Light Pass Cricket Club

It was a week of contrasting results for the boys in the baggy green with the A1's suffering a devastating loss to Gilbert Valley in a must win game and the A2's recording another solid win.

A1's –  The 1's travelled to Riverto to take on Gilbert Valley in a match that would shape the battle to avoid relegation at the end of the season.

Bowling first the lads did well claiming 2 important wickets inside the first 10 overs.  Bryce Mathews fist spell was good  but probably one over to long, while Sam Schmidt and Mick Braunack took the early wickets.  Gilbert Valley's middle order rallied but once again Wade Gripton was equal to the task, keeping the run rate respectable and picking up 3 wickets in his spell.  The score threatened to blow out a little but solid bowling by the promoted Andrew Nash coupled with an excellent second spell by Bryce Mathews which yielded 3 wickets for only3 runs saw Gilbert Valley bowled out for 163.
The chase started disastrously with 2 wickets falling inside the first over but a 49 run partnership between Nathan Koch and Sean Schrapel got proceedings back on track before Kochy was caught on 24.  Wade Gripton joined Sean and the pair continued to deny Gilbert Valley any more wickets but a mounting required runrate was cause for concern.  Grippo went for 20 with the score on 101 with 9 overs left to play.  Unfortunately none of the middle order hitters could get going and when Sean  was dismissed for a well made 53 the deficit proved to much as the lower order crumble in the search for quick runs and the side was bowled out 28 runs short of the target.
The loss places the 1's firmly in the relegation zone and under a lot of pressure to beat higher placed sides in the coming weeks.  The 1's have not been a long way off the mark in recent weeks but will need to find a way to finish of matches after they have given themselves a chance of winning.
The Stockwell Hotel Man of the match was Sean Schrapel.

A2's –  The Wanderer's also played Gilbert Valley on the weekend but they played on Stocky main which was post card perfect for cricket.
Skipper Simon Davies won an unprecedented second toss in a row and elected to bowl first.
Opening bowler Syd Miller took the early overs by the scruff of the neck with a beautiful first spell but the Gilbert Valley openers refused to play to script and survived the opening barrage via some very good fortune, Syd did however dislodge Gilbert's most experienced batsman to get the ball rolling.
The other opener rode his luck until shortly before drinks when Andy Davidson struck and when Andy claimed another wicket shortly after the break and affected and excellent runout the momentum was firmly in Light Pass's favour.  With Simon Davies bowling tightly from one end Tim Rowbottoms introduction to the attack paid immediate dividends as Light Pass got right into the middle order and when another runout saw Gilbert Valley at 9/100 it looked all over.  The GV skipper must have mucked up his batting order as the number 11 showed considerable poise helping the score to 121 before Simon finally took the last wicket.
The skippers message was simple”Bat 40 and we will win”, openers Paul Braunack and Steve Hill got of to a steady start, putting on 45 before Hilly was unlucky dismiss off the back of his bat.  The top order batted cautiously and maintained the required runrate but when Simon Davies went just before drinks and Andy Davidson suffered a LBW decision that in the skippers words “Had more wood in it than Noah's ark” the chase looked momentarily shaky.  Paul Braunack continued to bat like it was a 2 day match and denied Gilbert Valley any further wickets while Jeremy Gore battled an injury whilst playing some wonderful strokes to keep the total moving.  Jeremy made 22 before being bowled and Paul Braunacks corner stone innings came to an end shortly after the win had been sealed for 38 runs.  Tim Rowbottom and Marty Gallasch faced the final six overs and put them to good use scoring 51 run before the end of play, Tim ended up with 21 not out and Marty score 31 not out.  The “KADS” man of the match was Paul Braunack.
A5's – The A4 competition has now been divided into A4's and A5's and will commence next week with the Light Pass side playing in the A5's for the rest of the season.
Social – Next weeks A1 match at Stockwell is the Clubs sponsors day when we show our gratitude to the generous businesses and individuals that help us keep this great club functioning so come along to Stockwell oval and watch the A1's play a crucial one day match and be there to support those who support us.
The 100 club final draw is approaching and will be held on the 13^th of February at Stockwell Hotel, there will be a light lunch supplied for 5 dollars a head and the big final draw where ticket holders can win up to 100 dollars, so come along for a fun social day whether you are a 100 club ticket holder or not.