The Stingers have won the 2009 Under 15 Winter Premiership.
After a one run loss last year we turned the tables to win by 19 runs against FIVE DOLLAR BILLS. (The Bills beat us three out of four times this season.)
Led superbly by Huw Stone and "master tactician" Daniel Carragher we were able to pressurise the Five Dollar Bills into making mistakes. After their second pair they were 85 in quest of 112 – but superb fielding and bowling held their last two pairs to a total of 5! It was clever fielding tactics (with Daniel at silly point – in the batters eyeline) and two catches from Huw – in three balls which kept the pressure on our opponents at key points in the game.
We batted first with the unusual opening pair of Daniel and Brandi (Cara and Donna had opened most of the season.) against their quickest bowler. We made 14- with an unlucky run out on the last ball (which would have seen us at 24.)
Second pair Cara and Donna made had their usual reliable partnership – this time 28 – with only two dismissals (one from a rather lucky stumping.) We were 42 at the half way mark with two of the Bills front line bowlers out of the attack.
Tahlia and Courtney made 32 (with neither player being dismissed) with cool sensible batting - - no fives or sevens – but 10 wides bowled to them out of 24 balls.
Huw and Rachael put on an innings high 37 with one dismissal and eight balls in the last over (as wides and no balls being re- bowled.) Once again there were no fives or sevens it was just good cricket – with great running and anticipation.
The Bills got away to a great start with 35 from the first pair – with wickets to Huw (second over) and Tahlia (third over.)
Their second pair made a game high 51 – with only one wicket falling to Rachael in the last over. Mid innings they were 85. (needing 29)
But wicket to Huw (first over) and Daniel (second over) saw them at the same score after 12 balls. A diving catch to Hugh – close in at short mid on – and consecutive wicket to Brandi (stumping and a juggled catch from Courtney, the net and Donna) saw the third pair manage 3.
They were 89 – needing 24 off 24 (or more) balls to go.
A run out to Daniel and a wicket to Cara in the first over meant The Bills needed 29 off 18. Brandi's first two balls went for 4 and 2 which meant they were 91 (23 off 15). But as they "went for it" Huw took two catches as sweeper to see them needing 29 off the last 12. Donna's over went for 8 as they snuck every run they could with sensible batting and stealing singles.
At the start of the last over they were 96 needing 15 with a minimum of six balls remaining.
Tahlia had a no-ball when she commenced the over before the umpire's call to have them needing 13 off six. They scored at single off the first two to need 11 off four, a dot ball third ball meant 10 off three. Tahlia produced her trademark YORKER!!!! to shatter the stumps to put the game out of their reach (16 off two) and a run out off the second last ball gave us victory (21 off one). The last over produced only two runs to see the Bills out for 93.
NOTES ON THE GAME
Ø The Bills bowled 24 wides and two no ball.
Ø We bowled six wides and four no balls.
Ø Huw Stone took three catches, a wicket and made 23 runs to be player of the match.
Ø Tahlia McGrath took 2/13 off 12 balls and made 11 runs without being dismissed.
Well done to all – especially the parents who have supported and transported their "chargers" this season. (Esspecially Sharon Rattray who watched the final even through Kylie is in Victoria on a camp!)
Spare a thought for Kylie who is wending her way through the Grampions for the next 10 days and Lauren Goldsmith who missed out on the GF as there was just not enough spots!
To go back almost 18 months (May 2008) we put a side in this competition and we were soundly beaten in our first four outings. The inclusion of Daniel Carragher, Nathan Ralph (2008) and Huw Stone this year have been really important in the learning of the game for all concerned. Last year we made the GF with a one run win in the semi and a one run loss in the GF. This year with the backbone of last year's team (Brandi, Donna, Rachael, Kylie, Courtney and Daniel) we added Tahlia, Cara, Lauren and Huw). This year we had eight players IN EVERY GAME ( with William Greenshields filling in for one game.
