Brian Mollet
Cricket buffs and the easily distracted were out in force again at Lomath Oval on Sunday. The Full-Tossers peeled themselves away from the fleshpots and bistros of Byron to take on the mighty Geckos, a team that sort of condenses onto the park from every direction.
Ash of the Tossers won the toss and thought he’d have a toss at batting with the famous velcro turf slightly frostbitten and scraped smooth, like Peter Wynne-Moylan’s cranium.
Frankie and Neil showed some early dash but Neil skyed one trying to whack Brian (1–4) down the ground where Mr Wynne-Moylan ran a few circles underneath the ball but held his nerve and the catch.
Classy Adam joined freewheelin’ Frankie and the runs flowed like platitudes from a politician until Brian interjected with what could generously be called a running catch (but at his age he only jogs).
The going was even at 3–77 at drinks, but Adeha (4–23) put down the keeping gloves and eviscerated the middle order.
Frankie carried his bat to 38 and got enough support from Jamie, Troy and John (25 n/o) in the final dash to post a credible 168 for the unbeaten Byron boys. The Geckos, also unbeaten this year, knew a win would see them qualify for the finals in the number one spot.
Ageing teenager Adeha gave Troy an early wicket when he mistimed a swipe down the ground and dangerous Dan was on his way soon after, falling victim to the feisty John who put plenty of heat on the ball, like he’d put Tiger Balm on his jockstrap.
Brian waved the bat about in a typically expansive but quite effective manner, but fell for 27 just before drinks, bringing together the two Gecko big guns Anthony and James. James was dropped on 2 by someone at square leg whose name will not be mentioned for fear of reprisals (Wayno however looked a bit sheepish after the game).
Ant and James then put the head down, grinding out 30 apiece. Runs were still needed from the lower order and Pete Wynne-Moylan and saint Seymour of the loaf both provided. Dave stuck around with Anthony (47 n/o) to steer the Geckos home with only 10 balls to spare.
The unseen committee, after suitable consultation of the invisible rulebook, has divined that the first semifinal of the Shand series will be between Byron Full-Tossers (second) and Left Bank (third), and will be played the week after next as this Sunday is fathers day.
