Sylestone Domestic Sports Newswire

by **Sylestone** » Mon Oct 25, 2021 4:47 pm

CUBICLE ONE-DAY CUP

Season One

Matchday One

Suffolk Seals vs South Sylestone Scorpions @ Bolton Oval, Pesfield

South Sylestone Scorpions - 9/269 (50)
A Luke 84 (101)				T Mankira 4/56 (10)
A Hodel 60* (49)			R Amitt 2/48 (9)

Suffolk Seals - 7/271 (49.5)
L Tiati 113 (128)			A Hodel 2/51 (9.5)
B Eastwood 56 (60)			L Codrington 2/60 (10)

Player of the match: Luke Tiati
Suffolk Seals win by three wickets with one ball remaining

Well, what a way to start off the season. An absolute thriller of the clash, where neither side really took the advantage until the very end, where Shaun Clapiope and Ross Amitt managed to clamber home against some quality death bowling from Angelina Hodel and Leo Codrington. In the first innings, some experienced quick bowling on a flat track from Talvin Mankira saw the Scorpions stumble to 3-20 before fifties to Amber Luke, Chloe Anderson and Angelina Hodel saw the visitors reach 4-200 and poised to really take the game big with eight overs still remaining. However, a late flurry of runs and wickets saw the Scorpions settle with 9-269 from their 50 overs, with Hodel remaining until the end, 60 not out. Yet, at a batting paradise such as Bolton Oval, the total appeared to be slightly under par, where over 300 is expected on most days.

However, judging from the first twenty-odd overs of the Seals’ innings, it seemed to be adequate. Peter Cuniry fell early, before Peter Longlege, Lachlan Cocrine, Ashley Millen and Fergus Stanton all made starts, leaving Luke Tiati with Brianna Eastwood and the tail with the score 5-128 at the halfway mark of the innings. But the Sylestonean captain showed his maturity, grinding out a hundred as he and Eastwood began to put the chase back on track. However, Leo Codrington picked up both set batters mere overs out from each other, leaving the tail with 30 runs to get from the final five overs to seal victory. Shaun Clapiope and Ross Amitt whittled that down to ten off the final over, before the former sealed the victory with two boundaries off consecutive boundaries to seal a three-wicket victory for the hosts with a single ball remaining.

Central Sylestone Snakes vs Capital Coyotes @ Halpenley City Oval, Halpenley

Central Sylestone Snakes - 8/232 (50)
J Appleby 71 (97)			B Hall 5/42 (10)
A Fihelly 58 (75)			N Norwell 1/37 (8)

Capital Coyotes - 9/235 (45.2)
P Lenton 88 (110)			K Sonnel 3/47 (10)
Y Ubuni 32 (35)				S Asaskia 2/45 (8.2)

Player of the match: Broughton Hall
Capital Coyotes win by one wicket with 28 balls remaining

After a nailbiter between the Suffolk Seals and the South Sylestone Scorpions kicked off the Cubicle One-Day Cup in promising fashion, the Central Sylestone Snakes and Capital Coyotes back that up with the second thriller in two games win a one wicket win for the visitors thanks to a five-wicket haul from Broughton Hall. Still, that did not stop the hosts from giving it their all to defend their total and came so close to taking out the win.

Earlier, the Snakes had gotten off to a strong start, with a solid opening stand between Amy Helms and Alyssa Fihelly before Jonah Appleby arrived, with the score at one point 1-130 at around the halfway point of the innings on a surface that seemed to seriously favour spinners. However, a flurry of wickets saw the Snakes only able to get to 8-232 from their 50 overs, with international spinner Broughton Hall picking up the competition’s first five-wicket haul, with 5-42 from his ten overs.

Yash Ubuni and Taylah Monnier got the Coyote innings off to a bright start but before too long, the introduction of 16-year-old leg-spinner Kate Sonnel saw three wickets fall in quick succession as the Coyotes fell from 0-60 to 3-68 in short time, with two new batters at the crease. But Peter Lenton looked in good touch, scoring most of the runs while partners at the other end fell after each making starts. By the time Lenton was finally dismissed for 88, the score was 8-221 with ten overs still remaining, the game was set to go down to the wire.

Phoebe Wright was dismissed a couple of overs later with five runs still required, but Josh Vilesti and Hall saw the Coyotes home with 28 balls remaining, surviving a serious scare to get their season off to a good start. But they would have to up their game further if they really wanted to challenge the top.

Freeman Firestorm vs New Gloucester Jaguars @ Freeman Oval, Freeman

New Gloucester Jaguars - 4/236 (50)
C Freehill 79 (114)			Z Jonjaakh 3/56 (10)
L Afosha 60 (76)			A Huntingfield 1/29 (10)

Freeman Firestorm - 2/220 (50)
E Hosbury 98* (140)			L Njata 1/42 (8)
A Tasso 81 (124)			L Afosha 1/23 (10)

Player of the match: Liam Afosha
New Gloucester Jaguars win by 16 runs

Freeman Oval, arguably the largest ground in the nation, lived up to its expectations once again with a low-scoring game with minimal wickets lost. With a par score typically predicted to be around 250 at the oval, neither side’s batting could live up to it, although good bowling from both sides ensured that the hosts could not take out a shock victory over the predicted champions.

Edward Cunningham and Caitlyn Freehill put on a 60-odd run partnership for the first wicket before the former fell to the bowling of Zangj Jonjaakh, as did Samuel Cross. But Liam Afosha came out with intent as both players looked to pile on the runs heading into the final 20 overs. However, both were out within a few overs of each other as the final ten neared and despite some attempts at power hitting from Oliver Edwards and Mitchell Stein, excellent death bowling from the likes of Angara Barragai, Anna Huntingfield and even Aiden Tasso saw the Jaguars scrape together 4-236 from their fifty overs, a good 15-20 runs short of where they needed to be.

For Freeman, Sean Lake went early after receiving a jaffa from Leo Njata, before Aiden Tasso and Erin Hosbury put on a 162-run partnership to put the hosts ahead of the game, with an upset on the horizon. But no, with 65 runs required from the final ten overs, Tasso fell and due to some superb death bowling, the Jaguars kept the Firestorm at bay, with Hosbury falling just short of a ton, with 98 not out as the Firestorm fell 16 runs short, with a total of 2-220. But the predicted wooden-spooners had shown signs of class, and you never know. Maybe this could be their season.

Matchday Two

South Sylestone Scorpions vs New Gloucester Jaguars @ Betham Cricket Ground, Betham

South Sylestone Scorpions - 171 (32.5)
C Anderson 63 (70)			S Scron 4/28 (6)
N Pistecial 51 (42)			S Cross 3/39 (6)

New Gloucester Jaguars - 2/175 (29.5)
E Cunningham 82* (97)			N Pistecial 2/43 (8)
S Cross 70 (68)				C Anderson 0/7 (2)

Player of the match: Samuel Cross
New Gloucester Jaguars win by eight wickets with 121 balls remaining

Following an opening round filled with entertaining, thrilling games, the second matchday began with the first one-sided affair of the season, with the New Gloucester Jaguars utterly demolishing the Scorpions in Betham, despite being faced with a minor scare partway through the first innings. Right from the outset, though, the Jaguars dominated, with Samuel Scron picking up three early wickets, with Chloe Anderson arriving at the crease with the score 3-25 in the seventh over. The Scorpion captain steadied the ship, but consistent wickets at the other end led to the score being 6-70, with only 16 overs complete. However, Norbert Pistecial seeked to change that as the two of them put on a quickfire 85-run partnership, ending the ball after the swing bowler reached a 41-ball fifty. From then on, it was one way traffic yet again for the Jaguars as Cross ripped through the Scorpion's tail to bowl the hosts out for 171.

Despite the early loss of Caitlyn Freehill, the Jaguars seemed to be on track for the small total set by the Scorpions right from the outset. Edward Cunningham worked his way into his innings, while Samuel Cross played in a naturally aggressive style, scoring quickly to bring up a 46-ball fifty. Cunningham, too, brought his up moments later but with the score 1-160 with only half the allocated overs complete, Cross was dismissed for a brilliant 70, asserting himself amongst the top local players in Sylestonean List-A cricket. Three overs later, a swept boundary off the bowling of Osten Lovia saw the Jaguars complete an eight-wicket win with 121 balls still remaining, an absolute trouncing to ensure they got off to the best start possible, with two wins from their opening two matches.

Capital Coyotes vs Freeman Firestorm @ Capital Stadium, Avondale

Freeman Firestorm - 6/372 (50)
S Lake 145 (132)			P Wright 2/64 (8)
C Latour 104* (77)			J Vilesti 2/68 (10)

Capital Coyotes - 8/262 (50)
B Westleford 100 (109)			A Huntingfield 3/51 (10)
R Accrington 63 (76)			A Homburg 2/63 (10)

Player of the match: Sean Lake
Freeman Firestorm win by 110 runs

The Firestorm showed signs of class during their opening match against the Jaguars, and now they have completely fulfilled that, defeating the Capital Coyotes in Avondale by a whopping 110 runs. Literally everything that could go right went right for the Firestorm as they romped to victory, somehow defeating a side that, on paper, is easily the better of the two. But through Sean Lake, Chelsea Latour and Aiden Tasso, no bowler was handed mercy as the Firestorm lived up to their nickname, putting a grand total of 6-372 on the board, with centuries to Lake and Latour, while Tasso chipped in with 65 as part of a 142-run opening stand.

However, the Coyotes refused to give up. Taylah Monnier and Yash Ubuni looked to go big from the outset, but neither could really go on as Brock Westleford and Riley Accrington, coming together with the score 4-113 after 20, just looked to bat through and get some runs under their belts. In the end, Westleford made a classy century as the Coyotes managed to pull together a total of 8-262, 110 runs short of their target.

Were the Firestorm now the team to beat?

Suffolk Seals vs Central Sylestone Snakes @ Bolton Oval, Pesfield

Suffolk Seals - 6/372 (50)
L Cocrine 210* (156)			S Lampe 4/80 (10)
L Tiati 106 (113)			A Fihelly 1/51 (6)

Central Sylestone Snakes - 8/189 (50)
C Cunnings 57 (83)			S Clapiope 3/31 (10)
M Barff 40 (54)				G Haines 3/50 (10)

Player of the match: Lachlan Cocrine
Suffolk Seals win by 183 runs

At early trouble with the score 2-24 in the sixth over with Sylestonean opener looked composed at the crease, the 28-year-old seemed to require someone to hang around with him for a little while to get the Seals’ innings moving. But in the end, with Lachlan Cocrine walking out to the middle, it would be the other way around. From his first delivery, Cocrine looked to take the game to the bowlers as he and Tiati racked up the runs at seven an over. Cocrine’s fifty took just 41 balls, compared to Tiati’s 60, while the right-hander made it to the century after only 77 balls and 23 overs still remaining in the innings. On the other hand, Tiati’s came up after 107 balls in the 40th over and at that point, was just ticking over the singles as Cocrine raced towards a double century. Finally, in the 45th over of the match, the 304-run stand between the two was broken, with Tiati being dismissed for 106 off the bowling of Alyssa Fihelly.

Soon after, Cocrine reached his 200 before ending the 50 overs still unbeaten on 210, off only 156 balls, with only one other batter other than the two centurions making double figures, that being Shaun Clapiope with 12 not out from 5 balls. The final total was 6-372, a massive score, but on a flat deck at Bolton Oval, far from unchaseable.

But the Snakes barely tried. Fihelly and Amy Helms went after the bowling to try and give their side a chance, but when both were dismissed inside the first five overs, everyone just gave up. Cameron Cunnings eventually top-scored with 57, while Madeline Barff got 40 and Knox and Appleby got in the thirties as the Snakes limped their way to a 183-run loss, only able to respond with 8-189. Tight bowling from the likes of Shaun Clapiope, Fergus Stanton and Talvin Mankira didn’t help either, while Georgia Haines picked up three wickets to round out an excellent day for the Suffolk state. They were now at the top of the table, ahead of the Jaguars on net run-rate, and looking real ominous.

Matchday Three

Central Sylestone Snakes vs South Sylestone Scorpions

Central Sylestone Snakes - 8/270 (50)
K Nicolls 80 (91)			O Lovia 4/35 (10)
J Appleby 69 (85)			N Pistecial 2/56 (10)

South Sylestone Scorpions - 9/228 (50)
C Anderson 65 (66)			M Marshall 3/46 (9)
S Creln 49 (81)				K Sonnel 2/39 (9)

Player of the match: Kyle Nicolls
Central Sylestone Snakes win by 42 runs

The third round of the Cubicle One-Day Cup was kicked off by two sides located winless at the bottom of the ladder, with the Central Sylestone Snakes taking on the South Sylestone Scorpions at Wagham Oval in Conton. As a result, the match was a determined one from each side, but in the end, the hosts came out on top thanks to a strong bowling performance to finally pick themselves up off the floor.

On a middling pitch in Conton, with a few cracks but not too many, Kyle Nicolls, in for the out of form Amy Helms, got the innings off to a bright start with fluent strokeplay, ably supported by Alyssa Fihelly at the other end. The two of them put on 57 in 12 overs before Fihelly was dismissed, signalling the arrival of Jonah Appleby to the crease. Appleby and Nicolls put on 111 together before Nicolls finally got one that nipped back in and splattered his wicket, the score 2-168 after 35 overs.

From then on, wickets fell at a regular rate as the innings, poised to be a big one, fell apart just a tad. Only 102 runs could be mustered off the final fifteen overs, meaning that a final total of 8-270 would be put on the board for the Scorpions to chase down; a par score on a decent surface. An entertaining second innings awaited.

The Scorpions never really came close, or even threatened to do so. Accurate bowling from Malcolm Marshall, Samuel Asaskia and Shawn Lampe meant that the visitors would always be behind the eight-ball, with Mary Coventry, Patrick Shotenham and Amber Luke all falling relatively cheaply. Samuel Creln struggled on his way to an 81-ball 49 and despite a threatening, run-a-ball 65 from skipper Chloe Anderson, bowling figures of 3-46 from Malcolm Marshall alongside 2-39 from Kate Sonnel and 2-56 from Shawn Lampe saw the Snakes to their first victory, a convincing 42-run one as the Scorpions stumbled to 9-228.

Freeman Firestorm vs Suffolk Seals @ Ketonley Town Oval, Ketonley

Suffolk Seals - 8/315 (50)
L Tiati 125 (132)			A Barragai 5/64 (10)
F Stanton 80* (68)			A Tasso 1/45 (5)

Freeman Firestorm - 9/302 (50)
E Hosbury 94 (99)			T Mankira 2/54 (10)
K Force 79* (69)			G Haines 2/58 (10)

Player of the match: Luke Tiati
Suffolk Seals win by 13 runs

With both sides coming off a big win in their previous game, the Seals, with a 2-0 record, managed to take down a determined Firestorm outfit by a mere 13 runs on a turning wicket in Ketonley, an hour or two’s drive from Freeman itself. However, despite the small size and mediocrity of the oval, it played host to a brilliant game of cricket, with some of the nation’s biggest names performing to their best for the locals.

Freeman won the toss and sent Suffolk in, but alas for them, the move did not pay off. Both Luke Tiati and Peter Cuniry passed fifty, before a mini-collapse saw the Seals at 4-154 with 20 overs still remaining, Luke Tiati not out 83. But enter Fergus Stanton, a local from Marbury, where you find these pitches pretty much every day. The young all-rounder smashed 80 not out from 68 deliveries, guiding his side up to 8-315 on a tough deck, with Tiati’s eventual dismissal on 125 leading to a flurry of runs and wickets.

But despite the tough chase, at no point did Freeman give up. The Seals bowlers kept things tight, but the likes of Erin Hosbury, Zachary Arafase and Kieran Force all made fifties and threatened to go on with them. However, despite the middle-order’s best efforts, the Firestorm were always behind. A late cameo of 79 from Kieran Force gave the hosts some hope, but in the end, it would never be enough as Freeman fell 13 runs short to give the Seals their third win on the trot.

New Gloucester Jaguars vs Capital Coyotes @ Evergreen Arena, Emacuton

Capital Coyotes - 9/247 (50)
B Westleford 110 (134)			M Poci 4/43 (10)
T Monnier 44 (65)			S Scron 2/45 (9)

New Gloucester Jaguars - 7/250 (48.1)
L Afosha 124* (127)			M Dixon 3/51 (8)
A Stealom 50 (72)			B Hall 2/35 (10)

Player of the match: Liam Afosha
New Gloucester Jaguars win by three wickets with 11 balls remaining

After two matches on the road, the Jaguars were at home for their first match of the season, taking on the Capital Coyotes at the Evergreen Arena in Emacuton, with scores of 350-plus tipped on a small ground and a flat track. However, with both sides playing strong bowling units, anything was possible. And so it was, with a century to Brock Westleford the only Coyote highlight in a far below-par first innings, which saw the side from the Capital state only muster together 9-247 from their 50 overs, with the next highest score being Taylah Monnier’s 65-ball 44. It had been a quality bowling display from the Jaguars, and all they now needed to do was chase it down with the bat.

But the Coyotes weren’t quite ready to give up. Openers Josh Vilesti and Nathan Norwell picked up Cunningham and Freehill respectively, before Molly Dixon and Broughton Hall tied the batters right down and when the former was eventually relieved of her duties with figures of 3-23 from , the Jaguars were 5-87 after 22 overs, with only Liam Afosha remaining from the Sylestonean top six, batting with able wicketkeeper Ashton Stealom and the tail. However, as the Coyotes were to find out, Ashton Stealom is no batter to sleep on.

Stealom batted with Afosha until the score was on 201 after 42 overs, when the Jaguar wicketkeeper was finally dismissed for a well-made 50. But the damage had already been wrought and over the next six overs, Juan de Polo, Afosha and Milan Poci all chipped in to pass the total with eleven balls to spare. Afosha, easily player of the match, finished with 124 not out to fulfil his role as the designated finisher for the New Gloucester side, further cementing his spot in the Sylestonean national team.

Matchday Four

South Sylestone Scorpions vs Capital Coyotes @ Betham Cricket Ground, Betham

Capital Coyotes - 5/263 (50)
N Norwell 74* (70)			O Lovia 2/53 (10)
F Crena 71* (87)			A Hodel 1/36 (7)

South Sylestone Scorpions - 7/264 (40.3)
N Lovia 90 (71)				J Vilesti 3/31 (7)
P Shotenham 87* (103)			N Norwell 2/60 (8.3)

Player of the match: Patrick Shotenham
South Sylestone Scorpions win by three wickets with 57 balls remaining

After three losses in a row to begin their season, the Scorpions finally racked up their first victory as the Coyotes lost their third in a row to slump toward the bottom end of the table. However, despite the one-sided look of the score at first glance, the match was, in reality, far closer than the scoreline indicates and featured numerous twists and turns along the way.

Following a decent start from Taylah Monnier and Yash Ubuni, both players were dismissed, continuing their late trend of making starts before being dismissed. Brock Westleford and Peter Lenton both looked good, too, and while the Coyote skipper hung around a little while longer than his partner, the dismissal of Lenton meant that the visitors would require a serious partnership to get back on top of the match, with the score 4-129 after 28 overs. But Riley Accrington failed to provide, with Nathan Norwell walking out to the middle with the score only on 135 and barely 20 overs remaining.

Off the final 20 overs, Norwell (74 from 70) and Crena (71 from 87) saw the Coyotes up to the respectable score of 5-263 from their 50 overs on a tough batting deck. However, judging from the start the hosts made, it seemed to be at least a bit short.

Samuel Creln made a quickfire 15 off 10 balls, while Nicholas Lovia, already on 20 off 13, continued to race along at the other end. Patrick Shotenham, out of form with no real scores of note in the Scorpions’ first three matches, However, with Lovia going at the other end, the right-hander took the time to play his way into his innings with caution. When Lovia went for a 71-ball 90 in the 22nd over, Shotenham was beginning to find his groove as he upped the ante with new batters at the crease. However, wickets fell at regular intervals until the score was 6-230, with heaps of time still remaining in the match.

Norbert Pistecial’s invaluable 18 runs made up for most of that, with Shotenham hitting the winning single with 57 balls still remaining, wrapping up a three-wicket win and sealing the player of the match award with an unbeaten 87. Finally, his form was returning. He was now ready to get back to challenging for a spot in the Sylestone ODI side.

Suffolk Seals vs New Gloucester Jaguars @ Bolton Oval, Pesfield

New Gloucester Jaguars - 6/278 (50)
S Cross 148* (143)			P Longlege 2/13 (5)
O Edwards 60 (68)			S Clapiope 1/34 (8)

Suffolk Seals - 5/282 (35.5)
L Cocrine 168* (107)			L Njata 3/40 (7.3)
F Stanton 39 (44)			J de Polo 1/65 (7)

Player of the match: Lachlan Cocrine
Suffolk Seals win by five wickets with 85 balls remaining

The match between two undefeated sides heading into the fourth round of the Cubicle One-Day Cup was always going to be a good one, with both sides consisting of players in the form of their lives, with depth all the way down the order. With the game being played at Bolton Oval in Pesfield, scores of 300-plus were expected before the game, despite both states posing strong bowling lineups. So when the New Gloucester Jaguars reached a score of 6-278 off their 50 overs, the hosts were said to be on top. However, directly following that, the Jaguars plonked themselves back on top once again, keeping the hosts to 3-46 from their first ten overs, with the big wickets of Luke Tiati, Peter Longlege and Peter Cuniry. And that’s when all hell broke loose.

Earlier in the day, an unbeaten 148 from 143 deliveries from Samuel Cross was the only thing that got the visitors to their total, although Oliver Edwards also chipped in with sixty towards the latter stage of the innings, albeit at a slower strike rate than is usual from the youngster. Leo Njata then took 3-18 from his opening five overs to put the Jaguars on top, but the Lachlan Cocrine still at the crease and looking in solid touch, nothing could be celebrated too early.

In similar vein to his 210 against the Snakes, Cocrine tore out of the blocks after the powerplay, scoring at roughly ten runs an over as the Seals ran headlong towards their fourth victory. He found a stable partner in Fergus Stanton as the 25-year-old passed a century, before hitting his 150th run off just 97 balls, victory in sight. The eighth six of Cocrine’s innings brought up the Suffolk victory, by five wickets with 87 balls remaining. He finished on 168 not out, from just 107 deliveries, as the Seals made it four from four.

Central Sylestone Snakes vs Freeman Firestorm @ Halpenley City Oval, Halpenley

Central Sylestone Snakes - 2/363 (50)
A Fihelly 161* (152)			W Barnes 1/56 (8)
C Cunnings 112* (70)			Z Jonjaakh 1/81 (10)

Freeman Firestorm - 9/324 (50)
Z Jonjaakh 80 (47)			S Asaskia 4/51 (10)
Z Arafase 68 (91)			S Lampe 2/73 (8)

Player of the match: Alyssa Fihelly
Central Sylestone Snakes win by 39 runs

With confidence running high from the victory over the Scorpions, the Snakes came into their game against the Freeman Firestorm knowing that if they could pull off a victory, they were certainly back in with a chance of making top two. And so they did, with centuries to Cameron Cunnings and Alyssa Fihelly taking the Snakes to a whopping 2-363 and despite Freeman’s best efforts on a tough pitch, the hosts took out the game by 39 runs to climb back up into third place, two points behind the Jaguars and four behind the unbeaten Seals.

Kyle Nicolls, fresh off a half-century on debut in the first round, fell early to Zangj Jonjaakh, before Jonah Appleby joined Fihelly, as the two of them compiled a 127-run partnership spanning until just past the halfway mark, when Appleby was dismissed for a run-a-ball 66, but with only two wickets down, the hosts were poised to go real big.

And so they did. Over the final twenty overs, the average run-rate was 10 an over, with Cunnings bringing up a century and Fihelly a 150 in the penultimate over as the Snakes reached 2-363 off their 50 overs, fueled by an unbeaten 223-run partnership at the end, using only 136 deliveries. It was always going to be an incredibly tough chase for the Firestorm, but they still gave it their best shot.

Despite Sean Lake, Aiden Tasso and Erin Hosbury all making starts, none could go on and make that big score that could turn the tide. Zachary Arafase batted for a while, but due to some seriously good bowling, could not find the boundary en route to a 91-ball 68. Zangj Jonjaakh’s 47-ball 80 gave the Firestorm a glimmer of hope but when he was dismissed with the score on 291 in the 46th over, the stuffing was knocked out of the visitors as they collapsed to 9-324.

[b]Matchday Five

Freeman Firestorm vs South Sylestone Scorpions @ Freeman Oval, Freeman

Freeman Firestorm - 7/268 (50)
A Tasso 104 (119)			N Pistecial 3/48 (10)
S Lake 67 (80)				R Jones 3/55 (10)

South Sylestone Scorpions - 5/270 (40.1)
C Anderson 93* (91)			C Latour 4/47 (8.1)
P Shotenham 59 (52)			A Huntingfield 1/50 (7)

Player of the match: Chloe Anderson
South Sylestone Scorpions win by five wickets with 59 balls remaining

Following three losses in a row, the Scorpions have been able to pull together two wins on the trot as they seek redemption for their displays earlier in the season. A solid opening stand from the Firestorm, though, worth 142 runs in 25 overs, saw the hosts get off to a brilliant start as they seemed to lie in wait, with the hitters to come looking to propel the side over the 300 and possibly even the 350 mark. However, Norbert Pistecial and backup spinner Ryan Jones quietly went about their business, hitting good lengths at the death and taking a steady stream of wickets to keep the Firestorm to 7-268, despite an Aiden Tasso century. A par score at such a large ground, but the Scorpions had the momentum, and that means a lot in List A cricket.

And it paid off. Nicholas Lovia got the innings off to a good start, before a quickfire, 42-ball fifty to Patrick Shotenham put the visitors ahead of the required run-rate, despite losing regular wickets at one end. Skipper Chloe Anderson steadied the flow, though, and built partnerships with Angelina Hodel and Adam Lonelet, with the latter being an unbeaten 71-run one from just 62 balls as the Scorpions spiralled towards a five-wicket win with 59 balls still remaining. Chelsea Latour’s leg-spinners had been good, yielding four wickets, but the sheer maturity of Anderson at the crease pipped her for player of the match, with the 23-year-old finishing on 93 not out as the Scorpions climbed back up into fourth.

New Gloucester Jaguars vs Central Sylestone Snakes @ Chamberley Cricket Ground, Chamberley

Central Sylestone Snakes - 8/303 (50)
J Appleby 131* (134)			L Afosha 3/53 (10)
M Barff 69 (60)				J de Polo 1/49 (9)

New Gloucester Jaguars - 9/304 (48.4)
M Stein 105* (96)			B Oplica 2/54 (10)
L Afosha 81 (84)			S Lampe 2/61 (9.4)

Player of the match: Mitchell Stein
New Gloucester Jaguars win by one wicket with eight balls remaining

The Jaguars, finally playing at their home ground following three on the road and a regional match in Emacuton on matchday three, produced a classic of a game, with twists and turns, to somehow come out on top against a determined Snakes side. On a good pitch, Jonah Appleby continued his good form with an unbeaten 131, batting through almost the entirety of the innings while others attempted to go big around him. Madeline Barff and Samantha Knox did the best of those other batters, with the former compiling a 60-ball 69 and the latter a quickfire 29-ball 41 and despite the spinners bowling good lines and lengths, helped get the Snakes to a commanding score of 8-303. However, the CCG is known for being one of Sylestone’s best batting surfaces, and the score, despite being big, may only just be par.

But right from the outset, the Jaguars struggled. Both openers fell relatively cheaply, before Samuel Cross was unluckily given out caught behind before Oliver Edwards was bowled hitting across the line. At the 21-over mark, when Mitchell Stein came to the crease, Liam Afosha was on 44 not out and the score was 4-114, with a long way to go if the hosts did not want their position in second place to be under threat. Stein and Afosha put on a good partnership, but when Afosha fell with over 100 runs still required, things were looking bleak. But Stein hung around, scoring at a bit over a run a ball and thanks to cameos from Ashton Stealom and Milan Poci, the Jaguars were still in it at the 45-over mark, with the score 9-280 and Stein still at the crease.

He pulled it off, passing the century mark and finishing with 105 not out, passing the score with a boundary off the fourth ball of the 49th over to keep his side in second place. A brilliant performance from the young left-hander, and one of which placed himself well and truly in contention for the Sylestonean ODI team.

Capital Coyotes vs Suffolk Seals @ Capital Stadium, Avondale

Capital Coyotes - 250 (39.1)
Y Ubuni 98 (78)				G Haines 5/54 (9.1)
R Accrington 51 (62)			T Mankira 2/39 (7)

Suffolk Seals - 9/251 (46)
B Eastwood 92* (110)			J Vilesti 6/35 (9)
S Clapiope 46 (42)			N Norwell 1/43 (8)

Player of the match: Joshua Vilesti
Suffolk Seals win by one wicket with 24 balls remaining

Well, what a game to cap off the first half of the Cubicle One-Day Cup. Mitchell Stein’s knock in the earlier game between the New Gloucester Jaguars and the Central Sylestone Snakes was ridiculously good, but this match was on a whole other level entirely. Yash Ubuni finally finished off what he’d been threatening to do for the entire tournament so far, and was only dismissed on 98 from just 78 balls to put the Coyotes ahead. However, only Riley Accrington (51) could also produce a score of note as the Coyotes were bundled out for 250 in just 39.1 overs, with Georgia Haines picking up 5-54 from her 9.1 overs on a pitch that seemed to be favouring spin.

Knowing that a score of just 250 at Capital Stadium was well below par, Joshua Vilesti came out to the crease and in a show of brilliant fast bowling, ripped through the Seals’ top- and middle-order. He bowled for seven overs straight and from them, finished with 6-24 as the Seals stumbled to 6-57 from the first fourteen overs. However, Brianna Eastwood and Shaun Clapiope fought back with an 81-run partnership before Clapiope was dismissed for 46. Ross Amitt then chipped in with 38, as part of a 90-run partnership. With 23 runs still required and Eastwood on 77 with only two wickets left, the match was set for a brilliant finish.

Talvin Mankira and Eastwood managed to grind out an 18-run partnership, before a boundary and a single to Eastwood saw the Seals home with four overs remaining. They now had five on the trot, and were three wins above third place. Meanwhile, the predicted runners-up were in last place with four losses in a row following an opening victory. An interesting first half, that’s for sure.

Final Table

* Cubicle One-Day Cup           Pld   W  D  L   NRR    Pts 
1 Suffolk Seals                   5   5  0  0  +1.284   10
2 New Gloucester Jaguars          5   4  0  1  +0.298    8
3 South Sylestone Scorpions       5   2  0  3  -0.219    4
4 Central Sylestone Snakes        5   2  0  3  -0.568    4
5 Freeman Firestorm               5   1  0  4  -0.077    2
6 Capital Coyotes                 5   1  0  4  -0.710    2

by **Sylestone** » Fri Oct 29, 2021 2:35 am

CUBICLE ONE-DAY CUP

Season One

Matchday Six

South Sylestone Scorpions vs Suffolk Seals @ Betham Cricket Ground, Betham

Suffolk Seals - 9/404 (50)
P Longlege 138 (123)			A Hodel 3/78 (10)
L Cocrine 110 (65)			O Lovia 2/84 (9)

South Sylestone Scorpions - 267 (47.3)
S Creln 86 (94)			        F Stanton 4/38 (10)
A Lonelet 59* (49)			T Mankira 3/53 (9.3)

Player of the match: Fergus Stanton
Suffolk Seals win by 137 runs

Back up against the South Sylestone Scorpions, a side of whom the Seals were only able to beat with a single ball remaining in the opening match of the Cubicle One-Day Cup, the Suffolk Seals put on a grand total of 9-404 from their 50 overs, easily the highest score of the cup thus far. A 75-ball 85 from Luke Tiati got the innings off to a good start and despite the early loss of Peter Cuniry, Peter Longlege dug in for his best innings to date. Despite the BCG being known for being a good spinners’ surface, Longlege and Tiati took the game well away from the hosts and began to compile a massive total. When Tiati was finally dismissed, things got even worse for the Scorpions, with Lachlan Cocrine compiling an astonishing 68-ball 110 to take the score up to 3-363 with five overs remaining. The final five overs saw 40 runs being scored with six wickets, including the one of Cocrine, taken as the Seals finished on 9-404, the first score of above 400 in the competition to date.

The Scorpions gave it their best shot. Samuel Creln looked to bat through and keep one end ticking over, but no one was really able to stay with him. Fergus Stanton, the young Suffolk leg-spinner, tore through the Scorpions batting lineup, taking the key wicket of Creln on 86 to essentially finish off all hope the hosts had of reaching the total. Adam Lonelet, not usually a recognised batter and rather a specialist wicketkeeper, made his case with an unbeaten 59 from 49 deliveries, batting through an onslaught from Talvin Mankira at the end as the Scorpions bundled out for 267 in 47.3 overs, with Stanton finishing with 4-38 and Mankira 3-53. A great all round performance as the Seals moved ever closer to a spot in the final.

Capital Coyotes vs Central Sylestone Snakes @ Capital Stadium, Avondale

Central Sylestone Snakes - 5/382 (50)
C Cunnings 150 (127)			P Benedict 3/60 (10)
S Asaskia 134 (122)			M Dixon 2/91 (10)

Capital Coyotes - 7/386 (45.4)
T Monnier 183 (131)			K Sonnel 2/67 (10)
P Lenton 64 (44)			S Asaskia 2/68 (8.4)

Player of the match: Taylah Monnier
Capital Coyotes win by three wickets with 26 balls remaining

Another game, another match with exceedingly high scores. It seems to be a thing this matchday. Coming off four losses in a row and a position at the bottom of the table, the predicted runners-up, the Capital Coyotes were in dire need of a victory to keep their small chances at a final berth alive. Out of sheer desperation, star strike bowler Joshua Vilesti was rested in place of debutant Percy Benedict, a move that appeared to pay off early. The swing bowler picked up the big wickets of Kyle Nicolls, Jonah Appleby and Alyssa Fihelly to have the visitors in trouble at 3-25, but a massive, 259-run partnership between Cameron Cunnings and Samuel Asaskia set up a huge total. Cameos from Madeline Barff and Samantha Knox saw the score to 5-382 and at home, the Coyotes seemed set for their fifth loss in a row.

But Taylah Monnier had other ideas. Right from the beginning of her innings, she seemed intent on finding a way to track this total down, scoring at well over a run a ball to get the innings off to the best possible start. She was provided support at the other end from the likes of Brock Westleford (51) and Peter Lenton (64), before finally falling to the bowling of Samuel Asaskia for 183, only 40 runs shy of an astonishing victory with ten overs still in hand.

It only took Broughton Hall and Nathan Norwell five, reaching the score with 26 balls still in hand to finally break a four-game win drought. Finally, things were starting to go the right way for the Coyotes, although their bowling is still in need of a lot of work.

New Gloucester Jaguars vs Freeman Firestorm @ Chamberley Cricket Ground, Chamberley

Freeman Firestorm - 9/355 (50)
S Lake 123 (116)			A Ambrize 3/72 (10)
J Hemingway 87 (72)			M Poci 2/65 (10)

New Gloucester Jaguars - 9/277 (50)
E Cunningham 71 (81)			Z Jonjaakh 4/67 (10)
O Edwards 60 (56)			A Tasso 2/37 (9)

Player of the match: Sean Lake
Freeman Firestorm win by 78 runs

After the Firestorm threatened to come out on top in the first round match between the two states, the Freeman state side fulfilled that in the second leg, defeating the New Gloucester Jaguars by 78 runs to keep themselves off the bottom of the table. On a good batting surface, Sean Lake got off to a good start en route to a 116-ball 123, his second century of the tournament to go alongside a half-century, cementing himself as easily the Firestorm’s top run-scorer thus far. James Hemingway, in just his second match, scored a 72-ball 87 to propel his state over the 300-mark with overs still in hand. Despite some good death bowling from Andrew Ambrize, the Firestorm were able to finish with a whopping total of 9-355, although on the CCG, no score is unchaseable.

But this one was. Despite both Edward Cunningham (71) and Oliver Edwards (60) making half-centuries, no batter could really build a strong partnership with another, or make that really big score that would guide the side home. As a result, the Jaguars could only compile a total score of 9-277 in response, a 78-run loss as they slumped to their second loss of the season, alongside four wins.

Matchday Seven

New Gloucester Jaguars vs South Sylestone Scorpions @ Chamberley Cricket Ground, Chamberley

South Sylestone Scorpions - 8/222 (50)
A Luke 58 (83)				L Njata 4/37 (10)
P Shotenham 47 (65)			S Cross 1/26 (7)

New Gloucester Jaguars - 3/223 (41)
C Freehill 103 (128)			L Codrington 1/38 (7)
S Cross 72 (77)				O Lovia 1/49 (8)

Player of the match: Caitlyn Freehill
New Gloucester Jaguars win by seven wickets with 54 balls remaining

Coming off a shock loss to the Freeman Firestorm, the New Gloucester Jaguars were able to successfully bounce back with a solid, seven-wicket thumping of the South Sylestone Scorpions to move ever-closer to the final with three still to play. Batting first at the Chamberley Cricket Ground, the Scorpions were only able to put a meagre 8-222 on the board on a great batting track, with wickets at regular intervals and most bowlers chipping in with a wicket. Only Amber Luke was able to reach fifty, although Patrick Shotenham and Mary Coventry chipped in with scores in the forties. Leo Njata played the chief destroyer, though, picking up four of the eight wickets and participating in the innings’ only run-out, finishing with figures of 4-37 from his ten overs.

Knowing that they would have to pull off something remarkable to come out on top in the match, the Scorpions looked to play ultra-aggressively right from the very first ball. It paid off, too, picking up the wicket of Edward Cunningham with the score only on 20 to give the visitors a spark of hope. But Samuel Cross’ 77-ball 72 finished that off, combining for a 138-run partnership with Caitlyn Freehill before finally being dismissed with only 65 runs still required. Liam Afosha survived an early LBW shout before batting the innings through, with Freehill being dismissed just five runs shy of the victory for a brilliant 103. The eventual result was a seven-wicket victory for the Jaguars with nine overs remaining in the bag to move further and further away from the rest of the pack.

Freeman Firestorm vs Capital Coyotes @ Freeman Oval, Freeman

Freeman Firestorm - 205 (33.4)
E Hosbury 65 (71)			B Hall 3/34 (8.4)
J Strawfull 38 (30)			P Wright 3/47 (6)

Capital Coyotes - 8/209 (40.5)
B Westleford 49 (63)			A Barragai 2/28 (6)
M Oldacre 44* (50)			A Huntingfield 2/42 (8)

Player of the match: Broughton Hall
Capital Coyotes win by two wickets with 55 balls remaining

Ever since the first round game at Freeman Oval, no match had really fulfilled what would be classified as a “typical” game at the stadium, with little wickets lost and little runs. This match, between the Freeman Firestorm and Capital Coyotes, was no different. In just 33.4 overs, aggressive knocks from Joseph Strawfull and Erin Hosbury saw the Firestorm to a total of 205, with wickets falling regularly. Broughton Hall finished with 3-34 from 8.4 overs, while Phoebe Wright also picked up three and Nathan Norwell two.

A target of 206 shouldn’t have been too much of a task for the Coyotes, but due to the fall of regular wickets, the Firestorm’s bowlers gave it their all. No Coyote batter was able to pass fifty and yet, thanks to a superb 44 not out from Mariam Oldacre to guide the Capital state side home with two wickets and 55 balls remaining. After a horrendous first half of the tournament, the Coyotes now had two victories in a row and finally, were back on track. With three more wins possible, a comeback from the ages seemed an unlikely, but possible, scenario.

Central Sylestone Snakes vs Suffolk Seals @ Halpenley City Oval, Halpenley

Central Sylestone Snakes - 8/260
A Fihelly 107 (124)			G Haines 3/32 (10)
A Rombigo 43* (38)			T Strand 2/61 (9)

Suffolk Seals - 6/213
P Cuniry 74 (111)			S Asaskia 3/25 (10)
A Millen 38 (60)			B Oplica 2/47 (10)

Player of the match: Samuel Asaskia
Central Sylestone Snakes win by 47 runs

On the seventh matchday of trying, someone was finally able to defeat the Suffolk Seals, the eastern state well and truly in first place, two wins ahead of the New Gloucester Jaguars, their nearest rivals. At the Halpenley City Oval, a brilliant century on a tough pitch from Alyssa Fihelly led the Central Sylestone Snakes to a good score of 8-260 from their 50 overs. Andy Rombigo, playing just his second game of the season thus far, finished the innings off in style following Fihelly’s dismissal with a quick 43 from 38 balls, trumping Georgia Haines’ brilliant figures of 3-15 from seven overs with seventeen from her final three overs as he pushed the total beyond 250.

