Oh So Close

Last night saw the Sav's play their last grading game before the true season starts next week.

Having only 7 players again, the Sav's knew they were up for a challenge against the 3rd Grade team packed with a team that would make the cheat Shoab proud.

New member to the team Cambo, mentioned to the boys prior to the game that these boys were so far up them seleves that is they had a beard they would be tickling their throats....

Knowing the team needed a good performace in this game, the night got off to a good start with Slick winning the toss and electing to have a bat.

Reebs and Macca (Alex) had the first skin and Reebs managed to score 12 runs off the first over without evening hitting the ball. The opposition were starting to get very frustrated with each other and Reebs continued to laugh at them. Things were going well with Macca and reebs compling a solid total of 42 for the first skin.

The second skin was the worst skin of the night, NSW Rep Cambo and under pressure Slick came out and wanted to build on a solid start. Unfortunately things went horribly wrong and they were -17 after the first over. The boys however worked their way back and got to 11 runs, but unfortunately a freak catch on the last ball left them at 6 runs.

The next skin saw Big Kel and new boy to the team Matty come out and try to get the Sav's out of trouble. The boys started off slowly and getting the eye in but with two overs to go all hell was aleashed. The boys smashed everything including 7 sixes (Unfortunately 2 were run outs) and a couple of fours. The boys ended up with 50 runs on the board.

With a player down and the opposition chose Slick to bat again, it was up to Arjuna and the Captain to get the Sav's into a strong position. Unfortunately the first over was a disater with the boys managing to get 1 run off it. Slick was getting frustrated, but a kind word from Reebs behind the net changed his mentality. The next over saw 20 runs scored off it and at the end of the skin the boys left with 34 on the board and a total of 132 to defend.

The sprits were high in the team coming out to the field. Unfortunately the team had to field with 6 players at points in the game as Cambo need to serve behind the bar and the first skin saw 50 runs scored off it. During the course of the skin the two capatins almost got into a biff. The Sav's Captatin was going for the ball and the other capatin (who was batting) ran into him, Slick in his right, pushed the guy out of the way to prevent a major collision. The batter then proceeded to state " If you do that again I'll clock you one!" Slick standing his ground replied " Mate have a go, because I'll clock you back harder then you expect, so shut up!"

The next two skins saw some great catches taken by Reebs, Matty x 2 and run outs by Cambo and Slick. Things looked good with a couple of overs to go.

With 20 runs to hold off in the last pair, unfortunately being the one man down hurt the Sav's again. and the ended up lossing by 20 runs.

" I was proud of the boys tonight. We were so close to winning this tonight against a 3rd grade team and a man down. We are finally starting to turn thigns around. The boys are more upbeat and know a win is only around the corner" Slick stated to the media after the game.

The Sav's have their first 8pm game next week and remours have it that selectors will put their full strength team on the park for the first time this year looking for a win.

Time will tell next week if the Sav's can turn around the season and get off to a winning start.