 overs for the first wicket, before the latter
fell for 45.

After being tied down, Easts finished the innings strongly with Clarence backing
up his good form from Saturday with 75 and captain Nick Berry smoking 83 off 55
balls. The pair put on 144 in 17 overs to boost Easts' total to 3-278 after 50
overs.

Blacktown in reply had steadily climbed to 3-178 after 32 overs before rain
halted play and the match was abandoned only to see the Warriors awarded the match.

In Second Grade last year's minor premiers finally got their season into gear with a well-polished display.

Easts lost the toss but soon had no regrets when Hawkesbury fell to 3-27. After a brief fightback from the Hawks, Brad Chilko took two wickets in two balls to help Easts remain on top at lunch with Hawksebury 6-70.

After the break it was a slower grind for the Dolphins as the pitch flattened out but when Mitch Power cleaned up the last two wickets, Easts were well pleased to have the hosts out for 132. Chilko and Abbott finished with three wickets each.

In reply another confident knock from skipper Luke Bower guided Easts past the total at stumps for the loss of only three wickets.

There will no doubt be more said by Tim Cutler but in the mean time Third Grade are well placed to record their fourth straight win after amassing 4-358 at Trumper. Captain Lee Kirk finally cracked his hundred hoodoo and led the way with a 131.

In Fourth Grade a 50 run last wicket partnership between Kirk Rimmer and Jacob Taucher allowed Easts to post a defendable score of 229. Earlier on Prinya Kham played a lone hand in the top order with a classy 75.

While in Fifth Grade, Easts rolled Hawkesbury for 142 and in reply are 2-129 with Mark Hughes unbeaten on 67.


Scoreboard after Day One

1st Grade: Hawkesbury 131 (A Pratt 3-34 A Ritchard 3-39) v Easts 2-142 (G Clarence 79*)

2nd Grade: Hawkesbury 132 (M Abbott 3-27 B Chilko 3-27) v Easts 3-142 (L Bower 65*)

3rd Grade: Easts 4-358 (L Kirk 131 C Weekes 80 C Coen 75*)

4th Grade: Easts 229 (P Kham 75) v Hawkesbury 0-23

5th Grade: Hawkesbury 142 v Easts 2-129 (M Hughes 67*)

WARNER BLASTS RECORD CENTURY

By Max Abbott

A record breaking century from 21-year-old David Warner has catapulted the Easts Dolphins to their first win of the season over cross-town rivals Campbelltown-Camden.

Warner, who was fresh off a strong performance for New South Wales in a Ford Ranger Cup match against Western Australia last Wednesday, blasted an unbeaten 174 off 169 balls for the Dolphins - a record for the First Grade side in a one-day match.

Even Warner himself couldn't hide the surprise at achieving such a score in a First Grade one-day match.

"Basically I don't know what happened I just went out there and was seeing the ball like a house from ball one," Warner said.

It's not the first time Warner has achieved this type of record. Three seasons ago the then 18-year-old smoked an incredible 200 in an under-21 one-day game against Mosman and signaled his freakish ability to score quickly.

But more importantly for the Dolphins, Warner's innings, which included 16 fours and two sixes provided the base for an imposing total of 4-271 after 50 overs. Easts then backed up the strong batting performance with a polished display in the field and knocked Campbelltown over for 155, with off-spinner Rob Wilson the chief destroyer taking 3-29.

The victory was a crucial one for the Dolphins after a disappointing opening two rounds but after the bonus point win, Easts will now be looking to make it two in a row when they host Hawkesbury in a two-day match next Saturday at Waverley Oval. For Warner there is even less rest, as he lines up for the NSW 2ndXI against South Australia at Hurstville Oval during the week.

Meanwhile Second Grade's disappointing start to the season continued with a six-wicket loss at Waverley Oval. Easts were looking comfortable at 3-134 after 28 overs but a collapse sparked significantly by poor batting reduced the hosts to a below par score of 213. Zac Zinman was the best of the batsman and looked in supreme touch as he thumped 68 off 67 balls.

In the field despite a couple of early wickets Easts were always one step behind Campbelltown and the visitors passed the total comfortably with five overs to spare. Last year's minor premiers are now languishing at the bottom of the table without a point on the ladder.

SHROOM SHIELD POINTS

3-Zinman (6)

2-Bower

1-Abbott (self-appointed point, refer to scorecard below)

Three's make it three in a row

By Tim Cutler

Third grade continued their unbeaten start to the season with a bonus point victory over the Ghosts at Raby 2 on a day where all four seasons showed their face.