The Seals suffered an early blow, losing Luke Tiati, before the two Peters, Longlege and Cuniry, dug in. However, despite their best efforts, the Snakes’ bowling remained tight as the required run-rate began to skyrocket. Longlege finally fell for 35 and just bare balls later, Samuel Asaskia picked up the big wicket of Lachlan Cocrine for just two. Ashley Millen dug in for a while, but with the required run-rate rocketing upwards, also fell going for a big shot. Cuniry was dismissed soon after for an 111-ball 74 to snuff out the Seals chances of stealing victory. They finished 47 runs in arrears, with a total of 6-213 and on the seventh matchday of trying, someone had finally defeated the Seals. Will the Seals be able to bounce back, or will some major, late changes to the table be seen?

Matchday Eight

South Sylestone Scorpions vs Central Sylestone Snakes @ Tutham Oval, Tuthambedon

Central Sylestone Snakes - 8/378 (50)
S Asaskia 154* (83)			L Codrington 3/88 (10)
A Helms 91 (109)			N Pistecial 2/76 (10)

South Sylestone Scorpions - 6/287 (50)
S Creln 78 (86)				M Marshall 2/62 (10)
C Anderson 72 (72)			A Tasso 1/26 (5)

Player of the match: Samuel Asaskia
Central Sylestone Snakes win by 91 runs

Well, the Snakes are really beginning to find form just when it matters, aren’t they? A dominant all-round performance from the Central Sylestone state saw them move ever closer to the likes of the Suffolk Seals and New Gloucester Jaguars with a 4-3 record, only a win behind the latter and two behind the former, despite both having an extra game over the Snakes. However, the threat is there, and their spots at the top appear nowhere near as secure as they used to be.

For the most part of the Snakes’ innings, a couple of good partnerships ticked the score along at roughly six an over, looking to build a foundation for the hitters towards the end of the batting order to work off. When Samuel Asaskia came out to the crease in the 27th over, the score was 3-156, with the Snakes poised to take the bowlers down. And so Asaskia did, smashing 154 not out from just 83 balls to propel the Snakes to 8-378 from 50 overs, ably supported by a 109-ball 91 from Amy Helms. No bowler was given mercy, with Norbert Pistecial and Leo Codrington, the Scorpions’ two best bowlers, going for a combined 164 runs between them, despite taking five wickets in total.

The Scorpions never really came close. Samuel Creln finally regained his form with a lovely 78, while Chloe Anderson chipped in with a run-a-ball 72. However, no batter was really able to score enough runs at a high enough strike rate to really challenge the target set by the Snakes, with the Scorpions finishing their allocated overs still 91 runs in arrears and six wickets down, for 287 runs.

Suffolk Seals vs Freeman Firestorm @ Dodle Furnace, Dodle

Suffolk Seals - 6/308 (50)
L Tiati 140 (134)			Z Jonjaakh 3/71 (10)
P Cuniry 81 (93)			A Huntingfield 2/46 (10)

Freeman Firestorm - 9/311 (48.3)
K Force 88 (84)				T Mankira 4/63 (9)
S Lake 75 (79)				R Amitt 2/58 (8)

Player of the match: Zangj Jonjaakh
Freeman Firestorm win by one wicket with nine balls remaining

Wow, what a game. For the first (and only) game at the Dodle Furnace all season, the Freeman Firestorm somehow came back from being well behind to steal victory from the jaws of defeat, with an unbeaten 31-run partnership between Zangj Jonjaakh (52 from 35) and Angara Barragai (4 from 7) to hand the Seals their second loss in a row, following six wins on the trot. Earlier, a brilliant, 189-run opening partnership from Luke Tiati (140) and Peter Cuniry (81) set the tone for a massive total, which was only quelched thanks to some superb spin bowling from Anna Huntingfield and good death bowling from Zangj Jonjaakh. In the end, the Seals finished on 6-308, a hard but gettable total for the Firestorm on a good pitch.

Early wickets meant that the Seals seemed to be on top early, but Sean Lake and wicketkeeper Kieran Force kept hopes alive. Lake was dismissed in the 28th over for 75, but Force carried on, building a partnership with Scarlett Downes before finally being dismissed with the score on 243. From there, some quick wickets fell as the Firestorm slumped to 9-280 early in the 46th over, with Zangj Jonjaakh the last remaining hope. And in a brilliant display of power hitting, he somehow pulled it off, finishing with 52 not out to steal a one wicket win with nine legal deliveries remaining in the match, keeping themselves off the bottom of the table with their third victory in eight matches.

Capital Coyotes vs New Gloucester Jaguars @ Cleorough Stadium, Cleorough

Capital Coyotes - 8/303 (50)
P Lenton 124* (107)			S Cross 3/38 (6)
T Monnier 62 (87)			J de Polo 3/53 (10)

New Gloucester Jaguars - 8/280 (50)
E Cunningham 144* (142)			J Vilesti 5/37 (10)
M Stein 50 (65)				R Accrington 1/33 (5)

Player of the match: Joshua Vilesti
Capital Coyotes win by 23 runs

After somehow being in last place with just a solitary win after the first round, the Capital Coyotes have finally managed to find their winning ways once again, defeating the New Gloucester Jaguars to make it three wins in a row, moving level on points with the Central Sylestone Snakes and only a sole win behind the second-placed Jaguars. It was an entertaining match on a spinning wicket at Cleorough Stadium, with the Coyotes just managing to come out on top by 23 runs despite an unbeaten Edward Cunningham century and a Josh Vilesti five-for on a pitch that wasn’t exactly helpful to his style of bowling. Peter Lenton shone in the first innings for the Coyotes, scoring an unbeaten 124 from 107 balls to trump solid death bowling from Samuel Cross and great leg-spin bowling from Juan de Polo, taking his state to a total of 8-303.

From the outset, the Jaguars began to fall behind the required run-rate, with Cunningham the only player to really look solid at the crease. Joshua Vilesti, bowling a lengthened spell of six overs, dismissed three of the Jaguars’ top five batters to put his side on top early. Mitchell Stein helped steady the innings with 50, but the required run-rate was always increasing, climbing above eight and then nine an over. Cunningham went big with the lower-order and tail towards the end of the innings, but it simply was not enough as the Jaguars finished with 8-280, 24 runs short of their target.

Matchday Nine

Capital Coyotes vs South Sylestone Scorpions @ Capital Stadium, Avondale

South Sylestone Scorpions - 8/316 (50)
P Shotenham 125 (121)			J Vilesti 2/56 (10)
C Anderson 80* (69)			B Hall 2/58 (10)

Capital Coyotes - 8/298 (50)
B Westleford 99 (112)			O Lovia 3/47 (10)
R Accrington 48 (47)			E Nosten 2/52 (8)

Player of the match: Patrick Shotenham
South Sylestone Scorpions win by 18 runs

Following their loss to the Central Sylestone Snakes, the South Sylestone Scorpions became the first side to be officially eliminated from final contention and with two games remaining, were simply playing for pride. Up against the in-form Capital Coyotes, though, the Scorpions would be hard-pressed to take out the victory as the hosts seeked to continue their rise towards the playoff spots. But they could not pull it off, with superb knocks from Patrick Shotenham (125 from 121) and Chloe Anderson (80 not out from 69) propelling the Scorpions to 8-316 from their fifty overs, while the bowlers shared the wickets among them, with Joshua Vilesti and Broughton Hall the only bowlers to pick up multiple wickets, with 2-56 and 2-58 respectively.

For the majority of the Coyote innings, it appeared as though a fourth-straight win on the trot was a possibility, although some good bowling from the Scorpion spinners ensured that they remained just a tad behind the eight-ball. Brock Westleford seemed destined to lead the Coyotes home as soon as he got in, but failed to find a truly stable partner until Riley Accrington arrived at the crease, with the pair putting on 91 in 17 overs throughout the middle-late stage of the innings to put the Scorpions back on track. However, when Westleford fell heartbreakingly short of a century with eight overs remaining and 60 runs to get, things quickly went downhill, with Accrington falling soon after. In the end, the Coyotes finished with 8-298, 18 runs short, and were thus eliminated from the Cubicle One-Day Cup.

New Gloucester Jaguars vs Suffolk Seals @ Chamberley Cricket Ground, Chamberley

New Gloucester Jaguars - 7/332 (50)
O Edwards 106 (84)			S Clapiope 4/65 (10)
C Freehill 64 (87)			F Stanton 2/61 (10)

Suffolk Seals - 6/252 (50)
L Cocrine 83 (87)			S Scron 3/42 (6)
P Cuniry 76 (105)			L Afosha 1/28 (4)

Knowing that a loss to the Suffolk Seals may well spell doom for their List A campaign, the New Gloucester Jaguars hit their straps just at the right time with a home victory to put the spotlight on the chasers, the Central Sylestone Snakes, who now had to win both of their final two games to even stand a chance of making the final. It was a dominant display with the bat from the Jaguars, with an 80-ball century to Oliver Edwards leading the way, with Liam Afosha and Caitlyn Freehill both chipping in with runs, too, as the Jaguars piled on a score of 7-332 from their 50 overs, slightly above par on a good batting deck. If the Seals could chase this down, they would be assured a spot in the final.

But they could not. Luke Tiati made a strong start but failed to get going, while Peter Longlege scratched around for 30-odd balls before finally being dismissed. Peter Cuniry looked good at the crease, but could not up the ante when required as the Seals fell closer and closer towards their third straight loss. Lachlan Cocrine, coming off an unbeaten 168 in the first match between the two sides, made 83, but eventually, the Seals fell 80 runs short, with excellent economy bowling from Talvin Mankira and Milan Poci playing a big role in the victory for the Jaguars.

Freeman Firestorm vs Central Sylestone Snakes @ Freeman Oval, Freeman

Freeman Firestorm - 9/180 (50)
Z Arafase 54 (98)			K Sonnel 4/22 (10)
S Lake 45 (52)				S Asaskia 3/36 (10)

Central Sylestone Snakes - 8/183 (35.1)
A Fihelly 81 (96)			A Huntingfield 4/25 (7.1)
M Marshall 40* (37)			C Latour 3/39 (8)

Player of the match: Kate Sonnel
Central Sylestone Snakes win by two wickets with 89 balls remaining

With two must-win games in a row coming their way, the Central Sylestone Snakes were able to pick up a handy net run-rate boost over the Freeman Firestorm in a quality bowling display, tying the Firestorm batters down at Freeman Oval and never releasing the pressure. Sean Lake got off to a good start, making 45 from 52 balls, but other than that, no one was really able to get going. The leg-spin bowling of Kate Sonnel was impossible to get away, with the 16-year-old yielding figures of 4-22 from her ten overs, backed up at the death by her skipper Samuel Asaskia, who chipped in with the economical figures of 3-36 from ten. Zachary Arafase and Kieran Force were particularly bogged down, with the former scoring only 54 form 98 balls and the latter making 21 from 56, before Sonnel and Asaskia demolished the lower-order. In the end, the hosts could only make 9-180 from their fifty overs, the lowest score thus far of this Cubicle One-Day Cup.

Alyssa Fihelly and Amy Helms looked to make short work of the chase, scoring 70 from the first 12 overs before the latter was dismissed. From there, the Freeman spinners ran through the Snakes batting lineup, taking 7-43 from the next ten overs, with the Snakes falling from 0-70 to 7-113, with Anna Huntingfield picking up four wickets and Chelsea Latour two, while Angara Barragai also picked up one. With Fihelly still in, Malcolm Marshall was able to hang around, scoring at a quick clip as they closed in on the target. With five runs to get, Fihelly was dismissed on 81 to give the Firestorm a glimmer of hope, but Marshall was good enough to bring the visitors home, creating what appears to be essentially a winner-takes-all matchup between the Snakes and New Gloucester Jaguars in the final round.

Matchday Ten

South Sylestone Scorpions vs Freeman Firestorm @ Betham Cricket Ground, Betham

Freeman Firestorm - 226 (36)
A Tasso 78 (96)				C Anderson 4/23 (4)
Z Jonjaakh 46 (34)			N Pistecial 4/47 (9)

South Sylestone Scorpions - 7/230 (46.3)
C Anderson 102* (120)			Z Jonjaakh 4/53 (8.3)
A Lonelet 43 (61)			C Latour 1/29 (6)

Player of the match: Chloe Anderson
South Sylestone Scorpions win by seven wickets with 19 balls remaining

Although the only thing both sides were fighting for was to keep themselves off the bottom of the table, the match between the South Sylestone Scorpions and the Freeman Firestorm turned out to be an intriguing one. The Firestorm, after winning the toss and electing to bat first, lost a few early wickets thanks to some good swing bowling from Norbert Pistecial, but Aiden Tasso remained and began to dig in. However, thanks to a steady stream of wickets at the other end, he wasn’t really able to find a stable partner until Zangj Jonjaakh arrived at the crease, the score 6-146 after 24 overs, with multiple players going big before getting out. Jonjaakh took all the bowlers down, taking the score up to 217 in quick time before Chloe Anderson, after going for 20 off her first two overs, dismissed Jonjaakh for 46 and Tasso for 78 within balls of each other. In her next over, she wrapped up the tail with two more wickets, finishing with figures of 4-23 from just four overs to bowl the Firestorm out for 226 from 36 overs, setting the Scorpions up as favourites in the chase.

But Freeman wouldn’t give up just yet. Zangj Jonjaakh took three early wickets before Amber Luke and Chloe Anderson rebuilt the innings, putting the Scorpions back in control of the chase. Luke was dismissed for 42 and Angelina Hodel, despite looking good for her time at the crease, was dismissed soon after to even out the game once again, the Scorpions now 5-118 with 24 overs still remaining in the match. But Adam Lonelet, in a rare few months of good batting form, began to build a partnership with his captain before being dismissed with nine runs required with five overs still remaining. But Anderson remained and on the third ball of the 47th over, brought up the victory and her own personal century with three wickets in hand. A brilliant knock from the Scorpion skipper to round out a slightly disappointing season, where they were only able to win four of their ten games, but they had their upsides and, after all, they didn’t come last.

Central Sylestone Snakes vs New Gloucester Jaguars @ Halpenley City Oval, Halpenley

New Gloucester Jaguars - 4/293 (50)
L Afosha 136 (122)			S Lampe 2/46 (9)
S Cross 106* (130)			M Marshall 1/51 (10)

Central Sylestone Snakes - 9/274 (50)
A Fihelly 67 (80)			S Cross 4/48 (10)
B Oplica 60* (56)			S Scron 2/36 (10)

Player of the match: S Cross
New Gloucester Jaguars win by 19 runs

Easily the most important match of the round, this game for both sides was essentially a must-win, although if the Central Sylestone Snakes could not overcome enough of a net run-rate difference, the New Gloucester Jaguars could still progress. In the end, though, the Jaguars overcame a tough challenge presented by the Snakes to win by 19 runs and progress to the final. However, the Jaguars did suffer some early blows, falling to 3-38 inside the first ten overs, with the wickets of Caitlyn Freehill, Edward Cunningham and Mitchell Stein putting the Snakes on top early. However, Samuel Cross and Liam Afosha had other ideas, with the latter scoring at a quicker rate. The two of them put on a 240-run partnership before Afosha was finally dismissed for a 122-ball 136 with just two overs remaining. Oliver Edwards and Samuel Cross finished off well, scoring 15 off the final two overs as the Jaguars finished with 4-293 from their allotted overs, with Cross also making a century, finishing with 106 from 130 to put the Jaguars in a strong position.

Similar to the Jaguars’ innings, the Snakes got off to a poor start, losing the likes of Kaitlyn Whittingham, Jonah Appleby, Cameron Cunnings and Madeline Barff for just 23 runs between them. Meanwhile, at the other end, Fihelly clocked up the runs at a furious pace, facing most of the balls and scoring at least two thirds of the runs in a vastly different mindset to her usual style of play. However, when she was dismissed with the score on 96, the Jaguars seemed destined to assure themselves and the Suffolk Seals of a semifinal spot. However, the Central Sylestone lower-order had other ideas, as Samuel Asaskia (20), Samantha Knox (48), Brian Oplica (60 not out) and Malcolm Marshall clocked up runs at close to, if not above, a run a ball. But in the end, the order was too tall, with the first ball of the 47th over signalling a New Gloucester qualification for the final on net run-rate. In the end, the Snakes still fell 19 runs short of their target, finishing with 9-274 to ensure the final would be played between the Jaguars and the Seals. The only question was: which ground will it be at?

Suffolk Seals vs Capital Coyotes @ Bolton Oval, Pesfield

Suffolk Seals - 9/332 (50)
P Longlege 158 (139)			B Hall 5/61 (10)
L Cocrine 74 (58)			J Vilesti 3/60 (10)

Capital Coyotes - 7/213 (50)
B Westleford 80 (119)			T Mankira 3/18 (7)
F Crena 56 (86)				F Stanton 2/51 (10)

With a convincing, 119-run trumping of the Capital Coyotes, the Suffolk Seals will remain at home for their final against the New Gloucester Jaguars, having a far better net run-rate than their opponents. It was a great game for the Seals, with Luke Tiati getting the innings off to a solid start before being dismissed around the halfway mark for 57, while Lachlan Cocrine came in and belted a 58-ball 74 to propel the total towards the 300 mark. However, the main contributor to the Seals’ eventual total of 9-332 was Peter Longlege, playing an absolute gem of an innings, coming in early on and only being dismissed on the fifth-last ball of the innings, making 158 from 139 balls in that period of time. From 2-292 with four overs remaining, though, the Seals lost 7-40 from their last 26 balls to finish at a total of 332.

The Coyotes never really tried to catch the total. After losing three early wickets, Brock Westleford and Fergus Crena simply tried to bat time, compiling a 104-run partnership in 26 overs. Riley Accrington and Nathan Norwell both played with intent, but in the end, the final score of 7-213 was 119 runs short, thanks to superb bowling from Talvin Mankira and to a lesser extent, Fergus Stanton and Ross Amitt, who were both given their allotted overs as victory became clearer and clearer.

Final Table

* Cubicle One-Day Cup           Pld   W  D  L   NRR    Pts 
1 Suffolk Seals                  10   7  0  3  +0.870   14
2 New Gloucester Jaguars         10   7  0  3  +0.251   14
3 Central Sylestone Snakes       10   5  0  5  +0.078   10
4 Capital Coyotes                10   4  0  6  -0.417    8
5 South Sylestone Scorpions      10   4  0  6  -0.612    8
6 Freeman Firestorm              10   3  0  7  -0.187    6

Final

Suffolk Seals vs New Gloucester Jaguars @ Bolton Oval, Pesfield

Suffolk Seals
Batter                                        R   B  4s  6s   SR
L Tiati         c Njata b de Polo           114 124  15   1   91.94
P Cuniry        c Stealom b Scron            15  26   1   0   57.69
P Longlege      c Stein b Cross               3   5   0   0   60
L Cocrine       lbw b Cross                  18  14   3   0  128.57
B Eastwood      c Freehill b de Polo         71  74  11   0   95.95
F Stanton       b Cross                      25  26   3   0   96.15
M Stopling      lbw b Ambrize                 1   4   0   0   25
S Clapiope      c Edwards b Cross             0   5   0   0    
R Amitt         not out                      19  13   2   1  146.15
T Mankira       run out (Cross)               4   3   0   0  133.33
G Haines        b Ambrize                     0   1   0   0    
     EXTRAS     (2 b, 5 lb, 9 wd)            16
      TOTAL     all out                     286   (49.1 ov; 5.82 RPO)
              

FOW: 1-37 (P Cuniry, 9.6 overs); 2-45 (P Longlege, 11.3 overs); 3-69 (L Cocrine, 15.3 overs); 4-225 (L Tiati, 38.5 overs); 5-249 (B Eastwood, 42.2 overs); 6-256 (M Stopling, 43.4 overs); 7-259 (S Clapiope, 44.5 overs); 8-276 (F Stanton, 48.1 overs); 9-280 (T Mankira, 48.4 overs); 10-286 (G Haines, 49.1 overs)

New Gloucester Jaguars Bowling
Bowler             Ov   M   R  W   Econ  Ext
L Njata             7   0  42  0      6  (5 wd)
S Scron             9   1  51  1   5.67  (2 wd)
L Afosha            9   0  46  0   5.11  
J de Polo          10   1  52  2    5.2  (1 wd)
S Cross             8   0  45  4   5.63  
A Ambrize         6.1   0  43  2   7.05  (1 wd)

New Gloucester Jaguars
Batter                                        R   B  4s  6s   SR
C Freehill      b Stanton                    38  57   3   0   66.67
E Cunningham    c sub (Millen) b Mankira     14  22   2   0   63.64
S Cross         c Tiati b Mankira             2   7   0   0   28.57
M Stein         b Clapiope                   87 102  12   1   85.29
L Afosha        lbw b Haines                 65  60   7   2  108.33
O Edwards       c Cocrine b Mankira          38  27   2   2  140.74
A Stealom       c&b Amitt                    16  15   2   0  106.67
J de Polo       b Mankira                     4   2   1   0  200
S Scron         not out                       7   9   0   0   77.78
L Njata         not out                       0   0   0   0        
     EXTRAS     (2 lb, 8 wd, 1 nb)           11
      TOTAL     for 8 wickets               282   (50 ov; 5.64 RPO)
Did not bat:  A Ambrize

FOW: 1-24 (E Cunningham, 6.4 overs); 2-29 (S Cross, 8.5 overs); 3-85 (C Freehill, 18.1 overs); 4-209 (L Afosha, 37.2 overs); 5-225 (M Stein, 41.2 overs); 6-257 (A Stealom, 46.6 overs); 7-261 (J de Polo, 47.2 overs); 8-282 (O Edwards, 49.6 overs)

Suffolk Seals Bowling
Bowler             Ov   M   R  W   Econ  Ext
T Mankira          10   1  45  4    4.5  (1 wd)
S Clapiope          9   0  58  1   6.44  (2 wd, 1 nb)
R Amitt             9   1  47  1   5.22  (4 wd)
G Haines           10   1  63  1    6.3  
F Stanton           9   0  54  1      6  
B Eastwood          3   0  15  0      5  (1 wd)


Venue: Bolton Oval, Pesfield
Toss: Suffolk Seals won the toss and elected to bat
Season: Cubicle One-Day Cup I
Matchday: Final
Player of the Match: Luke Tiati
Umpires: Joshua Oldham (SYL), Koby Diggs (SYL)
TV Umpire: Jacob Curtin (SYL)
Reserve Umpire: David Rumpf (SYL)
Match Referee: Amelia Gale (SYL)
Match Result: Suffolk Seals win by four runs

Suffolk Seals are the inaugural Cubicle One-Day Cup champions

by **Sylestone** » Mon Nov 01, 2021 1:30 am

LAVATORY SHIELD

Season One

Matchweek One

Suffolk Seals vs South Sylestone Scorpions @ Bolton Oval, Pesfield

Suffolk Seals - 7d/454 (119.1)
L Tiati 164 (298)			L Codrington 3/86 (27)
B Eastwood 102* (149)			A Hodel 1/43 (11)

South Sylestone Scorpions - 573 (162.4)
S Creln 208 (435)			G Haines 4/98 (43.2)
P Shotenham 92 (150)			T Mankira 4/123 (33)

Suffolk Seals - 5/110 (21.4)
P Longlege 36* (44)			A Hodel 3/31 (5.5)
P Cuniry 28 (41)			N Pistecial 1/23 (5)

Player of the match: Samuel Creln
Match Drawn

Central Sylestone Snakes vs Capital Coyotes @ Halpenley City Oval, Halpenley

Central Sylestone Snakes - 273 (140.4)
A Fihelly 78 (224)			B Hall 6/55 (37.4)
J Appleby 51 (167)			P Wright 2/64 (24)

Capital Coyotes - 73 (28.4)
F Crena 31* (72)			S Asaskia 5/25 (9)
T Monnier 11 (18)			K Sonnel 3/14 (5.4)

Capital Coyotes - 138 (43.5) f/o
P Lenton 54 (99)			S Asaskia 5/43 (13)
B Westleford 23 (50)			M Marshall 2/19 (7)

Player of the match: Samuel Asaskia
Central Sylestone Snakes win by an innings and 62 runs

Freeman Firestorm vs New Gloucester Jaguars @ Freeman Oval, Freeman

Freeman Firestorm - 444 (97.5)
S Lake 180 (246)			L Afosha 3/87 (14)
E Hosbury 62 (106)			J de Polo 3/96 (33)

New Gloucester Jaguars - 268 (75.4)
S Cross 86 (133)			A Huntingfield 4/59 (22)
A Stealom 46* (62)			Z Jonjaakh 3/80 (16)

Freeman Firestorm - 181 (49.4)
A Tasso 60 (113)			M Poci 3/46 (11.4)
K Force 35* (80)			S Cross 2/18 (5)

New Gloucester Jaguars - 9/358 (133.5)
L Afosha 173* (375)			A Barragai 4/83 (31)
M Stein 64 (147)			A Huntingfield 2/114 (39)

Player of the match: Liam Afosha
New Gloucester Jaguars win by 1 wicket

Matchweek Two

South Sylestone Scorpions vs New Gloucester Jaguars @ Tutham Oval, Tuthambedon

New Gloucester Jaguars - 350 (104.1)
E Cunningham 106 (174)			N Pistecial 4/106 (24)
C Freehill 82 (198)			O Lovia 3/78 (28)

South Sylestone Scorpions - 319 (93.3)
C Anderson 81 (118)			S Scron 5/71 (21.3)
A Luke 62 (139)				M Poci 2/100 (27)

New Gloucester Jaguars - 6d/436 (97.5)
S Cross 203* (281)			R Jones 2/72 (14)
E Cunningham 97 (158)			A Hodel 2/84 (19.5)

South Sylestone Scorpions - 6/213 (73.3)
A Lonelet 52* (123)			L Njata 3/50 (14)
S Creln 46 (82)				S Cross 1/37 (12.3)

Player of the match: Samuel Cross
Match Drawn

Capital Coyotes vs Freeman Firestorm @ Cleorough Stadium, Cleorough

Capital Coyotes - 202 (68.3)
T Monnier 85 (155)			A Huntingfield 6/36 (16.3)
H Paling 62 (131)			J Campton 4/29 (14)

Freeman Firestorm - 5d/451 (106)
Z Arafase 174 (294)			M Dixon 2/58 (13)
K Force 132 (155)			N Norwell 2/83 (24)

Capital Coyotes - 156 (60)
R Accrington 51 (119)			A Huntingfield 3/42 (16)
N Norwell 28 (51)			Z Jonjaakh 3/42 (12)

Player of the match: Anna Huntingfield
Freeman Firestorm win by an innings and 93 runs

Suffolk Seals vs Central Sylestone Snakes @ Dodle Furnace, Dodle

Central Sylestone Snakes - 6d/454 (173.5)
C Cunnings 182 (430)			R Amitt 3/81 (36)
M Barff 76 (218)			T Mankira 2/64 (26)

Suffolk Seals - 429 (100.1)
B Eastwood 149 (171)			M Marshall 5/123 (26.1)
F Stanton 146 (219)			S Asaskia 3/98 (22)

Central Sylestone Snakes - 168 (57.5)
M Barff 50 (102)			T Mankira 3/42 (16)
M Marshall 43 (48)			G Haines 3/48 (14.5)

Suffolk Seals - 4/110 (25.4)
P Longlege 53 (79)			S Asaskia 2/28 (8)
L Tiati 32 (45)				M Marshall 1/25 (6)

Player of the match: Brianna Eastwood
Match Drawn

Matchweek Three

Central Sylestone Snakes vs South Sylestone Scorpions @ Halpenley City Oval, Halpenley

Central Sylestone Snakes - 233 (96.4)
J Appleby 67 (143)			L Codrington 5/88 (23.4)
S Knox 36 (67)				O Lovia 2/45 (29)

South Sylestone Scorpions - 277 (63.5)
A Luke 111 (164)			S Asaskia 5/74 (16.5)
M Coventry 55 (65)			K Sonnel 3/84 (17)

Central Sylestone Snakes - 194 (66.3)
C Cunnings 69 (111)			A Hodel 4/47 (15)
S Asaskia 51 (96)			L Codrington 2/31 (12.3)

South Sylestone Scorpions - 4/152 (51.1)
A Hodel 36* (78)			M Marshall 2/25 (11)
C Anderson 35* (83)			S Lampe 2/28 (9.3)

Player of the match: Leo Codrington
South Sylestone Scorpions win by 6 wickets

Freeman Firestorm vs Suffolk Seals @ Freeman Oval, Freeman

Freeman Firestorm - 216 (83.2)
A Tasso 67 (166)			S Clapiope 3/27 (15)
A Huntingfield 34 (45)			F Stanton 3/57 (22)

Suffolk Seals - 278 (75.5)
P Longlege 91 (139)			Z Jonjaakh 5/65 (19)
L Tiati 59 (126)			A Barragai 3/47 (12.5)

Freeman Firestorm - 8d/516 (122.4)
E Hosbury 156 (220)			R Amitt 2/106 (29)
S Lake 140 (225)			G Haines 2/116 (34.4)

Suffolk Seals - 2/69 (56.4)
L Tiati 42* (183)			A Huntingfield 1/18 (17)
P Longlege 24 (128)			C Latour 1/15 (12.4)

Player of the match: Erin Hosbury
Match Drawn

New Gloucester Jaguars vs Capital Coyotes @ Chamberley Cricket Ground

New Gloucester Jaguars - 296 (94.4)
A Stealom 71 (127)			J Vilesti 5/73 (25.5)
E Cunningham 52 (91)			N Norwell 2/54 (19)

Capital Coyotes - 370 (76.4)
P Lenton 145 (94)			J de Polo 3/61 (13)
R Accrington 72 (81)			S Cross 2/66 (17.4)

New Gloucester Jaguars - 170 (37.4)
E Cunningham 45 (62)			B Hall 3/36 (9.4)
J de Polo 43 (51)			J Vilesti 2/20 (6)

Capital Coyotes - 2/100 (23.2)
B Westleford 38* (51)			M Poci 2/27 (6.2)
P Lenton 34* (43)			S Scron 0/13 (3)

Player of the match: Peter Lenton
Capital Coyotes win by 8 wickets

Matchweek Four

South Sylestone Scorpions vs Capital Coyotes @ Betham Cricket Ground, Betham

South Sylestone Scorpions - 227 (67.2)
S Creln 76 (132)			M Dixon 3/21 (7.2)
P Shotenham 50 (82)			P Wright 2/52 (15)

Capital Coyotes - 200 (46.4)
R Accrington 49* (51)			O Lovia 5/29 (11.4)
T Monnier 47 (75)			L Codrington 2/32 (6)

South Sylestone Scorpions - 227 (70.3)
A Hodel 40 (63)				B Hall 5/86 (32)
N Pistecial 29 (84)			N Norwell 4/63 (19.3)

Capital Coyotes - 248 (90.2)
F Crena 112 (176)			A Hodel 5/98 (26)
N Norwell 68 (130)			O Lovia 2/57 (22.2)

Player of the match: Osten Lovia
Capital Coyotes lose by 6 runs

Suffolk Seals vs New Gloucester Jaguars @ Bolton Oval, Pesfield

New Gloucester Jaguars - 211 (73)
C Freehill 51 (147)			T Mankira 4/26 (16)
O Edwards 40 (45)			S Clapiope 2/46 (13)

Suffolk Seals - 9d/426 (119)
B Eastwood 111 (160)			C Freehill 3/49 (13)
S Clapiope 99 (136)			S Scron 2/60 (26)

New Gloucester Jaguars - 183 (56.1)
L Afosha 64 (98)			T Mankira 4/46 (17.1)
M Stein 29 (61)				R Amitt 3/28 (14)

Player of the match: Talvin Mankira
Suffolk Seals win by an innings and 32 runs

Central Sylestone Snakes vs Freeman Firestorm @ Halpenley City Oval, Halpenley

Central Sylestone Snakes - 8d/477 (177.4)
J Appleby 134 (299)			A Huntingfield 5/131 (44.4)
S Asaskia 101* (197)			C Latour 1/50 (17)

Freeman Firestorm - 176 (61.4)
K Force 48 (87)				B Oplica 3/17 (7.4)
S Lake 39 (91)				S Asaskia 3/56 (13)

Freeman Firestorm - 209 (65.4)
K Force 67 (109)			S Lampe 5/45 (18)
Z Arafase 47 (125)			K Sonnel 4/52 (19.4)

Player of the match: Jonah Appleby
Central Sylestone Snakes win by an innings and 92 runs

Matchday Five

Freeman Firestorm vs South Sylestone Scorpions @ Freeman Oval, Freeman

South Sylestone Scorpions - 451 (100.1)
P Shotenham 178* (261)			C Latour 5/124 (39.1)
C Anderson 104 (147)			Z Jonjaakh 2/106 (26)

Freeman Firestorm - 342 (112.3)
Z Arafase 70 (106)			N Pistecial 9/121 (35.3)
A Tasso 65 (143)			O Lovia 1/74 (28)

South Sylestone Scorpions - 261 (71.3)
N Pistecial 63 (104)			W Barnes 3/53 (16)
A Luke 44 (52)				A Barragai 3/82 (27)

Freeman Firestorm - 237 (75.1)
Z Jonjaakh 71 (96)			C Anderson 4/87 (24)
A Barragai 39* (40)			E Nosten 3/32 (13.1)

Player of the match: Norbert Pistecial
South Sylestone Scorpions win by 133 runs

New Gloucester Jaguars vs Central Sylestone Snakes @ Chamberley Cricket Ground, Chamberley

Central Sylestone Snakes - 217 (50.4)
C Cunnings 76 (104)			S Cross 3/30 (8)
M Barff 41 (58)				L Njata 2/39 (12.4)

New Gloucester Jaguars - 311 (105.1)
M Stein 102* (233)			S Asaskia 7/91 (31.1)
L Afosha 56 (97)			K Sonnel 1/40 (17)

Central Sylestone Snakes - 276 (61.2)
S Asaskia 88 (116)			J de Polo 4/63 (15.1)
A Fihelly 71 (131)			S Scron 2/39 (9)

New Gloucester Jaguars - 7/183 (52.2)
L Afosha 95* (144)			S Asaskia 6/44 (14)
M Poci 61* (105)			K Sonnel 1/42 (12.2)

Player of the match: Samuel Asaskia
New Gloucester Jaguars win by 3 wickets

Capital Coyotes vs Suffolk Seals @ Capital Stadium, Avondale

Suffolk Seals - 313 (68.1)
P Longlege 129* (183)			B Hall 3/47 (14)
L Tiati 56 (78)				P Wright 3/60 (10.1)

Capital Coyotes - 477 (214.4)
P Lenton 146 (362)			F Stanton 3/106 (65)
B Westleford 88 (244)			S Clapiope 2/42 (29)

Suffolk Seals - 4/247 (89.1)
L Tiati 101 (279)			N Norwell 3/70 (29.1)
L Cocrine 63 (145)			J Vilesti 1/27 (16)

Player of the match: Luke Tiati
Match Drawn

Current Table

* Lavatory Shield               Pld   W  D  T  L  I  LD   Pts 
1 Central Sylestone Snakes        5   2  1  0  2  2  3    23
2 South Sylestone Scorpions       5   2  3  0  0  0  2    20
------------------------------------------------------------
3 Suffolk Seals                   5   1  4  0  0  1  3    20
4 New Gloucester Jaguars          5   2  1  0  2  0  2    16
5 Freeman Firestorm               5   1  2  0  2  1  3    16
6 Capital Coyotes                 5   1  1  0  3  0  2    10

“I” indicates innings win
“LD” indicates first-innings lead
“T” indicates tie

Key:
Win - 6
Tie - 3
Draw - 2
Loss - 0
First-innings lead - +1
Innings/10-wicket win - +3

South Sylestone Scorpions have H2H over Suffolk Seals
New Gloucester Jaguars have H2H over Freeman Firestorm

by **Sylestone** » Thu Nov 04, 2021 1:55 pm

CRASH N’ SMASH

Season Three

Matchday One

Halpenley Lightning vs Cleorough Devils @ Halpenley City Oval, Halpenley

Cleorough Devils - 2/178 (20)
T Monnier 93* (64)			C Darkcape 1/34 (4)
B Westleford 62* (38)			A Kennedy 1/40 (4)

Halpenley Lightning - 5/179 (19)
S Asaskia 54* (29)			J de Polo 2/29 (4)
A Fihelly 45 (39)			A Tasso 1/6 (1)

Player of the match: Samuel Asaskia
Halpenley Lightning win by five wickets with six balls remaining

The Halpenley Lightning have opened the third season of the Crash n’ Smash with an important victory over the Cleorough Devils, with an over remaining with five wickets in hand. Earlier in the match, the Devils had piled on a total of 2-178 from their 20 overs on a tricky pitch, with Taylah Monnier leading the way with 93 not out from 64 balls, while Brock Westleford also chipped in, scoring quickly towards the back end of the innings, finishing with 62 from 38 to put the Devils on top. However, the Lightning were up to the challenge, with Alyssa Fihelly providing the foundation with a solid, 39-ball 45 to anchor the chase, while the batters at the other end went big. However, regular wickets ensured that the Devils remained just ahead of the game, all the way up until Samuel Asaskia was finally able to provide stability, continuing his good form with the bat (not so much with the ball) to guide the Lightning home with six balls to spare, racking up a 28-ball half-century to finish with an unbeaten, 29-ball 54 and the player of the match reward.

Scorching Hot Dodle vs Pesfield Wasps @ Dodle Furnace, Dodle

Pesfield Wasps - 7/150 (20)
L Tiati 35 (26)				P Tripathi 3/25 (4)
J Appleby 34 (38)			S Petersen 3/30 (4)

Scorching Hot Dodle - 6/151 (14.4)
C Anderson 60* (26)			S Irvine 2/23 (2)
R Hale 29 (16)				H Cranston 1/24 (2.4)

Player of the match: Chloe Anderson
Scorching Hot Dodle win by four wickets with 32 balls remaining

In an awaited matchup between the two Suffolk sides - rivals Pesfield Wasps and Scorching Hot Dodle, the latter won out in a convincing victory in Pesfield to assert dominance for the time being and annoy the hell out of home fans. In a gripping display of power hitting, Chloe Anderson led a small run chase of just 150 on a brilliant batting surface, finishing with an unbeaten 60 from just 26 balls to guide her side home by four wickets with 34 balls still left in the bank. The internationals from both sides impressed in the game, though, with Roderick Hale scoring a quickfire 29 from 16 to get the run chase going, while Sherpa leg-spinner Panu Tripathi spun a web through the Wasps’ batting lineup, picking up 3-25 from his four overs, while Ethanian speedster Samuel Petersen also picked up three wickets, finishing with 3-30 from four with an ominous display of death bowling. For the Wasps, Shannon Irvine picked up two wickets, while Luke Tiati, the Sylestonean test captain, batted well for his 35, the top score of the innings. But it wasn’t enough, with Dodle kicking off their season with the best possible start - a huge win over their main rivals, while the Wasps appeared to be in a spot of bother.

Betham Dogs vs Avondale Knights @ Betham Cricket Ground, Betham

Avondale Knights - 3/185 (20)
C Freehill 68* (55)			S Polen 2/36 (4)
R Bremner 57 (34)			E Hillock 1/23 (4)

Betham Dogs - 6/175 (20)
P Shotenham 41* (25)			E Samuel 2/20 (4)
N Lovia 38 (28)				J Vilesti 2/30 (3)

Player of the match: Richard Bremner
Avondale Knights win by 10 runs

Some superb batting from Tumbran star Richard Bremner, Caitlyn Freehill and Yash Ubuni has propelled the Avondale Knights to an intense 10-run victory over the Betham Dogs, getting their season off to an optimal start. En route to a total of 3-185, Ko-orenite medium-pacer Ronald Taylor was a main target, going for 55 from his four overs, while 20-year-old Ethanian Edward Hillock was spared, finishing with 1-23 from four, easily the most economical of the Dogs bowlers despite bowling death overs, while Sean Polen picked up the wickets of Ubuni and Bremner. In pursuit of 185, the Dogs lost regular wickets, with Patrick Shotenham (41 not out from 25), Nicholas Lovia (38 from 28) and Ronald Taylor (35 from 18) the only players able to get going, with the latter providing a scare towards the end of the innings. In the end, though, it would not be enough, with the Betham Dogs falling ten runs short, finishing with 6-175 from 20 overs to mark a slightly disappointing start to their campaign.

Dunkirk Rovers vs Chamberley Giants @ Jameson Oval, Dunkirk

Chamberley Giants - 5/189 (20)
O Edwards 70 (30)			S Lampe 2/32 (4)
D Goolsby 36 (18)			P Longlege 1/13 (1)

Dunkirk Rovers - 9/142 (20)
N Pistecial 35* (17)			L Njata 3/30 (4)
P Lenton 30 (32)			D Goolsby 3/39 (4)

Player of the match: Oliver Edwards
Chamberley Giants win by 47 runs

The Chamberley Giants, far and away the best team on paper, got their season off to the predicted start: a 47-run thrashing of reigning wooden-spooners Dunkirk Rovers. However, the innings did not get off to the optimal start, with Simon Monteane and Lachlan Edwards, two quality batters looking to ensure themselves a spot in the upcoming EspoT20, both looking scratchy against the bowling of Norbert Pistecial, Milan Poci and Percy Benedict. Shawn Lampe picked up both players and with Lachlan Cocrine failing to find his touch, the score was 2-41 from eight overs, Oliver Edwards and Dewayne Goolsby, though, went absolutely berserk, with the former hitting 70 from 30 balls, while the Giants captain completed some late power hitting to take his side to a total of 5-189 from their 20 overs. Dunkirk never really came close, although Maida Mcleroy (23 from 9) and Norbert Pistecial (35 not out from 17) shone with prominent power hitting, but regular wickets ensured that they would fall to 9-142 from their 20 overs, 47 runs in arrears. A massive win for the Giants, getting their campaign for a third straight trophy off on the correct note.

