On Tuesday the 15th of December, STC began the day in the final 16 of the Kookaburra Statewide T20 competition. As the Inner East representatives, we were to take on the Outer East side, Mooroolbark Cricket Club. A toss of the coin decided the venue and as has often been the case this season, the toss dictated that we were to take the journey to the far east. Tom Bach had just enough petrol to make it to the large and bumpy Mooroolbark Heights ground and in the warm weather, we finally won a toss and decided to bat.

Unfortunately, little went to plan with the bat. We lost wickets at regular intervals and no one was able to get going to provide a good foundation for the side. We were 4/57 after 10 overs when Luke was dismissed with the top score of 18 and we slumped to 9/84 before Ro and Moorey combined for what would prove to be a crucial 14 run final wicket partnership. All out for 98 off 19.4 overs with only 5 boundaries scored but a rather useful contribution of 13 wides from the opposition bowlers. A very disappointing batting effort from the side.

D. O'Connell 15 (24)

S. O'Connell 6 (8)

L. D'Astoli 18 (13)

S. Fairbrother 12 (15)

R. Flint 4 (4)

P. Mercoulia 4 (12)

B. Banks-Smith 5 (8)

A. Classon 4 (5)

R. Worthy 7 (16)

G. Moore 7 not out (8)

Wides - 13

We took to the field knowing that if we maintained our high standards with the ball and in the field from previous games, we were still a chance of achieving victory. We got off to the ideal start when Luke found the edge in the 2nd over into the safe hands of Ro at first slip. Moorey then followed up with the wicket of their gun bat LBW in the next over and when Fairy swooped at cover in Luke's next over to effect a run out, and Lukey found another edge, this time to Russ at third man, we were right on top at 4/17 after 4 overs. 

A few overs passed before Fairy bowled their number 6 to make it 5/36 after 8 overs and our mission of bowling them out was half complete. Their number 5 had been batting well for 27 runs before a brain freeze when he hit the ball straight to Luke at cover and decided to run, only to be sent back and run out by a metre. 6/52 from 11 overs. We were looking the goods but their next partnership turned out to be the largest of the game when they put on 32 in the next 6 overs, needing only 16 runs from the last 3 overs with 4 wickets in hand. 

Lukey was bowling his last over and we struck first through another run out, this time Merkon swooping at mid wicket to flick the ball to Luke at the bowler's end, and Luke followed up by bowling their other set batsman. They now needed 15 off the last two overs with two wickets in hand and we were favourites again. BBS had been thrust into the spotlight and had previously bowled a good over but unfortunately started with a waist high full toss which was dispatched for 4. Another 5 more runs off the next 3 balls had reduced to equation to 6 off 8 balls. Benny then stepped up to knock all 3 stumps out of the ground as their number 10 attempted a big swipe to mid wicket. A dot ball off the last ball of Benny's over left 6 runs, 1 wicket and 6 balls as the key numbers. 

Moorey was given the last over and found the inside edge to fine leg off the first ball in which they ran two and were nearly run out as one of their batsmen came halfway down the pitch for the third. 4 runs off 5 balls. The next ball was struck firmly straight to Fairy at cover but alas the ball ran straight through Fairy's legs and headed towards the boundary. Fairy, AKA the villain, took off in pursuit and picked the ball up as they completed the second run. They decided to take on his arm and took off for the third only to see Fairy, AKA the hero, fire in his throw over the stumps at the bowler's end where Moorey removed the bails and secured a famous one run victory! In one of the great pieces of foxing in cricketing history, they may need to change the old adage to "never run 3 on a misfield"!

G. Moore 3.2 - 1/14

L. D'Astoli 4 - 3/13

R. Worthy 4 - 0/24

A. Classon 2 - 0/18

S. Fairbrother 4 - 1/14

B. Banks-Smith 2 - 1/12

Catches 

Worthy, Flint

Run outs

Fairbrother -> D'Astoli

D'Astoli -> S. O'Connell

Mercoulia -> D'Astoli

Fairbrother -> Moore

It was another extraordinary game that produced grand final like celebrations from the boys. We are now through to the final 8 of the competition and the boys are full of confidence that we can win from any situation. Thanks must go to Marty Lynch who performed 12th man duties as well as Jack for his diligent scoring. In such a close encounter, I'm sure everyone can appreciate the importance of that role. Go Saints!