Sixes Match Report: Semi Final

The Reekers had played throughout the season using 10 players, with a core contingent of 6 seasoned 'pros' of this version of the game. Having reached the finals for the second consecutive year, concensus amongst the team was that we had still to reach our full potential, being yet to produce both a good batting and bowling display in the same game. Over the season, games had been won through either of the disciplines but rarely via a combination of both. High standards had been expected, and now was the ideal time to deliver……The first game of the semis started with Reekers losing the toss….again, put into bat by their well-known opposition, Washington CC. Edinburgh had never lost against Washington, and if anything had a slight psychological advantage going into the game. Having said this Washington turned up with a 'Joker card' to bolster their chances - your typical Australian ringer. With Ali Wood (one of the few to have mastered the art of indoor batting) unavailable and Alex Comer sidelined with a slight leg injury, again the side had changed. Nevertheless a good team was selected opening up with Elliot and Ingram. Batting first has never seemed to suit the Reekers and once again they got off to a poor start. Both Elliot and Ingram fell early, and leaving Comer M and Haydon to consolidate the innings and dig in. Straight away Haydon was caught playing a rash shot and the Reekers were now in dire straits, this was compounded when Roundell was caught flat footed on the crease and tragically hesitated for a run on his own call. At 35 for 4 after 7 it looked more likely than not that Reekers Sunday morning journey to Lords would be wasted. Comer M attempted to salvage something and give Edinburgh some sort of total, with Scowen playing admirably the tail wagged. Comer M saw Edinburgh through the 12 overs for 71, with an unbeaten 35. Washington had their tails up and could smell victory and the final. Captain Ingram gambled, opening with Comer M and Scowen, leaving Roundell for later. Scowen brilliantly bowled the Australian after making him 'dance' with a few early tasters. Then came Washington's lynch-pin number 3 - if anything rating himself slightly better than did his opposition. At a pivotal point in the innings Comer M then produced another golden-arm delivery, controversially taking the number 3's wicket - caught behind by Elliot. Elliot had no second thoughts, and after being consulted by team mates confirmed the edge, with the batsman reluctantly trudging out of the game.Washington were significantly rattled and Edinburgh sensed a chance. Reekers used their trade mark pressure tactics, turning the screw, each bowler doing his job, albeit at the expense of too many wides - keeping Washington in the game. Another controversial incident followed. The Washington captain defended a middle and leg delivery from Haydon - towards short mid-wicket. Comer M leapt from in-front of square to lunge and grasp the catch one-handed with fingers sandwiched between ball and floor - definitely out, and duly given straight away by the Lords umpire. The Washington captain then embarrassed himself and team standing his ground for an eternity. Again the umpire raised his finger, and again the batsman stood still. Eventually after throwing most of his toys from his pram the captain left. The catch was later confirmed by the other Washington batsman stood at the bowling end.Wanting only 7's from 5 Washington still had a chance, but after Roundell's catch off a bouncy Scowen delivery, the game looked like Edinburgh's for the taking. A last wicket run-out by Ingram sealed the opposition's fate, with Reekers shutting-up a rather 'chatty' Washington, rightly sending them back to whence they came - nowhere. Man of the match - M Comer.


		Lord's Indoor 6-a-side Competition 2000/01, Sunday December 3rd T Ingram M Comer S Roundell T Haydon J Scowen J Elliot Semi Final: Auld Reekers Vs Washington: "Spitting the Dummy" The Reekers had played throughout the season using 10 players, with a core contingent of 6 seasoned 'pros' of this version of the game. Having reached the finals for the second consecutive year, concensus amongst the team was that we had still to reach our full potential, being yet to produce both a good batting and bowling display in the same game. Over the season, games had been won through either of the disciplines but rarely via a combination of both. High standards had been expected, and now was the ideal time to deliver……The first game of the semis started with Reekers losing the toss….again, put into bat by their well-known opposition, Washington CC. Edinburgh had never lost against Washington, and if anything had a slight psychological advantage going into the game. Having said this Washington turned up with a 'Joker card' to bolster their chances - your typical Australian ringer. With Ali Wood (one of the few to have mastered the art of indoor batting) unavailable and Alex Comer sidelined with a slight leg injury, again the side had changed. Nevertheless a good team was selected opening up with Elliot and Ingram. Batting first has never seemed to suit the Reekers and once again they got off to a poor start. Both Elliot and Ingram fell early, and leaving Comer M and Haydon to consolidate the innings and dig in. Straight away Haydon was caught playing a rash shot and the Reekers were now in dire straits, this was compounded when Roundell was caught flat footed on the crease and tragically hesitated for a run on his own call. At 35 for 4 after 7 it looked more likely than not that Reekers Sunday morning journey to Lords would be wasted. Comer M attempted to salvage something and give Edinburgh some sort of total, with Scowen playing admirably the tail wagged. Comer M saw Edinburgh through the 12 overs for 71, with an unbeaten 35. Washington had their tails up and could smell victory and the final. Captain Ingram gambled, opening with Comer M and Scowen, leaving Roundell for later. Scowen brilliantly bowled the Australian after making him 'dance' with a few early tasters. Then came Washington's lynch-pin number 3 - if anything rating himself slightly better than did his opposition. At a pivotal point in the innings Comer M then produced another golden-arm delivery, controversially taking the number 3's wicket - caught behind by Elliot. Elliot had no second thoughts, and after being consulted by team mates confirmed the edge, with the batsman reluctantly trudging out of the game.Washington were significantly rattled and Edinburgh sensed a chance. Reekers used their trade mark pressure tactics, turning the screw, each bowler doing his job, albeit at the expense of too many wides - keeping Washington in the game. Another controversial incident followed. The Washington captain defended a middle and leg delivery from Haydon - towards short mid-wicket. Comer M leapt from in-front of square to lunge and grasp the catch one-handed with fingers sandwiched between ball and floor - definitely out, and duly given straight away by the Lords umpire. The Washington captain then embarrassed himself and team standing his ground for an eternity. Again the umpire raised his finger, and again the batsman stood still. Eventually after throwing most of his toys from his pram the captain left. The catch was later confirmed by the other Washington batsman stood at the bowling end.Wanting only 7's from 5 Washington still had a chance, but after Roundell's catch off a bouncy Scowen delivery, the game looked like Edinburgh's for the taking. A last wicket run-out by Ingram sealed the opposition's fate, with Reekers shutting-up a rather 'chatty' Washington, rightly sending them back to whence they came - nowhere. Man of the match - M Comer.