Matchday Two

Cleorough Devils vs Chamberley Giants @ Greenhill Oval, Kirton

Chamberley Giants - 5/165 (20)
L Cocrine 65 (39)			K Sonnel 3/29 (4)
S Monteane 40 (26)			B Risewell 2/10 (2)

Cleorough Devils - 5/166 (17.1)
D Fomleya 78 (51)			B Hall 2/26 (4)
A Stealom 38* (23)			L Njata 2/28 (2.1)

Player of the match: Kate Sonnel
Cleorough Devils win by five wickets with 17 balls remaining

Following a close loss to the Halpenley Lightning, the Cleorough Devils have successfully bounced back, with Daniel Fomleya and Kate Sonnel leading the way as the franchise defeated the powerful Chamberley Giants, the favourite for their third title in three seasons. On an excellent batting top at Greenhill Oval in Kirton, the Giants were only able to muster a total of 5-165, with youngster Kate Sonnel taking 3-29 from her four overs, bamboozling the powerful Chamberley batting lineup with her leg-spinners, while Ko-orenite Blaine Risewell held the score to 165 with two stunning overs of death bowling. However, the Giants would not go down without a fight, with Leo Njata picking up Taylah Monnier and Aiden Tasso in his opening over. However, Daniel Fomleya (78 from 51) and Brock Westleford (35 from 22) had other ideas, smashing the Chamberley speedster for 21 from his second over as the Devils began to take the Giants bowling down. Broughton Hall played a lone hand with the wickets of Westleford and on his final ball, Fomleya, but in the end, a boundary to Ashton Stealom (38 not out from 23) sealed the five-wicket victory for the Cleorough franchise with 17 balls still remaining.

Avondale Knights vs Dunkirk Rovers @ Heritage Stadium, Avondale

Dunkirk Rovers - 6/195 (20)
M Mcleroy 52 (36)			G Haines 1/25 (4)
P Lenton 42* (24)			E Samuel 1/36 (4)

Avondale Knights - 8/164 (20)
R Bremner 51 (33)			S Lampe 3/30 (4)
F Stanton 22 (11)			M Poci 2/19 (4)

Player of the match: Milan Poci
Dunkirk Rovers win by 31 runs

This was one result no one saw coming. The Avondale Knights, fresh off a 10-run victory over the Betham Dogs, struggled to keep the Dunkirk Rovers at bay in their second-round clash at the Heritage Stadium in Avondale, eventually losing by 31 runs despite Richard Bremner’s second fifty in two matches. Earlier on, Maida Mcleroy (52 from 36) and Peter Lenton (42 not out from 24) had led the Dunkirk Rovers to a total of 6-195 from their allocated overs, with only Georgia Haines’ 1-25 from four overs not being taken down. However, despite the Knights’ best efforts, Milan Poci’s accurate leg-spin and Shawn Lampe’s variations saw the Rovers home by 31 runs, with no one other than Bremner able to pass 25. Milan Poci, with figures of 2-19, was awarded player of the match with some of the best leg-spin bowling the Crash n’ Smash has seen to date.

Pesfield Wasps vs Betham Dogs @ The ‘Tato, Tartontaton

Pesfield Wasps - 7/179 (20)
G Umbridge 95 (48)			S Clapiope 2/21 (3)
L Tiati 31 (21)				E Hillock 2/32 (4)

Betham Dogs - 6/158 (20)
E Cunningham 57 (42)			S Irvine 3/29 (4)
A Lonelet 39 (35)			T Mankira 1/27 (4)

Player of the match: Gary Umbridge
Pesfield Wasps win by 21 runs

After being thumped by their cross-state rivals, Pesfield Wasps travelled to their secondary stadium in Tartontaton out for blood against the Betham Dogs, a side of whom also came out second-best in their first round clash. However, the night would be owned by Ethanian skipper Gary Umbridge, of whom scored a 48-ball 95 to motor the Wasps to 7-179 on a tough pitch, with Dogs bowlers Shaun Clapiope and Edward Hillock each proving effective, picking up two wickets apiece. However, the Dogs looked up to the challenge, with Edward Cunningham and Adam Lonelet combining for a 91-run opening stand in 10.2 overs to put the visitors in the drivers’ seat. However, Lonelet’s dismissal for 39 triggered a collapse, with no one able to pick up the slack from Cunningham and Lonelet as the required run-rate climbed out of hand. In the end, the Dogs could only muster 6-158, falling 21 runs short and dropping to the bottom of the table.

Halpenley Lightning vs Scorching Hot Dodle @ Wagham Stadium, Conton

Scorching Hot Dodle - 8/174 (20)
D Reddy 46 (26)				A Singh 2/26 (4)
V Stonton 37 (18)			S Asaskia 2/34 (4)

Halpenley Lightning - 6/175 (17.4)
C McCrory 66 (34)			A Huntingfield 2/30 (3)
M Stein 37* (33)			C Anderson 1/22 (3)

Player of the match: Charles McCrory
Halpenley Lightning win by four wickets with 14 balls remaining

In the only match of the round between two sides that won their opening match, Halpenley Lightning took the opportunity to jump to the top of the table, chasing down a total of 8-174 set by the Scorchers with four wickets and 14 rocks in hand, thanks to a quickfire 66 from just 34 balls from Charles McCrory, while Mitchell Stein’s unbeaten 37 from 33 anchored the innings. Anna Huntingfield may have picked up two wickets, but in the end, the Lightning were by far the better side on the day, and thoroughly deserved the victory.

Matchday Three

Scorching Hot Dodle vs Cleorough Devils @ Dodle Furnace, Dodle

Scorching Hot Dodle - 9/207 (20)
R Hale 50 (25)				N Norwell 3/20 (4)
S Petersen 47 (28)			J de Polo 2/43 (4)

Cleorough Devils - 5/156 (20)
A Stealom 49* (29)			P Tripathi 3/23 (4)
B Westleford 33 (25)			A Barragai 2/31 (4)

Player of the match: Panu Tripathi
Scorching Hot Dodle win by 51 runs

Fresh off a disappointing loss at the hands of the Pesfield Wasps, Scorching Hot Dodle bounced back at home against the Cleorough Devils, with a dominant performance to ensure a 51-run victory after scoring a whopping 9-207 in the first innings. Roderick Hale, Samuel Petersen and Victor Stonton all shone in the innings, scoring quickfire scores of note to propel the Scorchers towards a superb total. Only Nathan Norwell could resist the firepower of the Dodle batters, picking up 3-20 from his four overs, while nigh on everyone else conceded in excess of ten an over. Chasing a massive total, the Devils never really got going, with Ashton Stealom’s lone hand of 49 not out at the end of the innings keeping the margin of deficit from going way out of hand, while Panu Tripathi ran through the Devils batting lineup with an amazing 3-23 from his four overs.

Betham Dogs vs Halpenley Lightning @ Betham Cricket Ground, Betham

Halpenley Lightning - 6/178 (20)
J Martin 69 (39)			S Polen 2/25 (3)
M Stein 32 (20)				L yChallril 2/41 (4)

Betham Dogs - 9/149 (20)
C Demoncast 56 (35)			A Kennedy 3/15 (3)
R Taylor 27 (22)			C McCrory 3/21 (4)

Player of the match: Jack Martin
Halpenley Lightning win by 29 runs

The Halpenley Lightning have lengthened their lead at the top of the ladder, winning their third match on the trot thanks to an all-round team effort from multiple players. Jack Martin (69 from 39) led the way with the batting, ably supported by Mitchell Stein (32 from 20) and James Hemingway (28 not out from 20). The final score for the Lightning, on a turning wicket, was 6-178, a tough yet gettable chase for the Betham Dogs to notch up their first win of the season. But the Lightning, once again, proved too strong, with Abbey Kennedy picking up 3-15 from three overs and Charles McCrory 3-21 from four to keep the hosts to 9-149, despite a fifty to Bruxoan batter Catbug Demoncast and other notable contributions from Patrick Shotenham (24 from 25) and Ronald Taylor (27 from 22). The Lightning, though, had their third victory in three matches and were really shaping up as a favourite.

Dunkirk Rovers vs Pesfield Wasps @ Jameson Oval, Dunkirk

Dunkirk Rovers - 5/163 (20)
M Mcleroy 48 (33)			S Irvine 2/23 (4)
C Alkina 38 (30)			H Cranston 1/6 (1)

Pesfield Wasps - 7/166 (19.2)
L Tiati 55 (34)				N Pistecial 2/25 (4)
Z Arafase 49 (36)			J Curran 2/25 (4)

Player of the match: Luke Tiati
Pesfield Wasps win by three wickets with four balls remaining

Following a win over the Betham Dogs, the Pesfield Wasps have managed to keep their momentum going in the right direction, overcoming the Dunkirk Rovers in an intense contest between two sides with a win and a loss apiece. In the first innings, Peter Cuniry (36 from 32) and Conner Alkina (38 from 30) put on a 73-run opening stand in 9.5 overs, before Maida Mcleroy came out and batted through the majority of the remainder of the innings, finishing with 48 from 33 balls. Some late hitting from Peter Lenton saw the Rovers to 5-163, a good total on a slightly tricky wicket in Dunkirk. Luke Tiati and Zachary Arafase disagreed, though, with the pair taking the total to 1-90 after 10 overs. A collapse, though, saw the Rovers find their way back into the match, but it was a little too late, with Zangj Jonjaakh (14 not out from 10) and Lily Bodenweiser (3 not out from 4) guiding the Wasps home with four balls remaining, despite Norbert Pistecial and Jorja Curran picking up identical figures of 2-25 from four overs.

Chamberley Giants vs Avondale Knights @ Chamberley Cricket Ground, Chamberley

Chamberley Giants - 5/184 (20)
L Edwards 72 (42)			F Stanton 2/20 (2)
S Monteane 54 (32)			M Marshall 2/31 (4)

Avondale Knights - 5/169 (20)
C Freehill 42 (33)			D Goolsby 2/26 (3)
Y Ubuni 39 (19)				O Bowles 2/32 (4)

Player of the match: Lachlan Edwards
Chamberley Giants win by 15 runs

Arguably the two best sides in the Crash n’ Smash on paper, the Chamberley Giants and Avondale Knights fought out a rather one-sided match in Chamberley, with the hosts taking out the victory by 15 runs, their total of 5-184 too much for the Knights to chase down on an excellent batting surface. For the Giants, Simon Monteane (54 from 32) and eventual player of the match Lachlan Edwards (72 from 42) set the tone for the innings, scoring 104 runs together from 10.5 overs before Monteane was finally dismissed. Lachlan Cocrine came in and belted 35 from 22 balls, but from a score of 1-142 from 13.5 overs, some good death bowling restricted the Giants to 5-184 from 20 overs. Yash Ubuni immediately picked up the slack, though, smashing 39 from 19 inside the powerplay to get the Knights’ innings off to a flier, but despite starts from Moses Scovell (29 from 22) and Caitlyn Freehill (42 from 33), none of the Avondale batters could go on to make a 60 or 70 to guide the visitors home, falling 15 runs short and finishing with 5-169.

Matchday Four

Cleorough Devils vs Avondale Knights @ The Showground, Chisbuton

Avondale Knights - 6/172 (20)
R Bremner 73* (44)			J de Polo 2/11 (2)
A Jefferis 30 (27)			B Risewell 1/19 (2)

Cleorough Devils - 5/174 (17.2)
B Westleford 62 (27)			E Samuel 2/29 (4)
A Tasso 52 (30)				J Vilesti 2/32 (3)

Player of the match: Brock Westleford
Cleorough Devils win by five wickets with 16 balls remaining

Well, what an entertaining game. The final score may show a relatively easy victory for the Cleorough Devils over arch-rivals Avondale Knights, but in reality, it really wasn’t. Tumbran star Richard Bremner (73 not out from 44) anchored the Knights innings on the regional oval of The Showground, Chisbuton and with assistance from Ashley Jefferis (30 from 27) and Mariam Oldacre (25 from 17), the Knights were able to put a slightly above-par score of 6-172 on the board, giving the Devils a tough run chase. However, despite the early losses of Taylah Monnier and Daniel Fomleya, fifties to Aiden Tasso (52 from 30) and Brock Westleford (62 from 27) guided the Devils home with five wickets and fifteen balls to spare, despite good, aggressive bowling from Emmie Samuel and Josh Vilesti. The Knights, now at only one win from four games, were in strife, while the Devils were beginning to look quite promising.

Pesfield Wasps vs Chamberley Giants @ Chilseamers Park, Chilseamers

Pesfield Wasps - 7/182 (20)
H Cranston 61* (34)			B Hall 3/15 (4)
Z Jonjaakh 35 (16)			O Bowles 2/44 (4)

Chamberley Giants - 6/184 (19)
L Cocrine 50 (22)			S Cross 1/21 (3)
D Goolsby 46* (23)			O Lovia 1/25 (3)

Player of the match: Broughton Hall
Chamberley Giants win by four wickets with six balls remaining

In similar vein to the past two seasons of the Crash n’ Smash, the Chamberley Giants have completely dominated all sides that have passed them, save the Cleorougn Devils in the second round of the season. The match against the Pesfield Wasps in Chilseamers was no different, chasing down a tough total of 7-182 set by the hosts with an over remaining. In the first innings, Broughton Hall’s stupendous 3-15 from four overs was the only bright spot for the Giants, with Tumbran all-rounder Holly Cranston and Zangj Jonjaakh going berserk at the death, with 68 runs from the final five overs to take the total from a mediocre one to an ominous one. But Lachlan Cocrine wouldn’t hold anything back, scoring a 22-ball fifty to set the tone after the early loss of Lachlan Edwards for four. At 4-111 in the 13th over, the game was in the balance, but some hitting from Grearish captain Dewayne Goolsby (46 not out from 23) and decisive batting from Liam Afosha (46 from 31) ensured the Giants would arrive home via two leg-byes on the final ball of the penultimate over, by four wickets.

Halpenley Lightning vs Dunkirk Rovers @ Aerorum Oval, Brethonenil

Dunkirk Rovers - 5/174 (20)
M Mcleroy 89* (62)			S Asaskia 3/33 (4)
E Hosbury 29* (18)			J Martin 1/3 (1)

Halpenley Lightning - 6/177 (16.4)
J Martin 80* (38)			S Lampe 2/15 (2)
S Asaskia 42 (22)			M Poci 2/47 (3.4)

Player of the match: Jack Martin
Halpenley Lightning win by four wickets with 20 balls remaining

If you thought the Chamberley Giants were looking like the favourite for the title four rounds in, think again. The Halpenley Lightning have been leaving a trail of destruction in their wake, with a series of big wins that have seen them propel themselves to the top of the table with a brilliant net run-rate and a 4-0 record. However, the Dunkirk batters certainly put up a fight, with Maida Mcleroy playing a huge role in the innings, batting it through following the early loss of Peter Cuniry. She finished with 89 not out, including 56 from the final five overs, without loss, thanks to a quickfire 29 from Erin Hosbury to take the score to 5-174 from 20 overs. On a pitch hundreds of kilometres away from the nearest city in the middle of the Sylestonean desert, where runscoring is incredibly difficult, the Lightning seemed set for their first loss.
But no, Jack Martin (80 not out from 38) had other ideas. Coming in at 2-29 after four overs, he smashed the Dunkirk bowling to all parts, combining with Samuel Asaskia (42 from 22) for a 91-run partnership to guide the visitors home, scoring a total of 6-177 from just 16.4 overs to take out their best win so far.

Scorching Hot Dodle vs Betham Dogs @ Nordic Stadium, Oslolihul

Scorching Hot Dodle - 7/156 (20)[/b]
S Lake 40 (22)				L yChallril 2/19 (4)
S Petersen 31 (24)			E Hillock 1/19 (4)

Betham Dogs - 6/159 (15.2)
R Taylor 58 (28)			E Hillock 2/12 (1.2)
P Shotenham 47* (33)			R Amitt 1/24 (3)

Player of the match: Ronald Taylor
Betham Dogs win by four wickets with 28 balls remaining

On their fourth time of trying, the Betham Dogs have finally managed to come out on top in a match, and what a victory it was. Up against the Scorching Hot Dodle at their tertiary stadium in Oslolihul, some superb leg-spin bowling from Ko-orenite Lasrewll yChallril and death bowling from young Ethanian left-armer Edward Hillock, each conceding only 19 runs from their four overs to keep the Scorching Hot Dodle to 7-156 from their 20 overs. However, some good powerplay bowling ensured that the Dogs would be 4-47 in the seventh over, when Shotenham and Taylor joined each other at the crease. The two of them put on 101 runs together, taking the Dogs to the cusp of victory before the Dogs ensured victory with four wickets left in the shed and 28 balls remaining. Taylor, with 58 from 28 balls, was awarded player of the match over fellow Ko-orenite Lasrewll yChallril as the Dogs finally got their season going.

Matchday Five

Betham Dogs vs Cleorough Devils @ Betham Cricket Ground, Betham

Cleorough Devils - 5/167 (20)
D Fomleya 49 (33)			C Latour 3/26 (4)
Z Charlton 44* (33)			L yChallril 1/23 (4)

Betham Dogs - 5/157 (20)
C Demoncast 54* (41)			P Wright 2/32 (4)
S Clapiope 47* (30)			N Norwell 1/18 (4)

Player of the match: Chelsea Latour
Cleorough Devils win by 10 runs

Back at the big grounds in the nation for the fifth round of the Crash n’ Smash, the Betham Dogs failed to make the most of their win over the Scorchers last round, losing out by ten runs to the Cleorough Devils despite a late blitz from Catbug Demoncast and Shaun Clapiope. Chelsea Latour, though, was still awarded with player of the match with bowling figures of 3-26, keeping the Devils from having their total grow out of hand. However, on a slightly difficult pitch at the BCG, a total of 5-167 was certainly a good one. And with the score 5-76 in the 13th over, it certainly appeared so. But no, Shaun Clapiope (47 not out from 30) and Catbug Demoncast (54 not out from 41) gave it their best shot, but the required run-rate was simply too high, with the Dogs finishing with 5-157, ten runs short of the Devils total.

Dunkirk Rovers vs Scorching Hot Dodle @ Jameson Oval, Dunkirk

Dunkirk Rovers - 4/149 (20)
P Cuniry 35 (33)			B Eastwood 1/6 (4)
P Lenton 62* (33)			S Asaskia 1/32 (4)

Scorching Hot Dodle - 4/150 (18.2)
B Eastwood 51 (30)			M Poci 3/33 (4)
D Reddy 41 (24)				S Lampe 1/19 (3)

Player of the match: Brianna Eastwood
Scorching Hot Dodle win by six wickets with 10 balls remaining

After losing to the Betham Dogs in Oslolihul in the fourth round, Scorching Hot Dodle have bounced back to win their third game in five, against the Dunkirk Rovers. Brianna Eastwood’s part-time off-spin troubled the Dunkirk batters to no end, only conceding six runs from her four overs and picking up a wicket in the process. At one stage, it appeared that the Rovers were on track for a total of less than 120, but some late-order power hitting from captain Peter Lenton saw the Rovers to a total of 4-149, at least ten runs under par, but it at least gave them something to bowl at. In the end, though, it would not be enough, with a fifty to Brianna Eastwood guiding the visitors home by six wickets with ten balls remaining, backing up an astonishing bowling effort with a 30-ball 51. A brilliant game for the 20-year-old.

Chamberley Giants vs Halpenley Lightning @ Chamberley Cricket Ground, Chamberley

Chamberley Giants - 5/186 (20)
S Monteane 80 (53)			A Singh 2/34 (4)
L Afosha 54 (36)			C McCrory 1/33 (4)

Halpenley Lightning - 4/187 (17)
C McCrory 91 (46)			O Bowles 2/35 (3)
J Martin 43* (28)			S Scron 1/29 (3)

Player of the match: Charles McCrory
Halpenley Lightning win by six wickets with 18 balls remaining

If people thought that the Lightning’s victory over the Dunkirk Rovers was the best of the lot so far, think again. Despite winning their first four games, the Halpenley Lightning were still considered underdogs for their top-of-the-table clash against the mighty Chamberley Giants, in Chamberley. And it looked thus, with Abhinav Singh (2-34 from four) the only bowler able to take more than a single wicket, with the Giants piling 5-186 on the board, mainly thanks to fifties from Simon Monteane (80 from 53) and Liam Afosha (54 from 36). However, Charles McCrory had other ideas, not being fazed by the early loss of Alyssa Fihelly for a diamond duck and Mitchell Stein for nought, whacking an astonishing, 46-ball 91, playing the aggressor while Jack Martin and Cameron Cunnings sat at the other end, simply allowing the Tumbran to smash the bowling to all parts. In the end, the Lightning chased down the total with six wickets and three overs to spare, and wrapped up a convincing victory to win their fifth game on the trot. Could anyone beat these guys?

Avondale Knights vs Pesfield Wasps @ Capital Stadium, Avondale

Pesfield Wasps - 7/178 (20)
G Umbridge 40 (30)			G Haines 3/38 (4)
L Tiati 33 (23)				C Freehill 1/16 (2)

Avondale Knights - 8/147 (20)
M Scovell 35 (36)			T Mankira 3/26 (4)
R Bremner 28 (31)			S Irvine 2/31 (4)

Player of the match: Talvin Mankira
Pesfield Wasps win by 31 runs

Things are steadily rolling downhill for the Avondale Knights, following up their victory over the Betham Dogs with four straight losses. And this one, at home against the Pesfield Wasps, was the worst of the lot. In the first innings, regular wickets saw the Wasps restricted to 7-178 from their 20 overs, still a good ten or fifteen above par, mainly thanks to Georgia Haines’ 3-38 from four overs, taking regular wickets with attacking leg-spin. However, it was the batting innings that provided the main shitshow, with no batter even looking like challenging the target. Even Richard Bremner, one of the highest run-scorers of the Crash n’ Smash to date, struggled against the Pesfield bowling as the Knights scraped to 8-147 from their 20 overs, the highest scorer being Moses Scovell, with a 36-ball 35. Talvin Mankira was the main destroyer, picking up figures of 3-26 from four overs, while Bollonischian spinner Sharron Irvine also chipped in with two in a resounding win for the Pesfield franchise.

Matchday Six

Cleorough Devils vs Pesfield Wasps @ Greenhill Oval, Kirton

Cleorough Devils - 4/181 (20)
A Tasso 44 (30)				S Irvine 2/38 (4)
D Fomleya 42 (27)			Z Jonjaakh 1/38 (4)

Pesfield Wasps - 5/156 (20)
J Appleby 61 (50)			J de Polo 2/31 (4)
S Cross 21 (15)				A Tasso 1/22 (4)

Player of the match: Aiden Tasso
Cleorough Devils win by 25 runs

Back at Greenhill Oval in Kirton for the second time so far in the season, the Cleorough Devils have continued to assert themselves as a force to be reckoned with, completing a convincing victory over a strong Pesfield Wasps side, led by a strong all-round performance from Aiden Tasso. The left-hander top scored in the first innings with a 30-ball 44, before tying down the Wasp batters with 1-22 from four overs, bowling relentless lines and lengths and not allowing anyone to get under the ball. As a result, he was awarded with player of the match as the Devils romped home by 25 runs, with their total of 4-181 proving too hot to handle, with the Wasps only able to score 5-156 in reply to continue their stop-start season.

Halpenley Lightning vs Avondale Knights @ Wagham Stadium, Conton

Avondale Knights - 5/185 (20)
R Bremner 58 (38)			A Kennedy 2/23 (4)
Y Ubuni 34 (16)				S Asaskia 2/37 (4)

Halpenley Lightning - 4/180 (20)
S Asaskia 43* (27)			F Stanton 2/24 (4)
C Cunnings 41* (28)			E Samuel 1/33 (4)

Player of the match: Richard Bremner
Avondale Knights win by five runs

Finally, someone defeated the Halpenley Lightning. The Avondale Knights, predicted runners-up before the season, had slumped to four consecutive losses before travelling to Conton to play against the Halpenley Lightning, with five wins from their five games so far. Batting first, a quickfire 34 from 16 balls from Yash Ubuni got the Knights’ innings off to an optimal start before Richard Bremner notched up his fourth fifty in six matches with a 38-ball 58, propelling the Knights to 5-185 from their 20 overs. Knowing that the Lightning are famed for chasing this sort of total with ease, the Knights set about in a dogged fashion, controlling the game as the hosts slumped to 4-110 from 13 overs, with 76 runs required from 42 balls to win. Samuel Asaskia and Cameron Cunnings brought that down to 17 from the final over and six from the final ball, but a superb wide yorker from Josh Vilesti saw the Knights home for their second victory of the season. Finally, on the sixth attempt of trying, someone had toppled the Halpenley Lightning from their thunderous reign. Would this be the start of many?

Scorching Hot Dodle vs Chamberley Giants @ Eastern Sylestone Cricket Ground, Marbury

Scorching Hot Dodle - 5/174 (20)
R Hale 103* (58)			B Hall 4/28 (4)
D Reddy 42 (38)				D Goolsby 1/35 (3)

Chamberley Giants - 6/174 (20)
L Cocrine 49 (36)			P Tripathi 3/30 (4)
L Afosha 48* (34)			C Anderson 1/14 (2)

Scorching Hot Dodle - 0/12 (1)
R Hale 11* (5)				B Hall 0/12 (1)

Chamberley Giants - 0/9 (1)
L Cocrine 5* (4)			S Petersen 0/9 (1)

Player of the match: Roderick Hale
Scorching Hot Dodle win on Super Over

Holy fuck, what a game. The first century of the Crash n’ Smash alongside the edition’s first four wicket haul marked an enthralling first innings, before the Chamberley Giants, batting second, managed to meet the total set by Scorching Hot Dodle, but not go over it. Thus, the first super over of the competition resumed, but despite their best efforts, Dewayne Goolsby could not hit the four runs required to take his side to victory, instead missing the ball completely as it landed in the gloves of an ecstatic Victor Stonton. Roderick’s Hale unbeaten 58-ball 103 to anchor the first innings had emerged as the deciding factor, trumping Broughton Hall’s 4-28 and Liam Afosha’s calm head at the end of the Giants’ innings to come out on top in the super over by three runs, twelve to nine. Dodle’s up and down season was continuing, with this being a huge high to defeat unarguably the strongest side on paper. If they could string together a few good performances in a row to fulfil their potential, who knows how far they could go?

Betham Dogs vs Dunkirk Rovers @ Flush Park, Kirkham

Dunkirk Rovers - 6/237 (20)
M Mcleroy 114* (53)			E Hillock 3/40 (4)
P Lenton 51 (22)			S Clapiope 2/40 (4)

Betham Dogs - 5/157 (20)
E Cunningham 75 (54)			J Curran 3/28 (4)
R Taylor 30* (16)			P Longlege 1/25 (3)

Player of the match: Maida Mcleroy
Dunkirk Rovers win by 80 runs

For the second time in the season, a side has managed to compile a total of over 200 in the first innings of a match, with the Dunkirk Rovers’ in-form middle order once again carrying them to another improbable victory. This time, Grearish batter Maida Mcleroy was the main destroyer, scoring the second century in two Crash n’ Smash matches with an unbeaten, 53-ball 114. Peter Lenton, the Rovers captain and a regular in the Sylestone national side, made 51 from 22 balls to continue to assert himself as a favourite for a middle-order spot in the upcoming EspoT20. However, despite the carnage, Edward Hillock (3-40 from four) and Shaun Clapiope (2-40 from four) each bowled reasonably well. In the end, the Rovers finished with a whopping 6-237 and despite some early hitting from Adam Lonelet and a brilliant 75 from Edward Cunningham, the Betham Dogs never got close. Some late hitting from Ronald Taylor saw the Dogs make 5-157 from their 20 overs, 80 runs behind the total set by their opposition, to fall to their fifth loss in six matches.

Matchday Seven

Dunkirk Rovers vs Cleorough Devils @ Jameson Oval, Dunkirk

Dunkirk Rovers - 8/187 (20)
C Alkina 69 (36)			N Norwell 2/29 (4)
R Accrington 27 (11)			P Wright 2/30 (4)

Cleorough Devils - 6/155 (20)
B Westleford 58 (43)			R Accrington 2/39 (3)
D Fomleya 57 (47)			P Longlege 1/14 (3)

Player of the match: Connor Alkina
Dunkirk Rovers win by 32 runs

Following their 80-run thrashing of the Betham Dogs just a day or two ago, the Dunkirk Rovers have won their second game on the trot, this time scoring 32 runs more than the Cleorough Devils to move up into sixth place on the Crash n’ Smash table at the halfway mark. Batting first in front of a home crowd at Jameson Oval in Dunkirk, Connor Alkina’s 36-ball 69 had the largest impact as the Rovers chugged along at a brisk rate to a final total of 8-187 from their 20 overs, although cameos from Peter Longlege, Riley Accrington and Erin Hosbury all had their impacts too. Longlege’s bowling in the powerplay continued to provide success, with him and Norbert Pistecial picking up an early wicket apiece before Daniel Fomleya and Brock Westleford steadied the ship. But the two left-handers could not keep up with the required run-rate and despite targeting the off-spin of Riley Accrington, the all-rounder eventually got both batters. The Devils eventually had to be satisfied with 6-155, a 32-run loss, as they dropped back down to fourth on the table.

Chamberley Giants vs Betham Dogs @ Chamberley Cricket Ground, Chamberley

Chamberley Giants - 6/185 (20)
L Edwards 72 (48)			R Taylor 3/24 (4)
S Monteane 31 (14)			L yChallril 2/20 (4)

Betham Dogs - 5/177 (20)
R Taylor 51 (38)			B Hall 2/25 (4)
N Lovia 29 (19)				L Njata 2/45 (4)

Player of the match: Lachlan Edwards
Chamberley Giants win by eight runs

Poor Betham. Nothing seems to be going right for them at the moment. Despite some superb bowling from Ko-orenite duo Ronald Taylor (3-24 from four) and Lasrewll yChallril (2-20 from four), Lachlan Edwards’ 48-ball 72 was still the deciding factor of the match and combined with some good batting from Simon Monteane (31 from 14), Dewayne Goolsby (24 not out from 13) and Eli Hunniford (29 not out from 14) saw the Chamberley Giants reach 6-185 from their 20 overs, a tough but surmountable total at the CCG. The Dogs came close, too, falling just eight runs short, but superb death bowling from Dewayne Goolsby and Samuel Scron ensured the dismissal of Ronald Taylor (51 from 38), the player who was going to take the visitors over the line. A good game if any and showed just how close the competition really was, although the table did not show it.

Avondale Knights vs Scorching Hot Dodle @ Capital Stadium, Avondale

Scorching Hot Dodle - 143 (20)
A Kennedy 29 (14)			E Samuel 3/20 (4)
S Asaskia 24 (25)			J Vilesti 3/31 (4)

Avondale Knights - 3/144 (15)
M Scovell 62* (42)			S Asaskia 3/32 (4)
R Bremner 45 (24)			B Eastwood 0/8 (1)

Player of the match: Emmie Samuel
Avondale Knights win by seven wickets with 30 balls remaining

Finally, the Avondale Knights are beginning to look like the side they threatened to be earlier in the competition. After disposing of the Halpenley Lightning by a mere five runs in the sixth round to record their second win of the competition, the Avondale franchise slaughtered Scorching Hot Dodle by a whopping seven wickets, with 30 balls still remaining in the sheds. No batter in the Dodle lineup was able to pass 30, although Abbey Kennedy (29 from 14) and Samuel Asaskia (24 from 25) came close, with Emmie Samuel (3-20 from four) and Joshua Vilesti (3-31 from four) picking up three wickets apiece as the Scorchers were bowled out for 143, becoming the first team to be bowled out in this edition. In the reply, the Knights made short work of the chase, with Moses Scovell scoring an unbeaten 62 to guide the Knights to victory, while Richard Bremner (who would’ve thought!) also made runs. Samuel Asaskia may have picked up all three wickets, but he was the lone hand in a thumping victory for the visitors as they finally began to live up to their potential.

Pesfield Wasps vs Halpenley Lightning @ Bolton Oval, Pesfield

Halpenley Lightning - 4/200 (20)
C McCrory 78 (42)			S Cross 1/28 (3)
A Fihelly 56 (40)			S Irvine 1/31 (4)

Pesfield Wasps - 7/201 (19)
L Tiati 89 (52)				S Asaskia 3/26 (4)
S Cross 34 (16)				C Darkcape 3/35 (4)

Player of the match: Luke Tiati
Pesfield Wasps win by three wickets with six balls remaining

After the Avondale Knights finally defeated a seemingly-unbeatable Halpenley Lightning side, other teams have belatedly opted to join in the fun, with the Pesfield Wasps racking up their fourth win of the competition with a three-wicket win over the Halpenley franchise, somehow chasing down a huge total of 200 with an over to spare. For the Lightning, Charles McCrory (78 from 42) and Alyssa Fihelly (56 from 40) piled on a 132-run opening stand before the former was dismissed, leading to a flurry of runs and wickets as the visitors finished with 4-200 from their 20 overs. A great total, but on the batting paradise that is Bolton Oval, far from unbeatable. And Luke Tiati proved it thus, anchoring the Wasps innings with a 52-ball 89, finally showing his true class, while some late hitting from Zangj Jonjaakh and Osten Lovia saw the hosts over the line by three wickets, with six balls still in hand. The Lightning had suffered their second loss in a row, but were still atop the Crash n’ Smash table at the halfway mark, a single point ahead of the Chamberley Giants and two ahead of Scorching Hot Dodle, the Cleorough Devils and the Pesfield Wasps. Could they hold onto it?

Current Table

* Crash n' Smash          Pld   W  T  L   NRR   Pts 
1 Halpenley Lightning       7   5  0  2  +0.819  10
2 Chamberley Giants         7   4  1  2  +0.193  9
3 Scorching Hot Dodle       7   4  0  3  +0.036  8
4 Cleorough Devils          7   4  0  3  -0.048  8
5 Pesfield Wasps            7   4  0  3  -0.096  8
6 Dunkirk Rovers            7   3  0  4  +0.287  6
7 Avondale Knights          7   3  0  4  -0.312  6
8 Betham Dogs               7   1  0  6  -0.828  2

by **Sylestone** » Sat Nov 06, 2021 3:07 pm

CRASH N’ SMASH

Season Three

Matchday Eight

Cleorough Devils vs Halpenley Lightning @ Cleorough Stadium, Cleorough

Cleorough Devils - 2/182 (20)
D Fomleya 78 (54)			S Asaskia 2/30 (4)
A Tasso 77* (49)			C McCrory 0/17 (2)

Halpenley Lightning - 7/172 (20)
A Fihelly 47 (40)			J de Polo 3/35 (4)
M Stein 43 (27)				N Norwell 2/43 (4)

Player of the match: Aiden Tasso
Cleorough Devils win by 10 runs

Pesfield Wasps vs Scorching Hot Dodle @ Bolton Oval, Pesfield

Pesfield Wasps - 5/219 (20)
L Tiati 76 (49)				P Tripathi 2/49 (4)
S Cross 61 (26)				A Huntingfield 1/25 (2)

Scorching Hot Dodle - 9/156 (20)
B Eastwood 53 (47)			T Mankira 3/12 (4)
R Hale 50 (30)				H Cranston 2/23 (4)

Player of the match: Talvin Mankira
Pesfield Wasps win by 63 runs

Avondale Knights vs Betham Dogs @ Capital Stadium, Avondale

Betham Dogs - 5/184 (20)
C Demoncast 87* (50)			J Vilesti 2/21 (4)
P Shotenham 37 (29)			G Haines 2/31 (4)

Avondale Knights - 4/183 (20)
M Scovell 67 (43)			S Polen 2/29 (4)
Y Ubuni 49 (33)				R Taylor 1/23 (3)

Player of the match: Catbug Demoncast
Betham Dogs win by one run

Chamberley Giants vs Dunkirk Rovers @ Chamberley Cricket Ground, Chamberley

Chamberley Giants - 3/206 (20)
S Monteane 58 (38)			M Poci 1/31 (4)
L Edwards 58 (41)			N Pistecial 1/43 (4)

Dunkirk Rovers - 4/175 (20)
M Mcleroy 71* (47)			B Hall 2/31 (4)
P Cuniry 32 (30)			O Bowles 1/29 (4)

Player of the match: Oliver Edwards
Chamberley Giants win by 31 runs

Matchday Nine

Chamberley Giants vs Cleorough Devils @ Freeman Oval, Freeman

Cleorough Devils - 5/162 (20)
D Fomleya 71 (49)			S Scron 2/35 (4)
T Monnier 46 (34)			O Bowles 1/31 (4)

Chamberley Giants - 7/156
L Cocrine 45 (34)			K Sonnel 4/24 (4)
L Afosha 35 (26)			A Tasso 1/3 (1)

Player of the match: Kate Sonnel
Cleorough Devils win by six runs

Dunkirk Rovers vs Avondale Knights @ Evergreen Arena, Emacuton

Avondale Knights - 8/210
Y Ubuni 86 (41)				P Lenton 3/35 (4)
R Bremner 39 (18)			M Poci 2/36 (4)

Dunkirk Rovers - 8/163
M Mcleroy 36 (25)			C Freehill 3/30 (4)
P Longlege 35 (29)			F Stanton 2/40 (4)

Player of the match: Yash Ubuni
Avondale Knights win by 47 runs

Betham Dogs vs Pesfield Wasps @ Flush Park, Kirkham

Pesfield Wasps - 5/192 (20)
L Tiati 81 (47)				R Taylor 4/19 (3)
J Appleby 74 (47)			E Hillock 1/32 (4)

Betham Dogs - 6/171 (20)
N Lovia 70 (44)				S Cross 2/28 (4)
S Clapiope 23* (13)			T Mankira 1/15 (3)

Player of the match: Luke Tiati
Pesfield Wasps win by 21 runs

Scorching Hot Dodle vs Halpenley Lightning @ Eastern Sylestone Cricket Ground, Marbury

Scorching Hot Dodle - 5/197 (20)
D Reddy 60 (37)				S Asaskia 1/18 (4)
B Eastwood 54 (34)			L Codrington/C McCrory 1/39 (4)

Halpenley Lightning - 4/172 (20)
M Stein 58 (41)				P Tripathi 3/22 (4)
C Cunnings 45* (40)			A Barragai 1/33 (4)

Player of the match: Dharmendra Reddy
Scorching Hot Dodle win by 25 runs

Matchday Ten

Cleorough Devils vs Scorching Hot Dodle @ Cleorough Stadium, Cleorough

Scorching Hot Dodle - 2/189 (20)
B Eastwood 79* (50)			J de Polo 1/30 (4)
D Reddy 70 (49)				K Sonnel 1/31 (4)

Cleorough Devils - 5/189 (20)
A Tasso 84 (47)				R Amitt 2/31 (4)
B Westleford 36 (23)			A Huntingfield 1/19 (3)

Cleorough Devils - 0/7 (1)
B Risewell 5* (4)			S Petersen 0/7 (1)

Scorching Hot Dodle - 0/9 (1)
C Anderson 8* (4)			J de Polo 0/9 (1)

Player of the match: Aiden Tasso
Scorching Hot Dodle win on Super Over

Halpenley Lightning vs Betham Dogs @ Halpenley City Oval, Halpenley

Betham Dogs - 7/163 (20)
E Cunningham 67 (38)			J Martin 2/12 (3)
N Lovia 34 (32)				C McCrory 2/22 (4)

Halpenley Lightning - 3/167 (18.3)
C McCrory 69* (50)			L yChallril 1/19 (3)
A Fihelly 39 (22)			S Polen 1/21 (2.3)

Player of the match: Charles McCrory
Halpenley Lightning win by seven wickets with nine balls remaining

Pesfield Wasps vs Dunkirk Rovers @ Bolton Oval, Pesfield

Dunkirk Rovers - 7/200 (20)
M Mcleroy 43 (29)			S Irvine 3/37 (4)
P Lenton 39 (23)			H Cranston 2/28 (4)

Pesfield Wasps - 6/156 (20)
L Tiati 79* (55)			M Poci 3/32 (4)
H Cranston 19 (13)			N Pistecial 2/27 (4)

Player of the match: Milan Poci
Dunkirk Rovers win by 44 runs

Avondale Knights vs Chamberley Giants @ Capital Stadium, Avondale

Chamberley Giants - 6/182 (20)
E Hunniford 87 (47)			E Samuel 2/29 (4)
L Cocrine 55 (40)			M Marshall 1/28 (3)