Skipper Leapin' Leeroy Kirk won the toss on ground that yielded 640 runs in 95 overs in round one's third grade one dayer, with the Ghosts chasing down 319. Knowing this, he was all too aware that this was not a day for wayward bowling, and that the team that bowled the best lines would triumph. He asked the Ghosts to field first, as he and Chris Maurice, one of Easts' overseas players, strapped the mums n dads on. Hailing from Gravesend where Glen Giddings, Tim Cutler and Tom Groth have all played as the overseas player in the Kent League, Chris was coming off his maiden century down under the week before.

Despite only 4 being scored off the first 24 balls, Kirk & Maurice picked up the rate to four an over until Maurice fell in the thirties after playing some crisply timed drives through the off side. This sparked a mini collapse, with new recruit Pruru "Bollywood" Rathore, and Nick Leydon both falling without troubling the scorers. Some would say this was unlucky, others would say it was "Philfy" Phil Winterton's fault, whose inane rambling throughout the first innings could no doubt have been heard by those at the crease, driving them to madness. Not only this but Phil also racked up another five to his 'minutes late' tally this week...getting him ever closer to the hour mark, which will then result in those majestic locks of his to be shaven, but more on this to come in the weeks ahead.

The third wicket brought another newbie to the crease, Chris "Poppavallymandropoff" Coen (or Poppa for short), who had been more than happy recollecting his intimate encounter from the night before with his 3rd grade comrades, as well as the status of his Bali belly, which could have brought the evening's proceedings to an unpleasant premature end - and no, not the kind of end that you can buy a nasal delivery spray for....unfortunately this was to plague the great man throughout the day, running to the stalls before he got the runs because the runs in the middle during his innings were not necessarily the runs he was trying to get! By the time his run come to an end in his partnership with Kirk, the ship had been steadied, albeit on a pitch with some suspicious looking brown stains on a length.

Kirk eventually fell for a well compiled 77, setting the team up to allow the mid-low order to move the score along, with father-to-be David "Hoover*" Richards and Ben "I love to score cos I like to watch" Carey, taking advantage of the wayward bowling to their left hand/right hand combination, playing shots all around the field to get the scoring rate up over 5 runs an over. Kirk Powell interrupted one of his "Me and Courtney Walsh did this...." stories to play some of his usual strong drives before he fell bringing Sean Paul "SP" McGoldrick to the crease to join Hoover.

When Hoover fell to a catch in the deep Cuts came to the crease with the best intentions - this was nipped in the bud as before he faced a ball, when SP squeezed a shot straight to the Ghosts' captain at short mid-wicket and decided to set off for a 'short' single. This of course was all done without the knowledge of Cuts who didn't hear the call, only to look up and see SP standing in front of him at the non-strikers' end. Cuts thought it best to commence running...as hard as this is for him anyway to run the 20 yards in under a minute, it didn't matter, as the bail were off in a flash and a dejected Cuts slumped off the field for a career first diamond duck.

Philfy strode in at legs eleven and played a cracking square drive that any batsman would be proud of. He and SP moved the score along until, shock me, another mix up, and this time it SP who was the one runout. Easts finished up on 269 - a great effort, but would it be enough on this lightning fast out field?

Kirk Powell and Hoover Richards opened up with the latter having each opener dropped behind the wicket, one by 'keeper Carey, the other by a literally flying Bollywood, who actual snaffled the catch diving to his right with his outstretched hand, parallel to the ground, only to have the ball jolted loose as his 45kg frame struck the Raby turf.

Hoover finally got one back, having the catch this time taken at Sandra Sully by the safe hand of Maurice. The double bowling change followed with Cuts and Philfy coming on to replace the openers. Both bowlers took a wicket within their first few overs, Philfy an LBW and Cuts a catch by SP at 45 off a top edged sweep.

Continuing through his ten unchanged Cuts picked up another to finish with 2/40, his second being a catch hit straight to that man Maurice at mid-off, and was unlucky with a sharp caught behind catch hitting the turf, before Phifly picked the same batsman up for the other end not long after.

Reeling at 5 down for under a hundred, the Ghosts staged a mini fightback with their lower order, as the surviving opener teamed up with the number 7 to put on 50-odd, before he fell to a shorter ball from SP, pulling in the air to the sweeper on the boundary; Philfy, who took a good catch coming forward.

As the storm clouds loomed, the skipper brought his trumps cards back in Hoover & Powell, with the latter picking up the number 8 and 9. The Ghosts however continued scoring runs to get the required rate down to around 7 an over, with 100 required off the last 15 overs. As the rain began to fall lightly the mainstay skied an attempted drive towards the mid-off/cover region, where surely PlayDoh only had to trot in a few yards to swallow a sure-fire match winner, but he was unmoved calling the ball for Kirk, who was also unmoved as he though the ball was going to land on PlayDoh's head - and although there is evidently alot of spare space in the captioned cranium this wasn't the time to explore it. The ball ended up falling between them and a frustrated Hoover had another two runs scored against him.

