Swamp Tigers sneak home
by Samuel Laffy
Iona (6/124) def. Drouin (8/123)
In a nailbiting encounter Jackson Clerks held his nerve to hand Iona a one-run win over Drouin their T20 opener, with the Swamp Tigers walking away with victory by the barest of margins.
Having posted a middling total of 6/124, it was always going to be on the Ionan bowlers to make the difference in the contest, and they didn't disappoint.
Remarkably, 10 bowlers were used across the 20 overs of the Drouin innings, with a refusal to let batters adapt to any one bowler's offering a key factor come game's end.
Fletcher Pallot (2/8 from 2) was effective early, and with boundaries hard to come by it was left to Ben Spicer (32 from 39) and Thomas Brown (27 off 22) to grind out the run chase.
Crucially – with Drouin requiring just 10 runs to win with 12 balls remaining – Liam Lenders delivered perhaps the best over he will ever produce, inducing Spicer into a false stroke as part of a double-wicket maiden.
It was left to Clerks to seal the deal, and he produced a quality over – amidst some frantic swiping from Brown and Paul Timewell – to hand Iona a memorable victory.
Earlier in the day, Lenders' 38-ball 53 was the highlight for the Swamp Tigers, whilst Pallot (23 from 27) chimed in with a handy contribution to lift Iona to an eventual winning total.
Trafalgar (1/189) def. Buln Buln (129)
Aiden George provided Buln Buln with a timely reminder of his ability to dominate in the opening round of B grade T20 action, with the Trafalgar superstar blasting a century that few who witnessed it will forget.
After hitting 101 against Hallora in round three of the home-and-away season, opposition attacks were aware of George's ability to switch gears and belligerently attack, but the Lyrebirds were nonetheless taken by surprise last Tuesday.
Taking a particular liking to the offerings of Wilson Pollock (who was dispatched for 52 from his 4 overs) George's power hitting was resplendent viewing.
Notching five fours and ten sixes, his 116 – which came from just 59 balls – carried the Ships to 1/189 from their 20 overs.
Louis Hennessy (a patient 38* from 48 balls) had the best seat in the house as part of a 158-run opening stand, with the youngster providing level-headed support for George.
In reply, Brad Monson (35) did his best to launch a rapid retort, but with the required run rate quickly rising his team-mates fell to the wayside.
Oliver White (3/21), James Pace (2/18), and Shane White (2/9) were beneficiaries with the ball as they bundled Buln Buln out for 129 in the 20th over.