Avondale Knights - 117 (15.4)
E Samuel 23 (7)				B Hall 3/17 (3)
M Scovell 21 (13)			L Afosha 3/10 (2.4)

Player of the match: Eli Hunniford
Chamberley Giants win by 65 runs

Matchday Eleven

Avondale Knights vs Cleorough Devils @ Town Oval, Hageling

Cleorough Devils - 6/253 (20)
A Stealom 103* (43)			G Haines 2/62 (4)
B Risewell 89 (35)			C Freehill 1/17 (1)

Avondale Knights - 9/160 (20)
M Scovell 67 (50)			K Sonnel 3/26 (4)
F Stanton 39 (25)			B Risewell 3/33 (4)

Player of the match: Ashton Stealom
Cleorough Devils win by 93 runs

Chamberley Giants vs Pesfield Wasps @ Katham Oval, Katham

Chamberley Giants - 7/161 (20)
S Monteane 72 (52)			O Lovia 2/28 (4)
L Afosha 31 (23)			Z Jonjaakh 1/22 (3)

Pesfield Wasps - 9/153 (20)
S Cross 42 (32)				S Scron 4/33 (4)
Z Jonjaakh 31 (18)			O Bowles 3/27 (4)

Player of the match: Samuel Scron
Chamberley Giants win by eight runs

Dunkirk Rovers vs Halpenley Lightning @ Coastline Showground, Garretty

Dunkirk Rovers - 5/180 (20)
P Cuniry 80 (63)			L Codrington 2/37 (4)
P Longlege 42 (32)			A Kennedy 1/24 (4)

Halpenley Lightning - 6/148 (20)
C McCrory 58 (42)			S Lampe 3/35 (4)
J Martin 42* (26)			R Accrington/N Pistecial 1/26 (4)

Player of the match: Peter Cuniry
Dunkirk Rovers win by 32 runs

Betham Dogs vs Scorching Hot Dodle @ Tutham Oval, Tuthambedon

Betham Dogs - 8/177 (20)
A Lonelet 43 (27)			S Petersen 2/28 (3)
E Cunningham 31 (15)			A Huntingfield 1/22 (4)

Scorching Hot Dodle - 6/135 (20)
B Eastwood 66* (54)			L yChallril 1/19 (4)
R Amitt 22* (14)			M Dixon 1/20 (2)

Player of the match: Lasrewll yChallril
Betham Dogs win by 42 runs

Matchday Twelve

Cleorough Devils vs Betham Dogs @ Cleorough Stadium, Cleorough

Betham Dogs - 3/173 (20)
E Cunningham 99 (68)			N Norwell 2/37 (4)
C Demoncast 59 (46)			B Risewell 1/15 (2)

Cleorough Devils - 4/175 (17.3)
D Fomleya 67 (30)			E Hillock 2/26 (2.3)
B Westleford 35* (31)			S Polen 2/30 (4)

Player of the match: Daniel Fomleya
Cleorough Devils win by six wickets with 15 balls remaining

Scorching Hot Dodle vs Dunkirk Rovers @ Dodle Furnace, Dodle

Dunkirk Rovers - 5/179 (20)
M Mcleroy 77 (45)			S Petersen 2/33 (4)
E Hosbury 61* (37)			A Barragai 1/32 (4)

Scorching Hot Dodle - 8/157 (20)
B Eastwood 43 (37)			N Pistecial 4/33 (4)
S Lake 30 (16)				S Lampe 2/17 (4)

Player of the match: Norbert Pistecial
Dunkirk Rovers win by 22 runs

Halpenley Lightning vs Chamberley Giants @ Halpenley City Oval, Halpenley

Halpenley Lightning - 7/125 (20)
J Martin 67 (48)			D Goolsby 3/23 (4)
C Cunnings 22 (23)			O Bowles 1/14 (3)

Chamberley Giants - 2/126 (17.4)
S Monteane 71* (52)			C McCrory 1/15 (4)
L Edwards 22 (26)			A Kennedy 1/37 (4)

Player of the match: Simon Monteane
Chamberley Giants win by eight wickets with 14 balls remaining

Pesfield Wasps vs Avondale Knights @ Bolton Oval, Pesfield

Pesfield Wasps - 5/190 (20)
G Umbridge 59 (34)			C Freehill 2/33 (4)
Z Arafase 46 (37)			E Samuel 2/41 (4)

Avondale Knights - 9/192 (17.5)
R Bremner 94* (48)			S Irvine 4/35 (4)
M Scovell 34 (21)			S Cross 3/25 (2.4)

Player of the match: Richard Bremner
Avondale Knights win by one wicket with 13 balls remaining

Matchday Thirteen

Pesfield Wasps vs Cleorough Devils @ The ‘Tato, Tartontaton

Pesfield Wasps - 142 (17.1)
L Tiati 72 (58)				K Sonnel 3/17 (4)
H Cranston 21 (14)			B Risewell 3/17 (3)

Cleorough Devils - 3/145 (19.2)
T Monnier 57* (55)			H Cranston 1/16 (3)
D Fomleya 37 (30)			T Mankira 1/22 (4)

Player of the match: Blaine Risewell
Cleorough Devils win by seven wickets with four balls remaining

Avondale Knights vs Halpenley Lightning @ Heritage Stadium, Avondale

Avondale Knights - 8/161 (20)
Y Ubuni 78 (48)				C Darkcape 2/32 (4)
R Bremner 29 (28)			J Martin 1/11 (2)

Halpenley Lightning - 3/163 (18.1)
M Stein 60 (41)				J Vilesti 2/25 (3)
A Fihelly 45 (33)			C Freehill 1/21 (3.1)

Player of the match: Mitchell Stein
Halpenley Lightning win by seven wickets with 11 balls remaining

Chamberley Giants vs Scorching Hot Dodle @ Freeman Oval, Freeman

Chamberley Giants - 8/160 (20)
L Afosha 58 (37)			S Petersen 4/36 (4)
O Edwards 28 (30)			R Amitt 2/16 (3)

Scorching Hot Dodle - 4/161 (18.3)
R Hale 82* (51)				S Scron 2/23 (3.3)
S Lake 21 (18)				L Njata 1/33 (4)

Player of the match: Roderick Hale
Scorching Hot Dodle win by six wickets with nine balls remaining

Dunkirk Rovers vs Betham Dogs @ Evergreen Arena, Emacuton

Betham Dogs - 153 (20)
E Cunningham 53 (46)			M Poci 4/24 (4)
C Demoncast 27 (18)			J Curran 2/31 (4)

Dunkirk Rovers - 4/156 (16.2)
P Longlege 78 (44)			E Hillock 1/9 (2.2)
P Lenton 39* (28)			C Latour 1/15 (2)

Player of the match: Milan Poci
Dunkirk Rovers win by four wickets with 22 balls remaining

Matchday Fourteen

Cleorough Devils vs Dunkirk Rovers @ Cleorough Stadium, Cleorough

Dunkirk Rovers - 5/170 (20)
P Cuniry 68 (51)			K Sonnel 3/18 (4)
P Lenton 37* (17)			P Wright 1/42 (4)

Cleorough Devils - 6/161 (20)
T Monnier 42 (34)			S Lampe 2/36 (4)
Z Charlton 31 (28)			R Accrington 1/19 (3)

Player of the match: Peter Lenton
Dunkirk Rovers win by nine runs

Betham Dogs vs Chamberley Giants @ Betham Cricket Ground, Betham

Betham Dogs - 9/171 (20)
N Lovia 47 (47)				D Goolsby 3/38 (4)
R Taylor 38 (15)			S Scron 2/35 (4)

Chamberley Giants - 7/173 (20)
S Monteane 62 (47)			E Hillock 2/12 (4)
L Cocrine 43 (26)			L yChallril 2/37 (4)

Player of the match: Simon Monteane
Chamberley Giants win by three wickets with zero balls remaining

Scorching Hot Dodle vs Avondale Knights @ Dodle Furnace, Dodle

Scorching Hot Dodle - 6/196 (20)
R Hale 45 (32)				G Haines 2/31 (4)
B Eastwood 42 (27)			J Vilesti 2/31 (4)

Avondale Knights - 7/160 (20)
F Stanton 48* (24)			A Barragai 2/36 (4)
R Bremner 37 (32)			B Eastwood 1/17 (3)

Player of the match: Brianna Eastwood
Scorching Hot Dodle win by 36 runs

Halpenley Lightning vs Pesfield Wasps @ Halpenley City Oval, Halpenley

Pesfield Wasps - 9/143 (20)
L Tiati 52 (34)				S Asaskia 3/32 (4)
G Umbridge 33 (31)			L Codrington 2/24 (4)

Halpenley Lightning - 4/144 (16)
M Stein 57* (36)			Z Jonjaakh 2/33 (3)
A Millen 21 (21)			S Cross 1/13 (2)

Player of the match: Mitchell Stein
Halpenley Lightning win by six wickets with 24 balls remaining

Final Table

* Crash n' Smash          Pld   W  T  L   NRR   Pts 
1 Cleorough Devils         14   9  1  4  +0.371  19
2 Chamberley Giants        14   9  1  4  +0.361  19
3 Dunkirk Rovers           14   8  0  6  +0.376  16
4 Halpenley Lightning      14   8  0  6  +0.329  16
5 Scorching Hot Dodle      14   8  0  6  -0.176  16
6 Pesfield Wasps           14   6  0  8  -0.081  12
7 Avondale Knights         14   5  0  9  -0.544  10
8 Betham Dogs              14   3  0 11  -0.622  6

First Eliminator (4v5)

Halpenley Lightning vs Scorching Hot Dodle @ Halpenley City Oval, Halpenley

Halpenley Lightning - 7/154 (20)
M Stein 44 (38)				P Tripathi 2/13 (4)
S Asaskia 28 (16)			T Mankira 2/39 (4)

Scorching Hot Dodle - 4/155 (15.4)
R Hale 71* (43)				S Asaskia 2/14 (2)
B Eastwood 56 (34)			C Darkcape 1/29 (3)

Player of the match: Roderick Hale
Scorching Hot Dodle win by six wickets with 26 balls remaining

After Halpenley Lightning won their first five games of the Crash n’ Smash season with ease, they succumbed to counter-strategies put in place, with only three wins from their remaining nine games. However, it was still good enough to grab hosting rights to the first eliminator between fourth and fifth place, where they would be at a home ground advantage to hopefully demolish Scorching Hot Dodle. However, after no batter passed fifty and only a total of 7-154 was put on the board in the first innings, signs of worry began to pass around the ground, with Panu Tripathi’s 2-13 bamboozling the Lightning’s batters on a tough surface, meaning that 154 wasn’t really that far below par. However, Roderick Hale and elevated-opener Brianna Eastwood continued their respective good form, with Hale finishing with an unbeaten, 43-ball 71 while Eastwood made 56 from 34 as part of a 81-run second wicket partnership to throw the Lightning completely off their game. Dodle were through, and would play surprise packets Dunkirk Rovers in the second eliminator.

Qualifier (1v2)

Cleorough Devils vs Chamberley Giants @ Cleorough Stadium, Cleorough

Cleorough Devils - 9/154 (20)
D Fomleya 78 (43)			A Homburg 3/26 (4)
B Risewell 20 (23)			O Bowles 2/26 (4)

Chamberley Giants - 6/157 (20)
S Monteane 61 (46)			N Norwell 3/36 (4)
L Cocrine 34 (23)			K Sonnel 2/21 (4)

Player of the match: Dewayne Goolsby
Chamberley Giants win by five wickets with zero balls remaining

Well, what a game. A seesawing match between two classy sides on a tricky deck, with the game not being decided until the final ball in an instant classic. Daniel Fomleya (78 from 43) anchored the Cleorough innings, scoring more than half their runs as the Devils stumbled to 9-154 from their 20 overs, roughly par on a tricky track. But with the power stacks the Giants have in their batting lineup, it’s hard to set a good score for them. Simon Monteane (61 from 46), Lachlan Cocrine (34 from 23) and Oliver Edwards (26 from 29) all looked good at the crease, but with an over remaining and Dewayne Goolsby on strike, having not faced a ball, the target of 18 runs seemed lightyears away. So when Goolsby tracked it down to four from the last ball of Juan de Polo’s over, no one could quite believe it, with the Giants captain single-handedly keeping his side in the game. He pulled it off, too, whacking the final ball onto the roof of the stadium to put his side through to the final. Could they make it three from three?

Second Eliminator (3v4)

Dunkirk Rovers vs Scorching Hot Dodle @ Jameson Oval, Dunkirk

Scorching Hot Dodle - 9/157 (20)
D Reddy 40 (18)				P Longlege 3/21 (4)
S Petersen 35 (25)			S Lampe 2/16 (4)

Dunkirk Rovers - 5/160 (17.5)
M Mcleroy 82* (47)			S Petersen 2/18 (2.3)
P Lenton 37 (24)			R Amitt 2/28 (3)

Player of the match: Maida Mcleroy
Dunkirk Rovers win by five wickets with 13 balls remaining

Dunkirk has done it. Again. Coming into the Crash n’ Smash as one of the weakest sides on paper, they’ve defied all odds and moved into the Challenger, one step away from the final itself. On a turning deck at Jameson Oval in Dunkirk, a last-ditch effort to stop run-scoring paid off, with Peter Longlege’s rarely used offies picking up 3-21 from four overs to halt the run flow. In the end, Dodle could only finish with 9-157 from their 20 overs, slightly below par at the Rovers’ home ground. And it proved thus, with Maida Mcleroy continuing to rack up the runs with an unbeaten 82, guiding her side home with 15 balls remaining. The Rovers were through, and were up against the Devils in the Challenger. Could they win once more to turn a miracle story into a possible championship?

Challenger (2v3)

Cleorough Devils vs Dunkirk Rovers @ Cleorough Stadium, Cleorough

Cleorough Devils - 5/209 (20)
B Westleford 58 (41)			M Poci 2/38 (4)
T Monnier 40 (17)			N Pistecial 1/30 (4)

Dunkirk Rovers - 8/158 (20)
E Hosbury 34* (18)			N Norwell 2/22 (3)
P Longlege 34 (24)			J de Polo 2/28 (4)

Player of the match: Brock Westleford
Cleorough Devils win by 51 runs

Not quite. At home for the Challenger, the Cleorough Devils were just too good for the Rovers, with Taylah Monnier getting the innings off to a flier and never releasing the pressure. Brock Westleford’s calm 58 anchored the innings, while batters around him went big as the Devils piled on 5-209. It could’ve been more, too, if Milan Poci didn’t pick up two timely wickets to finish with 2-38 from his four overs, but at least the Rovers had a skerrick of a chance. But good opening bowling saw the end of that, with no one really able to get going and anchor the innings like Westleford had done, with only some late hitting from Erin Hosbury seeing the Rovers above the 150 mark. The Devils were through to their first final against a side they had beaten twice and lost to once. Could they make it three wins?

Grand Final

Chamberley Giants vs Cleorough Devils @ Chamberley Cricket Ground, Chamberley

Chamberley Giants 1st Innings
Batter                                            R   B  4s  6s   SR
S Monteane      lbw b Ambrize                    36  29   5   0  124.14
M Takasuka      c Stealom b de Polo               5  10   0   0   50
L Cocrine       c Westleford b Sonnel            13   7   1   1  185.71
O Edwards       b Norwell                         2   6   0   0   33.33
L Afosha        not out                          57  39   6   1  146.15
E Hunniford     lbw b Risewell                    7  12   0   0   58.33
D Goolsby       st Stealom b de Polo             21   8   0   3  262.5
A Homburg       c Risewell b de Polo              0   1   0   0    
B Hall          run out (Tasso)                  11   6   0   1  183.33
S Scron         not out                           4   2   0   0  200
     EXTRAS     (2 lb, 7 wd)                      9
      TOTAL     for 8 wickets; declared         165   (20 ov; 8.25 RPO)
Did not bat:  O Bowles

FOW: 1-17 (M Takasuka, 3.4 overs); 2-36 (L Cocrine, 6.1 overs); 3-43 (O Edwards, 7.5 overs); 4-90 (S Monteane, 11.2 overs); 5-110 (E Hunniford, 15.1 overs); 6-136 (D Goolsby, 17.5 overs); 7-136 (A Homburg, 17.6 overs); 8-161 (B Hall, 19.4 overs)

Cleorough Devils Bowling
Bowler             Ov   M   R  W   Econ  Ext
N Norwell           4   0  34  1    8.5  
J de Polo           4   0  27  3   6.75  (1 wd)
A Ambrize           4   0  37  1   9.25  (2 wd)
A Tasso             1   0  10  0     10  
K Sonnel            4   0  28  1      7  
B Risewell          3   0  27  1      9  (4 wd)

Cleorough Devils 1st Innings
Batter                                            R   B  4s  6s   SR
D Fomleya       b Scron                          14  13   2   0  107.69
T Monnier       c Afosha b Homburg                1   3   0   0   33.33
A Tasso         c Homburg b Afosha               48  34   6   1  141.18
B Westleford    c Takasuka b Hall                36  28   4   0  128.57
A Oltin         c Hunniford b Hall               17  10   1   1  170
A Stealom       not out                          32  19   2   2  168.42
B Risewell      c Edwards b Goolsby               4   4   0   0  100
N Norwell       not out                          10   6   0   1  166.67
     EXTRAS     (2 b, 1 lb, 2 wd)                 5
      TOTAL     for 6 wickets                   167   (19.3 ov; 8.56 RPO)
Did not bat:  J de Polo, K Sonnel, A Ambrize

FOW: 1-4 (T Monnier, 0.6 overs); 2-25 (D Fomleya, 3.5 overs); 3-102 (A Tasso, 12.4 overs); 4-108 (B Westleford, 13.4 overs); 5-135 (A Oltin, 16.2 overs); 6-144 (B Risewell, 17.3 overs)

Chamberley Giants Bowling
Bowler             Ov   M   R  W   Econ  Ext
A Homburg           3   0  26  1   8.67  
S Scron             4   0  35  1   8.75  
B Hall              4   0  29  2   7.25  (1 wd)
D Goolsby         2.3   0  21  1    8.4  (1 wd)
O Bowles            3   0  21  0      7  
L Afosha            3   0  32  1  10.67  

Venue: Chamberley Cricket Ground, Chamberley
Toss: Chamberley Giants won the toss and elected to bat
Season: Crash n' Smash S3
Matchdays: Grand Final
Player of the Match: Juan de Polo (CLR)
Series result: Sylestone win series 2-1
Match Result: Cleorough Devils win by four wickets with three balls remaining

Cleorough Devils are champions of the third Crash n' Smash

by **Sylestone** » Sat Nov 06, 2021 3:26 pm

LAVATORY SHIELD

Season One

* Lavatory Shield               Pld   W  D  T  L  I  LD   Pts 
1 South Sylestone Scorpions      10   5  5  0  0  1  4    47
2 Central Sylestone Snakes       10   4  5  0  1  3  6    45
3 Suffolk Seals                  10   3  5  0  2  1  7    38
4 Capital Coyotes                10   3  2  0  5  1  5    30
5 New Gloucester Jaguars         10   2  5  0  3  0  4    26
6 Freeman Firestorm              10   2  2  0  6  1  4    23
4 Capital Coyotes                10   3  2  0  5  1  5    30

“I” indicates innings win
“LD” indicates first-innings lead
“T” indicates tie

Key:
Win - 6
Tie - 3
Draw - 2
Loss - 0
First-innings lead - +1
Innings/10-wicket win - +3

Grand Final

South Sylestone Scorpions vs Central Sylestone Snakes @ Betham Cricket Ground, Betham

Central Sylestone Snakes - 225 (72.1)
S Asaskia 78 (144)			N Pistecial 4/52 (16)
J Appleby 41 (98)			O Lovia 2/61 (21)

South Sylestone Scorpions - 264 (75.4)
P Shotenham 109* (188)			S Asaskia 5/56 (16.4)
C Anderson 50 (79)			K Sonnel 3/81 (23)

Central Sylestone Snakes - 191 (87.1)
J Appleby 65 (167)			L Codrington 3/37 (18)
A Fihelly 36 (103)			A Hodel 3/58 (22)

South Sylestone Scorpions - 106 (51.3)
S Creln 28 (114)			K Sonnel 7/28 (16.1)
A Lonelet 24 (49)			L Saville 1/19 (6)

Player of the match: Kate Sonnel
Central Sylestone Snakes win by 46 runs

Central Sylestone Snakes are the winners of the inaugural Lavatory Shield

by **Sylestone** » Sat Nov 13, 2021 5:46 pm

SEASON SIX: PART FOUR

Kirkham Sentients

Transfer Roundup:

In:
Sofa  <- Deloitte  ($2,000,000)

Out:
-none-

Overview:

City: Kirkham
Stadium: Stadium of the Glorious Sentient Objects (cap. 15,000)
Team Colours: Beige and Orange
Nickname: The Sentients
Previous Seasons: 9th - 11th - 12th
Play Style: Balanced
Formation: 4-3-3
Predicted Finish: 7th
Coach: Pillow
Manager: Puzzle Board

Starting XI:

GK: Saucepan
LB: Blender
LCB: Sofa
RCB: Frying Pan
RB: Drawer
LM: Colander
CM: Bar Stool
RM: Speakers
LW: Scissors
CF: Tumble Dryer
RW: Kettle

Reserves:

GK: Fruit Bowl
GK: Backpack
LB: Greenhouse
LCB: Sewing Machine
RCB: Pencil Case
RB: Pencil Sharpener
LM: Music Stand
CM: Container
RM: Doorknob
LW: Coffee Cup
CF: Gluestick
RW: Lawnmower

Overview:
Despite having a very strong lineup yet again for this season of the Toilet League, the Kirkham Sentients have been having some teamwork issues over recent seasons that appear to be prevalent yet again this season. Any side with the Tumble Dryer, Bar Stool, Saucepan, Drawer and Sofa ought to be a title contender, but there’s just something that gets to the Sentients’ (not to be confused with the national team), when they’re put under pressure on the field of play. The Puzzle Board and Pillow have been working together to try and figure it out, but neither has been able to put their finger on it just yet.

As a result, we think that a seventh-placed finish appears to be most likely for the Sentients, maintaining a position well inside the top half of the table for the entire season but never really pushing for IFCF contention. Yet, with a side laden with talent such as this one, it’s hard to tell. They certainly have the ability to contend the top spots, if not take out a spot in the Champions League, but they will not be able to with the form they are currently in.

Just days after receiving a maiden call-up to the Sentients (the actual Sentients, not the domestic ones), the Saucepan will be on a high going into the season. If it can perform well and get the side off to a good start, then the club might have a chance of top four, but only if they can hold onto it. Which they could not do last season.
In the defence, the Sofa and Drawer each have over 150 international caps, while the Blender and Frying Pan both had their names thrown into the hat for the remaining defence spot in the Sentients’ side for the World Cup Qualifiers. This creates a strong lineup in the back, which will be tough for nigh on every forward to break past.

The midfield is just as strong. The Bar Stool, Sylestone’s best centre-midfielder and one of the nation’s best players in the national Sentients side, patrols the centre-midfield. The Colander, a player with serious potential if they can string together a couple of good seasons, will play in the left midfield, while the Speakers, probably the worst of the three starting midfielders, will play on the right. None of them have astonishing ball skills or anything, but are supremely good at working together as a team to get the ball up the field to the forwards.

In the forward line, three well-known names lie in wait for their opportunity to burst through the defensive line and score for their own side. In the centre is the Tumble Dryer, with the second-most goals in Sylestonean international football history, well-known for its ability to shoot powerful shots at almost any sort of range. It will be joined by the left-winger, the Scissors, of whom has an outside shot at national selection if they can string a couple of ominous seasons together. The Kettle is much farther away from the Sentients’ national team, but is still a useful winger to have in the side, with excellent passing and crossing abilities.

Overall, it’s a strong side - the Sentients’ only issue is with their teamwork. Can they finally meld together like they’ve been threatening to this entire time, or will they continue to struggle?

You may be a fan if… you like Sentient Objects, you like a side who has potential but just can’t seem to pull it off, or you like the colour beige (which no one does).

Kitchen Sink FC

Transfer Roundup:

In:
Stove  <- Letson Town  ($2,500,000)

Out:
Kitchen Sink  -> Breakfast Bowl FC  ($1,750,000)

Overview:

City: Kirkham
Stadium: Kitchen Sink Land (cap. 12,500)
Team Colours: Blue and White
Nickname: The Sinks
Previous Seasons: 7th - 1st - 2nd
Play Style: Balanced
Formation: 4-3-3
Predicted Finish: 9th
Coach: Oven Mits
Manager: Light Bulb

Starting XI:

GK: Aluminium Foil
LB: Pot
CB: Baby Wipes
CB: Sieve
RB: Cushion
CDM: Mosaic
LM: Stove
RM: Picture
CAM: Water Bottle
CF: Milk Carton
CF: Spork

Reserves:

GK: Mansion
GK: Headphones
LB: Maths Textbook
LCB: Pestle and Mortar
RCB: Mattress
RB: Sleeping Bag
CDM: Tea Towel
LM: Dressing Gown
RM: Silestone
CAM: Slippers
CF: Shopping Bag
CF: Teddy Bear

Overview:
After winning the Toilet League two years ago, Kitchen Sink FC have really taken a turn for the worse over the past season, struggling to keep up with the growing signings of foreign players by the human teams. This season, they’re once again not looking crash hot, with the reintroduction of the Stove the only saving grace following the transfer of the Kitchen Sink to rivals Breakfast Bowl FC.

Kitchen Sink FC, formerly known as Kirkham City, are one of three clubs to be bought by Vdaran company Kitchen Sink for the sixth season of the Toilet League. Being the first club to have an official, overseas sponsor, this could certainly bode good signs in years to come as the Sinks attempt to redeem a poor previous season, where they finished seventh. But once again this season, they only appear to possess a middling team, although with their teamwork, anything can happen.

After not quite making the cut for the Sentients side to the World Cup Qualifiers, the Aluminium Foil will be back and determined to make an impression to help boost its opportunities for international selection, no matter how far away it may seem. It will be joined by quite a strong defensive line, with the Pot on the left a player with huge potential, despite being relatively slow. Baby Wipes and the Sieve will defend the centre as two players with speed and experience to block the majority of offensives that come their way. They will also have help from the Mosaic, playing as a defensive midfielder for the first time in its career as the Light Bulb seeks to work on the Sinks’ defence, which cost them multiple times in their underwhelming title defence last season. To bolster their midfield, the Sinks have also capitalised upon the return of the Stove, picking up the star midfielder for $2.5 million to join the Picture (right-midfielder) and Water Bottle (attacking midfielder) in controlling possession.

This leaves us with the two remaining forwards. After playing with the club for the past few seasons, the Milk Carton and the Spork are each well-versed with each other, knowing how they both play as well as everything behind them. They will be the main goal-scorers for the Sinks as they seek to find their way back into the top five or so in the Toilet League, a tough but not impossible task.

You may be a fan if… you like Sentient Objects, you like kitchen sinks or you like a side that’s seeking a way back to its old form.

Mid-Capital

Transfer Roundup:

In:
Gwenaël Cazenave  <- Lumière  (Loan)
Qwenthorpe Jackson  <- Pùr State University  ($0)
Benjamin Mark-Ellis  <- Urrheddiao State University  ($0)

Out:
Isabel Aberdeen  -> Ridgewell Rovers  ($1,000,000)
Harold Granger  -> Meriador FC  ($0)
Austin Miller  -> White Mountain  ($750,000)

Overview:

City: Kirton
Stadium: Walgabba Dome (cap. 39,000)
Team Colours: Orange and Black
Nickname: The Trains
Previous Seasons: 5th - 9th - 14th
Playstyle: Aggressive
Formation: 3-3-4
Predicted Finish: 8th
Coach: Hope Charlton (M) - Age 55
Manager: Manny Weasel (M) - Age 37

Starting XI:

GK: Thike Saleh (M) - 26 (SHT/SYL )
LB: Vic Richardson (M) - 24
CB: Grace Larkham (F) - 27
RB: Benjamin Mark-Ellis (M) - 23 (CMT )
LM: Frankie Marmoxime (M) - 26 (HIN )
CM: Lucas Baker (M) - 22 (ETN/SYL )
RM: Qwenthorpe Jackson (M) - 23 (CMT )
LW: M’aka Antoine (F) - 26 (YSP )
CF: Gwenaël Cazenave (M) - 21 (LCX )
CF: Poppy Piers (F) - 32
RW: Rose Evans (F) - 29 (BRE )

Reserves:

GK: Joseph Watkins (M) - 34
GK: David Clarke (M) - 22
LB: Cassandra Anderson (F) - 30
CB: Jude Nugan (M) - 23
RB: Blake Moore (M) - 27
LM: Joshua Wallace (M) - 16
CM: Riley Parry (M) - 27
RM: Lucas Jackson (M) - 21
LW: Emilia Roberts (F) - 25
CF: Virat Patel (M) - 30
CF: Elyse Harding (F) - 26
RW: Lincoln Delamothe (M) - 16

Overview:
After surprising many Toilet League followers last season - domestic and international - with a fifth-placed finish, the Trains will be back for more in the sixth instalment of the Sylestonean football league. Despite losing three of their youthful stars in Isabel Aberdeen, Austin Miller and Harold Granger to internationals, the club hailing from the city of Kirton hasn’t let that worry them, picking up two young Chromatiks - Qwenthorpe Jackson and Benjamin Mark-Ellis, as well as signing Le Choix star Gwenaël Cazenave to join the prospering forward line.

Playing an otherworldly 3-3-4 formation, the main issue the Trains have will be in their defence. Even though it only has three members, those three are probably three of the weaker players in the team, with Chromatik 23-year-old Benjamin Mark-Ellis the only international amongst them, or even the only one with some hope of making their nation’s national team at some stage. Vic Richardson is a good little player in the left, as is Grace Larkham, but neither have ever really shone, although both are still rather young. Up against quality forward lines, this defensive line seems likely to crumble under the pressure, although if they can put up a performance similar to that of last year, they may well hold on. It’s honestly hard to know.

The Trains’ midfield looks to be a strength, though, which could certainly help in their possible problems at the back. Frankie Marmoxime will be rejoining Mid-Capital for the umpteenth time, playing a crucial role down the left wing as he partners with winger M’aka Antoine. After arriving as a flashy 21-year-old, Marmoxime has matured into a good little footballer, with capability but no real astonishing abilities. 22-year-old Lucas Baker will be an integral player in the midfield, after representing Sylestone in the Olympics despite being Ethanian by heritage. He has a bright future in Sylestonean sport - he just needs to be given the opportunity. Which leaves us with the right-midfielder, Chromatik Qwenthorpe Jackson, who came through the youth process with Pùr State University before moving to Sylestone to begin his professional career at the top level. If he can perform, things will bode well for the Trains as they seek an elusive position in the IFCF.

This leaves us with the four-strong forward line, arguably the best in the Toilet League, with Betham FC the only side really able to challenge that. Former Yesopalithan international M’aka Antoine will continue to prove that she’s still up for international selection, backing up a wonderful season last year with another promising one, for the 26-year-old still has plenty of time to prove herself worthy. Fellow winger Rose Evans will be looking to partner with Antoine, with the Brenecian free agent looking to make the most of her years as she crosses the 30 mark. Still, she’s a classy footballer and after a good season last year, will be looking to keep challenging opposition defences. However, Mid-Capital’s bet at top four will come in the form of Le Choix star Gwenaël Cazenave, currently on a one-season loan with the Trains, a massive pick up for the Kirton side after he tormented the Sylestone defence during the 30th Campionato Esportiva. He will join Poppy Piers in the centre forward position, making for an exceedingly dangerous front four. Will they be good enough to overcome the weak defence and lead the Trains to the first-ever IFCF berth?

You may be a fan if… you like trains, you like an aggressive-minded unit, you are fromLe Choix, Sharktail or Yesopalitha, or you like the colour orange.

Pesfield Trees FC

Transfer Roundup:

In:
Bella Barclay  <- AFC Farnworth  ($354,000)
Dong-Seong Kwak  <- Z’ai’ai Institute of Technology  ($0)
Kast le Bufetier  <- Hibernus  ($5,000,000)
Gilda Milne  <- Fiskadaha FC  ($1,000,000)

Out:
Valentine Cocher  -> Emberton Hibernians  ($2,750,000)
Anna Henling  -> Omnio  ($1,500,000)
Mitchell Lynn  -> Pittsburgh Eagles  ($0)
Verity Meadows  -> Katham FC  ($750,000)
Luke Oniarise  -> San Pablo SC  ($2,000,000)

Overview:

City: Pesfield
Stadium: The Trees (cap. 62,000)
Team Colours: Lime green and Blue
Nickname: The Trees
Previous Seasons: 6th- 4th - 3rd
Playstyle: Balances
Formation: 4-3-3
Predicted Finish: 6th
Coach: Calvin Johnson (M) - 73
Manager: Gordon Henry (M) - 58

Starting XI:

GK: Jimmy James (M) - 23 (NWK )
LB: Ha’nei Ighv (F) - 24 (CMT )
LCB: Kadek Ahlberg (M) - 21 (PFA )
RCB: Liney Vano (M) - 26
RB: Eleanor Rose (F) - 22
LM: Bella Barclay (F) - 19 (TLI )
CM: Halina Knezevic (F) - 29 (SRS )
RM: Katie Yearmon (F) - 32
LW: Dong-Seong Kwak (M) - 23 (QUE )
CF: Gilda Milne (F) - 20 (PFA )
RW: Kast le Bufetier (M) - 28 (OAM )

Reserves:

GK: Zachary Ossowski (M) - 31
GK: Ryan Macleay (M) - 16
LB: Elliot West (M) - 23
LCB: Eden Holt (F) - 21
RCB: Alexander Nutt (M) - 17
RB: Jasmine Prior (F) - 23
LM: Sebastian James (M) - 27
CM: Daniel Du Plessis (M) - 26
RM: Joshua Angliss (M) - 17
LW: Ryan Eastern (M) - 24
CF: Austin Powell (M) - 32
RW: Alexandra Arnold (F) - 15

Overview:
After failing to qualify for the IFCF since the very first season of the Toilet League last year, the Trees have pulled off an alarming turnaround, selling five players and bringing four in to vastly change their lineup. Much of this came from the loss of star left-winger Valentine Cocher to the Emberton Hibernians in Krytenia and while much of the local core of the team has remained together, it still remains one of the most varied outfits in the Toilet League.

Despite having a couple of below-par seasons in a row, Jimmy James has still managed to stay with the club as they seek a route back into the IFCF, with the 23-year-old still going through the learning phase. However, opposition clubs will have a hard time even getting to him in the goalmouth, thanks to one of the Toilet League’s best defences on paper existing at Pesfield Trees FC.

On the left, Ha’nei Ighv, Chromatik reserve in the World Cup Qualifiers and inaugural CAFA will be leading the back line as almost unarguably the best defender in the league, with the Trees lucky to still have her despite being a part of an association outside of the top 64. Similarly, young Poafmersian Kadek Ahlberg will also play an integral role in the defence, playing his second season for the club following a successful one last time around. Which leaves us with the two Sylestonean defenders, Liney Vano and Eleanor Rose, the latter being a star in the making. Vano, a former reserve for the club, appears to be one of the weaker links in the side, but is certainly not to be underestimated. Especially with Ahlberg at his side.

The midfield also appears strong. In the left, Licentian youngster Bella Barclay is not one to be underestimated despite her tender age, having been bought for $354,000 thanks to the loss of Anna Henling to Chromatik Red League club Omnio. Her inexperience will be countered by her fellow midfielders’ experience, with Confederate Halina Knezevic patrolling the centre, while local right-midfielder Katie Yearmon will also look to mentor Barclay through the season. It will be interesting to see how they work as a unit.

Following the loss of Valentine Cocher to the Emberton Hibernians of Krytenia, things appeared to be going downhill for the Trees, particularly on the forward line. Especially when Verity Meadows and Luke Oniarise also opted to move on as the Pesfield side were forced to completely re-jig their starting forward line. But they have done so in commanding fashion, picking up national Oberour Ar Moro start Kast le Bufetier for a record-high price of $5,000,000, as well as 23-year-old Quebecois Dong-Seong Kwak and centre-forward Gilda Milne from Poafmersia. An excellent team on paper, but thanks to the high turnover of players, whether they will be able to form that winning combination early enough to make a statement remains unknown.

