FunnBoy Game Report

Well who would have guessed that rain was not part of the game, luckily the weather was picture perfect. The last time Connecticut played the New Jersey League, it was a victory for Connecticut in a high scoring match played in NJ. On this return engagement at the Keany Park Oval, Connecticut was out to do the same, being lead by Captain Curtis Smith and his all star team. Due to NJ being stuck in traffic on Interstate 95, the game was reduced to a 35 over affair. Luckily for the NJ team they was in their luxury coach bus with the AC blasting at full speed and a cooler filled with ice cold beverages, can you say Red Stripe.

The toss was won by Connecticut, and they decided to have a bat on a sporting pitch with the ball coming on to be Wacked.The weather was just simple awesome, with extra blue skies and a light breeze, temperatures being comfortable for August. The game was conducted by two of the league's best umpires, Jerry Goldbourne and Llyod, bringing there many years of officiating experience to this show-down. The fans was in for a treat as the game got going at 2 pm.

Connecticut League Batting: Captain Smith and Andre Mayers form the opening pair, with both batsman looking anxious to get some Runs. Unfortunately neither of them was successful in their quest. Smith was gone in the early overs without scoring as he was caught magnificently by keeper M. Nicholas off the bowling of D Hector. The next man in was C. Donatien a very powerful looking chap. He was there to intimidate the opposition with the bat, and noting else. He was off the mark from the first delivery, but again Connecticut was in trouble losing Mayers for 0 going for one of his trade mark shots, the aggressive jump and drive. He was caught by Griffith off the accurate bowling of Hector. Can you say No Mas Hombre.

Connecticut fortunes was about to change with an explosion, as the dangerous and defiant Wayne Bennett enter the action in the hot sun. Wayne did not waste any time to build a match saving inning as he romped and blistered the NJ bowlers all over the ground with some of his sixes entering a different zip code, this guy was on fire, burning anything that came to his pads. He was totally viscous on all bowlers, whipping them with ease. Wayne courageous application with the bat gave CT some breading room as his partner in crime Donatien was providing the support scoring with ease. Wayne kept the assault on, running down the tract several times heaving the ball over the ropes. With all the excitement Donatien was getting ambitious with his strokes, as he fell victim to a deceiving delivery, providing a simple catch to Cappell, he was gone after scoring a valuable 22. The other batsman that was gone for few runs was Roland Sampath again caught by Griffith off the bowling of Hector. Roland added 11 to the CT total. Wayne found a new partner to ravage the NJ bowling line up, the infamous Junior Wellington, looking very fit and ready to score at will, Junior and Wayne kept the runs rolling. Several times Junior punished the short deliveries and taking quick singles as the field was a bit deep. Wayne continued his mayhem ripping some glorious shots through the covers. Junior was starting to get a bit jealous as he kept the runs ticking, beating the leather and frustrating the fieldsman, with his tipEtoe running style for some more aggressive runs. Wayne going for a big bang was bowled by L. Griffith. Wayne innings was definitely one to remember as he provide the spectators with great entertainment and his team with an exciting 63 runs. Junior was gone a few overs later as he was caught by Martin off the bowling of Jervis. Junior scored 39 for his beloved team. George Steir and R. Delaire put on a mini partnership of 30 with George playing in his usually style always looking for runs and hitting the ball very very hard. He contributed 17 with Delaire adding another 13. Also Raj Rai was run out for 3 , Sanjay Patel the surprise inclusion in the team made a slashing 5 facing two deliveries not out and D Chokshi adding 2. With good support Ct scored a massive 194 for 9 in 35 overs.

Will this be enough

New Jersey League Batting: New Jersey sent in N. Greaves and A. Pinder to go after the total, but soon in the opening overs Pinder was caught and bowled magnificently by C. Donatien who dived, stretching himself and snatching a low catch. Pinder made 1. Soon after he was gone another jersey player was run out after scoring 6 L. Kerr was attempting a quick single but the best keeper in Connecticut and the entire Northeast, that's Wayne Bennett ripped the bails off before Kerr made it home. Greaves was the only Jersey batsman that was able to negotiate the tight bowling, Donatien and Delaire bowled an unbroken spell of 12 overs with only few runs coming off. To add more pressure to the NJ batsman Captain Smith tossed the ball to Riverside own Dhaval Chokshi, and this guy continued from the double D boys picking up 2 quick wickets leaving NJ in shambles. M.Martin was the only batsman that was able to stay at the crease with Greaves as both batsman pressed on trying to overhaul the score, unfortunately the overs was running out fast. Greaves managed to slam a few beyond the ropes and played positively throughout his inning he gave a valiant effort to bring his team to a respectable total scoring 62 and Martin managed a defiant 19, but it was too late as NJ total was 126 for 4 in 35 overs, this was not enough, Ct easily sweep the two game series. Lets see what will be NJ reply in 2001.

Man of the Match Wayne Bennett: 63 Runs

Best bowler NJ: D Hector 7 overs 7 runs 4 wickets

Best bowler CT: D Chokshi 7 overs 31 runs 2 wickets

Another great Inter-league game with CT having a brilliant season. Until the next game FunnBoy say Play Hard !

Surprise of the Match, Riverside cc was represented by 3 players. Is there a story here for FunnBoy Network