The night the Sav's turned on a show!

By Peter Roebuck


"Brilliant and Surgeon" like is how commentators described the Sav's demolition of the table leaders, The Newtown Mongrels last night at the FDICC.

A massive crowd turned out to watch the greatly anticipated match between the leaders and fourth place. There was a sense in the air that it would be a great arm wrestle between the two sides as they played for points, but also to stamp their names as title contenders for this years comp.

The Sav's turned up focused and determined to win after last weeks dismal effort and it was also the first time Slick was going to lead the team onto the hollowed turf of the FDICC.

The night didn't start to well with the Slick losing the toss and then told to "place your gloves on mate your going to bat"!

Skipper Slick ask Sneaky and Bozo aka Greg Elliott to lead the team in the first skin. The Sav's jaws were on the floor when they look at the opposition to see a bunch of scrappy and slobby dressed bunch of players who looked like they were playing in 8th grade. After the first over the new pairing started to gel together and placed a solid 15 on the board. The bowling was described as pathetic as most bowls hit the top of the net or off the wicket completely. "My Hot mum could bowl better then this" star player Reebs said to the press during the paring. Sneaky and bozo continued to bat well and reached 37 before losing a couple of wickets and ended up with 18 on the board at the end of the skin.

Ocky and Tucan got a G up from the skipper as they walked to the net and they we determined to help the Sav's to a solid total. Smacking the ball to all the nets and taking quick singles the runs started to flow easily. After the 2nd over they were on 27 runs and looking full of confidence. The crowd by now were getting into the game and these boys were putting on a show. At the end of the skin they had placed a solid total of 42 and the Sav's were sailing down wind on 60 runs with 2 pairs to go.

Shammi aka Shami and Kel then went in knowing that they had to build on the good foundation that had been given to them. Kel was playing the big shots was Shammi was wiping the bowling attach up by playing some elegant and graceful shots into the net. The spirit in the team was building with every ball. They finished with the total of 32 and with 92 on the board the Sav's were looking comfortable.

Reebs and skipper slick walked to the crease and were ready to really show these boys how to bat. Reebs was on fire smacking the ball into the net and playing some graceful shoots. Slick look the most comfortable in the middle all session and didn't want to let the team down. With the final bowl bowled Reebs and slick had put on a solid 43 runs and the Sav's finished with 131 on the board.

Slick pulled the team into the middle before the first ball and asked the team for 110% commitment. Kel opened the bowling with Ocky and they kept things tight with a solid performance. Knowing they needed a good start Newtown put there best batters in and they looked set for a nice total. Kel and Ocky bowled the first 4 overs and they ended up with 33 on the board.

In the huddle the team felt confident they could hold them down and that they did. Tucan and Sneaky bowled with pace and swing. This is when the Sav's showed why they are the best fielding team in the comp, stumps were thrown down, catches taken and Shammi was on fire at the back of the stumps. He was taking everything and collected a couple of stumpings on the way!! Selectors are keeping an eye on this young kid and he'll be a massive asset in the finals!! The 2nd pairing ended up with in the negative figures with a massive -11 and the Sav's winning the skin.

After a great evening with bat and gloves Shammi wanted to clean the batsmen up with the ball, his spinners were hitting the mark and he took a couple of great C&B's during his 2 overs. Reebs supported him well and they kept the Newtown boys on 5 for the skin and they were sitting on 27 at the end of the third skin.

Knowing the game was their's slick pulled the team and asked them to be "Ruthless" in the last four overs and not be complacent , they had them by the neck and he wanted them to choke them to death!!! The brother pairing of slick and bozo were left to finish the innings off and Bozo was scaring the batters with his pace and accuracy. Aiming to win the game by 100 runs slick urged his team on but it wasn't meant to be, with the batters scoring a massive 9 runs and finishing on 34.

The Sav's now have proven they are title contenders and will be looking to chase the top spot next week. Man of the match Shammi said post match "It was a team effort that got us there and we knew we had the better team on the day!!".

Unfortunately the night ended on a sour note as Bozo called his brother late that night saying he left his bat at the ground. Calling the FDICC and speaking with the ground operator, the bat was stolen ($500 bat). Police are looking into the matter and I am disgusted that some Wayne Kerr would do such a thing. Bozo is shatted at the moment and hopefully his bat can be recovered.