The lightning and rain came in swiftly and the umpires suspended play after 38.1 overs, with the score at 8/199. There were conflicting reports that Mr Duckworth & Sir Lewis would have to be flown in, until it was confirmed that they would not be required, as average run-rate would determine the winner (to the good guys' disgust). This meant that the Ghosts were only 9 runs short at the time, meaning that there should any overs be deducted, and therefore runs from the total - the Ghosts would have an unlikely victory in sight.

When the weather passed and the covers were eventually removed, the umpires revised the required scored to 246 off 45 overs, or meaning the Ghosts needed 48 off 41 with two wickets in hand. The other issue being that after his over was completed, he was finished and Powell only had one over remaining, due to their maximums being reduced to 9.

A brave move by skipper Kirk in the second over after the resumption saw Bollywood going to a second slip, where he took the catch comfortably off the number 10 off Powell's bowling, who finished with 3/36 off his 9 overs. The number 11 came out and despite some tight bowling, worked the ball around to get the number 7 back on strike who was playing some solid strokes. SP came on at Hoover's end and understandably struggled with the wet pill and was driven for four off his first ball... he continued though, hoping to get a ball to slip off the deck for an LBW or bowled.

This was not be however, when a full toss was pulled in the air out to the boundary where a galloping Philfy ran around the boundary line, intercepting a certain Dorothy Dix, taking the match winner to the glee and cheers of the Easty boys and the Jeers of a large portion of the Campbelltown crowd and dismissed batsmen, who accused Philfy of stepping on the chalk after taking the catch. Hoover reassured the men that he saw it clearly and there was no chalk dust, so the catch was claimed and the game was over. Obviously this wasn't good enough for the Ghosts' captain who declined to shake the hands of the boys on the way off, setting a great example for the young guys in his side. He later recanted and came to the rooms to apologise, being met with a somewhat mixed reaction (The writer recalls that not alot has changed in the south west as in his last season for the club in 05/06, in a second grade game on Raby 1, Easts were also heckled by the crowd after taking a match winning wicket, this time an LBW.....)

In the end a much deserved seven points with the boys only behind the front runners who have picked up 2 extra BPs.

Next week a capacity crowd of 85,000+ is expected under the newly completed retractable-roofed Sandman Stadium, formally known as Trumper Park - let's hope the $250 million investment was well worth it and another win is notched up to the good guys!

*Hoover aka Richo = One of the best known and most comically recollected sights since his emergence at the club over 5 seasons ago is the Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde like transformation of David Richards after about 8 schooners where he surely does turn into something not of this world, a world where all talking must be completed at no more that 10 cm from one's face, where one's glass must be curled toward one's chest, a world where the only drinks available at the bar are rounds of Suthos and where all conversation is sucked from the great man's vicinity, creating a conversation vacuum....cometh the man; Hoover. Look out for the appearance of this phenomenon in the YouTube corner during the season.

Out,
Cuts.

Scoreboard
1st Grade: Easts 4-271 (D Warner 174* N Catalano 37) def Campbelltown 155 (R Wilson 3-29)
2nd Grade: Campbelltown 4-215 (M Abbott 2-30) def Easts 213 (Z Zinman 68 L Bower 32)
3rd Grade: Easts 268 (L Kirk 77) def Campbelltown 211 (K Powell 3-36 T Cutler 2-40)
4th Grade: Campbelltown 3-135 def Easts 134 (C Weekes 46)
5th Grade: Campbelltown 240 (J Theveris 2-36) def Easts 238 (A Gay 40)

TIGERS TOO STRONG FOR DOLPHINS

By Max Abbott

EASTS slow start to the season continued over the long weekend, with a disappointing six-wicket loss to the Sydney Tigers in round two of the Sydney Grade cricket competition.

After skipper Nick Berry lost the toss Easts were sent in to bat and the Dolphins got off to a disastrous start, crumbling to 3-8 after just five overs.

Peter Nevill and Sam Robson looked to be rescuing the ship before they too were knocked over and the Dolphins were in tatters with the score 5-34.

Play was then interrupted for two hours due to rain but on resumption Berry joined Nathan Catalano in a steady partnership before the latter was dismissed an hour out from stumps.

Adam Ritchard then hung it out with Berry to leave Easts still with a chance of posting a competitive total with score at 6-104 at the close of play.

On day two Easts were dealt a blow when Berry was dismissed for 52 early in the morning and despite some resistance from the tail, the Dolphins could only manage a first innings score of 145.

However Easts came out firing in the field and put themselves right in the contest after Anthony Pratt knocked over both openers and 18-year-old Tim Armstrong snared his maided First Grade wicket to leave Sydney battling at 3-30.

But Sydney captain and former first-class player Jon Moss turned the tide for his team and Easts were only able to pick up one more wicket before the Tigers passed their total, leaving the Dolphins winless after two rounds.