You may be a fan if… you like trees and ecology, you like the colour green, or you are from Quebec, Northwest Kalactin, Poafmersia or Oberour Ar Moro.

by **Sylestone** » Sat Nov 20, 2021 6:34 pm

SEASON SIX

FC Conton

Transfer Roundup:

In:
Brigham Love  <- Chamberley City  ($0)
Howard Nevill  <- Avondale City FC  ($0)

Out:
-none-

Overview:

City: Conton
Stadium: Ebril Gardens (cap. 13,000)
Team Colours: Red and Black
Nickname: The Bombers
Previous Seasons: 15th - 16th (Toilet) - 1st
Play Style: Balanced
Formation: 4-1-2-3
Predicted Finish: 5th
Coach: Alexandra King (F) - 50
Manager: Tyler Kelly (M) - 69

Starting XI:

GK: Brigham Love (M) - 31
LB: Astrid Iqbal (F) - 19 (EFL )
LCB: Hayden Cook (M) - 28
RCB: James Davey (M) - 19
RB: Hunter Burnser (M) - 25 (SNL )
LM: Lee Bennett (M) - 30
RM: James Turner (M) - 31
CAM: Harold Laxton (M) - 28
LW: Jordan Hopkins (M) - 34
CF: Howard Nevill (M) - 33
RW: Steve Walker (M) - 24

Reserves:

GK: Jo Collins (F) - 33
GK: Bryce Cole (M) - 26
LB: Jesse Rose (M) - 18
LCB: Andrew Campbell (M) - 27
RCB: Olivia Woodd (F) - 16
CB: Connor Connell (M) - 19
LM: Elliot Wilson (M) - 21
RM: Nathan Webb (M) - 18
CAM: Ashlea Young (F) - 21
LW: Zachary Horny (M) - 20
CF: Scott Harper (M) - 29
RW: Blair Clark (M) - 27

Dodle FC

Transfer Roundup:

In:
-none-

Out:
Callum Blair  -> The Zhelmagor Society FC  ($0)

Overview:

City: Dodle
Stadium: Fiery Stadium (cap. 37,500)
Team Colours: Aqua and Green
Nickname: The Mountaineers
Previous Seasons: 16th (Toilet) - 1st - 3rd
Play Style: Balanced
Formation: 4-3-3
Predicted Finish: 4th
Coach: Zara Riggs (F) - 50
Manager: Joal Grander (M) - 66

Starting XI:

GK: Peter Paulsen (M) - 25 (TKT )
LB: Caleb O’Brien (M) - 31
LCB: Pietro Matos (M) - 32 (JUE )
RCB: Madeline Holt (F) - 21
RB: Tori Allen (F) - 23 (CDG )
LM: Luke Marshall (M) - 27
CM: Spencer Waddell (M) - 23
RM: Savannah Murray (F) - 24
LW: Daniel Foreman (M) - 29
CF: Sofia Arnold (F) - 19
RW: Abbey Graham (F) - 33

Reserves:

GK: Layla Cox (F) - 31
GK: Stella Mason (F) - 19
LB: Eve Palmer (F) - 34
LCB: Lillian Kirkpatrick (F) - 22
RCB: Isabel Beahan (F) - 22
RB: Ella Lowe (F) - 20
LM: Darcy Hayman (M) - 18
CM: Zachary Shaw (M) - 30
RM: Sarah Kennedy (F) - 28
LW: Emma Phillips (F) - 32
CF: Annabelle Beck (F) - 21
RW: Mitchell Taylor (M) - 29

Dunkirk FC

Transfer Roundup:

In:
-none-

Out:
-none-

Overview:

City: Dunkirk
Stadium: Fretson Gardens (cap. 7,600)
Team Colours: Pink and Black
Nickname: The Pink Phoenixes
Previous Seasons:
Playstyle: Aggressive
Formation: 4-2-4
Predicted Finish: 13th
Coach: Blake Illingworth (M) - 68
Manager: Sara Ogg (F) - 44

Starting XI:

GK: Olivia Plunkett (F) - 20
LB: Aidan Backhouse (F) - 24
LCB: Hunter Alpine (M) - 28
RCB: Ryder Rocher (M) - 33
RB: Bella Muskett (F) - 32
LM: Hugo Colquhoun (M) - 28
RM: Kate Woollard (F) - 33
LW: Lucy Buttrose (F) - 26
LCF: Jessica Heagney (F) - 21
RCF: Jacob Dolling (M) - 35
RW: Alicia Birkbeck (F) - 35

Reserves:

GK: Benjamin Coode (M) - 22
GK: Mayank Honda (M) - 27
LB: Anna Moyes (F) - 21
LCB: Skye Robe (F) - 30
RCB: Sara Haugh (F) - 30
RB: Alex Mansell (M) - 28
LM: Austin Fink (M) - 17
RM: Anthony Hann (M) - 29
LW: Owen Coburn (M) - 29
LCF: Seth Kennif (M) - 27
RCF: Evie Daly (M) - 33
RW: Zac Morehead (M) - 23

Emacuton FC

Transfer Roundup:

In:
-none-

Out:
-none-

Overview:

City: Emacuton
Stadium: Evergreen Arena (cap. 15,000)
Team Colours: Blue and Red
Nickname: The Stripes
Previous Seasons: 12th - 12th - 14th
Playstyle: Defensive
Formation: 5-1-2-1-1
Predicted Finish: 10th
Coach: Euan White (M) - 39
Manager: Billy Wallace (M) - 55

Starting XI:

GK: Hugo Ramsay (M) - 26
LB: Jett Cooper (M) - 30
LCB: Gemma Davis (F) - 34
CB: Annabelle Lynes (F) - 20
RCB: Audat Agani (F) - 23
RB: Riley Harvey (M) - 27
CDM: Fraser Chamber (M) - 29
LM: Rachel Bradley (F) - 31
RM: Savannah Harris (F) - 28
CAM: Maya Young (F) - 23
CF: Melissa Houghton (F) - 22

Reserves:

GK: Lucy McGrath (F) - 27
GK: Lily Fielding (F) - 22
LB: Felix Palmer (M) - 23
LCB: Eloise Collins (F) - 24
CB: Ivy Redding (F) - 20
RCB: Brandon Burton (M) - 22
RB: Nia Bates (F) - 26
CDM: Destiny Moss (F) - 30
LM: Samantha Green (F) - 27
RM: Barnaby Saunders (M) - 32
CAM: Cameron Jackson (M) - 23
CF: Kyla Adams (M) - 31

Emacuton United

Transfer Roundup:

In:
-none-

Out:
-none-

Overview:

City: Emacuton
Stadium: Bucketts Dome (cap. 9,800)
Team Colours: Brown and White
Nickname: The Cogs
Previous Seasons: 10th - 14th - 4th
Playstyle: Defensive
Formation: 5-3-2
Predicted Finish: 9th
Coach: Mason Mostre (M) - 47
Manager: Mikayla Barnsley (F) - 41

Starting XI:

GK: Georgina Fuller (F) - 20
LB: Gary Markers (M) - 22
LCB: Katie Metters (F) - 32
CB: Savannah Edkins (F) - 29
RCB: Leo Lansell (M) - 21
RB: Bianca Thurgood (F) - 32
LM: Brianna Hobbs (F) - 21
CM: Gemma Rodway (F) - 20
RM: Jesse Miethke (M) - 29
LCF: Jonah Sweetapple (M) - 30
RCF: Eva Estell (F) - 21


Reserves:
[pre]GK: Harrison Bracy (M) - 19
GK: Logan Mirams (M) - 28
LB: Brayden Jidd (M) - 28
LCB: Phoebe Vogt (F) - 27
CB: Angus Dearth (M) - 20
RCB: Maddison Shillinglaw (F) - 30
RB: Ethan David (M) - 16
LM: Oliver Fullerton (M) - 32
CM: Finn Chabrillan (M) - 27
RM: Owen Combes (M) - 31
LCF: Hayden Blamey (M) - 18
RCF: Emily Addis (F) - 30

Freeman City

Transfer Roundup:

In:
-none-

Out:
-none-

Overview:

City: Freeman
Stadium: Parliament Gardens (cap. 4,700)
Team Colours: Yellow and Black
Nickname: The Battleships
Previous Seasons: 6th - 4th - 10th
Playstyle: Balanced
Formation: 4-3-3
Predicted Finish: 7th
Coach: Anastasia Kelly (F) - 33
Manager: Violet McAlister (F) - 38

Starting XI:

GK: Nate Robertson (M) - 32
LB: Mason Campbell (M) - 29
LCB: Zac Irwin (M) - 22
RCB: Caleb Taylor (M) - 23
RB: Jason Hightower (M) - 33
LM: Evan Shaw (M) - 28
CM: Harrison Crowe (M) - 27
RM: Lucas Craig (M) - 27
LW: Scott Henderson (M) - 25
CF: Miles Duff (M) - 26
RW: Levi Gilnour (M) - 23

Reserves:

GK: Hayden Riggs (M) - 25
GK: Marcus Fry (M) - 28
LB: Vincent Monson (M) - 27
LCB: Daniel Wyatt (M) - 30
RCB: Flynn Hopwood (M) - 21
RB: Sebastian White (M) - 29
LM: Hamish Ward (M) - 26
CM: Spencer Stone (M) - 31
RM: Rory Mansfield (M) - 19
LW: Ashley Lemmon (F) - 16
CF: Ben Irvine (M) - 24
RW: Aaron Hood (M) - 25

Freeman Province

Transfer Roundup:

In:
-none-

Out:
-none-

Overview:

City: Ketonley
Stadium: Ketonley Town Oval (cap. 6,000)
Team Colours: Magenta and Dark Blue
Nickname: The Magentas
Previous Seasons: 16th - 15th - 12th
Playstyle: Balanced
Formation: 4-1-2-1-2
Predicted Finish: 16th
Coach: Mason Summers (M) - 59
Manager: Daniel Pearce (M) - 79

Starting XI:

GK: Tristan Levy (M) - 25
LB: Levi Angelo (M) - 24
LCB: Olivia Agnew (F) - 27
RCB: Audrey Bauer (F) - 21
RB: Bethany Annand (F) - 31
CDM: Hannah Clendinnen (F) - 28
LM: Lola Nguyan (F) - 20
RM: Daniel Macauley (M) - 24
CAM: Eve Geach (M) - 23
LCF: Christopher Huxley (M) - 29
RCF: Ryder Sayers (M) - 27

Reserves:

GK: Natalia Potts (F) - 30
GK: Michael Arida (M) - 27
LB: Darcy McArthur (M) - 32
LCB: Nicholas Friar (M) - 26
RCB: Jeff Jeffcott (M) - 33
RB: Piper McClemens (F) - 24
CDM: Adam Seekamp (M) - 16
LM: Scarlett Smith (F) - 33
RM: Laura McEachern (F) - 23
CAM: Blake Hargreaves (M) - 26
LCF: Harvey Atkinson (M) - 24
RCF: Sophie Skyes (F) - 31

FC Freeport

Transfer Roundup:

In:
-none-

Out:
-none-

Overview:

City: Cleorough
Stadium: Industry Reserve (cap. 24,000)
Team Colours: Green and Gold
Nickname: The Lions
Previous Seasons: 14th - 7th - 14th
Playstyle: Aggressive
Formation: 4-3-3
Predicted Finish: 11th
Coach: Ruth Murtagh (F) - 37
Manager: Emily Powell (F) - 56

Starting XI:

GK: Harris Hay (M) - 26
LB: Ryan O’Line (M) - 30
LCB: Sarah Alleyne (F)  - 18
RCB: Victor Larkham (M) - 24
RB: Reuben Dowey (M) - 23
LM: Paddy Hanlon (F) - 29
CM: Rohan Crowbar (M) - 30
RM: Kara Harrington (F) - 28
LW: Richard Carolyn (F) - 26
CF: Jackson Fangle (M) - 28
RW: Oliver Coffey (M) - 31

Reserves:

GK: Aryan Allison (M) - 27
GK: Jayden Cox (M) - 27
LB: Harrison Charles (M) - 21
LCB: Amelia Callaghan (F) - 26
RCB: Blake Boland (M) - 27
RB: Sienna Hearn (F) - 18
LM: Maya Whiddon (F) - 16
CM: Lukas Lane (M) - 30
RM: Tadgh Henry (M) - 24
LW: Brain Donnellan (M) - 21
CF: Ava Strangways (F) - 20
RW: Sean McDermott (M) - 32

Fridge FC

Transfer Roundup:

In:
Dishwasher  <- Bourne River  ($2,000,000)

Out:
-none-

Overview:

City: Kirkham
Stadium: A Literal Fridge (cap. 35,000)
Team Colours: Green and Dark Green
Nickname: The Fridges
Previous Seasons: 
Playstyle: Aggressive
Formation: 3-4-3
Predicted Finish: 1st
Coach: Breadboard
Manager: Garbage Bin

Starting XI:

GK: Table
LB: Trophy
CB: Washing Machine
RB: Dishwasher
LM: Fork
LCM: Fridge
RCM: Knife
RM: Garlic Crusher
LW: Scaffolding
CF: Mirror
RW: Spoon

Reserves:

GK: Chopping Board
GK: Camping Tent
LB: Park Bench
CB: Antennae
RB: Roof Tiles
LM: Medallion
LCM: Sunscreen
RCM: Peanut Butter Jar
RM: Crushed Garlic
LW: Fridge Magnet
CF: Sunglasses
RW: Ice-cream Tub

Marbury FC

Transfer Roundup:

In:
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Out:
-none-

Overview:

City: Marbury
Stadium: Marbury Stadium (cap. 31,000)
Team Colours: Green and Black
Nickname: The Cockatoos
Previous Seasons: 8th - 11th - 7th
Playstyle: Defensive
Formation: 5-1-3-1
Predicted Finish: 8th
Coach: Liam Metcalfe (M) - 39
Manager: Piper Brombie (F) - 37

Starting XI:

GK: Lola Dollery (F) - 25
LB: Charlie Phocas (M) - 28
LCB: Zachary Lay (M) - 22
CB: Milla Hemmant (M) - 23
RCB: Donald Dean (M) - 25
RB: Clarissa Boyle (F) - 25
CDM: Amy Lycett (F) - 24
LM: Jacob O’Dermot (M) - 26
CM: Kath St George (F) - 27
RM: Alexandra McVilly (F) - 30
CAM: Ella Kennion (F) - 30

Reserves:

GK: Darcy Fegan (M) - 30
GK: Abby Rouse (F) - 23
LB: Archer Buttenshaw (M) - 28
LCB: Olive Resch (F) - 23
CB: Madeline Bisdee (F) - 20
RCB: Caitlin Creed (F) - 23
RB: Ella Kirkhope (F) - 20
CDM: Ali Abdullah (M) - 30
LM: Abigail Hinder (F) - 20
CM: Joseph Croney (M) - 33
RM: James Barclay (M) - 14
CAM: Gordon Bowes (M) - 19

North Chamberley

Transfer Roundup:

In:
-none-

Out:
Iwo Lazarić  -> Kistina Galaxy  ($0)

Overview:

City: Chamberley
Stadium: Northampton Gardens (cap. 42,000)
Team Colours: Green and White
Nickname: The Steel
Previous Seasons: 15th (Toilet) - 10th (Toilet) - 2nd
Playstyle: Balanced
Formation: 4-3-3
Predicted Finish: 2nd
Coach: Chris Wilson (M) - 44
Manager: Danni Armstrong (F) - 48

Starting XI:

GK: Kai Fletcher (M) - 30
LB: Billy MacDonald (M) - 30
LCB: Elijah Richardson (M) - 26
RCB: Kai Shinsui (M) - 20 (SQR )
RB: Jayden Berry (M) - 31
LM: Quinn Reynolds (M) - 27
CM: Leslie Black (F) - 23
RM: Ambroas De Montgomery (M) - 18 (GVN )
LW: Tim Boston (M) - 32 (XAN )
CF: Mukkhali Ratnasingham (M) - 22
RW: Jason Boston (M) - 23 (XAN )

Reserves:

GK: Zakaria Owen (M) - 22
GK: Sophie Younger (F) - 19
LB: Brodie Chippendale (M) - 21
LCB: Edward Miller (M) - 21
RCB: Conor Spencer (M) - 32
RB: Kayla Johnstone (F) - 17
LM: Aubrey Hudson (M) - 31
CM: Elijah Grosse (M) - 24
RM: Logan Walsh (M) - 22
LW: Angus Stainforth (M) - 22
CF: Kris Russell (F) - 27
RW: Otto Murphy (M) - 24

Southern Avondale FC

Transfer Roundup:

In:
-none-

Out:
-none-

Overview:

City: Avondale
Stadium: Wauchope Reserve (cap. 17,000)
Team Colours: Orange and Black
Nickname: The Warriors
Previous Seasons: 9th - 8th - 15th
Playstyle: Balanced
Formation: 4-3-3
Predicted Finish: 14th
Coach: Milly Coleman (F) - 63
Manager: Anna Rosser (F) - 56

Starting XI:

GK: Sienna Fitzgerald (F) - 20
LB: John Russell (M) - 22
LCB: Elsie Davies (F) - 31
RCB: Elizabeth Poole (F) - 27
RB: Caden Roberts (M) - 31
LM: Chelsea Davidson (F) - 34
CM: Vinod Jadeja (M) - 20
RM: Alexandra Kennedy (F) - 22
LW: Tristan Russell (M) - 34
CF: Archer Weaver (M) - 28
RW: Michael Harris (M) - 19

Reserves:

GK: Patrick Marr (M) - 17
GK: Louis Reeves (M) - 25
LB: Thomas Bell (M) - 27
LCB: Jonah Williamson (M) - 30
RCB: Molly Taylor (F) - 28
RB: Cara James (F) - 19
LM: Tom Barber (M) - 30
CM: Kiara Banvard (F) - 19
RM: Alexandra Cayley (F) - 17
LW: Ashton Ryans (M) - 20
CF: Kieran Powell (M) - 26
RW: Lachlan Thomson (M) - 24

Southern Beaches

Transfer Roundup:

In:
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Out:
-none-

Overview:

City: Tuthambedon
Stadium: Macquarie Park (cap. 19,453)
Team Colours: Aqua and Yellow
Nickname: The Thunder
Previous Seasons: 4th - 16th - 11th
Playstyle: Defensive
Formation: 4-1-2-1-2
Predicted Finish: 12th
Coach: Hazel Brown (F) - 46
Manager: Evelyn Arnold (F) - 47

Starting XI:

GK: Ella Samuel-Gilbert (F) - 28
LB: Billie Nicholson (F) - 22
LCB: Erica Richards (F) - 31
RCB: Isabella Cox (F) - 26
RB: Penelope Wilson (F) - 32
CDM: Kayla Wilson (F) - 31
LM: Addison Butler (F) - 27
RM: Bonnie Stewart (F) - 30
CAM: Penelope Flanagan (F) - 25
LCF: Holly Hood (F) - 21
RCF: Tara Bell (F) - 19

Reserves:

GK: Anna Gibson (F) - 30
GK: Rae Thomas (F) - 27
LB: Jody Mills (F) - 30
LCB: Lara Caldie (F) - 25
RCB: Olivia Hotchin (F) - 23
RB: Abbey McNeil (F) - 32
CDM: Madeleine Collins (F) - 24
LM: Sophie Palmer (F) - 29
RM: Isla Fox (F) - 30
CAM: Paige Sievier (F) - 18
LCF: Phoebe Noble (F) - 20
RCF: Thea Burke (F) - 23

Western Avondale

Transfer Roundup:

In:
-none-

Out:
Poopoo Bumbum  -> Valletta  ($6,900,000)

Overview:

City: Pesfield (no this is not a typo)
Stadium: Fart Stadium (cap. 10,069)
Team Colours: Grey and Yellow
Nickname: The Poopers
Previous Seasons: 3rd - 13th - 5th
Playstyle: Aggressive
Formation: 3-4-3
Predicted Finish: 3rd
Coach: Blake Quincy (M) - 48
Manager: Grumpy Oldman (M) - 90

Starting XI:

GK: Very Angry (M) - 24
LB: Jesse Ross (M) - 18
CB: Wayne Kerr (M) - 25
RB: Old Fart (M) - 46
LM: Trinity Gore (F) - 29
LCM: Iman Idiot (M) - 30
RCM: Joe Fagan (M) - 22
RM: Russell Glover (M) - 27
LW: Stanley Bennett (M) - 28
CF: Bird Shat (M) - 21
RW: Noel Morales (M) - 23

Reserves:

GK: James Hedley (M) - 27
GK: Marshall Loxton (M) - 30
LB: Sophie Kane (F) - 25
CB: Chloe James (F) - 32
RB: David Holden (M) - 33
LM: Schtinky Faarts (M) - 15
LCM: Cornelius Boote (M) - 23
RCM: Reynold Roberts (M) - 26
RM: Archie Reynolds (M) - 28
LW: Chris Gray (M) - 33
CF: Joe Marmer (M) - 18
RW: Logan Pollard (M) - 25

Westminster

Transfer Roundup:

In:
-none-

Out:
-none-

Overview:

City: Chamberley
Stadium: Westminster Stadium (cap. 39,000)
Team Colours: Grey and Black
Nickname: The Thunder
Previous Seasons: 13th - 6th - 16th
Playstyle: Aggressive
Formation: 3-1-3-1-2
Predicted Finish: 15th
Coach: Dylan Boyle (M) - 46
Manager: Kaleb Arther-Rickson (M) - 49

Starting XI:

GK: Piper Caplan (F) - 23
LB: Elijah Millar (M) - 33
CB: Kayla Williamson (F) - 20
RB: Calvin Middleton (M) - 25
CDM: Vincent Stewart (M) - 29
LM: Ben Duncan (M) - 25
CM: Jonathan Stonehouse (M) - 21
RM: April Houston (F) - 29
CAM: Nathan Pelzer (M) - 20
LCF: Rebecca Hunter (F) - 29
RCF: Quincy Hooter (M) - 28

Reserves:

GK: Brittany Shaw (F) - 24
GK: Jason Jones (M) - 27
LB: Arthur Morgan (M) - 17
CB: Kate Marshall (F) - 20
RB: Molly Harrison (F) - 24
CDM: Reuben Fisher (M) - 30
LM: Ethan Anton (M) - 17
CM: Mary O’Donnell (F) - 34
RM: Murray McCann (M) - 33
CAM: Allan McPherson (M) - 25
LCF: Abigail Fraser (F) - 26
RCF: Clarence King (M) - 26

Whitepool AFC

Transfer Roundup:

In:
-none-

Out:
-none-

Overview:

City: Betham
Stadium: Gordon Stadium (cap. 28,565)
Team Colours: Grey and White
Nickname: The Whirlwinds
Previous Seasons: 11th - 9th - 6th
Playstyle: Defensive
Formation: 5-2-3
Predicted Finish: 6th
Coach: Archie Neall (M) - 46
Manager: Hugo Porter (M) - 59

Starting XI:

GK: Georgia Reid (F) - 20
LB: Jacob Cook (M) - 31
LCB: Lincoln Rogers (M) - 28
CB: Poppy Harvey (F) - 33
RCB: Aliyah McEwen (F) - 19
RB: Eleanor Lyne (F) - 30
LM: Jude Hills (M) - 21
RM: Christian Wilson (M) - 25
LW: Lucy Scott (M) - 32
CF: Charlie Adams (M) - 21
RW: Anthony Brookes (M) - 22

Reserves:

GK: Tyler Monk (M) - 27
GK: Madeline Morres (F) - 18
LB: Lauren Hall (F) - 26
LCB: Erin Gardner (F) - 24
CB: Kennedy Farrell (M) - 20
RCB: Harlow Vinson (F) - 32
RB: Lauren Archer (F) - 18
LM: Rosie Finch (F) - 22
RM: Claudia Johnston (F) - 23
LW: Noah Richards (M) - 30
CF: Ryder Thompson (M) - 24
RW: Raphael Smith (M) - 21

by **Sylestone** » Mon Nov 22, 2021 1:22 pm

Matchdays 1-5

What a way to start the season. Eight (well, seven) good games of football, including multiple upsets, and one of the most fucked up results in the history of the Toilet League. Don’t believe me? Just you wait.

The final score was 7-0. One side, last season’s runners-up Betham FC, were on their haunches, heads in hands, refusing to believe what had just happened, while a capacity home crowd at the Bay Reserve viciously booed them from the stands in a very un-Sylestonean manner. Their opposition, Avondale Beach SC, having only barely survived relegation the previous season, were celebrating like they’d never celebrated before. It had been an absolute shitshow, with the Pandas defence all over the place since Dean Alfred’s opening goal in the fifth minute of the match. With the score 2-0 at half-time, Betham proceeded to completely lose the plot, with things going from bad to worse in only twenty minutes thanks to four goals directly after the break. In the 65th minute, a converted Savannah Edwards penalty following a red card to Bethany Johns essentially capped off the performance, with the Pigeon winger assuring herself of a deserved hat-trick, the score 5-0 at that stage. And it would only get worse.

The sheer absurdity of the result easily trumped the relative closeness and intensity of the other matches on the opening matchday, with the Kirkham Sentients and AFC Droves in particular not receiving as much attention as they deserved following dogged victories. Earlier, the Sentients and Kitchen Sink FC had kicked off the season in a Kirkham derby and despite the former eventually winning 3-0, the scoreline certainly did not provide an adequate overview of the game. It was an even match, but thanks to two late goals to the Tumble Dryer, the Sentients came away with the optimal start to their season.

Elsewhere, a Liney Vano own goal saw Halpenley City pull off an upset at home over the favoured Pesfield Trees, their defence holding steady against the relentlessness of the re-jigged Pesfield forward line. AFC Droves, arguably the weakest team on paper, pulled off a massive upset away from home, with two goals to Evan Strathfield sealing a 2-1 win over the Kirkham Appliances, while an 89th minute goal to Kaiden Courtney saw Chamberley City triumph over the defending champions, Capital FC, in a thrilling encounter where neither side really gained much of an advantage at any point in the match.

The other results were rather expected. Le Choix forward Gwenaël Cazenave flexed his muscles in a 3-1 victory against Cleorough FC in Cleorough, while Avondale City were able to overcome the stoic defence of Katham FC at home thanks to a 71st-minute goal to Confederate midfielder Hallar Tatyova, winning 1-0 to avoid an embarrassing draw or loss to begin their campaign with three points. And finally, Dunkirk Athletic and Breakfast Bowl FC played out a 0-0 draw while Avondale Beach annihilated Betham to stick themselves into the mid-table right from the outset, the only two sides to finish on even terms following 90 minutes of football in the opening round.

After their ridiculous 7-0 thumping at the hands of the Pigeons in the opening round, Betham FC have hit their straps, bouncing back with a clinical performance against Breakfast Bowl FC with an entertaining final twenty minutes. With the scores level at 1-1 after 70 minutes, last season’s golden boot Destiny Arias and Tumbran Tom O’Driscoll combined to score three goals in the space of eleven minutes, before Max Paterson rounded things up with Betham’s fifth goal in the fourth and final minute of stoppage time. The Pandas were back at their best.

And it seemed to come at the expense of their torturers, Avondale Beach SC. In a home derby against the Lime Greens, Avondale City, the visitors were able to lure the Pigeons into a false sense of security before Nephara’s Sloane Walsh scored two second half goals to lead her side to a 3-0 victory, with South Newlandian Hector Walker also scoring. Meanwhile, the other Avondale club in the Toilet League, Capital FC, managed to come out on top in a contest between two heavyweights who had lost their opening match, defeating the Appliances 2-1 in a closely-fought contest in Avondale.

Elsewhere, Kirkham Sentients made it two from two, outplaying a tiring Dunkirk Athletic squad in the final half hour to ensure a 4-2 victory, with two more goals to the Tumble Dryer allowing the star Sentient to climb above Savannah Edwards as the Toilet League’s top goalscorer. Halpenley City also made it two wins from two, with the defensive-minded outfit prevailing away from home against the Trains thanks to a 26th-minute goal to Jowana Jewowić to win yet another game over a quality opposition.

Meanwhile, Katham FC, following a tense loss to Avondale City, managed to hand Cleorough their second loss on the trot to further consolidate their rightful place in the Toilet League after breaking all kinds of records with 72 points in 30 matches in the Poo League last year. Them and AFC Droves, with a 1-1-0 record following a 0-0 draw with Kitchen Sink FC, were certainly not playing like typical promoted sides, out of their depth against high-quality opposition. After only two matchdays, neutral followers of the Toilet League were already preparing themselves for one of the most scrumptious seasons yet.

But there was still a long, long way to go.

Finally, the Toucans have arrived. After losing both of their first two matches, they compiled a clinical performance to successfully dispose of Avondale Beach SC, who were now 1-0-2 despite their absurd 7-0 thumping of Betham FC in the opening round. On this day, everything simply clicked for the Toucans, with Mertagne midfielder Vesta Echagaray scoring two first-half goals to put the hosts 3-0 up at half-time. Soon after, it was 4-0 and despite yet another goal to the in-form Savannah Edwards, Cleorough still finished with an astonishing 5-1 victory to get their season underway. Meanwhile, the Kirkham Appliances, also point-less after two losses, managed to also get their first win on the table with a 4-2 victory over the Trees, who had also gotten off to a poor start, their re-jigged side not quite yet gelling after a myriad of changes in the off season. The result? Bottom of the table. Not the early result they were after.

Elsewhere, Chamberley City blew an early two-goal lead, with Lilah Buchanan’s opening screamer in the first minute going to waste thanks to Mid-Capital’s dogged refusal to give up. Gwenaël Cazenave continued his good form, scoring two goals in the 4-2 triumph, with Lucas Baker and M’aka Antoine also chipping in with their respective first goals of the season, too, as Chamberley suffered their first loss.

Earlier, Betham FC had stumbled yet again, collapsing under an in-form Kirkham Sentients side following a 5-1 thumping of Breakfast Bowl FC, with their defence yet again struggling to support the midfield and forward line. Two first-half goals to the Scissors saw the Sentients on the front foot early on and they never let go, with the Tumble Dryer scoring yet again to keep up its superb form. And while on the topic of Breakfast Bowl FC, the Kirkham side suffered another loss, this time 3-1 to Avondale City, with Andrew Dalton, Wanar-Sevet Opu and Sloane Walsh proving too hot to handle despite an early, sixth-minute goal to the Spatula. It gave the Lime Greens their third win in a row as they continued their brisk start to the season.

In the other matches, two goals to Maroon superstar Liam Cunningham saw the defending champions emerge victorious, two goals to nil, over the Burgers, while a second-minute goal to Marcus Brongue saw Halpenley rack up their third 1-0 win in a row, while Kitchen Sink FC defeated Dunkirk Athletic by the same margin to notch up their first win of the season after a draw and a loss.

Betham FC - what is going on? At home at the Bay Reserve, they have not scored once and conceded ten goals. Away from home, though? Ten goals, two against. Two 5-1 victories, with both just as dominant as each other. Not the calm, collected kind of stuff you would expect from last years’ runners-up, especially when that side had been pretty consistent throughout the entirety of the season.

The other match of note here is the one between the Kirkham Sentients and the Lime Greens, Avondale City FC. At the Home of the Glorious Sentient Objects in Kirkham, a second-half blitz from the hosts saw them take a 4-0 lead in 20 minutes of stunning football in a match between two sides yet to drop a point, asserting themselves as well and truly the best team in the league at this point in time. If they could maintain this form for even half of the season, the title was theirs. There was no doubt about it, even when Sloane Walsh managed to pierce the defence in stoppage time to make the result look a little more respectable.

But none of the other results really had anything of note. Halpenley City won yet another game by a 1-0 scoreline, while Cleorough FC and Katham both dominated their fixtures. The Kirkham Appliances also won 1-0, but only after a controversial penalty was awarded, which the Heater slotted home with ease in a game that was otherwise dominated by the Trains. A late goal to Callum Alexander saw the Maroons fight out a vicious draw with a Kitchen Sink side at the top of their game, while Pesfield’s bad run continued with a 1-1 draw against AFC Droves, although it was good enough to move out of the bottom two.

Pesfield Trees, unarguably one of the better sides in the Toilet League, just cannot seem to get their shit together, can they? With Ha’nei Ighv out due to a minor illness, Liam Cunningham tore apart the weakened Pesfield defence, scoring three goals, including a penalty, within the first twelve minutes of the match to leave Trees supporters utterly shell-shocked. And from there, they never recovered, with Capital FC finishing with 74% possession and five goals to one, with Gilda Milne finishing one of the only good long balls the Trees were able to produce with a quick tap, surprising the Maroon defence. But now, with a 0-2-3 record and a slump back into fifteenth spot, things were going to have to change, and soon, for Gordon Henry’s position as manager was right on the line.

In other news, Halpenley City finally conceded their first goal all season in a 1-0 loss to Breakfast Bowl FC, the Kirkham club’s first victory all season. It came through a second-half goal to the Kitchen Sink and sparked a deafening roar from the small number of Sentients at the game, for their team was finally out of the bottom two on the ladder. Meanwhile, another Kirkham club, the Sentients, won their fifth game on the trot thanks to an Adrian Ferguson own goal, moving atop the Toilet League ladder by three points with five wins from five. Was anyone going to stop them?

Elsewhere, Betham FC finally managed to score and take a point out of a home game, with a Max MacIntosh goal only being equalised in second half stoppage time by the Silestone as they moved up into ninth, with a whopping eleven goals scored and thirteen conceded, the second most for in the league and the most against, despite being in ninth place with seven points. And just behind them on the former is Avondale City, who successfully bounced back following a 4-1 loss to the Sentients last week, winning 2-0 in Avondale against the winless Dunkirk.

Over in Chamberley, some brilliant goalkeeping from Audioslavian goalkeeper Waldemar Borgen saw the Stars break a two-game losing streak with a tensely-foughted 2-1 victory over the Pigeons, who slumped to their fourth loss in a row after defeating the Pandas 7-0 first up and dropping to fourteenth place. Meanwhile, in Kirkham, the Appliances were held to a 0-0 draw by Damming Malmurchi’s goalkeeping alone, saving balls left, right and centre to grab his side another deserved point and climb up into sixth place. It was one of two 0-0 draws this week, with the promoted AFC Droves continuing to punch above their weight in front of a delighted home crowd against the Trains of Kirton in their third draw of the season.

*  Toilet League          Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
 1 Kirkham Sentients        5    5   0   0    15    3  +12    15
 2 Avondale City FC         5    4   0   1    10    5   +5    12
 3 Halpenley City FC        5    4   0   1     4    1   +3    12
 4 Capital FC               5    3   1   1    10    4   +6    10
 5 Kirkham Appliances       5    2   1   2     7    6   +1     7
 6 Katham FC                5    2   1   2     2    2    0     7
 7 Mid-Capital              5    2   1   2     7    5   +2     7
 8 Chamberley City          5    2   1   2     6    7   −1     7
 9 Betham FC                5    2   1   2    11   13   −2     7
10 AFC Droves               5    1   3   1     3    4   −1     6
11 Kitchen Sink FC          5    1   3   1     3    5   −2     6
12 Cleorough FC             5    2   0   3     7    6   +1     6
13 Breakfast Bowl FC        5    1   1   3     3    9   −6     4
14 Avondale Beach SC        5    1   0   4     9   11   −2     3
15 Pesfield Trees FC        5    0   2   3     5   12   −7     2
16 Dunkirk Athletic         5    0   1   4     3   12   −9     1

Matchdays 1-5

Match of the week: North Chamberley 3-3 Dunkirk FC
When picking the game of note in the opening round, there was never really any doubt about which one it would be. In Chamberley for the opening round against a relegated side from the previous season, Dunkirk FC were down 2-0 early thanks to a goal apiece to Ambroas De Montgomery and Jason Boston. However, Jessica Heagney made it 2-1 just minutes after Steel scored their second goal in the 13th minute, before Hugo Colquhoun managed to slot home a second against the run of play just after half-time. With the score 2-2 and the game heading into its final stages, the Steel began to grow ever more desperate for that goal and eventually got it, courtesy of De Montgomery in the 85th minute.

But the Pink Phoenixes of Dunkirk refused to give up. Five minutes of stoppage time were added on and in the third, again completely against the run of play, Lucy Buttrose managed to put a third goal past Kai Fletcher to take a point out of the game against all odds.

Match of the week: Westminster 3-1 FC Conton
Following relegation from the Toilet League the season before, Conton had a shocker of a season last time ‘round, only finishing above Freeman Province despite being in third place at the halfway mark. And two games in this season, things are not looking so dissimilar. The Bombers lost their first game, at home, 4-2 to a determined and rough Freeman City side expected to finish in a decent position yet again, but this week’s loss to Westminster was something else. Conton dominated fully for the first 85 minutes of the match, but in ten minutes of pure insanity, the Chamberley club side were somehow able to overcome a 1-0 deficit to take out the match, 3-1. What on earth was going on with the Bombers?

Match of the week: Southern Avondale FC 1-5 Southern Beaches
After somehow finishing fourth last season despite being predicted for bottom two, Southern Beaches have begun their season in a similar vein to how they did last time. Away from home against the Warriors at Wauchope Reserve in Avondale, an early goal to Archer Weaver sent the home crowd into ecstasy, particularly after only gaining one point from their opening two matches. They then held that lead for over half an hour, but the Tuthambedon club were always on the front foot. Eventually, in the 37th minute, Penelope Wilson equalised, before Penelope Flanagan sent her side ahead late in stoppage time, the score 2-1 to the Thunder at the break. Addison Butler made it 3-1 soon after but instead of going in for the carnage, Southern Beaches seemed content to just play for time. With the clock winding down and nothing really happening, a 3-1 final result seemed inevitable.

But no, the Thunder still had a trick or two left up their sleeve. In the 90th minute, Butler capitalised on an opening in the Southern Avondale defence before, deep into stoppage time, Tara Bell slotted home a cross with a wonderful little flick of her boot, the score now 5-1 after an early lead from the Warriors. And that was how it stayed, with Southern Beaches jumping into second place with seven points from their opening three games.

Match of the week: FC Freeport 3-3 Fridge FC
I know, I know. I didn’t report the 7-3 result as the match of the week. Kill me if you wish. But I think this story deserves to be told. Fridge FC, having won their first three matches, came into their away match against Freeport full of confidence, while their opponents were mid-table, with a 1-1-1 record from their three matches thus far. Not too bad, after all. But by the time the game was on the brink of half-time, the Kirkham club had completely and thoroughly dominated, with the score already 3-0 and more goals threatening. And that, fellas, is why the fact that Freeport managed to hold them to a draw makes this a more impressive match than the 7-3. Sorry, North Chamberley. You’ve already had your time in the spotlight.

In the final minute of stoppage time, Rohan Crowbar scored to pull the Lions back one, before a Paddy Hanlon goal against the run of play midway through the second half culled the deficit to a single goal. In the 78th minute, the Fridge missed a penalty opportunity and paid the heaviest price imaginable, with Richard Carolyn equalising minutes later to send the home crowd into raptures. Freeport had done it. They’d come back from 3-0 down to take a point out of the match against the side that’s probably the best in the entire league.

Match of the week: Fridge FC 8-5 Freeman City
Honestly, what the fuck. It’s bad enough to score three goals and still lose by three (*cough* Dunkirk FC *cough*), but to score five and lose by three? That’s another whole story. In Kirkham, Fridge FC and Freeman City played out an absolute hell of a match and despite the former leading for almost the entire way, the sheer tonne of goalscoring that occurred kept the Battleships in it right until the very end. Early on, they were actually up 2-1 after fifteen minutes, but the Spoon, the Fridge FC winger, stole the show from then on with a hat-trick, goals occurring in the 31st, 36th and 64th minutes as the Fridges took an advantage. Four late goals all coming within a space of five minutes added some spice to the match, but Fridge FC were still dominant, taking out the match 8-5 when the whistle blew after eight minutes of stoppage time. What a way to go top of the table.

*  Poo League               Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Fridge FC                  5    4   1   0    18    9   +9    13
 2 North Chamberley           5    3   2   0    15    9   +6    11
 3 Dodle FC                   5    3   0   2     5    3   +2     9
 4 Westminster                5    3   0   2    10    7   +3     9
 5 FC Conton                  5    2   1   2     7    9   −2     7
 6 Marbury FC                 5    2   1   2     6    6    0     7
 7 Freeman City               5    2   1   2    13   13    0     7
 8 Whitepool AFC              5    2   1   2     6    6    0     7
 9 Emacuton FC                5    2   1   2     4    6   −2     7
10 Southern Beaches           5    2   1   2    11    9   +2     7
11 Emacuton United            5    2   1   2     3    3    0     7
12 FC Freeport                5    1   3   1     5    4   +1     6
13 Southern Avondale FC       5    1   2   2     6    9   −3     5
14 Western Avondale           5    1   1   3     4    9   −5     4
15 Freeman Province           5    1   0   4     7   13   −6     3
16 Dunkirk FC                 5    0   2   3     8   13   −5     2

by **Sylestone** » Mon Dec 06, 2021 2:27 am

SFA CUP

First Round

There is much to talk about after the opening round of the SFA Cup, with some enthralling matchups and games that left fans hanging on the edge of their seats, shocked and bewildered. Heavyweights beat each other up, Poo League sides put up quality efforts against top division clubs and for the millionth time, Betham FC and Halpenley City FC faced off in exceedingly familiar conditions.

However, unlike last time, the aggressive unit was simply too good. Despite Halpenley winning four of their first five games in the Toilet League and Betham having the most inconsistent series of five games ever in the history of the SFL, the Pandas were simply too good for the Royals as they took out a 3-1 aggregate win. In the first leg, Tom O’Driscoll was impossible to stop as the Tumbran scored two first-half goals to help put the home side 3-0 up at half-time, the Halpenley defence swarmed all over in an occurrence as rare as a blue moon. After half-time, the Royals got their act together, but in the end it was not enough as Betham took a 3-0 aggregate lead heading into the second leg in Halpenley.

An early goal to Jowana Jewowić was met with jubilation from the home crowd, but some stoic defending from Torsten Eikholm, Anita Rao-Chavan and even Frank Butler ensured that the Royals could not score any more goals, with the Pandas bouncing back from last season’s cup fiasco and moving onwards to the second round, where they would face the winner of the ridiculous first-round matchup between Capital FC and Pesfield Trees FC.

Speaking of, what a set of two games. Between two sides who deserved to meet in the semifinal at the very earliest, the simple fact that they were put up against each other was a deed of unimaginable cruelty. But after the first leg, with the Maroons winning 4-2 after a Liam Cunningham goal in the final minute of stoppage time sealed a two-goal lead for Capital FC leading into the second leg. A two-goal lead for Capital FC against the Trees heading into the match in Pesfield should be enough to ensure themselves of a place in the second round, but it’s football. Anything can happen.

And ‘anything’ did happen. After the first twenty minutes passed without much happening, the Pesfield forward line, who had barely conjured anything of note in any of their five games thus far, finally clicked as a unit to catch the Maroon defence off guard. In twenty stunning minutes of football, the Trees took a sudden 4-0 lead in the match, with two goals to Kast le Bufetier and one apiece to Bella Barclay and Gilda Milne completely changing the direction of the game as they took a two-goal aggregate lead into the final 45 minutes. In the end, the final result was a 5-0 victory to Pesfield, moving onto the second round and a matchup against Betham FC with a whopping 7-4 aggregate victory over the Maroons. Crazy times…

Aside from that, though, no really shocking results could be found. Southern Avondale FC somehow managed to score three goals in Betham against a far stronger Whirlwind side to go 3-0 up on aggregate after the first leg. Whitepool then found their rhythm again in the second leg, but after an early goal kept their hopes alive, the Warriors held on to ensure themselves a second round berth.

Elsewhere, Western Avondale became the only Poo League club to triumph over a Toilet League one in the first round, with a sublime goal to Bird Shat in the first minute of second half stoppage team sealing an unlikely 1-0 lead away from home heading into the second, home leg. And then, in a display of dogged determination against a side on the up, they somehow managed to keep it with a 1-1 draw in the second leg to move on to the second round. An impressive feat if any.

Meanwhile, the likes of FC Conton, Emacuton United and FC Freeport nearly managed to upset a quality Toilet League opponent, drawing one leg and only being defeated by a single goal in the second, with the likes of the Kirkham Sentients (currently with a 5-0-0 Toilet League record), Cleorough FC and Mid-Capital having to clamber to achieve a second round berth in games that they really should have won convincingly. And although they didn’t progress onwards, those Poo League clubs must have been stoked with their efforts.

And that’s about it when it comes to interesting results. In the other legs, Dunkirk FC challenged the Kirkham Appliances, only losing by a single goal in each game to show their class despite a poor start to their season. Dodle FC and Marbury FC survived scares from fellow Poo League underdogs Freeman Province and Southern Beaches, while Dunkirk Athletic overcame a tense challenge from Katham FC to move into the second round. Avondale City FC expectedly crushed the Breakfast Bowls, with a Sloane Walsh hat-trick leading the way to a 4-0 home win before backing it up with a 1-0 victory away from home to kick their cup campaign off with a bang. Their rivals, Avondale Beach SC, also began ominously, slaughtering Freeman City 6-1 in their home leg before stacking the defence in the second en route to a 0-0 draw. Finally, Kitchen Sink FC, Chamberley City and North Chamberley were all too good for their weaker counterparts, with all three clubs winning both of their legs against Emacuton FC, Fridge FC and Westminster respectively to move into the second round as favourites yet again.

