The Spotswood 4th XI started their season down the road against Williamstown on a good track and quick outfield. We lost the toss and were asked to have a bowl. Our team looked a lot different from previous years, as can happen in the lower sides, so it was myself and Dizzy to open the bowling with a bit of experience. I thought we did ok considering how short and quick the boundary is on the clubroom side with the fielding restrictions, when we had finished our opening spells , other than a few boundaries we were happy to have them 2/35 after 10 overs with us picking up a wicket each. Jesse and Sassi were given the ball and they started of well, Jesse getting a wicket after I grassed what I should have taken, to then get it an opportunity to redeem myself next ball. They were 3/43.
Unfortunately though, the last season issues started to arise again. We became inconsistent in our bowling and fielding, with easy catches going down and erratic bowling, they quickly got away from us to be 4/106 at drinks. The ball was thrown to Rich and our new player Harry, who then worked together to dragged Williamstown back , with them both taking a wicket to have them now 5/144 after 30 overs. Both of them continued on and bowled out their 8 overs, with Rich (1/22) tying up an end and being involved in a run out with Johnny and Harry (2/37) taking another wicket. Jesse came on for a couple of overs again and kept it tight, then Dizzy (1/29) and myself (3/33), finished off at the end. With some swinging for the rafters by Williamstown they got to 9/190. A score that was made by the fact we practically gave them 30 runs and 30 extra balls through extras – something we need to work, but being first game back, can be expected.
I still thought 190 was very chasable on that ground.
It was time for us to bat and Varish and Rohit opened up for us. We lost Rohit early to an absolute classic catch and Johnny came in. We then lost Varish quickly through a run out and at 2/11 after 3 overs, it wasn’t the start we wanted. A mini revival by Vinny and Johnny got us to 38 before an “LBW decision” was given against Vinny which brought Harry to the crease. They got to 57 before another run out as Harry was stranded out of his ground. Rich came in and at 4/68 at drinks, I wasn’t too concerned as runs can be scored easily at the ground, but we need to keep wickets in hand to do so. Rich and Johnny got the runs moving and with some lusty blows from Rich, we got back on track as they put on a 50 run partnership to have us in a good position . It was then that the same pattern as last year came back, Rich was bowled for a entertaining 23 and Johnny caught for a good 38 in the same over to have us 6/113 after 25. Enough time to make the runs but getting short on wickets even with some experience to come in. Sassi, Mic Mc and Jesse came and went to leave Dizzy and I out there with 6 overs and 50 odd runs to get. We tried and with some good hits from Dizzy (22not out) we got the run rate down to a run-a-ball with 3 overs to go when I got a howler of an LBW and that was game. We finished 17 runs short all out for 173.
We probably didn’t deserve to win but I feel they didn’t win it themselves, it was more about what we gave them. To still be in the game as deep as we got, it was frustrating as we made it harder for ourselves with ball and bat.
Yet being first game, there is potential to work on as we need to get our season going and gel as a team.
We have a 2 day game now against Strathmore at home

Go Spotty
Chris Beckett
Captain Spotswood 4XI