A err... "narrow" defeat

See scorecard here

Well we lost the toss and we put in the field. We opened with the formidable pair of Mohsin Nawaz and Enzo Balke. But we were unable to break the opening pair, even if one of them were caught behind and not given off a beautiful ball from Enzo. Sid came in first change for Mohsin to change up the pace a little and Umer Razi for Enzo. Sid's first over looked good and then Umer, with his first ball flighted the ball nicely and the shot was skied and after and eternity in the air was well caught by the keeper Alex Wollauz. The second over from Umer proved to be a wicket maiden, the only maiden of the day, and Enzo got his first catch for the club down in coke corner. Rob Paterson then came (or pranced if we look at the photo) in and bowled well having the batsmen swinging for the moon. In his second over he managed to lure the batsman down the pitch and the bails were quickly removed by the keeper Alex. Shayne Rotte then rolled in and bowled very well Ahmad Bilal chipped in a pacey over until Mohsin rejoined the lineup and managed (I don't know how) to get an LBW out of the umpire. At the end we were facing 238 for victory.
The bowling figures were as follows
Mohsin 1/46 off 4 overs
Enzo 0/38 off 3 overs
Sidd 0/42 off 4
Umer 2/30 off 3
Rob 1/27 off 3
Shayne 0/21 off 2
Ahmad 0/14 off 1
Sundries = 1 byes 16 leg byes wides 15 1 no ball
We opened the batting with Sidd and Rob and it was tough going. Sidd was bowled for 12 and Rob copped a low ball and was also bowled for 6. Me and the Saffa came in but the partnership was short lived after an 11 ball over the bowler surprised me and bowled one on the stumps and I was dismissed in the same fashion as the others for 16. Alex was then caught for 10. Saqib Hameed was dismissed for 1 Umer and Shayne both received ducks then came Ahmad and Mohsin. Ahmad smacked a six off his first delivery and the adrenalin was pumping and Mohsin managed a shaky single and a four before being dismissed (very very relunctantly by Sidd) for LBW. Enzo came in and despite some entertaining running was run out for 2. Sai Raja Gopal strolled in and got a couple of runs and was then dismissed and the total was well short. All out for 86.
Despite losing we all kept our chins high and forced down a beer or two in commisaration and looked forward to our next battle.
Until next time gents and remember catches win matches and runs makes tonnes!

Damien McMullen