An enthralling first round of the SFA Cup, with stranger things coming as the participants get whittled down once again to the final eight in the second round. What surprises will await us there?

Matchdays 6-10

Finally, someone has taken points off the Kirkham Sentients. At home against Halpenley City, a side well-known for their stout defence and one that had only conceded a single goal thus far all season, they knew that this would be one of their hardest challenges yet. And so, despite dominating play with skilful possession football, the Royals held on to a point. Finally, someone was able to prove that the Sentients were not invincible.

Elsewhere, Pesfield Trees have finally been able to scrape their first victory of the season, with a late goal to 16-year-old Alexandra Arnold sealing a 1-0 win away from home against Kitchen Sink FC to finally get their season going, their re-jigged squad finally combining to form a winning formula, easily dominating possession throughout the match, too. Meanwhile, Avondale Beach slumped to their fifth loss on the trot following their shock 7-0 thumping of Betham on matchday one, losing 1-0 to the Kirkham Appliances, finally beginning to find form after a poor opening few games. This meant that they climbed to sixth place, equal on points with Capital FC (fourth) and Mid-Capital (fifth).

Those two aforementioned sides met in Kirton on the same day, too, with a Lucas Baker header in the 66th minute sealing a shock 1-0 victory for the hosts over the defending champions. And whilst on the topic of matches between big clubs, Betham and Avondale City, respectively finishing second and third last season, fought out an intense 1-1 draw at the Bay Reserve in a game of a very high calibre, with neither side really dominating at all for any portion of play. Certainly, a just result.

In other results, the match between the two promoted Poo League sides resulted in a rather boring 0-0 draw, while Breakfast Bowl FC held the Stars to a 2-2 draw at the former’s home ground to gain their fifth point of the season, with Chamberley fell down into the bottom half of the table on eight points. And finally, Dunkirk Athletic have failed to capitalise on their home advantage in their match against Cleorough, losing 3-1 despite holding the Toucans to 1-1 for the majority of the game following an early goal apiece to each side. The result meant that the Wolves remained at the foot of the Toilet League table, ascertaining only a single point from six games to leave their supporters very nervous indeed.

After not really much happened on matchday six, this weekend had multiple entertaining games, with the most being the intense game between AFC Droves and Avondale Beach SC at Burger Stadium in Betham. A goal in the 26th minute to Cassidy Dwyer put the Pigeons ahead early, but the Burgers never seemed out. With bare minutes remaining in normal time at the end of the second half, a Koby McNeil volley saw the Burgers equalise, much to the appreciation of the home crowd. But no, Avondale weren’t quite done yet. Two minutes into stoppage time, Savannah Edwards was awarded a controversial penalty on the edge of the box and slotted it home with ease, securing a 2-1 victory and ending a five-game losing streak.

Over in Cleorough, Betham’s ridiculous away record got even more ridiculous, with Destiny Arias and Tom O’Driscoll continuing to wreak havoc against opposition defences, winning 6-1 to climb into sixth place, with the most goals scored and the equal-most goals conceded, an, er, odd statistic to have as a unit. If only the Toucans could have scored just one more goal to make the score 6-2….

Other than that, though, no real games were of note. An early goal to the Heater ensured that the Kirkham Appliances would triumph over cross-town rivals Breakfast Bowl FC, with the Appliance striker moving up into fourth place on the golden boot table with five goals, only behind Destiny Arias, Liam Cunningham and the Tumble Dryer, all on six. Meanwhile, the Maroons were able to defeat Katham FC despite playing what appeared to mostly be a second-string lineup, with Brianna Herzog scoring her first of the season with a belter from well outside the box in the 40th minute to secure all three points. It moved Capital FC up into fourth place with 13 points, only one behind Avondale City and Halpenley City in second and third respectively to continue their good form from last season.

Three nil-all draws also occurred on the matchday, including a game involving the Royals of Halpenley, a surprise to literally no one considering the defensive mindset of manager Nicole May. However, the other two nil-all draws were somewhat more surprising. The first of which occurred between a struggling Kitchen Sink side, holding Avondale City at bay at Kitchener Stadium to take their seventh point of the season of the second-placed side. And lastly, the Stars held ladder-toppers Kirkham Sentients to a 0-0 draw at home to round out the boring side of the week.

Which leaves us with the final game of the round - Pesfield Trees vs Mid-Capital. At half-time with the score 0-0, the game seemed set to be heading towards yet another 0-0 draw, with neither side really looking dangerous. But no, it was not to be. Kast le Bufetier continued his superb form with two brilliant goals to put the hosts up 2-0 and despite a Gwenaël Cazenave goal in the 70th minute to pull the Trains back one, a late goal to Josh Angliss sealed the deal for the Trees, climbing up to eleventh with eight points following a torrid start to the season. Things were finally beginning to go their way.

After winning their first five games and drawing the next two, the Kirkham Sentients have certainly been shaping up as the team to beat this Toilet League. Three points clear of the Lime Greens and the Royals in second and third respectively, it seemed as though the Appliances were up against it, especially with the game being played at the Sentients’ home stadium. However, a closer look at the table shows the Appliances coming off a run of good form as of late, securing 13 points from their last five outings with four wins and a draw. And thanks to a goal apiece to the Air Conditioner and Water Cooler, they had it five wins and a draw from their last six, moving up into fourth place on sixteen points.

Elsewhere, the Pandas could be considered unlucky to not take all three points out of their clash with their Halpenley rivals, with Gareth De Rosa’s 54th-minute goal appearing to be a bit of a fluke. Betham completely controlled the game, from start to finish, with their back line holding strong and Verity Cavendish in goals putting on a stellar effort whenever the ball came her way. It was only due to the Royals’ famed defensive line that Betham were only able to score a single goal.

Meanwhile, Chamberley City handed the Wolves their sixth loss in eight starts thus far in the season, but not without surviving some serious scares. Lyla Holmes, usually a taciturn little player, was awarded her first-ever red-card, but what really stole the show was Waldemar Borgen’s goalkeeping. Despite the 2-0 scoreline, it was Dunkirk who dominated the majority of the game, and without someone of the calibre of the Audioslavian in goals, who knows what could have happened.

Aside from the obvious ones, though, there was still much to talk about this week. In an Avondale derby, between Avondale Beach and Capital FC, the former kept out their far-stronger counterparts all the way up until the 84th minute, when Astograthian defender Hurko Lapisonde found his way through to score the first goal in a vital 2-0 victory for the Maroons. Meanwhile, over in Kirkham, the Trains held off a dogged Kitchen Sink side to hold onto a 3-2 victory despite a late surge in the final half-hour of the match, taking all three points to move into sixth place.

In other games, the Trees and Breakfast Bowl FC both won their games 1-0 over the Chickens and the Burgers respectively, thanks to penalties, while Avondale City managed to hold onto a slender 1-0 lead over Cleorough to move into second place on the table, equal on points with the Kirkham Sentients, midway through a little slump of two points in their previous three matches following an astonishing start to the season. Now, with multiple teams only a win’s worth of points behind them, they had to get their foot back on the accelerator.

For the first time in multiple rounds, we’ve had our first true upset. Katham FC, a side that has only scored two goals in eight games thus far in the Toilet League, has somehow managed to dissect a strong Mid-Capital side playing in front of their home crowd in Kirton, with a Kerry Bennett goal in the 28th minute securing the victory despite relentless presses from the Trains, particularly towards the back end of the game. But in the end, it was a well-deserved victory from the promoted side to move up into tenth place with eleven points.

Still, aside from that result, this week’s results still certainly had many things to speak about. After some superb goalkeeping last week saw the Stars come out of their match against Dunkirk Athletic with all three points, Waldemar Borgen simply wasn’t at the races this week, with two late goals to substitute forward Riley Howard the only saving grace for the Stars. Their opponents, Betham FC, dominated the game more or less from beginning to end, and deserved the three points that were cruelly taken from them in three minutes of individual brilliance. For the Stars, Lyla Holmes was sorely missed, that fact being exposed in just the second minute of the match, with the left-back’s replacement, Fleurette Sainsbury, misdirecting a defensive header into the bottom corner of the goal in just the second minute of the match to put Betham 1-0 up. But in the end, luck was with Chamberley, the final score being a 3-3 draw, the first of two this week.

The other one came in the match between the Pesfield Trees, a side just beginning to hit their straps, and Avondale Beach, of whom had had a rather torrid season following their 7-0 crushing of the Pandas on matchday one. But in this game, it was the latter who appeared to dominate for the majority of the game, but the Trees held on to a late burst from the Pigeons to take a point out of the game.

With those put to one side, a couple of the favourites handed out drubbings to weaker sides, the first occurring between Halpenley and Avondale City, in a match between two clubs located in the top five after eight matches. However, on the day, there was clear daylight between the two sides, with Avondale City sneaking through the famed Halpenley defence thrice en route to a 3-0 win, while Capital FC completed a similar feat against the Breakfast Bowls, with two Liam Cunningham goals leading the way for the Maroons as they sauntered towards the top of the table.

Elsewhere, the Kirkham Sentients managed to break out of their slump, keeping their slender lead at the head of the table alive with a rather unconvincing 1-0 victory over the Burgers. It was a good game, though, with AFC Droves never quite giving in, but in the end, they could not steal a point.

Meanwhile, the other Kirkham sides, Kirkham Appliances and Kitchen Sink FC, both managed to take all three points out of their games, with the Appliances coming out on top in a tough clash against wooden-spooners Dunkirk Athletic, while the Sinks were able to pull together their A-game away in Cleorough, winning 2-0 to move into eleventh place, rounding out a good day for the city of Sentients. Apart from if you are a Breakfast Bowl fan, of course.

After coming rather close to taking points off Chamberley City and the Kirkham Appliances in rounds eight and nine respectively, this bottom-of-the-table clash between Dunkirk Athletic and AFC Droves was finally the Wolves’ chance to kickstart their season and get out of serious danger. However, they simply could not find their feet when it mattered most, with Riley Strathfield playing an absolute gem of a game to score both of the Burgers’ goals in a 2-0 away victory, moving out of the relegation zone and up onto ten points.

At the opposite end of the table, Kirkham Sentients have found their feet again with a massive 2-1 win over the Maroons in a vital clash for both sides, with the hosts dominating from start up until stoppage time, where a late goal to Jeremy Smith kept the loss to just a single goal after two first-half goals to the Sentients. It was a great performance from the side who had only gleaned five points from their last four games following five wins from five earlier in the season, and showed that they weren’t going to let that position slide if they could help it. It kept the Lime Greens, Avondale City, at bay, as they chalked up yet another resounding win, this one over the Stars, who again, were not quite up to scratch. The final scoreline was a 4-1 drumming, with a first-half hat-trick to Qusmi striker Wanar-Sevet Opu stealing the show with some wonderful dribbling and finishing skills. Simply, Chamberley had no hope.

Elsewhere, Halpenley continued their struggles, increasing their winless streak to five games with a 2-0 away loss to the Toucans, with Lucas Jabberee and Hannah Currie-Masson starring in one of their most clinical performance thus far in the season. Katham FC also won 2-0, this one their second shock win in a row with a strong performance away from home against Kitchen Sink FC to move into seventh, continuing their good form from last season in the Poo League and showing to everyone who cared what league they really should be in. The victory also pushed the champions of two years ago down into 13th place, just one point away from that scary playoff position and possible relegation….

The side Katham defeated last week, Mid-Capital, bounced back with a solid performance against Avondale Beach, with a 77th-minute goal to Chromatik right-back Benjamin Mark-Ellis securing a 2-1 victory, the result meaning that Avondale Beach would drop into the bottom two with only seven points, three of them coming from that game in the first round. But since then, everything has gone wrong for the Pigeons, and they needed to find a way back.

Over in Kirkham, Pesfield’s struggles continued, drawing Breakfast Bowl FC 1-1 despite dominating for large portions of the game. An early goal to Oberour Ar Moro winger Kast le Bufetier put the Trees in front, but a Katie Yearmon own goal saw the Breakfast Bowls clamber back one in the 35th minute, and from that point onwards, the two sides could not be broken. But still, being in tenth place with thirteen points, only a win away from Mid-Capital in fifth, really isn’t a big deal this early in the season. If other results go their way, they could still certainly have the side to challenge the very top of the league.

*  Toilet League          Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Kirkham Sentients       10    7   2   1    18    6  +12    23
 2 Avondale City FC        10    7   2   1    19    7  +12    23
 3 Kirkham Appliances      10    7   1   2    15    7   +8    22
 4 Capital FC              10    6   1   3    17    7  +10    19
 5 Mid-Capital             10    5   1   4    14   12   +2    16
 6 Halpenley City FC       10    4   3   3     5    7   −2    15
 7 Katham FC               10    4   2   4     5    4   +1    14
 8 Chamberley City         10    3   4   3    14   16   −2    13
 9 Betham FC               10    3   4   3    22   21   +1    13
10 Pesfield Trees FC       10    3   4   3    14   17   −3    13
11 Cleorough FC            10    4   0   6    13   16   −3    12
12 AFC Droves              10    2   4   4     6    8   −2    10
13 Kitchen Sink FC         10    2   4   4     7   11   −4    10
14 Breakfast Bowl FC       10    2   3   5     7   16   −9     9
15 Avondale Beach SC       10    2   1   7    15   20   −5     7
16 Dunkirk Athletic        10    0   2   8     5   21  −16     2

Matchdays 6-10

*  Poo League               Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 North Chamberley          10    7   2   1    23   12  +11    23
 2 Fridge FC                 10    6   3   1    28   15  +13    21
 3 Marbury FC                10    6   1   3    10    7   +3    19
 4 Emacuton United           10    5   3   2     6    3   +3    18
 5 Whitepool AFC             10    5   2   3    15   12   +3    17
 6 Westminster               10    5   1   4    17   15   +2    16
 7 FC Conton                 10    5   1   4    14   12   +2    16
 8 Dodle FC                  10    5   0   5     8    7   +1    15
 9 FC Freeport               10    3   5   2     9    7   +2    14
10 Western Avondale          10    4   1   5    13   13    0    13
11 Freeman City              10    3   3   4    20   20    0    12
12 Southern Beaches          10    3   2   5    15   18   −3    11
13 Emacuton FC               10    2   3   5     4   11   −7     9
14 Freeman Province          10    3   0   7    16   26  −10     9
15 Dunkirk FC                10    1   3   6    16   25   −9     6
16 Southern Avondale FC      10    1   2   7     8   19  −11     5

by **Sylestone** » Mon Dec 13, 2021 2:13 am

SFA CUP

Second Round

Another SFA Cup round, another eight opponents brutally knocked out as the field is whittled down to the final eight, six of whom are currently in the Toilet League, while last seasons’ relegated clubs, Dodle and North Chamberley, also remain alive. However, Avondale City are shaping up to look like favourites for both the cup and the Toilet League, backing up their 5-0 aggregate victory over the Breakfast Bowls with another ominous victory, this time over Dunkirk Athletic. Using a similar tactic to what they did in the first round, the Lime Greens went all out in the first leg, shocking a rowdy home crowd with a 5-0 victory, gaining a large enough lead so that they could defend for the second leg and never seem in doubt. And it worked, with the Wolves never really looking in the game despite an equalising goal by Malcolm Bilby in the 27th minute gave them a faint glimmer of hope, with Avondale City eventually progressing with a 6-1 aggregate victory.

But in the grand scheme of things, that matchup was one of the least exciting, unless, of course, you are an Avondale City supporter. To the neutral fan, though, it would be pretty tough to get past some of the other games that occurred, with the first and foremost being the two legs between Mid-Capital and Chamberley City.

The opening half hour of the first leg, played at the Stars’ home ground in Chamberley, saw nothing much really happen, with a chance here and there going begging. In the 31st minute, though, all the pent-up energy was released with Joel Clemons giving the hosts a 1-0 lead. And that was when all hell broke loose.

Across the next 22 minutes of playing time, the Trains would put four goals past a forlorn Waldemar Borgen in goals, going from 1-0 down to a 4-1 lead in just a short space of time, and taking a nearly unassailable lead into the second leg. Which is what makes this matchup so exciting, because against odds uncounted, the Stars would pull it off in front of the Trains’ home crowd in Kirton.

Two early goals to the Stars had the home fans on the edge of their seats, holding their breaths as their side got torn to bits by Chamberley’s relentless forward line. However, in a sheer miracle, the Trains managed to hold out until half-time and beyond, before Rose Evans scored a belter of a goal in the 64th minute to keep Mid-Capital on track for the quarterfinals. However, it wasn’t to be, with two late goals to the previously-underperforming Phille Mith sealing a 5-5 aggregate draw after 180 minutes of thrilling football.

In the end, it would be penalty kicks and penalty kicks alone that could separate the two sides, with Chamberley winning, 3-2, in front of a stunned home crowd to move into the quarterfinals, facing the Kirkham Sentients, a side of whom had overcome a stout challenge from Western Avondale to progress into the quarterfinals with a 2-1 aggregate victory. So while the Sentients, being top of the Toilet League and all, are certainly the favourites by a fair way, Chamberley’s recent performance under serious pressure may be enough to tilt the pendulum their way. Only one thing’s for sure though: it will be one hell of a series.

Elsewhere, the struggling Avondale Beach managed to shock an in-form Kirkham Appliances side, with two early goals in the first, home leg for the Pigeons securing a shock 2-0 lead with 90 minutes done, the Appliances simply not able to hit their best at all throughout the game. They did improve, though, for their home leg, with two goals to the ever-reliant Heater sealing a 2-0 victory in normal time, the aggregate 2-2 and taking the game to extra-time. After 30 minutes more of intense play, the two sides could not be broken. And thus, enter the picturesque randomness of a penalty shootout.

With nine shots down and eight converted, all eyes lay on the youth of Rachel Diyle to see whether she could convert her teams’ fifth, the score 4-4 with the Appliances done and the Pigeons with one to go. The Kirkham crowd waited with baited breath as the youngster ran in and shot it in the direction the Oven headed, but with too much force, netting the ball and sealing an Avondale derby in the quarterfinal, between the Lime Greens and the Pigeons. You really cannot get much better than that.

Meanwhile, Southern Avondale’s position at the bottom of the Poo League table did not faze them in a matchup against the second division leaders, only losing the first leg thanks to a late belter of a goal from the youthful Mukkhali Ratnasingham putting the Steel 2-1 up heading into their home leg at the Northampton Gardens in Cedar Heights, Chamberley. However, they could not capitalise on that advantage, with the stoic Warrior defence holding stout, meaning that North Chamberley had to be satisfied with a 1-1 draw and a 3-2 aggregate win, heading into a crucial matchup against Cleorough FC in not-so-great form. Fortunately for them, though, the Toucans aren’t looking as crash hot as they could be, although they are certainly playing well, defeating the Sinks 3-1 away from home in the first leg before holding season four’s Toilet League champions to a 0-0 draw in the second leg to continue their fine run of form in the cup over recent years, making their second quarterfinal in a row after last year’s run all the way to the final.

In another matchup between two Poo League sides, Dodle FC’s 2-0 aggregate lead following the first round proved too hot to handle for the sublime defence of Marbury FC, who had not conceded for four games straight up until that first leg between the two sides. Early on in the second leg in Marbury, right-back Ella Kirkhope scored to give the Cockatoos something to shout about, but in the end, Dodle would take out the games with a 2-1 aggregate victory and progress into the second round.

Which leaves us with just one more matchup - Betham vs Pesfield. After the latter defeated the Maroons with a shock 5-0 victory following a two-goal deficit in the first leg, you could have at least given them the chance to have a break before facing their next tough opponent. But no, the random generator that does these things had other ideas, instead drawing them against Betham FC, one of the favourites to take out the cup title following their second-place finish in last year’s Toilet League. Rough luck.

Yet, the Trees still somehow managed to find a way through. The first leg, in Betham, was drawn 1-1 in a very even match, where neither side was really able to gain much of an advantage, at all. The second leg was much the same, with the score after ninety minutes being 1-1, yet again. The only difference, of course, was the extra time added onto the game.

And it made the difference. In the 113rd minute of the match, Ryan Eastern headed home a corner to give Pesfield a lead; one that would eventually be too much for the Pandas to cope, with the ecstatic home crowd urging them onwards, all the way up until the final whistle, where their 3-2 aggregate victory was confirmed. Onwards they would go, to the quarterfinals, where they would face Dodle FC.

Finally, a side that wasn’t ridiculously good.

Matchdays 11-15

It might not have been the closest Betham derby, but it was an entertaining one. Despite the two clubs never actually playing each other in an official match in football history, Burger Oval in the northern suburbs of Betham still saw a capacity crowd turnout for the derby between AFC Droves and Betham FC. Unfortunately for the home crowd, though, they were sorely disappointed, with the first half-hour essentially sealing the victory for the Pandas, leading 4-0 thanks to a goal apiece to Destiny Arias, Elliot Nicholson, Tom O’Driscoll and Torsten Eikholm, completely dissecting the Burgers’ five-strong defensive line with some rather astonishing plays. However, a few changes at the back saw the hosts hold out for the remainder of the game, with an Aaron Barnett goal in the 59th minute saving some face in what was ultimately a poor performance from the Burgers. Still, with Betham’s away record this season being what it is, it honestly could have been a lot worse.

Elsewhere, Halpenley City’s defence has become unstuck yet again, this time letting through a whopping two goals (context, fellas) against the Sinks, losing 2-1 to drop to eighth to extend their winless streak to six games. It was a vital win for Kitchen Sink, who moved four points above the playoff spot and possible relegation, meaning that some of the stress was off, at least for now.

Talking about the relegation zone, Dunkirk Athletic, still only on two points, continued to play well against the good teams, giving the Maroons a scare with a 24th-minute goal to Malcolm Bilby earning the Wolves a lead over the defending champions. The scoreline stayed 1-0 until Liam Cunningham converted home a penalty to equalise, much to the pleasure of the raucous home crowd, before Matt Roberts made it 2-1 with ten minutes remaining to save the Maroons’ face. However, the likes of Mid-Capital weren’t so lucky, dominating their match against a rather weak Breakfast Bowl FC but still not finding a way past the Cabinet in goals, taking out two less points than they probably deserved and wanted.

But at least they got some. Because finally, the Kirkham Sentients have been toppled from the head of the Toilet League table, with Avondale City taking their place thanks to a 0-0 draw away from home against the powerful Kirkham Appliances, who in turn moved up into second place, equal on points with the Sentients in third. Capital FC’s victory over Dunkirk Athletic left them one point shy of second place.

Over in Katham, Avondale Beach finally managed to string together another good performance to jump up two places into fifteenth; a big win for the Pigeons against an in-form Katham side. It was thanks to a wonderful finish from Isla Bradfield, getting her first start of the season over Nigel Humphries and looking right at home. Certainly a player primed for a big future.

Avondale City have lengthened their lead at the top of the table, pouncing on the Sentients’ second loss in a row, a 2-1 home one against Mid-Capital, to jump two points clear of their nearest competition, cross-town rivals the Maroons, who had returned to their best following a poor start to the season. They achieved this with a 2-0 home win - surprisingly the only one of the round - over the Burgers, meaning that the Betham side would once again fall into the bottom two. Living dangerously, they were, but still, they have a lot to be happy about considering the strength of their side in comparison to many others in the competition.

As alluded to above, the Appliances failed to make the most of the Sentients’ fall, only drawing 2-2 despite early dominance against the Toucans, of whom played one of their best games all season. An early goal to the Heater saw the Appliances take the lead, before Ludwig Plessner slotted home a penalty in the 30th minute to equalise. The scoreline remained 1-1 until after the halfway mark in the second-half, when Aife Redding put the hosts 2-1 up in the 72nd minute, much to the delight of the crowd. However, the lead would not last long, with a deflection of James Porree sealing the draw in the 79th minute to bring the Appliances back on level terms.

Elsewhere, Chamberley finally managed to take home a victory in a dominant away display - their first since that 2-0 away win over the Wolves four weeks ago. It was a vital one, too, for it moved the Stars back up into the top half of the table with 17 points, and showed the depth of their squad. Pesfield’s predictable win over the Wolves was rather similar, with three second-half goals to three of the Trees’ better overseas players confirming the win after playing a mostly second-string XI for the first half.

In other games, Avondale Beach have managed to string together two victories in a row to kickstart their season once again, with Savannah Edwards and defenders Dean Alfred and Isabella Wickham starring in the Pigeons’ 3-1 victory over Kitchen Sink FC - a truly dominant performance away from home. The side the Pigeons defeated last week, Katham FC, also bounced back, moving back up into seventh place with a solid 1-0 victory away from home, midfielder Amelia Turnbull scoring her first goal of the season in a solid defensive display from the recently-promoted club.

The Avondale derby. No matter how impressive the other games are, the match between Capital FC and Avondale City will always take the cake for game of the round. And this one was no different, with the game being a thrilling one - the hosts barely holding onto their lead after a late burst from the Lime Greens. In the first half, the Maroons took a 2-0 lead, completely dominating the in-form Avondale defence, but after the break, the visitors clearly did not want it to stay that way. A 76th minute goal to Wanar-Sevet Opu had the home supporters on the edges of their seats, waiting with baited breath, but some stout defence got their side home despite multiple close calls. The Maroons had done it - they’d jumped their rivals at the top of the table and were now poised to take out their third title in four years.

Dunkirk Athletic have finally been able to scrape another point out of a match they really shouldn’t have, with a ridiculous Jude Nugan own goal in the 90th minute equalising what seemed to be an easy 1-0 win for Mid-Capital in front of their home crowd. It was absolutely shambolic, with the centre-back’s mistimed clearance spiralling over Thiek Saleh’s head and into the top corner of the goal, giving the Wolves just their second goal and third point of a season that sees them destined to go down. Only a miracle would stop it.

Elsewhere, the Pigeons have won their third game on the trot to safely get their butts out of the relegation zone and move into tenth place with 16 points, with a 1-0 victory over the Breakfast Bowls. The result meant that the visitors would move down into fifteenth place, with only ten points, with the Burgers jumping above them thanks to a rather shocking 1-0 victory over the Toucans.

Chamberley City’s struggles continued, losing 2-1 at home to a below-par Kitchen Sink FC side, the Stove starring in the victory and earning a deserved player of the match award. Halpenley’s sudden loss of form and everything that comes alongside it also continued, with the Kirkham Appliances able to dissect their defence in a hard-fought 1-0 victory to keep themselves only a single point behind the Maroons at the top of the table. Now, with thirteen rounds complete, the top of the table was really heating up, with the Kirkham Sentients keeping themselves in the race with a 1-0 away victory over the Chickens, ending a two-game losing streak and keeping themselves just two points behind Capital FC in first. After that, though, there is a big drop-off to where Mid-Capital, Pesfield and the rest lie, with neither the Trees nor the Pandas making the most of an opportunity to more or less keep up with the top of the pack, squandering chances just when it mattered in a 1-1 draw.

Well, things have taken an interesting turn, haven’t they? Out of eight games this week, only three drew results, with none of the four teams at the head of the table able to take three points out of their game. Capital FC, Kirkham Appliances and the Kirkham Sentients all drew against Cleorough, Chamberley and Avondale Beach respectively, with all but the first one being 1-1. Additionally, the Kirkham derby between the Sinks and the Breakfast Bowls also finished in a 1-1 draw, as did the match between Dunkirk Athletic and Katham, with the Wolves grabbing just their fourth point of the season, while the Chickens dropped a spot to eighth.

Which leaves us with games that actually procured a result. The first came between the two most aggressive sides in the Toilet League, Betham FC and Mid-Capital, two teams who desperately needed a win. Unfortunately, the game wasn’t the expected goal-fest, although the period just after half-time might have suggested otherwise. After Frank Butler scored an own goal in the 15th minute of the match to put the visitors up, three goals were scored in the space of four insane minutes, displaying the finishing qualities both sides have once they get the ball into the box. Josh Wallace scored the first, in the 50th minute, before substitute forward Virat Patel scored another in the 53rd to put the Trains 3-0 up, with memories returning from that shambolic opening round for home Betham supporters. However, it was not to be, with Max Paterson scoring a blinder of a goal after a super assist from Manda Iara just a minute later to give the Pandas some hope. And although they came close multiple times, neither side could score again as the Trains gained those necessary three points to move just a little closer to the leading group.

Pesfield Trees have also managed to gain a necessary three points; handing the Lime Greens their second loss in a row to drop from first place to fourth, now only three points ahead of the Trains and four ahead of the Trees. However, with draws to the top three sides all occurring, Avondale City are certainly still in with a chance of jumping to first with a couple of wins on the trot, remaining only two points behind the Maroons in first place and three ahead of the Trains in fifth.

Finally, Halpenley City managed to actually score three points for the first time in nearly ten rounds, with their stoic defence led by Confederate defender Anselmi Voronin holding strong against AFC Droves. An early goal to Chromatik forward Janet Light put the Royals 1-0 up, but some good midfield play from the visitors saw Halpenley cling onto that lead by the bare skin of their teeth. In the 90th minute, though, a superb run forward from Voronin saw the centre-back score his first of the season and all but confirmed the victory for the hosts. Had Halpenley re-discovered their mojo?

Throughout the entire season, the Burgers have appeared well out of their depth, but have still managed to stay off the bottom of the table and more often than not, out of the relegation zone. However, up against the Stars at home, they would be put to a significant test, and if other results did not go their way, they could certainly find themselves back down in fifteenth place for the halfway mark of the season. However, in a sheer display of utter dominance, AFC Droves demolished Chamberley’s top club, five goals to one, to jump up to thirteenth and reduce their goal difference to just -4 heading into the second half of the season.

In Avondale, the Maroons held onto their slender lead at the top of the Toilet League table, successfully overcoming a rejuvenated Halpenley City with a stout 1-0 victory, much to the evident relief of their home fans. A goal in the 29th minute of the match to Tikariotian midfielder Matt Roberts was the only time the ball passed the goal line all match and although both sides got supremely close in the game’s dying minutes, it was one that would prove match-winning. However, Capital FC would have to keep up the good effort, for their closest rivals, the Kirkham Appliances, also won their match. Their 2-0 victory over their crosstown rivals in Kitchen Sink FC gave the star-studded Kirkham side their ninth win of the competition and allowed them to jump three clear of the Lime Greens in third, thanks to the Sentients losing 1-0 to the Breakfast Bowls in one of the upsets of the round.

As alluded to, Avondale City were able to only get a point out of their matchday fifteen fixture, only able to draw 1-1 against the fifth-place Mid-Capital in a match that if they had lost, they would’ve dropped out of IFCF placing and down to fifth with their third loss in a row. But despite a penalty to Poppy Piers making that appear likely after half-time, Sloane Walsh converted her own spot kick in the 77th minute to equalise and from then on, neither side could break the deadlock as the Lime Greens jumped to third and the Trains moved within a game’s reach of the out-of-form Sentients, although they face stiff challenge from the Trees, a single point behind them, following their home draw against Cleorough.

Elsewhere, the Pandas found their way back into the winners’ circle with a convincing 2-0 victory in Katham, continuing their marvellous form away from home and climbing back up into the top half of the table in what has thus far been an incredibly underwhelming season. However, this triumph over the Chickens, previously in eighth place, gave the Pandas some confidence heading into their rematch against the in-form Avondale Beach, at their home ground this time. Could the Pandas bounce back from that 7-0 loss, or will the Pigeons be too good once again?

Well, they’re certainly set up to be. The Pigeons’ success at home against a disappointing Dunkirk Athletic outfit sees them gain ten points from their last four outings to move up into seventh place for the second half of the season and with Betham struggling, another win seems on the cards. It’ll be tough though, for Betham will be out for blood after the result of the last match the two sides played. Only one thing is for sure; it will be a hell of a game.

*  Toilet League          Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Capital FC              15   10   2   3    23    9  +14    32
 2 Kirkham Appliances      15    9   4   2    21   10  +11    31
 3 Avondale City FC        15    8   4   3    23   11  +12    28
 4 Kirkham Sentients       15    8   3   4    22   13   +9    27
 5 Mid-Capital             15    7   4   4    21   16   +5    25
 6 Pesfield Trees FC       15    6   6   3    22   19   +3    24
 7 Avondale Beach SC       15    6   2   7    22   22    0    20
 8 Betham FC               15    5   5   5    30   27   +3    20
 9 Chamberley City         15    4   6   5    19   24   −5    18
10 Katham FC               15    5   3   7     7    9   −2    18
11 Halpenley City FC       15    5   3   7     8   13   −5    18
12 Kitchen Sink FC         15    4   5   6    13   19   −6    17
13 AFC Droves              15    4   4   7    13   17   −4    16
14 Cleorough FC            15    4   4   7    15   19   −4    16
15 Breakfast Bowl FC       15    3   5   7     9   19  −10    14
16 Dunkirk Athletic        15    0   4  11     8   29  −21     4

Matchdays 11-15

*  Poo League               Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 North Chamberley          15   10   4   1    35   18  +17    34
 2 Fridge FC                 15    9   4   2    40   25  +15    31
 3 Whitepool AFC             15    9   3   3    26   17   +9    30
 4 Emacuton United           15    7   5   3    10    5   +5    26
 5 Marbury FC                15    7   3   5    11    9   +2    24
 6 Dodle FC                  15    7   2   6    14   11   +3    23
 7 Western Avondale          15    7   1   7    23   19   +4    22
 8 FC Conton                 15    7   1   7    18   16   +2    22
 9 FC Freeport               15    5   6   4    14   11   +3    21
10 Westminster               15    6   3   6    23   22   +1    21
11 Freeman City              15    4   5   6    22   25   −3    17
12 Emacuton FC               15    4   4   7     6   14   −8    16
13 Dunkirk FC                15    3   5   7    28   35   −7    14
14 Freeman Province          15    4   0  11    19   37  −18    12
15 Southern Beaches          15    3   2  10    23   33  −10    11
16 Southern Avondale FC      15    1   6   8    13   28  −15     9

by **Sylestone** » Wed Dec 22, 2021 4:27 pm

SFA CUP

Quarterfinals

Matchdays 16-20

*  Toilet League          Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Capital FC              20   13   3   4    32   12  +20    42
 2 Avondale City FC        20   12   5   3    39   16  +23    41
 3 Kirkham Appliances      20   12   5   3    27   13  +14    41
 4 Pesfield Trees FC       20    9   7   4    33   23  +10    34
 5 Kirkham Sentients       20   10   4   6    32   26   +6    34
 6 Mid-Capital             20    9   5   6    25   21   +4    32
 7 Avondale Beach SC       20    9   3   8    29   25   +4    30
 8 Betham FC               20    7   5   8    44   37   +7    26
 9 Chamberley City         20    6   8   6    26   30   −4    26
10 Cleorough FC            20    6   6   8    20   25   −5    24
11 Kitchen Sink FC         20    6   5   9    18   27   −9    23
12 Breakfast Bowl FC       20    5   6   9    14   25  −11    21
13 Halpenley City FC       20    5   5  10     8   16   −8    20
14 Katham FC               20    5   5  10     9   18   −9    20
15 AFC Droves              20    5   4  11    14   25  −11    19
16 Dunkirk Athletic        20    1   4  15    10   41  −31     7

Matchdays 16-20

*  Poo League               Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 North Chamberley          20   14   5   1    46   21  +25    47
 2 Fridge FC                 20   12   6   2    51   27  +24    42
 3 FC Conton                 20   11   2   7    27   19   +8    35
 4 Marbury FC                20   10   4   6    16   11   +5    34
 5 Whitepool AFC             20   10   4   6    27   20   +7    34
 6 Dodle FC                  20   10   3   7    20   12   +8    33
 7 Western Avondale          20    9   4   7    30   22   +8    31
 8 FC Freeport               20    7   8   5    20   17   +3    29
 9 Emacuton United           20    7   7   6    12   10   +2    28
10 Westminster               20    7   4   9    28   31   −3    25
11 Emacuton FC               20    7   4   9    14   20   −6    25
12 Freeman City              20    6   6   8    29   35   −6    24
13 Dunkirk FC                20    4   5  11    34   47  −13    17
14 Southern Beaches          20    4   2  14    25   40  −15    14
15 Freeman Province          20    4   1  15    21   50  −29    13
16 Southern Avondale FC      20    2   7  11    15   33  −18    13

by **Sylestone** » Wed Dec 22, 2021 4:29 pm

SFA CUP

Semifinals

Matchdays 21-25

*  Toilet League          Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Capital FC              25   18   3   4    39   13  +26    57
 2 Avondale City FC        25   16   5   4    52   24  +28    53
 3 Kirkham Appliances      25   14   8   3    33   17  +16    50
 4 Pesfield Trees FC       25   10  10   5    39   28  +11    40
 5 Mid-Capital             25   11   5   9    31   27   +4    38
 6 Chamberley City         25   10   8   7    45   40   +5    38
 7 Kirkham Sentients       25   11   4  10    35   34   +1    37
 8 Avondale Beach SC       25   10   4  11    34   34    0    34
 9 Betham FC               25    9   6  10    49   47   +2    33
10 Kitchen Sink FC         25    8   7  10    26   35   −9    31
11 Cleorough FC            25    7   8  10    27   33   −6    29
12 Katham FC               25    7   6  12    11   20   −9    27
13 Breakfast Bowl FC       25    5   8  12    17   31  −14    23
14 Halpenley City FC       25    6   5  14    12   23  −11    23
15 AFC Droves              25    6   5  14    15   28  −13    23
16 Dunkirk Athletic        25    3   6  16    18   49  −31    15

Matchdays 21-25

by **Sylestone** » Wed Dec 22, 2021 4:31 pm

SFA CUP

Final

Matchdays 26-29

*  Toilet League          Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Avondale City FC        29   18   6   5    60   31  +29    60
 2 Capital FC              29   19   3   7    42   18  +24    60
 3 Kirkham Appliances      29   16  10   3    41   21  +20    58
 4 Pesfield Trees FC       29   13  11   5    45   30  +15    50
 5 Kirkham Sentients       29   14   5  10    41   36   +5    47
 6 Chamberley City         29   11   9   9    49   45   +4    42
 7 Betham FC               29   12   6  11    54   49   +5    42
 8 Mid-Capital             29   12   5  12    34   33   +1    41
 9 Kitchen Sink FC         29   10   8  11    31   39   −8    38
10 Avondale Beach SC       29   11   4  14    37   41   −4    37
11 Cleorough FC            29    8  10  11    30   37   −7    34
12 Katham FC               29    8   7  14    13   23  −10    31
13 Breakfast Bowl FC       29    7   8  14    20   34  −14    29
14 Halpenley City FC       29    7   7  15    13   24  −11    28
15 AFC Droves              29    7   6  16    16   31  −15    27
16 Dunkirk Athletic        29    3   7  19    20   54  −34    16

Matchdays 26-30

*  Poo League               Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 North Chamberley          30   21   7   2    67   29  +38    70   Promotion to Toilet League/IFCF Liga B Champions Trophy
 2 Fridge FC                 30   15  10   5    65   41  +24    55   Promotion to Toilet League/IFCF Liga B Champions Trophy
 3 FC Conton                 30   16   6   8    36   23  +13    54   Playoff/IFCF Liga B Champions Trophy
 4 Emacuton United           30   14   9   7    27   15  +12    51
 5 Whitepool AFC             30   15   6   9    42   31  +11    51
 6 Western Avondale          30   14   7   9    53   37  +16    49
 7 Marbury FC                30   14   6  10    21   15   +6    48
 8 FC Freeport               30   12  11   7    32   25   +7    47
 9 Dodle FC                  30   13   7  10    23   15   +8    46
10 Emacuton FC               30   11   5  14    24   32   −8    38
11 Freeman City              30    9   9  12    39   46   −7    36
12 Westminster               30    9   8  13    40   55  −15    35
13 Dunkirk FC                30    7   8  15    53   65  −12    29
14 Southern Beaches          30    5   5  20    31   52  −21    20
15 Freeman Province          30    5   3  22    30   68  −38    18
16 Southern Avondale FC      30    2   9  19    22   56  −34    15

by **Sylestone** » Sun Dec 26, 2021 3:05 pm

Matchday 30

Well, here we are! After twenty-nine matchdays, multiple clubs are still fighting it out for that prestigious Toilet League title; for three sides still remain in with a shot at it. On top, on sixty points, are the title-less Avondale City, coming closer than ever before to the silverware, despite challenging it for multiple seasons now. Save extraordinary circumstances, a home victory over Mid-Capital should see them win their first, deserved, title.

However, their crosstown rivals, Capital FC, shall be doing their utmost to ensure that the Lime Greens do not achieve this. Equal on points and head-to-head, the only thing separating the defending champions and the ladder-leaders is goal difference, with Avondale City trumping the Maroons by five in that category. Thus, if the Lime Greens win, Capital FC will have to defeat an out-of-form Halpenley City by upwards of six goals more than the margin Avondale City win by, and away from home, too. However, as the only club to have ever emerged victorious from multiple instalments of the competition, you really could not put it past them. And their fans are expecting just as much.

