Rounds 6 & 7 lean times

A little tardy with the match reports of late, as you've no doubt gathered a few little dramas with my eyesight. Moreover each game has been frustrating to recall, for distinctly different factors. Of course a fortnight of losses to the main contenders makes the task of a top four finish all the harder following the disjointed beginning to the season, it also means we have an easier path hereon.

round	opponent	us	them
7	floggers	48	169

BATTING

		out	partnership	total	power
keano	lenno	7	1	1
jamie	marcus	7	8	9	bowl
g	john	7	17	26	bat
dylan	sam	3	22	48

BOWLING

	wickets	runs	power
dylan	2	14
g	0	56	bat
jamie	2	24
john	3	2
keano	2	21
lenno	1	13
marcus	0	26
sam	2	13	bowl
	12	169

(what a catch) Match Slapper: Jamie

Fossil's Ultimate Worst 100 Players Countdown: #31 Richo

A calamitous match best forgotten, the Flogs spanked us though everything was working for them including 'Naifs' right index finger. No real excuses though, never enough runs on the board. Latest Ring-In Slaps Dylan and Marcus stood up pretty well in possibly the worst game to be on debut at Matto.

McGregor and Sam were popular contenders for (the of late virtual) Match Slapper, Baggins seizing his precious after taking the fight up to the handiest of the Flogs attack, bowling and fielding aggressively to the end and a catch that made Ivan's scabs start bleeding again in sympathy.

round	opponent	us	them
6	rex lions	116*	117

* 15 run handicap

BATTING

		out	partnership	total	power
handicap			15
jamie	sam	6	25	40
steve	jimmy	0	37	77	bowl
ivan	john	3	29	106	bat
g	lenno	4	10	116

BOWLING

	wickets	runs	power
g	4	0
ivan	0	51	bat
jamie	0	20	bowl
jimmy	3	-2
john	2	8
lenno	1	10
sam	2	18
steve	1	12
	13	117

(double) Match Slapper: Jimmy

At Stumps Squad: Jimmy

Bitterly disappointing not to knock the premiers over, particularly as they fronted with a strong line up bolstered by Flogger Mitch.

Jimmy made a belting return to the side, not simply in his solid batting in partnership with Slem. After Rex had regained the initiative, his last over to finish the match started with a crash of wickets then created multiple chances for us to not only grab the win but also overcome what had been some bewildering decisions from Fossil in the latter overs. I forgot to ask him whether he wants to join me at OPSM this week looking for answers to poor form.

Round 5

round	opponent	them	us
5	forespins*	54	218

* 10 run handicap

BOWLING

	wickets	runs	power
g	2	8
ivan	1	9
jamie	3	15	bat
john	0	16	bowl
keano	4	-6
lenno	3	-1
sam	2	11
steve	4	-8
handicap		10
	19	54

BATTING

		out	partnership	total	power
keano	sam	2	44	44
g	lenno	3	28	72
jamie	steve	1	43	115	bowl
ivan	john	1	103	218	bat

(triple) Match Slapper: Keano


With Lenno returning to the fold looking a little like the messiah, it was fitting that on the eve of the city wide invasion by a stack of Catholics the god-fearing young men of Pitchslap returned from indoor cricket limbo. Hoping for cheap and bountiful points in taking on expected opponents and new side Old Pigs there was a flutter of uncertainty when the newly announced (re)draw had us taking on old hands the Forespins. No need to worry in the end as we set upon them like engorged bishops on pubescent altar boys.

The Forespins innings never got going, six wickets falling in each of the first two pairs - including a hat trick from McGregor. New Slap Sam was a welcome addition to the side, very adept on the back stumps and bowling a very tidy line of leg spin. Ivan tore strips from himself in snapping up anything remotely catchable while with the ball Slem (4/-8), Keano (4/-6) and Jesus (3/-1) were straight back on the job.

For a side looking laden with leather-slingers, we reset our own batting mark in posting the highest total yet this competition. Without glossing over 115 from the first three pairs, Ivan and John's 103 speaks for itself really.