Scoreboard:
1st Grade: Sydney 4-148 (A Pratt 2-30) def Easts 145 (N Berry 52)
2nd Grade: Sydney 9-140 def Easts 9dec-139 (N Leydon 51)
3rd Grade: Easts 8dec-265 (C Maurice 118) def Sydney 177 (S McGoldrick 4-29 D Richards 3-37)
4th Grade: No play due to rain
5th Grade: Easts 5dec-221 (N Loveday 81) drew with Sydney 5-177

TWO'S GO DOWN IN THE DARK

In a surely never to be repeated chain of events, the Loves went down to remain on nil points after two rounds.

An eventful warm-up resulted with Paul O'Halloran putting in a solid performance for the "Golden Dummy" (Spit) of the year award with his effort in response to a slips' drill. This will take some beating as the last time anything better was witnessed was when the photo confirmed Justin Dery's quicker ball was beaten to the batsman by the man himself in his follow-through. Well done Paul, you've got yourself a new nickname for this year.

With the only play on day one being a fiercely fought City v Country touch game seeing Lance knock out Cuts with a Jason Stevens' high knee special, both teams returned on Monday an hour early (or an hour late if your name's Zac Zinman) only to find:

*The covers off with half the wicket saturated
*Elegantly inscribed words "POO & WEE" short of a length at the southern end
*A broken gate and missing trees
*Six bats belonging to the Tigers (who being a trustworthy lot left their kits there over the weekend), stolen from their change rooms.

With the council employees spending more time replacing shrubberies rather than tending the wicket, play looked unlikely. Despite this though, the captains were willing to wait until 1230 to reassess the situation. Luckily, during that time there was no further rain, and after a go with the heavy roller, it was agreed with 74 overs remaining, the team batting first would look to declare around the halfway mark. Unfortunately Luke lost the toss and the Loves were the lucky ones to have the first chance to be struck in the jaw from a length ball.

The crowd was not disappointed with Playdoh being struck in the grill early, whilst compiling a watchful opening partnership with Smithy of 57.

The first 3 wickets fell for 1 run with Forster being the first to go for 22. The swinging gate saw both Oompa and ZZ go for ducks. With Playdoh running ZZ out in bizarre circumstances almost identical to those seen when Lance Kluesner forgot how to run in the final play of the 2003 World Cup Semi Final v Australia. This brought the skipper to the crease at 3/53 with one ball remaining in the 26th over. A nervous Loves watched on, knowing with maybe 12-15 overs left, the scoring rate needed to lift to put a competitive total on the board.

And lift it they did with the team's remaining 81 runs coming off 79 balls. The tone was set when the skipper played an enterprising cross bat line drive slightly to the onside of the bowler, striking the fence on the full for the inning's first Dorothy Dix. Playdoh fell just after notching his half century. In the overs that followed, the Skipper succumbed for 16 off 17 ball including his Dorothy and a Roger Moore. Ezekiel (3 off 6), Chilcoe (6 off 3 including a pull for six) & "JD" O'Halloran (10 off 12 incl 1x4) all fell unselfishly trying to push the score along with Sandboy (1 off 2) being the Loves' ninth wicket to fall when he was Donald Trumped off the first ball of the 38th over with score at 121. A late flourish from Cuts including a Roger and a Dorothy both over mid on (shock me) left him not out for 16 off 11 with the other not out batsman being Gus "Salmon" Palmer 4 off 5 when skipper Bower waved the boys in after 39 overs.

The equation was 140 required off a maximum 35 overs for the "We only have five bats" Tigers.

The Love's started off with a bang with the first three wickets falling for 16 with Sandbox snaring two corkers, one an LBW and the other, perhaps the highlight of his life was the much practised in-swinger that went away late from the left hander taking the top of off-stump. The celebrations that followed were soon overshadowed by the response to Sergeant Brad Chilko who pulled off a Ponting-esque runout from midwicket to take the opener who had amassed 6 runs off the 30 balls he faced. What must be mentioned in the middle of the drama, was the dropped catch by "Buckets" Ezekiel at 2nd Slip. Let's hope the Skipper take the tip...well, that was what Oompa was saying all of 3 seconds after the catch went down.

The next two formed a solid partnership to take the score along to 75 until a change in pace from the skipper in bringing on Ezekiel saw the number 5 drive one straight back at him for a sharp catch, taken this time, for the 4th wicket. Cuts came on from the south end and when one finally landed on the pitch, ZZ took a sharp catch behind to say goodbye to the Tiger's fifth. This brought the skipper to the crease who obviously hadn't been watching the game, as he pulled a ball out to the square leg boundary only to call for a second run, on the arm of none other than Sergeant Chilko....this was evidenced to be a poor call as he was run out by the great man again with a throw next to t