Outcasts Succumb to the Traders Once More

OUTCASTS v RAMMY TRADERS

WINTON CRICKET CLUB

TUESDAY 14TH AUGUST 2018

Rammy Traders 142-8 off 20 overs

Outcasts 100-2 off 20 overs

Traders Won By 42 runs

Outcasts entertained Rammy Traders for the second time this season at Winton on the 14th August in what could well have been their last game of the year. The weather was overcast with a slight threat of rain but the forecast wasn't too bad and the game started on time with both teams expecting to see it through to completion. The ground, as usual, looked in immaculate condition, with Mike having done his usual excellent job by way of pitch preparation.

Traders batted first on a track that had more colour to it than for several weeks, with recent rains giving life to a previously bare patch. Openers Morris and Marcroft made steady headway against Outcasts' front line attack, and were 38-0 after the first 6 overs. James Donnelly then accounted for both of them, giving Outcasts a foothold in the match. Derek Molyneux was the next to take over the bowling honours, dismissing three Traders' batsmen, two courtesy of Andy's stumpings. Indeed, the gloveman contributed to four dismissals behind the sticks - 3 stumped and one caught! Heyes and Hodgson got the Traders back on track with some lusty blows, and despite a couple of wickets for Kyran in the final over, the visitors' total of 142-8 off their twenty overs was going to set Outcasts a stern test. Derek, with 3 wickets, and James and Kyran with 2 apiece, were the pick of Outcasts' attack.

Jeff Stanton and James Donnelly began Outcasts' reply, knowing that they would need to be going at seven runs an over just to keep up with the asking rate. Neither looked particularly troubled by the Traders' opening attack, but they were finding it difficult to match the required rate in the face of bowling that, while not especially threatening, nevertheless was tight and on a good line and length. Although the pitch looked a green top, the ball wasn't coming on to the bat as quickly as might have been expected, leaving both batsmen frustrated at times. The pair had taken their partnership to 63 before James was finally dismissed off the final ball of Sullivan's first over for a very creditable 24. Jeff was out shortly after for an impressive 39 runs that included five boundaries.

The openers had given the hosts a steady start, but a rapid acceleration to the scoring rate would be needed if Outcasts were to match the Traders' total. Ted and Paul Mooney took up the reins and did their best to push the score along. But the task was too great in the face of some persistently accurate bowling and Outcasts finished on exactly 100 for the loss of just the two wickets. All of the Traders' bowlers returned economical figures, with Heyes's 6-1 off three overs being particularly noteworthy.

After the match the teams retired to the club house to enjoy beer and pizzas, and Derek and Colin announced that they were calling it a day and retiring. Derek's contributions with both bat and ball will be sorely missed.

MOTM. Joint winners: Derek for his 3 wickets and a smart run-out. Andy for his fine captaincy in Chris's absence, 3 stumpings and one catch. Is this an Outcasts' keepers' record?

cw

16 August 2018