But even so, it’s not as easy as that. For there is a third side, Kirkham Appliances, that are still within reach of the trophy. On 58 points, two behind the Lime Greens and the Maroons and on equal head-to-head with both, you sense that if both make a mistake at the final hurdle, this star-studded side may just be capable of pipping both for their first title following their triumph in the inaugural season of the Toilet League, five years back. It’s unlikely, but with their game being against an underwhelming Kitchen Sink FC, you cannot write them off just yet.

At the other end of the table, Dunkirk Athletic’s fun in the Sylestonean top flight has finally come to an end after their debut three seasons ago. On just 16 points, 11 behind AFC Droves in 15th place, it’s been a season to forget for the Wolves, who will be hoping to salvage something out of their final round matchup with Avondale Beach in front of an adoring home crowd. It will be tough, but it’s football. Anything can happen.

In fifteenth, the Burgers have somehow kept their boat afloat, defeating the fourteenth-placed Royals 1-0 in their previous match to move up to 27 points. With Halpenley in fourteenth only leading the Burgers by a single point and having a head-to-head goal difference advantage over them a triumph away from home against Chamberley City is necessary for the Betham club if they want to have a chance of remaining in the top flight, and even then they might find themselves subject to participating in a playoff round against the third-placed Poo League club, FC Conton. The going will be tough, but with multiple other clubs within their reach, their supporters will still have hope.

Currently in the playoff spot, in fourteenth, are Halpenley City, of whom have dropped like a stone following a brisk start to the season with four wins from their opening four games. Now, they currently hold a worrying playoff spot, with 28 points and a game against the defending champions still to go and while a loss to the Burgers will see them keep avoid assured relegation, they are far from safe unless they can salvage a point, or more, from their fixture. With Breakfast Bowl FC and Katham still within reach, they aren’t quite out of it yet.

With that done, here are the final round fixtures, with all games being played at the exact same time.

(9) Kitchen Sink FC - Kirkham Appliances (3)
(6) Chamberley City - AFC Droves (15)
(14) Halpenley City FC - Capital FC (2)
(11) Cleorough FC - Pesfield Trees FC (4)
(1) Avondale City FC - Mid-Capital (8)
(7) Betham FC - Katham FC (12)
(16) Dunkirk Athletic - Avondale Beach SC (10)
(5) Kirkham Sentients - Breakfast Bowl FC (13)

And here are the highlights.

First half

4th minute - Dunkirk Athletic 1-0 Avondale Beach SC
Kim Kearnes has the ball in the midfield, with Twater Harring marking her closely. Not many options for the youngster, so she goes back to Oberour At Moro international Eler d’Applincourt. Noticing a gap in the Pigeons’ defence up on the edge of the box, he clears the ball way up, right onto the chest of centre-forward Malcolm Bilby, bisecting Isabella Wickham and Julyan Riptide on the way. He brings the ball onto his foot, and shoots! It’s a lovely, curling ball, but despite being wrong-footed, Charlie Barrett is able to get a hand to it… straight to Trinity Colburt-Veil, who has appeared out of absolutely nowhere. With no one in the way, she taps the ball over Barrett’s head, and IT’S A GOAL! In just the fourth minute, Dunkirk Athletic have taken the lead! They might be about to be relegated, but they are fighters, and fighting is what they do. It’s 1-0 to the Wolves, and the home crowd are absolutely ecstatic.

7th minute - Chamberley City 0-1 AFC Droves
My word, the Burgers have come out of the blocks firing. With a victory required to even have a chance of remaining in the Toilet League, the Bethamitee have been diligent in creating multiple chances already, with the star-studded Chamberley forward line barely getting a look in. Now, Aaron Barnett has been tasked with the taking of a corner, already the second in seven minutes for the visitors. It’s a good one, but a strong defensive header from Grearish import Lilah Buchanan keeps the ball away from the head of Riley Strathfield, deflecting it out to the edge of the box, but directly to attacking midfielder Isaac Black. Spotting his chance, he volleys the ball on the first touch, right at goal. Noticing that the Stars’ Audioslavian goalkeeper Waldemar Borgen was off his line, Brenecian defender Dorian Bullock tried his utmost to push the shot wide, but it was simply too powerful. In just the seventh minute, the Burgers had achieved just the start they wanted. The underdogs were 1-0 up.

13th minute - Betham FC 0-1 Katham FC
It’s Katham’s first real chance of the game thus far, with the Pandas dominating the vast majority of the game thus far, penetrating deep into the Chickens’ defence with their four-strong forward line. However, a rare mistake from Tom O’Driscoll has seen Isaac Bird steal the ball and immediately launched a counter-offensive, clearing the ball up to Verity Meadows, catching the young Zwangzugian centre-back, Anita Rao-Chavan off her line. All of a sudden, the the usually rowdy Katham crowd was silenced, with all eyes falling on Verity Cavendish in goals to see whether she could stop the experienced forward from opening the scoring. The 26-year-old got a hand on it, but it was not enough, as the ball evaded Manda Iara’s slide across the goalmouth, putting the visitors 1-0 up early on.

20th minute - Betham FC 1-1 Katham FC
But the lead didn’t last long. A quick buildup through Lucas Drover and Iara saw the hosts with their best chance of the evening thus far, with the former crossing the ball across the goalmouth right from the edge of the playing field, catching goalkeeper Damming Malmurchi and much of the remaining defence off guard, opening up a superb opportunity to strike. However, the resulting cross was rather poor, going straight into the defensive slide of Amelia Turnbull rather than those of O’Driscoll or Destiny Arias. But in the end, it did not matter, for her speed was too much for her to control, with the ball spiralling up, past Malmurchi’s diving hand, and into the corner of the net. The equaliser had come, and from the most unlikely source possible. But it was a goal, and that was all the ecstatic home crowd cared about.

23rd minute - Chamberley City 0-2 AFC Droves
It seems as though, that under serious pressure, AFC Droves play their football as good as any club in the entire nation. Isaac Black’s opener in the seventh minute of their final match in Chamberley gave their fans a glimmer of hope and now, in the 23rd minute, this was a chance to make it 2-0. For the last few minutes, the Burgers had sought back the initiative, while the Stars’ defence was only able to hold on by the skin of their teeth. Now Riley Strathfield has the ball on the edge of the box, and quickly performs a one-two with his twin brother, Evan, to break past Bullock and Janelle Oliver. In the blink of an eye, Strathfield shoots for goal, catching Borgen off guard for the second time in the match; very much unlike the Audioslavian. And for the second time, it proves to be fatal for the hosts, the visitors taking a 2-0 lead within the first 25 minutes. And boy, are they happy.

28th minute - Halpenley City FC 0-1 Capital FC
And while the Burgers shine, the Royals falter. Despite holding the defending champions at bay for almost all of the opening half hour with their signature stoic defence, they could not hold it fired er. However, it would take a brilliant goal from one of the Toilet League’s most outstanding forwards, Liam Cunningham, to break the deadlock. Here, the Capital midfield has just enjoyed a minute or two of possession play, before a mistake from Halpenley City centre-midfielder Bailey Hussain sees Nina Macdonald make a long through ball to Cunningham. It’s a perfect one and if the Maroons were up against any other club, it would surely be a goal. But not the Royals. Expecting to see only the goalkeeper, Hildred Reber, up ahead, Cunningham is treated to the sight of three Halpenley defenders - Brett Fraser, Anselmi Voronin and Maybury Charleston - instead. That, though, seems to not faze the experienced forward, who wrong-foots each one of them and in a display of inhumane footwork, slices the ball at the goal. For a moment, it appears to be going wide, but just as the home crowd are about to emit a sigh of relief, the ball curls, past Reber’s outstretched, into the post, and into the goal. No one, in the ground, or in the stadium, can believe it, not even Cunningham himself. But he’d done it, and the Maroons are 1-0 up. And with the score of the Avondale City - Mid-Capital game still being 0-0, the Maroobs areatop the Toilet League table. For the time being.

30th minute - Avondale City FC 1-0 Mid-Capital
With news just coming through of the Maroons’ goal against Halpenley, John Lawson could be seen visibly urging his team onward, desperate to get one back on his side’s arch-rivals. But they have been dominating and now, with a direct free kick being taken, it appeared that the Mid-Capital defence would be yet again stretched to its limits. Zoran Karpow takes the set piece, but cannot get enough height on it, whacking the ball into the head of Benjamin Mark-Ellis in the centre of the wall. However, the ball rebounds out, directly to Hallar Tatyova. The Confederate midfielder pounces and volleys the ball over the wall, with enough power to rush Sharktailian goalkeeper Thike Saleh in goals. Even so, it really should be an easy save for the 27-year-old, but at the last moment, the ball begins to swerve, forcing Saleh into a dive. The ball hits his left hand, rebounds up, out of reach of his flailing right arm and somehow, it’s in! Avondale City has scored, and with it, that all-important 1-0 lead barely two minutes after Capital FC took theirs. Now, barring a miracle over in Halpenley or a goal to the Trains, the trophy was theirs.

32nd minute - Betham FC 2-1 Katham FC
The Pandas are yet again in on goal, Max Paterson with the ball as Katham’s defence are once again tested. Paterson feints past Michael Hunt and sends a through ball to O’Driscoll, the Chickens scrambling to regain their composure. Unfortunately for them, though, Quincy Hambleton’s sliding tackle does not touch the ball and instead captures the Tumbran forward’s foot, felling him. It is only a minor foul, but a foul it certainly has, and being inside the penalty area, this is Betham’s chance to go one up. Destiny Arias sets up to take it, while Malmurchi makes himself known in the goalmouth, doing his utmost to put the Cassadagan off her game. But even so, she shoots the ball with immaculate precision and despite the Ko-orenite going the correct way, the shot simply has too much power. And 2-1 to Betham it is. Boy, does the home crowd love it.

39th minute - Kitchen Sink FC 0-1 Kirkham Appliances
An interesting match this has been up until this point, both sides sharing rather equal amounts of possession and neither really getting away from the other, partly due to the distracting sink-like shape of the stadium. Now, the Appliances have one of the best chances thus far, with a corner going their way following an excellent tackle on the dangerous Heater by the Baby Wipes. The Boiler takes the set piece and in a feat of scientifical impossibleness (don’t ask), the right-back curls the ball high and wide, past the Stove’s desperate ‘header’ and directly to the Coffee Maker, who deflects it towards goal. It’s a superb little deflection, troubling the goalkeeper… and it’s enough! The Coffee Maker scores, and the visitors are 1-0 up! They are not out of this title race just yet!

Stoppage time (45+1) - Cleorough FC 0-1 Pesfield Trees FC
Much to the surprise of everyone, including the home Cleorough crowd, the hosts had actually dominated this fixture throughout the first half, the fourth-placed side continually being pushed back. However, the Trees’ defensive line has held taut, while the Toucans have been unable to really challenge the goal, simply giving the ball away once it reaches the final third. However, despite this, the visitors now have the ball, less than two minutes away from the break, up on the right wing. Katie Yearmon has the ball, and she passes up to Kast le Bufetier on the corner post, who takes a touch and crossed it in. Goalkeeper Mali Jackson goes for the ball, but missed by a whisker. She’s off her line, and left-back Ha’nei Ighv is there, ready to pounce on the mistake. Lucas Jabberee slides for the ball, but cannot get there, and the Chromatik slots it home. Pesfield have scored and are 1-0 up, against the run of play and a minute or two out from the break! Ighv is the hero, and her efforts this season are once again capped off superbly. This player certainly does have a big future, doesn’t she?

Half-time

At the halfway mark of each game, the scores are as follows:

Kitchen Sink FC 0-1 Kirkham Appliances
Chamberley City 0-2 AFC Droves
Halpenley City FC 0-1 Capital FC
Cleorough FC 0-1 Pesfield Trees FC
Avondale City FC 1-0 Mid-Capital
Betham FC 2-1 Katham FC
Dunkirk Athletic 1-0 Avondale Beach SC
Kirkham Sentients 0-0 Breakfast Bowl FC

Second half

51st minute - Kirkham Sentients 0-1 Breakfast Bowl FC
After the Sentients dominated for the vast majority of the first half, the Breakfast Bowls have come out from the break absolutely flying, sending the hosts straight back into their shell and looking to convert everything coming their way into an offensive manoeuvre. It is a high-risk strategy, but one that seems to be working. Now, just six minutes into the second half, the Kitchen Sink has the ball in the midfield and noticing a gap on the opposite wing, switches the ball across to the Spatula. With no teammate around to support the winger, it goes alone, feinting past Blender and the Sofa and all of a sudden, the goal is in sight! The Spatula shoots, directly into the top-right corner, it’s past the Saucepan and the Breakfast Bowls have a 1-0 lead! With that, the pressure is now seriously on the Royals and the Burgers, for if the visitors do not concede, one of those two will be automatically relegated, with the other almost certainly taking out the playoff spot. Talk about engaging football.

53rd minute - Betham FC 2-2 Katham FC
While everyone is focusing on the intesity and tightness at the head and toe of the table, Betham and Katham are fighting out a hell of a game at the Bay Reserve. The score is currently 2-1 to the Pandas, but their defence is yet again being pressed to its limit, the Chickens looking to do their utmost to equalise. A trip on the edge of the box sees a call for a penalty… and it’s given! Here is Katham’s chance! Meadows shapes up to take it and belts it at he goal, directly at Cavendish. But it’s too hot for her to handle, the ball bouncing straight back out to the 31-year-old. And on the second attempt, she does not miss! Katham have equalised, and this game has just become even more interesting. Don’t worry about minor things such as the ongoing three-way fight for the title, for this match is going to keep on giving.

57th minute - Avondale City FC 1-1 Mid-Capital
After Tatyova’s opening goal in the 30th minute, the Trains have steadily fought back, remaining well and truly in the game and threatening the Lime Greens’ defence, creating anxiety amongst the home crowd. Yet, Avondale are still hanging on, if only by the bare skin of their teeth. And look, a clearance from centre-back Grace Larkham sees the Avondale defence under stress for the umpteenth time since that opening goal. This time, though, the Trains have numbers up front, Gwenaël Cazenave looking for someone to pass to. With Chromatik midfielder Qwenthorpe Jackson approaching quickly from the right wing, the young Le Choix forward slots it through a gap between defenders Sunil Damasekara and Gillian Lang, Jackson tearing up towards the goal from an angle near 90 degrees to the structure. And with Frederico Valvi blocking the remainder of the goal, this chance appears to be yet another to go begging for the visitors, thanks to Bollonischian goalkeeper Frederico Valvi cutting down the angle to next to nothing. But that is not going to faze Jackson, who slots it perfectly into that tiny gap, off Valvi’s side and into the goal! Mid-Capital have equalised, and the pressure is back on the Lime Greens! With the Maroons still leading 1-0 against Halpenley City, the hosts are in desperate requirement of a goal to put themselves back in front. It will be tough, but far from impossible. Only one thing is for sure - they will try their utmost to get it.

69th minute - Kitchen Sink FC 1-1 Kirkham Appliances
The Picture is in control of the ball, making the most of an uncharacteristically poor touch from the Nokia, while the Sinks turn their forward line around and attack en masse. Their numbers easily a outnumber the Appliances defence - a considerable fear considering their famed exploitation of the 5-4-1 formation, but so it is. The right-midfielder crosses the ball into the box, straight to its counterpart, the Stove, who simply caresses it toward goal. The Oven, caught off its line, cannot save the shot and it’s home! The Sinks have equalised against one of their fiercest rivals and despite the final result not really mattering to them, they are ecstatic.

76th minute - Dunkirk Athletic 1-1 Avondale Beach SC
Back over to Dunkirk after Trinity Colburt-Veil’s opening goal in just the fourth minute, there hasn’t really been much to speak about. Both sides have played well in the midfield and their respective defences have been good, but their forwards have been… rather shambolic. Thus, neither side has really looked like scoring, particularly in this second half. Anyway, the Pigeons have the ball on the left wing, Twater Harring looking for someone to pass to. He spies Ajark-Intov Fox up the wing but notices he’s in an offside position, so dies not pass. With no one else in much space, the 24-year-old goes alone, breaking through the Wolves’ back line and reaching the edge of the box, completely alone. Goalkeeper James Mattison comes off his line to try and block the shot, but Harring is simply too good, flicking the ball over his right hand and into the goal. Dunkirk, 15 minutes away from their third win of the season, have faltered just when it matters. It really has been the story of their season, hasn’t it?

82nd minute - Betham FC 3-2 Katham FC
After Katham’s equaliser half an hour ago, the Pandas have reigned supreme, continuously pressing the five-strong defensive line exploited by the Chickens, attempting to force them into an error. Destiny Arias, unarguably one of the best forwards in the entire competition, currently has the ball just outside the box, but with Michael Hunt closely marking her. Looking about, Lucas Drover is spied, approaching quickly from the left wing. She slots the ball out to him and without even controlling the ball, he shoots for goal! Malmurchi doesn’t even move as the ball flies past him and into the top-right corner! Betham have, once again, taken the lead, with only eight minutes plus stoppage time remaining. Can the hosts hold on to that slender lead, or will the Chickens make one more blow?

84th minute - Avondale City FC 1-1 Mid-Capital
With time running out, Avondale City’s chances at goal have become increasingly desperate, the Trains’ defence holding on… just. Here, Wanar-Sevet Opu has stretched them yet again and with the goal in sight, he draws his bout backwards, loading up for the shot. He brings it back down… but it never gets there. For Vic Richardson has taken that boot out, causing the Qusmi forward to tumble, their teammates screaming at the referee for a penalty. They do not hesitate to give it and at the same time, pulls a red card from his pocket. Richardson has been sent off! With only ten opposition players and a penalty, this is the Lime Greens chance. Sloane Walsh, the reliable Nephar shapes up to take the spot kick, to the deafening roar of the crowd. She takes a deep breath, runs in and blasts it straight into Saleh’s arms! Silence envelopes the crowd. Perhaps, Avondale City’s elusive inaugural title simply isn’t meant to be.

89th minute - Avondale City FC 1-2 Mid-Capital
Despite being down to ten players, Mid-Capital are in on goal, Poppy Piers ins. prime position to shoot. But before she is able, Damasekara appears to tread on her foot, or so the referee believes. VAR agrees and the cusitirs have been awarded a penalty! There’s a discussion here about who’s going to take it but in the end, Cazenave is elected to, the youngster on loan ready to deliver the hosts the knockout blow. And he does, with supreme sufficiency, to give his club the lead with only a few minutes of stoppage time remaining, Once again, Avondale City have fallen at the final hurdle, and the Maroons are surely, surely going to take out their second in a row, and their third triumph in four seasons.

Here are the final results and the table:

Kitchen Sink FC 1–1 Kirkham Appliances
Chamberley City 0–2 AFC Droves
Halpenley City FC 0–1 Capital FC
Cleorough FC 0–1 Pesfield Trees FC
Avondale City FC 1–2 Mid-Capital
Betham FC 3–2 Katham FC
Dunkirk Athletic 1–1 Avondale Beach SC
Kirkham Sentients 0–1 Breakfast Bowl FC

*  Toilet League          Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Capital FC              30   20   3   7    43   18  +25    63   IFCF Champions League
 2 Avondale City FC        30   18   6   6    61   33  +28    60   IFCF Challengers Cup
 3 Kirkham Appliances      30   16  11   3    42   22  +20    59   IFCF Challengers Cup
 4 Pesfield Trees FC       30   14  11   5    46   30  +16    53   IFCF Challengers Cup
 5 Kirkham Sentients       30   14   5  11    41   37   +4    47
 6 Betham FC               30   13   6  11    57   51   +6    45
 7 Mid-Capital             30   13   5  12    36   34   +2    44
 8 Chamberley City         30   11   9  10    49   47   +2    42
 9 Kitchen Sink FC         30   10   9  11    32   40   −8    39
10 Avondale Beach SC       30   11   5  14    38   42   −4    38
11 Cleorough FC            30    8  10  12    30   38   −8    34
12 Breakfast Bowl FC       30    8   8  14    21   34  −13    32
13 Katham FC               30    8   7  15    15   26  −11    31
14 AFC Droves              30    8   6  16    18   31  −13    30   Playoff
15 Halpenley City FC       30    7   7  16    13   25  −12    28   Relegation to Poo League
16 Dunkirk Athletic        30    3   8  19    21   55  −34    17   Relegation to Poo League

by **Sylestone** » Mon Jan 10, 2022 5:38 pm

IFDC I ROUNDUP

Champions League T20

Cleorough Devils

Matchday One: Waridi Wickets (TUR) vs (SYL) Cleorough Devils @ Somewhere, Turori

Waridi Wickets - 6/161 (20)
Player 5 53* (36)			A Ambrize 2/19 (2)
Player 2 41 (27)			K Sonnel 1/29 (4)

Cleorough Devils - 7/137 (20)
D Fomleya 40 (42)			Player 9 3/16 (4)
Z Charlton 33 (26)			Player 6 2/32 (4)

Player of the match: Player 9 (Waridi Wickets)
Waridi Wickets (TUR) win by 24 runs

Matchday Two: Rocko Lagos (BOL) vs (SYL) Cleorough Devils @ Somewhere, Bollonich

Cleorough Devils - 7/134 (20)
T Monnier 73* (63)			C Jennings 3/22 (4)
A Tasso 29 (28)				J Brinley 2/13 (2)

Rocko Lagos - 4/118 (20)
F Nelson 43 (48)			N Norwell 2/7 (3)
G Haggard 26* (22)			B Risewell 1/19 (3)

Player of the match: Taylah Monnier (Cleorough Devils)
Cleorough Devils (SYL) win by 16 runs

Matchday Three: Cleorough Devils (SYL) vs (DAR) Romanopolis @ Cleorough Stadium, Cleorough

Cleorough Devils - 135 (19.1)
B Westleford 28 (25)			Player 9 3/23 (4)
J de Polo 25 (16)			Player 10 3/29 (4)

Romanopolis - 8/137 (20)
Player 7 37* (25)			K Sonnel 4/27 (4)
Player 4 26 (32)			B Risewell 2/34 (3)

Player of the match: Player 7 (Romanopolis)
Romanopolis (DAR) win by two wickets with zero balls remaining

Matchday Four: Cleorough Devils (SYL) vs (TUR) Waridi Wickets @ Cleorough Stadium, Cleorough

Cleorough Devils - 5/160 (20)
D Fomleya 59 (48)			Player 11 2/31 (4)
A Stealom 30* (19)			Player 3 1/6 (1)

Waridi Wickets - 4/109 (20)
Player 4 36* (41)			B Risewell 1/15 (4)
Player 1 27 (30)			J de Polo 1/17 (4)

Player of the match: Daniel Fomleya (Cleorough Devils)
Cleorough Devils (SYL) win by 51 runs

Matchday Five: Rocko Lagos (BOL) vs (SYL) Cleorough Devils

Rocko Lagos - 5/170 (20)
W Lang 48 (41)				P Wright 2/36 (4)
G Haggard 42 (26)			K Sonnel 1/25 (4)

Cleorough Devils - 4/143 (20)
A Tasso 52 (43)				J Brinley 1/22 (4)
Z Charlton 24* (24)			C Jennings 1/23 (4)

Player of the match: Jamie Brinley (Rocko Lagos)
Rocko Lagos (BOL) win by 27 runs

Matchday Six: Romanopolis (DAR) vs (SYL) Cleorough Devils

Romanopolis - 7/129 (20)
Player 4 33 (34)			O Cooke 3/27 (3)
Player 1 21 (15)			J de Polo 1/19 (4)

Cleorough Devils - 9/131 (12.5)
A Stealom 34 (19)			Player 10 4/14 (1.5)
A Tasso 24 (11)				Player 8 3/25 (3)

Player of the match: Player 10 (Romanopolis)
Cleorough Devils (SYL) win by one wicket with 43 balls remaining

Playoff: Cleorough Devils (SYL) vs (KGS) Fussiliers

Fussiliers - 4/174 (20)
Player 6 54* (31)			P Wright 2/28 (4)
Player 4 48* (35)			K Sonnel 1/33 (4)

Cleorough Devils - 6/176 (19.5)
B Westleford 60* (43)			Player 5 2/30 (3)
T Monnier 38 (30)			Player 8 1/14 (2)

Player of the match: Brock Westleford (Cleorough Devils)
Cleorough Devils (SYL) win by four wickets with one ball remaining

Quarterfinal: Hendricks City (DAR) vs (SYL) Cleorough Devils

Hendricks City - 4/166 (20)
Player 3 82 (60)			N Norwell 1/18 (3)
Player 5 38* (23)			O Cooke 1/23 (3)

Cleorough Devils - 4/156 (20)
D Fomleya 43 (38)			Player 10 2/25 (4)
A Tasso 29 (24)				Player 11 1/25 (4)

Player of the match: Player 3 (Hendricks City)
Hendricks City (DAR) win by ten runs

Chamberley Giants

Matchday One: Chamberley Giants (SYL) vs (BRO) Morioh Town @ Chamberley Cricket Ground, Sylestone

Morioh Town - 6/148 (20)
Y Ehara 48 (43)				B Hall 3/25 (4)
P Lathoud 35* (25)			D Goolsby 1/16 (2)

Chamberley Giants - 7/151 (15.4)
O Edwards 65 (31)			N Shige 3/18 (2.4)
S Monteane 30 (27)			K Nagani 2/37 (3)

Player of the match: Oliver Edwards (Chamberley Giants)
Chamberley Giants (SYL) win by three wickets with 26 balls remaining

Matchday Two: Chamberley Giants (SYL) vs (KOR) Eastern Miners @ Chamberley Cricket Ground, Sylestone

Eastern Miners - 7/181 (20)
P Naulstithinthen 89 (55)		O Bowles 2/36 (4)
E White 26 (21)				S Scron 2/37 (4)

Chamberley Giants - 90 (17.4)
L Edwards 21 (24)			L Harvey 5/16 (3.4)
E Hunniford 18* (17)			A Raycraft 3/19 (4)

Player of the match: Parhelgelu Naulstithinthen (Eastern Miners)
Eastern Miners (KOR) win by 91 runs

Matchday Three: Ashkaren (EFL) vs (SYL) Chamberley Giants @ Somewhere, Eastfield Lodge

Chamberley Giants - 6/153 (20)
L Cocrine 53 (37)			Player 7 2/34 (4)
L Afosha 31* (23)			Player 9 1/20 (4)

Ashkaren - 6/155 (19.3)
Player 4 75* (58)			S Scron 2/29 (3.3)
Player 8 27* (15)			L Edwards 1/19 (3)

Player of the match: Player 4 (Ashkaren)
Ashkaren (EFL) win by four wickets with three balls remaining

Matchday Four: Morioh Town (BRO) vs (SYL) Chamberley Giants

Chamberley Giants - 6/174 (20)
S Monteane 65 (48)			S Guizart 4/25 (4)
L Cocrine 42 (28)			N Shige 1/29 (3)

Morioh Town - 9/147 (20)
T Fujita 60 (38)			S Scron 4/27 (4)
K Tanaka 31 (30)			O Bowles 3/23 (4)

Player of the match: Samuel Scron (Chamberley Giants)
Chamberley Giants (SYL) win by 27 runs

Matchday Five: Eastern Miners (KOR) vs (SYL) Chamberley Giants @ Goledon Oval, Ko-oren

Chamberley Giants - 5/134 (20)
L Cocrine 82* (60)			A Souchon 3/11 (4)
D Goolsby 21 (26)			A Raycraft 1/23 (4)

Eastern Miners - 3/136 (20)
U Weller 53 (44)			B Hall 1/19 (4)
T Darknoll 26* (23)			L Njata 1/26 (4)

Player of the match: Auguste Souchon (Eastern Miners)
Eastern Miners (KOR) win by seven wickets with zero balls remaining

Matchday Six: Chamberley Giants (SYL) vs (EFL) Ashkaren @ Chamberley Cricket Ground, Sylestone

Chamberley Giants - 7/172 (20)
S Monteane 93 (57)			Player 10 3/26 (4)
L Edwards 34 (25)			Player 11 3/36 (4)

Ashkaren - 8/128 (20)
Player 6 36* (36)			D Goolsby 4/11 (4)
Player 2 35 (26)			B Hall 1/21 (4)

Player of the match: Dewayne Goolsby (Chamberley Giants)
Chamberley Giants (SYL) win by 44 runs

Playoff: Steel River Valley (EFL) vs (SYL) Chamberley Giants @ Somewhere, Eastfield Lodge

Chamberley Giants - 6/174 (20)
L Afosha 48* (24)			Player 10 2/41 (4)
M Takasuka 44 (34)			Player 3 1/5 (1)

Steel River Valley - 5/174 (20)
Player 4 57 (40)			L Njata 3/30 (4)
Player 2 49 (33)			B Hall 1/32 (4)

Super Over: Steel River Valley - 0/11 (1)
Player 4 9* (4)				S Scron 0/11 (1)

Super Over: Chamberley Giants - 0/4 (1)
L Cocrine 3* (4)			Player 9 0/4 (1)

Player of the match: Player 9 (Steel River Valley)
Steel River Valley (EFL) win on Super Over

List A Super League

New Gloucester Jaguars

Matchday Two: New Gloucester Jaguars (SYL) vs (BOL) NCHS @ Chamberley Cricket Ground, Sylestone

New Gloucester Jaguars - 6/202 (50)
E Cunningham 65 (103)			V Ronald 3/46 (9)
L Afosha 42 (52)			S Irvine 1/24 (5)

NCHS - 9/203 (36.2)
M Samuel 82* (76)			J de Polo 4/41 (8.2)
L Derrick 39 (50)			L Njata 2/50 (6)

Player of the match: Player 7 (NCHS)
NCHS (BOL) win by one wicket with 82 balls remaining

Matchday Three: Anarchy in Goolsea (BRO) vs (SYL) New Gloucester Jaguars @ Goolsea Riverside Ground, Brookstation

New Gloucester Jaguars - 4/274 (50)
S Cross 91 (118)			K Nagani 1/36 (7)
O Edwards 60* (46)			F Baetens 1/39 (6)

Anarchy in Goolsea - 6/217 (50)
P Heskett 58 (83)			L Afosha 3/25 (8)
R Dron 50 (64)				C Freehill 1/26 (5)

Player of the match: Liam Afosha (New Gloucester Jaguars)
New Gloucester Jaguars (SYL) win by 57 runs

Matchday Five: NCHS (BOL) vs (SYL) New Gloucester Jaguars @ Somewhere, Bollonich

New Gloucester Jaguars - 8/220 (50)
C Freehill 61 (86)			S Irvine 4/35 (10)
A Stealom 35 (37)			L Derrick 1/15 (5)

NCHS - 145 (34)
V Ronald 38 (34)			J de Polo 5/26 (8)
N Strange 31 (53)			S Scron 2/28 (6)

Player of the match: Juan de Polo (New Gloucester Jaguars)
New Gloucester Jaguars (SYL) win by 75 runs

Matchday Six: New Gloucester Jaguars (SYL) vs (BRO) Anarchy in Goolsea @ Chamberley Cricket Ground, Sylestone

Anarchy in Goolsea - 8/269 (50)
G Rushworth 134* (145)			M Poci 3/61 (10)
F Baetens 54 (54)			S Scron 2/52 (10)

New Gloucester Jaguars - 215 (39.1)
S Cross 79 (97)				X Brady 4/37 (8)
M Stein 30 (33)				R Makavilitogia 2/46 (9.1)

Player of the match: George Rushworth (Anarchy in Goolsea)
Anarchy in Goolsea (BRO) win by 44 runs

Quarterfinal: Paranormal (EFL) vs (SYL) New Gloucester Jaguars @ Somewhere, Eastfield Lodge

Paranormal - 160 (42.5)
Player 6 42* (47)			S Cross 3/21 (6.1)
Player 2 29 (53)			J de Polo 3/39 (9)

New Gloucester Jaguars - 8/161 (38.2)
J de Polo 49* (67)			Player 9 4/45 (9.2)
S Scron 36* (41)			Player 5 3/14 (6)

Player of the match: Juan de Polo (New Gloucester Jaguars)
New Gloucester Jaguars (SYL) win by two wickets with 70 balls remaining

Semifinal: New Gloucester Jaguars (SYL) vs (SYL) Suffolk Seals @ Chamberley Cricket Ground, Sylestone

Suffolk Seals - 6/274 (50)
L Tiati 124 (132)			S Cross 3/53 (8)
P Longlege 56 (74)			L Afosha 1/31 (5)

New Gloucester Jaguars - 3/228 (50)
E Cunningham 80 (114)			R Amitt 1/23 (10)
S Cross 47 (65)				G Haines 1/39 (10)

Player of the match: Luke Tiati (Suffolk Seals)
Suffolk Seals (SYL) win by 46 runs

Suffolk Seals

Matchday One: Suffolk Seals (SYL) vs (DAR) Brady City @ Bolton Oval, Pesfield

Suffolk Seals - 9/218 (50)
B Eastwood 68* (88)			Player 4 2/35 (8)
F Stanton 42 (71)			Player 11 2/41 (10)

Brady City - 3/220 (46.4)
Player 1 103* (141)			T Mankira 2/49 (9)
Player 2 81 (97)			F Stanton 1/31 (7)

Player of the match: Player 1 (Brady City)
Brady City (DAR) win by seven wickets with 20 balls remaining

Matchday Two: Leeshire (KOR) vs (SYL) Suffolk Seals @ Timberton Oval, Ko-oren

Leeshire - 4/185 (20)
G Dherengun 67* (92)			B Eastwood 1/10 (3)
E White 61 (100)			G Haines 1/34 (10)

Suffolk Seals - 7/187 (39.1)
A Millen 48 (62)			A Douglas 5/24 (10)
S Clapiope 37* (42)			N Courtenay 1/22 (6)

Player of the match: Arthur Douglas (Leeshire)
Suffolk Seals (SYL) win by three wickets with 65 balls remaining

Matchday Four: Brady City (DAR) vs (SYL) Suffolk Seals @ Somewhere, Darmen

Brady City - 6/189 (50)
Player 3 72 (85)			T Mankira 2/41 (10)
Player 1 39 (80)			R Amitt 1/26 (9)

Suffolk Seals - 6/191 (44)
I Trefl 61* (76)			Player 9 3/39 (8)
P Cuniry 38 (63)			Player 10 2/46 (10)

Player of the match: Isla Trefl (Suffolk Seals)
Suffolk Seals (SYL) win by four wickets with 36 balls remaining

Matchday Five: Suffolk Seals (SYL) vs (KOR) Leeshire @ Dodle Furnace, Sylestone

Suffolk Seals - 110 (24)
L Tiati 46 (65)				A Douglas 4/13 (5)
P Longlege 16 (26)			M Etherington 4/26 (7)

Leeshire - 6/112 (27)
D Treloar 35 (60)			G Haines 3/21 (5)
T Dirhonindhen 27 (34)			T Strand 1/14 (3)

Player of the match: Arnold Douglas (Leeshire)
Leeshire (KOR) win by four wickets with 138 balls remaining

Quarterfinal: Greencaster (KOR) vs (SYL) Suffolk Seals @ Greencaster Oval, Ko-oren

Suffolk Seals - 7/251 (50)
L Tiati 66 (80)				D Cheyne 2/50 (10)
B Eastwood 65 (86)			D Crawford 1/16 (5)

Greencaster - 132 (31.2)
L Ahern 29 (35)				F Stanton 3/8 (3)
A Lyness 26 (54)			T Mankira 3/21 (6)

Player of the match: Fergus Stanton (Suffolk Seals)
Suffolk Seals (SYL) win by 119 runs

Semifinal: New Gloucester Jaguars (SYL) vs (SYL) Suffolk Seals @ Chamberley Cricket Ground, Sylestone

Suffolk Seals - 6/274 (50)
L Tiati 124 (132)			S Cross 3/53 (8)
P Longlege 56 (74)			L Afosha 1/31 (5)

New Gloucester Jaguars - 3/228 (50)
E Cunningham 80 (114)			R Amitt 1/23 (10)
S Cross 47 (65)				G Haines 1/39 (10)

Player of the match: Luke Tiati (Suffolk Seals)
Suffolk Seals (SYL) win by 46 runs

Final: Ogre Street Cricket Club (BRO) vs (SYL) Suffolk Seals @ Cleorough Stadium, Sylestone

Ogre Street Cricket Club - 7/190 (50)
G Finch 74 (113)			R Amitt 3/43 (10)
B Saran 31 (59)				S Clapiope 1/28 (4)

Suffolk Seals - 9/192 (42)
B Eastwood 71* (107)			N Douglas Wynter 4/36 (9)
L Cocrine 40 (51)			A Mari 1/9 (2)

Player of the match: Brianna Eastwood (Suffolk Seals)
Suffolk Seals (SYL) win by one wicket with 48 balls remaining

Elite Trophy First Class

Central Sylestone Snakes

Preliminary Round: Central Sylestone Snakes (SYL) vs (BOL) Fredonia @ Halpenley City Oval, Sylestone

Central Sylestone Snakes - 340 (87.3)
C Cunnings 122* (178)			R Williams 5/96 (23)
J Appleby 44 (83)			J Hallie 3/64 (18.3)

Fredonia - 257 (90.4)
Q Christopher 53 (127)			S Lampe 4/65 (22.3)
M Andrews 52 (105)			S Asaskia 3/61 (17)

Central Sylestone Snakes - 333 (128.2)
A Fihelly 68 (187)			R Williams 4/77 (35)
C Cunnings 62 (114)			J Hallie 3/81 (34.2)

Fredonia - 1/99 (25.2)
Q Christopher 51* (80)			K Sonnel 1/22 (7.1)
G Merritt 30* (46)			A Fihelly 0/5 (1)

Player of the match: Ruth Williams (Fredonia)
Match Drawn (Central Sylestone Snakes (SYL) progress due to their first-innings lead)

Quarterfinal: Central Sylestone Snakes (SYL) vs (KOR) West Surbourneshire @ Halpenley City Oval, Sylestone

Central Sylestone Snakes - 136 (71.2)
A Fihelly 40 (133)			T Multherinden 4/61 (24)
A Molesworth 32 (71)			H Marsden 3/28 (19)

West Surbourneshire - 6d/512 (129.1)
R Twaddle 236 (324)			K Sonnel 3/126 (47.1)
L Firembee 75 (117)			M Marshall 2/80 (20)

Central Sylestone Snakes - 189 (61.3)
A Helms 48 (62)				T Multherinden 3/22 (8)
M Barff 38 (53)				D Reekey 3/52 (18.1)

Player of the match: Reginald Twaddle (West Surbourneshire)
West Surbourneshire (KOR) win by an innings and 187 runs

South Sylestone Scorpions

Preliminary Round: Textilia (EFL) vs (SYL) South Sylestone Scorpions @ Somewhere, Eastfield Lodge

Textilia - 236 (82.5)
Player 3 80 (157)			N Pistecial 4/37 (15.5)
Player 4 62 (116)			O Lovia 3/58 (27)

South Sylestone Scorpions - 5d/436 (168)
S Creln 118 (292)			Player 8 2/108 (32)
M Coventry 104 (322)			Player 11 1/37 (28)

Textilia - 229 (69.1)
Player 3 72 (107)			L Codrington 3/41 (10.1)
Player 1 32 (58)			O Lovia 3/57 (22)

South Sylestone Scorpions - 0/23 (11.1)
S Creln 15* (28)			Player 3 0/1 (0.1)
M Coventry 7* (41)			Player 11 0/4 (5)

Player of the match: Samuel Creln (South Sylestone Scorpions)
Match Drawn (South Sylestone Scorpions (SYL) progress due to their first-innings lead)

Quarterfinal: Nauti (DAR) vs (SYL) South Sylestone Scorpions @ Somewhere, Darmen

Nauti - 288 (92)
Player 1 88 (184)			A Hodel 3/60 (23)
Player 3 39 (83)			N Pistecial 3/60 (17)

South Sylestone Scorpions - 306 (90.5)
A Luke 85 (146)				Player 11 4/61 (20.5)
P Shotenham 77 (130)			Player 10 2/47 (12)

Nauti - 8d/475 (108)
Player 1 174 (299)			H Lambe 3/83 (18)
Player 3 76 (124)			L Codrington 2/76 (16)

South Sylestone Scorpions - 7/221 (65.1)
P Shotenham 50 (79)			Player 9 4/78 (28.1)
A Hodel 34 (71)				Player 10 2/42 (10)

Player of the match: Player 1 (Nauti)
Match Drawn (South Sylestone Scorpions (SYL) progress due to their first-innings lead)

Semifinal: South Sylestone Scorpions (SYL) vs (KOR) West Surbourneshire @ Betham Cricket Ground, Sylestone

South Sylestone Scorpions - 318 (86.2)
S Creln 65 (150)			H Marsden 3/67 (18)
C Anderson 62 (99)			D Reekey 3/94 (21)

West Surbourneshire - 139 (51.1)
T Stanway 20 (22)			N Pistecial 5/43 (17)
L Pardey 20 (43)			A Hodel 4/36 (14)

South Sylestone Scorpions - 7d/286 (141.1)
H Lambe 52* (82)			D Reekey 3/57 (28.1)
C Anderson 46 (110)			H Marsden 2/57 (26)

West Surbourneshire - 238/4 (78.5)
L Pardey 100* (197)			L Codrington 2/37 (17)
L Palmer 43 (92)			H Lambe 1/23 (11)

Player of the match: Norbert Pistecial (South Sylestone Scorpions)
Match Drawn (South Sylestone Scorpions (SYL) progress due to their first-innings lead)

Final: East Surbourneshire (KOR) vs (SYL) South Sylestone Scorpions @ Southbright Oval, Ko-oren

South Sylestone Scorpions - 4d/578 (240.2)
C Anderson 163* (315)			T Darknoll 2/147 (68)
S Creln 135 (385)			A Maitland 1/108 (53)

East Surbourneshire - 356 (86)
S Longhorne 83 (126)			N Pistecial 4/101 (27)
S Commins 76 (98)			A Hodel 2/49 (11)

East Surbourneshire - 235 (70.4)
U Weller 71 (108)			C Anderson 7/48 (16.4)
S Longhorne 58 (91)			O Lovia 2/90 (29)

South Sylestone Scorpions - 0/16 (5.4)
N Lovia 12* (17)			L Harvey 0/8 (3)
S Creln 4* (17)				Z Fox 0/9 (2.4)

Player of the match: Chloe Anderson (South Sylestone Scorpions)
South Sylestone Scorpions win by 10 wickets

by **Sylestone** » Wed Jan 12, 2022 10:14 pm

LAVATORY SHIELD

CUBICLE ONE-DAY CUP

Season Two

After a successful first season last year, the Cubicle One-Day Cup and Lavatory Shield are barely around the corner, the six Sylestonean states again preparing to lock horns to fight it out for the two titles. Once again, the Cubicle One-Day Cup will kick off the season, before the first half of the Lavatory Shield precedes the Crash n’ Smash, taking place over the holidays. Finishing off the season will be the remaining half of the Lavatory Shield before the IFDC takes place across the wet season.

Speaking of the IFDC, Sylestone’s sides have a lot to live up for on the world stage, with Cubicle One-Day Cup champions Suffolk Seals defeating the Ogre Street Cricket Club of Brookstation by a single wicket to take out the inaugural List A Super League title. However, that’s not all, with the South Sylestone Scorpions bouncing back from a disappointing loss in the Lavatory Shield final to take out the Elite Trophy First Class for the first time.

Below are the rosters for each of the six state sides.

Capital Coyotes

Overview:
Despite boasting a squad good enough to challenge both titles last year, it was a season to forget for the Coyotes. Despite having a catchment area that makes up roughly a third of Sylestone’s population, the Coyotes finished in fourth place in both the Cubicle One-Day Cup and the Lavatory Shield, even being in last place at the halfway mark in both tournaments. The loss of incumbent wicketkeeper-batter Yash Ubuni due to retirement was a big blow, meaning that the Coyotes are now in search of a good wicketkeeper to replace him. With Connor Alkina recovering from a broken thumb, Brock Westleford will be taking over the gloves for the time being, while 18-year-old talent Caitlyn Elliott is the only fresh face amongst the squad. She sure has been setting Cleorough grade cricket alight; can she bring it to first class level here for her state when she gets the chance?

Key players include Taylah Monnier, Peter Lenton, Brock Westleford, Joshua Vilesti and Broughton Hall.

General Information:

Primary Stadium: Capital Stadium, Avondale (cap. 100,000)
Secondary Stadium: Cleorough Stadium, Cleorough (cap. 57,500)
Nickname: The Coyotes
Predicted Finish (Lavatory Shield): 4th
Last Season (Lavatory Shield): 4th
Predicted Finish (Cubicle One-Day Cup): 3rd
Last Season (Cubicle One-Day Cup): 4th
Shield Titles: 0
One-Day Cup Titles: 0
ETFC Appearances: 0
Best ETFC Performance: N/A
LASL Appearances: 0
Best LASL Performance: N/A

Squad Changes:

In:
Caitlyn Elliott ← N/A
Rose Elizabeth ← N/A

Out:
Yash Ubuni → Retirement
Abhinav Singh → Anarchy in Goolsea

First XI (in batting order):

1. Taylah Monnier (F) - Age 24 (LHB/LM; Batter)
2. Holly Paling (F) - Age 21 (LHB/LOS; Batter)
3. (+) Brock Westleford (M) - Age 26 (LHB/LOS; Wicketkeeper)
4. (c) Peter Lenton (M) - Age 34 (RHB/RM; Batter)
5. Fergus Crena (M) - Age 30 (LHB; Batter)
6. Riley Accrington (M) - Age 21 (RHB; All Rounder)
7. Nathan Norwell (M) - Age 25 (LHB/RMF; All Rounder)
8. Molly Dixon (F) - Age 22 (LHB/LOS; Bowler)
9. Broughton Hall (M) - Age 23 (RHB/ROS; Bowler)
10. Phoebe Wright (F) - Age 33 (LHB/LMF; Bowler)
11. Joshua Vilesti (M) - Age 33 (RHB/RF; Bowler)

Reserves:

Caitlyn Elliott (F) - Age 18 (RHB/ROS; All Rounder)
Brooke Ironside (F) - Age 26 (RHB/RMF; Batter)
Alicia Edmundstone (F) - Age 29 (RHB/RLS; Batter)
Mariam Oldacre (F) - Age 28 (RHB; Batter)
Xander Forsheish (M) - Age 31 (RHB/LOS; Batter)
(+) Connor Alkina (M) - Age 29 (RHB; Wicketkeeper)
Olivia Winston (F) - Age 21 (RHB/RMF; Bowler)
Rose Elizabeth (F) - Age 20 (LHB/LLS; Bowler)
Percy Benedict (M) - Age 28 (RHB/RMF; Bowler)

International Test Stats:

Broughton Hall: 17 matches. 328 runs @ 14.91, SR 45.94, HS 41*, 0 50s, 0 100s. 85 wickets @ 24.46, economy 2.90, SR 50.59, BBI 6-32, 3 5-fors.
Peter Lenton: 1 match. 6 runs @ 3.00, SR 85.71, HS 6, 0 50s, 0 100s.
Taylah Monnier: 1 match. 59 runs @ 59.00, SR 43.70, HS 59, 1 50s, 0 100s. 1 wicket @ 8.00, economy 4.00, SR 12.00, BBI 1-8, 0 5-fors.
Nathan Norwell: 4 matches. 57 runs @ 14.25, SR 49.14, HS 31*, 0 50s, 0 100s. 6 wickets @ 42.67, economy 3.88, SR 66.00, BBI 2-21, 0 5-fors.
Joshua Vilesti: 17 matches. 184 runs @ 10.22, SR 55.26, HS 48, 0 50s, 0 100s. 55 wickets @ 29.09, economy 3.28, SR 53.15, BBI 7-25, 2 5-fors.

International ODI Stats (updated to East-West Cup ODI final vs The Grearish Union):

Broughton Hall: 33 matches. 97 runs @ 16.17, SR 78.86, HS 28*, 0 50s, 0 100s. 56 wickets @ 25.91, economy 4.76, SR 32.68, BBI 6-28, 2 5-fors.
Peter Lenton: 17 matches. 326 runs @ 32.60, SR 87.63, HS 87*, 2 50s, 0 100s. 1 wicket @ 71.00, economy 10.14, SR 42.00, BBI 1-28, 0 5-fors.
Yash Ubuni: 1 match. 10 runs @ 10.00, SR 58.82, HS 10, 0 50s, 0 100s.
Joshua Vilesti: 30 matches. 58 runs @ 14.50, SR 96.67, HS 12*, 0 50s, 0 100s. 50 wickets @ 28.68, economy 5.10, SR 33.74, BBI 5-49, 1 5-fors.

Central Sylestone Snakes

Overview:
Despite being predicted to finish fifth in the inaugural edition of the Lavatory Shield, the Snakes defied everyone, routing a path towards the final where they bowled out the Scorpions for a mere 106 in the fourth and final innings, winning by 46 runs. They performed decently in the succeeding ETFC, too, defeating Bollonischian champions Fredonia before falling to defending champions West Surbourneshire in the quarterfinal by an innings and 187 runs - a disappointing but expected result. But with a far more experienced side - including four players to don the Sylestone colours across the formats and last season’s leading wicket-taker - they are right up there in strength. But with the likes of the South Sylestone Scorpions, Suffolk Seals and New Gloucester Jaguars looking to continue last season’s success, it will be very, very tough going.

Key players include Alyssa Fihelly, Jonah Appleby, Samuel Asaskia and Kate Sonnel.

General Information:

Primary Stadium: Halpenley City Oval, Halpenley (cap. 36,350)
Secondary Stadium: Wagham Stadium, Conton (cap. 17,000)
Nickname: The Snakes
Predicted Finish (Lavatory Shield): Runners-up
Last Season (Lavatory Shield): Champions
Predicted Finish (Cubicle One-Day Cup): 4th
Last Season (Cubicle One-Day Cup): 3rd
Shield Titles: 1
One-Day Cup Titles: 0
ETFC Appearances: 1
Best ETFC Performance: Quarterfinal
LASL Appearances: 0
Best LASL Performance: N/A

Squad Changes:

In:
Seth Halliday ← N/A
Angus Hackett ← N/A

Out:
Brian Oplica → Retirement
Shawn Lampe → Retirement

First XI (in batting order):

1. Alyssa Fihelly (F) - Age 21 (RHB/RLS; All Rounder)
2. Amy Helms (F) - Age 36 (LHB/LM; Batter)
3. (+) Jonah Appleby (M) - Age 29 (RHB; Wicketkeeper)
4. Cameron Cunnings (M) - Age 30 (RHB; Batter)
5. (c) Samuel Asaskia (M) - Age 25 (RHB/RFM; All Rounder)
6. Madeline Barff (F) - Age 33 (RHB/LLS; Batter)
7. Samantha Knox (M) - Age 31 (LHB; Batter)
8. Seth Halliday (M) - Age 17 (RHB/RFM; All Rounder)
9. Malcolm Marshall (M) - Age 32 (RHB/RFM; Bowler)
10. Angus Hackett (M) - Age 17 (LHB/RF; Bowler)
11. Kate Sonnel (F) - Age 17 (RHB/RLS; Bowler)

Reserves:

Kyle Nicolls (M) - Age 28 (LHB; Batter)
Kaitlyn Whittingham (F) - Age 23 (RHB/RMF; Batter)
Andy Rombigo (M) - Age 22 (LHB/ROS; Batter)
Redmond Rombigo (M) - Age 22 (LHB/LM; Batter)
Abbey Kennedy (F) - Age 31 (RHB/RLS; All Rounder)
(+) Chloe Lazenby (F) - Age 24 (LHB; Wicketkeeper)
Ali Molesworth (M) - Age 34 (RHB/RFM; All Rounder)
Georgia Biscoe (F) - Age 25 (LHB/LFM; Bowler)
Layla Saville (F) - Age 23 (LHB/ROS; Bowler)

International Test Stats:

Jonah Appleby: 16 matches. 783 runs @ 34.04, SR 38.46, HS 112, 6 50s, 1 100s.
Samuel Asaskia: 5 matches. 344 runs @ 57.33, SR 62.09, HS 105*, 1 50s, 1 100s. 16 wickets @ 28.13, economy 3.10, SR 54.38, BBI 4-67, 0 5-fors.
Alyssa Fihelly: 9 matches. 490 runs @ 28.82, SR 47.85, HS 87, 4 50s, 0 100s. 1 wicket @ 43.00, economy 4.30, SR 60.00, BBI 1-38, 0 5-fors.

International ODI Stats:

Jonah Appleby: 11 matches. 123 runs @ 30.75, SR 71.93, HS 32*, 0 50s, 0 100s.

Freeman Firestorm

Overview:
When it comes to luck, the Firestorm have certainly picked the shortest straw. Being the state with by far the lowest population in all of Sylestone, Freeman scouts have to search far and wide to pull together a decent side. But yet, it wasn’t enough last season, with the Firestorm finishing in last place in both the Lavatory Shield and Cubicle One-Day Cup, although they did occasionally pull off an upset. And although they have an almost identical squad to that of last season, the team staff will be hoping that the players can click together, as they threatened so on multiple occasions last season. Will it happen, or will Freeman flunk to the bottom of both tables yet again?

Key players include Aiden Tasso, Zangj Jonjaakh and Anna Huntingfield.

General Information:

Primary Stadium: Freeman Oval, Freeman (cap. 25,000)
Secondary Stadium: Ketonley Town Oval, Ketonley (cap. 6,000)
Nickname: The Firestorm
Predicted Finish (Lavatory Shield): 6th
Last Season (Lavatory Shield): 6th
Predicted Finish (Cubicle One-Day Cup): 6th
Last Season (Cubicle One-Day Cup): 6th
Shield Titles: 0
One-Day Cup Titles: 0
ETFC Appearances: 0
Best ETFC Performance: N/A
LASL Appearances: 0
Best LASL Performance: N/A

Squad Changes:

In:
Matthew Stopling ← Suffolk Seals 
Alexander Burns ← N/A
Layla Milerum ← N/A

Out:
James Hemingway → Suffolk Seals 
Joseph Strawfull → Retirement
Olivia Bassett → Retirement

First XI (in batting order):

1. Sean Lake (M) - Age 32 (RHB/RM; Batter)
2. (c) Aiden Tasso (M) - Age 34 (LHB/ROS; Batter)
3. Erin Hosbury (F) - Age 21 (RHB/RM; Batter)
4. Zachary Arafase (M) - Age 27 (RHB; Batter)
5. (+) Kieran Force (M) - Age 24 (RHB; Wicketkeeper)
6. Matthew Stopling (M) - Age 32 (LHB; Batter)
7. Chelsea Latour (F) - Age 31 (RHB/RLS; All Rounder)
8. Zangj Jonjaakh (M) - Age 34 (RHB/RF; Bowler)
9. Anna Huntingfield (F) - Age 34 (LHB/LLS; Bowler)
10. Jason Campton (M) - Age 24 (RHB/RMF; Bowler)
11. Angara Barragai (M) - Age 30 (RHB/RFM; Bowler)

Reserves:

Maddison Takasuka (F) - Age 19 (LHB/RLS; Batter)
Benjamin Mostre (M) - Age 25 (LHB; Batter)
Scarlett Downes (F) - Age 25 (LHB/LOS; All Rounder)
(+) Jade Rickards (F) - Age 30 (RHB; Wicketkeeper)
Amber Homburg (F) - Age 20 (LHB/LFM; All Rounder)
Alexander Burns (M) - Age 24 (LHB/LOS; Batter)
Kevin Rombice (M) - Age 20 (RHB/ROS; Batter)
William Barnes (M) - Age 18 (RHB/RMF; Bowler)
Layla Milerum (F) - Age 27 (LHB/LFM; Bowler)

International Test Stats:

Zangj Jonjaakh: 3 matches. 77 runs @ 15.40, SR 100.00, HS 31, 0 50s, 0 100s. 10 wickets @ 52.70, economy 4.88, SR 64.80, BBI 3-70, 0 5-fors.
Sean Lake: 4 matches. 184 runs @ 30.67, SR 56.27, HS 61, 1 50s, 0 100s.

International ODI Stats (updated to East-West Cup ODI final vs The Grearish Union):

Zangj Jonjaakh: 20 matches. 58 runs @ 8.29, SR 81.69, HS 18*, 0 50s, 0 100s. 19 wickets @ 48.37, economy 6.21, SR 46.74, BBI 4-26, 0 5-fors.

New Gloucester Jaguars

Overview:
One of the best state sides in the nation, the Jaguars probably felt as though they didn’t really play up to their standards throughout the inaugural Lavatory Shield, finishing in fifth place despite coming four runs off taking out the One-Day title against the Seals earlier in the season. Somehow, their supremely talented squad simply did not click, and fell at hurdles they really shouldn’t have. However, despite that, the Jaguars still boast a whopping ten players with international experience - fast bowler Leo Njata only one in the starting lineup without donning the Sylestone colours. And with a squad like that, you really can’t write any achievement off. All they need to do is click together like the Scorpions or the Snakes, and you never know…

Key players include Samuel Cross, Liam Afosha, Mitchell Stein, Juan de Polo and Samuel Scron.

General Information:

Primary Stadium: Chamberley Cricket Ground, Chamberley (cap. 86,000)
Secondary Stadium: Evergreen Arena, Emacuton (cap. 15,000)
Nickname: The Jaguars
Predicted Finish (Lavatory Shield): 3rd
Last Season (Lavatory Shield): 5th
Predicted Finish (Cubicle One-Day Cup): Champions
Predicted Finish (Cubicle One-Day Cup): Runners-up
Shield Titles: 0
One-Day Cup Titles: 0
ETFC Appearances: 0
Best ETFC Performance: N/A
LASL Appearances: 1
Best LASL Performance: Semifinal

Squad Changes:

In:
Lauren Luffman ← N/A
Gabrielle Lawrence ← N/A

Out:
Claudia Taylor → Retirement
Andrew Ambrize → Essedise Destroyers

First XI (in batting order):

1. Caitlyn Freehill (F) - Age 23 (LHB/LMF; All Rounder)
2. Edward Cunningham (M) - Age 29 (RHB/RM; All Rounder)
3. Samuel Cross (M) - Age 22 (RHB/RFM; All Rounder)
4. (c) Liam Afosha (M) - Age 30 (RHB/ROS; All Rounder)
5. Mitchell Stein (M) - Age 27 (LHB/LM; Batter)
6. Oliver Edwards (M) - Age 22 (RHB/ROS; Batter)
7. (+) Ashton Stealom (M) - Age 30 (RHB; Wicketkeeper)
8. Juan de Polo (M) - Age 27 (RHB/RLS; All Rounder)
9. Milan Poci (M) - Age 31 (RHB/RLS; Bowler)
10. Samuel Scron (M) - Age 24 (RHB/RFM; Bowler)
11. Leo Njata (M) - Age 28 (RHB/RF; Bowler)

Reserves:

Ava Fantl (F) - Age 17 (RHB/RM; Batter)
Jason Stolhead (M) - Age 33 (LHB; Batter)
Ashley Jefferis (F) - Age 21 (RHB/RFM; All Rounder)
Lauren Luffman (F) - Age 18 (RHB/RM; Batter)
Amelia Olden (F) - Age 30 (LHB/LOS; Batter)
(+) Victor Stonton (M) - Age 32 (RHB; Batter)
Sara Kingsmill (F) - Age 25 (RHB/ROS; Bowler)
Gabrielle Lawrence (F) - Age 19 (LHB/LMF; Bowler)
Lily Bodenweiser (F) - Age 27 (LHB/LOS; Bowler)

International Test Stats:

Liam Afosha: 9 matches. 551 runs @ 32.41, SR 75.07, HS 139, 4 50s, 1 100s. 22 wickets @ 31.50, economy 3.54, SR 53.45, BBI 3-39, 0 5-fors.
Juan de Polo: 3 matches. 62 runs @ 20.67, SR 46.27, HS 33, 0 50s, 0 100s. 16 wickets @ 22.38, economy 3.25, SR 41.31, BBI 5-88, 1 5-fors.
Samuel Scron: 3 matches. 23 runs @ 7.67, SR 56.10, HS 15, 0 50s, 0 100s. 5 wickets @ 37.00, economy 2.37, SR 93.60, BBI 2-16, 0 5-fors.
Mitchell Stein: 5 matches. 204 runs @ 29.14, SR 35.79, HS 56, 2 50s, 0 100s.

International ODI Stats:

Liam Afosha: 31 matches. 1088 runs @ 54.40, SR 103.93, HS 134, 5 50s, 3 100s. 16 wickets @ 65.19, economy 5.70, SR 68.56, BBI 4-23, 0 5-fors.
Oliver Edwards: 6 matches. 116 runs @ 23.20, SR 119.59, HS 72, 1 50s, 0 100s. 0 wickets @ N/A, economy 11.00, SR N/A, BBI 0-22, 0 5-fors.

South Sylestone Scorpions

Overview:
Last season, the Scorpions were predicted to finish fifth in the Lavatory Shield, with a squad a far cry from the best in the nation. Or so we thought. In the end, though, they only lost one game - the final, just when it really mattered. But being bundled out for 106 chasing 152 in the final innings of the match did not deter the side from South Sylestone, carving a swathe through the ETFC en route to the final, where they were able to defeat defending runners-up East Surbourneshire by ten wickets to take out the title. And in all of sudden, the Scorpions have gone from being the hunted to the hunters, with multiple sides rapidly analysing their effective plans to discover flaws. As a result, the Scorpions will still certainly have to give it their all, and with expectation weighted upon them for the first time, it will be interesting to see whether they can go one better.

Key players include Samuel Creln, Chloe Anderson, Norbert Pistecial and Leo Codrington.

General Information:

Primary Stadium: Betham Cricket Ground (cap. 43,000)
Secondary Stadium: Tutham Oval, Tuthambedon (cap. 18,000)
Nickname: The Scorpions
Predicted Finish (Lavatory Shield): Champions
Last Season (Lavatory Shield): Runners-up
Predicted Finish (Cubicle One-Day Cup): 5th
Last Season (Cubicle One-Day Cup): 5th
Shield Titles: 1
One-Day Cup Titles: 0
ETFC Appearances: 1
Best ETFC Performance: Champions
LASL Appearances: 0
Best LASL Performance: N/A

Squad Changes:

In:
-none-

Out:
-none-

First XI (in batting order):

1. Mary Coventry (F) - Age 29 (RHB; Batter)
2. Samuel Creln (M) - Age 30 (LHB/LLS; Batter)
3. Patrick Shotenham (M) - Age 25 (RHB/RM; Batter)
4. Amber Luke (F) - Age 26 (RHB/RM; Batter)
5. (c) Chloe Anderson (F) - Age 24 (LHB/LLS; All Rounder)
6. Angelina Hodel (F) - Age 28 (LHB/LFM; All Rounder)
7. (+) Adam Lonelet (M) - Age 34 (RHB; Wicketkeeper)
8. Norbert Pistecial (M) - Age 24 (LHB/LFM; All Rounder)
9. Ethan Nosten (M) - Age 32 (RHB/RMF; Bowler)
10. Leo Codrington (M) - Age 26 (RHB/RF; Bowler)
11. Osten Lovia (M) - Age 24 (LHB/LLS; Bowler)

Reserves:

Nicholas Lovia (M) - Age 23 (RHB/ROS; Batter)
Peter Shopkin (M) - Age 31 (RHB/ROS; Batter)
Austin Oltin (M) - Age 33 (LHB/LOS; Batter)
Lauren Stout (F) - Age 25 (RHB/RMF; All Rounder)
Jack Fushui (M) - Age 36 (LHB; Batter)
Holly Lambe (F) - Age 36 (RHB/RFM; Bowler)
(+) Matthew Clopp (M) - Age 32 (RHB; Wicketkeeper)
Ryan Jones (M) - Age 35 (RHB/ROS; Bowler)
Isabel Liardet (F) - Age 31 (LHB/LOS; Bowler)

International Test Stats:

Chloe Anderson: 9 matches. 404 runs @ 26.93, SR 58.55, HS 58, 2 50s, 0 100s. 2 wickets @ 117.00, economy 3.77, SR 186.00, BBI 1-7, 0 5-fors.
Leo Codrington: 1 match. 5 runs @ 5.00, SR 23.81, HS 5, 0 50s, 0 100s. 3 wickets @ 45.00, economy 3.65, SR 74.00, BBI 2-58, 0 5-fors.
Samuel Creln: 3 matches. 101 runs @ 20.20, SR 43.72, HS 70, 1 50s, 0 100s.
Norbert Pistecial: 18 matches. 729 runs @ 29.16, SR 70.50, HS 100, 1 50s, 1 100s. 59 wickets @ 30.36, economy 3.14, SR 58.03, BBI 8-33, 2 5-fors.

International ODI Stats:

Chloe Anderson: [i]8 matches. 253 runs @ 36.14, SR 93.01, HS 65, 3 50s, 0 100s. 0 wickets @ N/A, economy 6.50, SR N/A, BBI 0-26, 0 5-fors.
Norbert Pistecial: 32 matches. 314 runs @ 22.43, SR 104.32, HS 37*, 0 50s, 0 100s. 41 wickets @ 38.20, economy 5.42, SR 42.29, BBI 4-43, 0 5-fors.

Suffolk Seals

Overview:
Last but not least, the Suffolk Seals. In last season’s Cubicle One-Day Cup, they shot out of the blocks, winning each of their first six games before defeating the New Gloucester Jaguars in the final to take out the inaugural tournament’s title. But they did not stop there. In the inaugural List A Super League, the eastern state managed to scrape out of the group stage with a 2-2 record, before finding their straps once again, winning all three knockout games, including the final by a single wicket, to take out the title. But with Brookstation clubs luring a couple of their stars away and some new-look faces entering the squad, things will be tough going for the Seals, particularly on a home ground that, at first class level, will very rarely actually produce a result. Yet, with the likes of Luke Tiati, Lachlan Cocrine and Talvin Mankira still present, Suffolk will still be a tough team to beat.

Key players include Luke Tiati, Brianna Eastwood, Lachlan Cocrine, Talvin Mankira[/b] and Georgia Haines.

General Information:

Primary Stadium: Bolton Oval, Pesfield (cap. 50,000)
Secondary Stadium: Dodle Furnace, Dodle (cap. 25,000)
Nickname: The Seals
Predicted Finish (Lavatory Shield): 5th
Last Season (Lavatory Shield): 3rd
Predicted Finish (Cubicle One-Day Cup): Champions
Last Season (Cubicle One-Day Cup): Champions
Shield Titles: 0
One-Day Cup Titles: 1
ETFC Appearances: 0
Best ETFC Performance: N/A
LASL Appearances: 1
Best LASL Performance: Champions

Squad Changes:

In:
Abigail Tozer ← N/A
Jayden Menkens ← N/A
James Hemingway ← Freeman Firestorm 
Jesse McMillan ← N/A

Out:
Andrew Nicholson → Retirement
Peter Longlege → TBC 
Matthew Stopling → Freeman Firestorm 
Shaun Clapiope → TBC

First XI (in batting order):

1. (c) (+) Luke Tiati (M) - Age 29 (LHB; Wicketkeeper)
2. Peter Cuniry (M) - Age 33 (LHB/LOS; Batter)
3. Brianna Eastwood (F) - Age 21 (RHB/ROS; Batter)
4. Lachlan Cocrine (M) - Age 26 (RHB/ROS; Batter)
5. Ashley Millen (F) - Age 28 (RHB/RLS; Batter)
6. Fergus Stanton (M) - Age 23 (RHB/RLS; All Rounder)
7. Jai Babbage (M) - 21 (RHB/RLS; Batter)
8. Ross Amitt (M) - Age 30 (RHB/RFM; Bowler)
9. Thomas Strand (M) - Age 26 (RHB/RFM; Bowler)
10. Talvin Mankira (M) - Age 29 (LHB/LF; Bowler)
11. Georgia Haines (F) - Age 30 (RHB/RLS; Bowler)

Reserves:

Abigail Tozer (F) - Age 22 (RHB/RMF; Batter)
Hannah Gilroy (F) - Age 20 (RHB/RMF; All Rounder)
James Hemingway (M) - Age 20 (RHB/ROS; Batter)
Isla Trefl (F) - Age 27 (LHB/LM; Batter)
Leah Bacon (F) - Age 35 (RHB/LOS; All Rounder)
(+) Austin Placea (M) - Age 25 (LHB; Wicketkeeper)
Layla Mackersey (F) - Age 21 (RHB/RFM; Bowler)
Jesse McMillan (M) - Age 19 (RHB/LFM; Bowler)
Eve Lenehan (F) - Age 25 (LHB/RLS; Bowler)

International Test Stats:

Lachlan Cocrine: 1 match. 48 runs @ 24.00, SR 72.73, HS 48, 0 50s, 0 100s.
Talvin Mankira: 8 matches. 50 runs @ 8.33, SR 30.49, HS 15, 0 50s, 0 100s. 21 wickets @ 37.86, economy 3.87, SR 58.76, BBI 4-68, 0 5-fors.
Luke Tiati: 19 matches. 2039 runs @ 65.77, SR 54.33, HS 177, 8 50s, 7 100s.

International ODI Stats:

Lachlan Cocrine: 24 matches. 564 runs @ 31.33, SR 85.20, HS 121*, 0 50s, 0 100s.
Georgia Haines: 2 matches. 2 wickets @ 70.50, economy 7.05, SR 60.00, BBI 1-68, 0 5-fors.
Luke Tiati: 33 matches. 1632 runs @ 54.40, SR 94.72, HS 167*, 9 50s, 5 100s.

by **Sylestone** » Sun Jan 16, 2022 3:52 pm

CRASH N’ SMASH

Season Three

Another year, another Crash n’ Smash. Last season’s broadcasting success means that, once again, all 61 matches will be on free-to-air television, with a myriad of sponsors. This season’s main one will be Toilet Land, boasting the nation’s finest toilets, made from pure toilet materials with no artificial colours or flavours. I mean, if Sentients don’t want to play cricket, you have to find a way to incorporate them into the game somehow, right?

Last year, the Cleorough Devils stopped the Chamberley Giants from making it three from three at the final hurdle, chasing down 165 with four wickets and three balls to spare, before that same side made it to the quarterfinals of the Champions League T20. Famous for their reluctance to use imports and focus on a strong core of local talent, the Devils’ tactics paid off last season, while the Betham Dogs, one of only two sides to use their full quota of four internationals, finished rock bottom. It poses an interesting analysis for the statistically-minded cricketer, and this season may certainly determine whether that is simply a coincidence.

When it comes to overseas players, there have been a few changes to the rules from last season. In the third edition of the Crash n’ Smash, each franchise was allowed four internationals, although only two sides - Betham Dogs and Scorching Hot Dodle - actually fulfilled that quota, although all sides had at least one. This season, due to the high influx of Esportivan talent, each club is now allowed three international players from anywhere and two Esportivans. International slots may be taken up by Esportivans, but Esportivan slots may not be used by internationals from Anaia, Atlantian Oceania, Rushmore or anywhere else.

This rule change has resulted in the odd occurrence in that every side has kept the players from last season, as well as investing in some new ones. This season, Licentians, South Newlandians and even three players from the world champions, Gruenberg. As a result, this instalment of the Crash n’ Smash will have higher stakes than ever before, putting it right up there with the best in the world. Or so we think.

Finally, a quick reminder of the format. A double round-robin group stage will take place, home and away, with the top five going to the finals. In the first game, the Eliminator, fourth-place will play fifth-place. Following that will be the Qualifier, where first and second place play for the hosting rights in the final. Then comes the Second Eliminator, where third place hosts the winner of the Eliminator, the victor of which goes to the Challenger, where the loser of the Qualifier and the winner of the Second Eliminator play off. And yes, you’ve guessed it - the winner of the Challenger faces the music at the home stadium of the winner of the Qualifier in the Final.

Avondale Knights

Overview:
They were predicted to finish second last year, but despite good performances from the likes of Richard Bremner, Caitlyn Freehill, Josh Vilesti and Emmie Samuel, the Knights could only muster five wins from fourteen games, finishing second last. Interestingly, the Knights possess a barely changed squad from last season, their staff backing them to turn their luck around and gel together. But with such a talented squad, it’s hard to see them fail for the second time in two seasons. At least, their fans will be hoping they won’t.

Key players include Moses Scovell, Richard Bremner, Joshua Vilesti and Emmie Samuel.

General Information:

Primary Stadium: Capital Stadium (cap. 100,000)
Secondary Stadium: Heritage Stadium (cap. 21,000)
Tertiary Stadium: Town Oval, Hageling (cap. 8,000)
Nickname: The Knights
Predicted Finish: 6th
Previous Season: 7th
Titles: 0
CLT20 Appearances: 1
Best CLT20 Appearances: Round of 16

Squad Changes:

In:
Austin Oltin  ← Cleorough Devils 
Jesse Hedley  ← N/A

Out:
Joseph Strawfull  → Retirement
Olivia Bassett  → Retirement

First XI (in batting order):

1. Moses Scovell  (M) - Age 21 (LHB/LM; Batter)
2. (+) Yash Ubuni  (M) - Age 36 (RHB; Wicketkeeper)
3. Caitlyn Freehill  (F) - Age 23 (LHB/LMF; All Rounder)
4. Richard Bremner  (M) - Age 31 (LHB; Batter)
5. Kieran Force  (M) - Age 24 (RHB; Wicketkeeper)
6. Fergus Stanton  (M) - Age 23 (RHB/RLS; All Rounder)
7. Mariam Oldacre  (F) - Age 28 (RHB; Batter)
8. Malcolm Marshall  (M) - Age 32 (RHB/RFM; Bowler)
9. (c) Joshua Vilesti  (M) - Age 33 (RHB/RF; Bowler)
10. Emmie Samuel  (M) - Age 30 (LHB/ROS; Bowler)
11. Georgia Haines  (F) - Age 30 (RHB/RLS; Bowler)

Reserves

Holly Paling  (F) - Age 21 (LHB/LOS; Batter)
Austin Oltin  (M) - Age 33 (LHB/LOS; Batter)
Ashley Jefferis  (F) - Age 21 (RHB/RFM; All Rounder)
Sophia Locke  (F) - Age 23 (LHB/RLS; Batter)
Chloe Heathershaw  (F) - Age 24 (LHB/LOS; All Rounder)
Sara Kingsmill  (F) - Age 24 (RHB/ROS; Bowler)
Jesse Hedley  (F) - Age 21 (LHB/LMF; Bowler)

International T20 Stats:

Richard Bremner: Unknown
Caitlyn Freehill: 3 matches. 34 runs @ N/A, SR 188.89, HS 34*, 0 50s, 0 100s. 1 wicket @ 80.00, economy 8.00, SR 80.00, BBI 1-25, 0 4-fors.
Georgia Haines: 3 matches. 2 wickets @ 39.00, economy 9.75, SR 24.00, BBI 1-17, 0 4-fors.
Yash Ubuni: 7 matches. 106 runs @ 15.14, SR 153.62, HS 32, 0 50s, 0 100s.
Joshua Vilesti: 23 matches. 5 runs @ 5.00, SR 83.33, HS 5*, 0 5s, 0 100s. 22 wickets @ 30.45, economy 7.82, SR 23.36, BBI 2-27, 0 4-fors.

Betham Dogs

Overview:
After last year’s shitshow, the Betham Dogs have continued to splurge on international players, bringing in South Newlandian off-spinner Peter Robinson, famous across Esportiva for his relentless, economical bowling. Additionally, the Betham franchise has also brought in the likes of ex-Sylestone stars Sean Lake and Oliver Edwards, both looking to kickstart their careers once again after a poor year. However, they will have to perform well in the early stages of the season to get their supporters back into stadiums, but with the squad they’ve got, they have a very good shot at it. With many world-class players and clearly-defined roles, there’s even the possibility they could jump from the bottom right to the top. In just one season.

Key players include Edward Cunningham, Catbug Demoncast, Ronald Taylor, Peter Robinson and Edward Hillock.

General Information:

Primary Stadium: Betham Cricket Ground, Betham (cap. 43,000)
Secondary Stadium: Flush Park, Kirkham (cap. 35,000)
Tertiary Stadium: Tutham Oval, Tuthambedon (cap. 18,000)
Nickname: The Dogs
Previous Season: 8th
Predicted Finish: 4th
Titles: 0
CLT20 Appearances: 0
Best CLT20 Performance: N/A

Squad Changes:

In:
Sean Lake  ← Scorching Hot Dodle 
Fergus Crena  ← Pesfield Wasps 
Oliver Edwards  ← Chamberley Giants 
Peter Robinson  ← South Newlandia 

Out:
Amy Helms  → Retirement
Patrick Shotenham  → Pesfield Wasps 
Sean Polen  → Retirement
Ryan Jones  → Retirement

First XI (in batting order):

1. (c) Edward Cunningham  (M) - Age 29 (RHB/RM; All Rounder)
2. Sean Lake  (M) - Age 32 (RHB/RM; Batter)
3. Nicholas Lovia  (M) - Age 23 (RHB/ROS; Batter)
4. Catbug Demoncast  (M) - Age 26 (LHB; Batter)
5. (+) Oliver Edwards  (M) - Age 22 (RHB/ROS; Wicketkeeper)
6. Ronald Taylor  (M) - Age 24 (LHB/LM; All Rounder)
7. Shaun Clapiope  (M) - Age 31 (LHB/LF; All Rounder)
8. Chelsea Latour  (F) - Age 31 (RHB/RLS; All Rounder)
9. Peter Robinson  (M) - Age 20 (LHB/LOS; Bowler)
10. Lasrewll yChallril  (M) - Age 24 (LHB/LLS; Bowler)
11. Edward Hillock  (M) - Age 21 (LHB/LF; Bowler)

Reserves:

Adam Lonelet  (M) - Age 34 (RHB; Wicketkeeper)
Peter Shopkin  (M) - Age 31 (RHB/ROS; Batter)
Lauren Stout  (F) - Age 25 (RHB/RMF; All Rounder)
Fergus Crena  (M) - Age 30 (LHB; Batter)
Mary Geach  (F) - Age 20 (RHB/ROS; Batter)
Molly Dixon  (F) - Age 22 (LHB/LOS; Bowler)
Ethan Nosten  (M) - Age 32 (RHB/RMF; Bowler)

International T20 Stats:

Edward Cunningham: 1 match. 32 runs @ 32.00, SR 118.52, HS 32, 0 50s, 0 100s. 0 wickets @ N/A, economy 12.00, SR N/A, BBI 0-12, 0 4-fors.
Catbug Demoncast: Unknown
Oliver Edwards: 15 matches. 107 runs @ 26.75, SR 178.33, HS 19, 0 50s, 0 100s.
Edward Hillock: Unknown
Sean Lake: 1 match. 7 runs @ 7.00, SR 116.67, HS 7, 0 50s, 0 100s.
Peter Robinson: Unknown
Ronald Taylor: Unknown

Chamberley Giants

Overview:
Last season’s failure at the final hurdle shouldn’t deter the Giants, who have come back this season with a squad of similar calibre, eager to make it three titles from four editions. Like the Knights, the Chamberley club has kept their squad largely the same, with only a couple of changes. The main one comes as a result of Oliver Edwards’ luring towards the Betham Dogs, with aggressive Licentian batter Steven Dickson crossing half of Esportiva to join with the Giants, one of only two Licentians to partake in this season’s Crash n’ Smash. As was the case with last season, experienced Grearish incumbent Dewayne Goolsby will captain the side, which contains only one uncapped international in its predicted first XI - Irundji (indigenous Sylestonean) fast bowler Leo Njata. But even so, he has a lot of talent, and will certainly not let the team down.

Key players include literally the entire team.

General Information:

Primary Stadium: Chamberley Cricket Ground, Chamberley (cap. 86,000)
Secondary Stadium: Freeman Oval, Freeman (cap. 25,000)
Tertiary Stadium: Katham Oval, Katham (cap. 13,000)
Nickname: The Giants
Previous Season: Runners-up
Predicted Finish: Champions
Titles: 2
CLT20 Appearances: 3
Best CLT20 Performance: Quarterfinals

Squad Changes:

In:
Steven Dickson  ← The Licentian Isles 
Riley Skerst  ← N/A

Out:
Oliver Edwards  → Betham Dogs 
Amber Luke  → Dunkirk Rovers

First XI (in batting order):

1. Simon Monteane  (M) - Age 26 (RHB/ROS; Batter)
2. Lachlan Edwards  (M) - Age 21 (RHB/RLS; All Rounder)
3. Lachlan Cocrine  (M) - Age 26 (RHB/ROS; Batter)
4. Steven Dickson  (M) - Age 23 (RHB; Batter)
5. Liam Afosha  (M) - Age 30 (RHB/ROS; All Rounder)
6. (c) Dewayne Goolsby  (M) - Age 34 (RHB/RFM; All Rounder)
7. (+) Eli Hunniford  (M) - Age 33 (RHB; Wicketkeeper)
8. Broughton Hall  (M) - Age 23 (RHB/ROS; Bowler)
9. Samuel Scron  (M) - Age 24 (RHB/RFM; Bowler)
10. Leo Njata  (M) - Age 28 (RHB/RF; Bowler)
11. Oscar Bowles  (M) - Age 25 (RHB/ROS; Bowler)

Reserves:

Maddison Takasuka  (F) - Age 19 (LHB/RLS; All Rounder)
Xander Forsheish  (M) - Age 31 (RHB/LOS; Batter)
Mary Coventry  (F) - Age 29 (RHB; Batter)
Amelia Olden  (F) - Age 30 (LHB/LOS; Batter)
Riley Skerst  (M) - Age 22 (LHB/RLS; All Rounder)
Amber Homburg  (F) - Age 20 (LHB/LFM; Bowler)
Eve Lenehan  (F) - Age 25 (LHB/RLS; Bowler)

International T20 Stats:

Liam Afosha: 31 matches. 570 runs @ 35.63, SR 140.74, HS 54*, 2 50s, 0 100s. 20 wickets @ 38.95, economy 7.78, SR 30.05, BBI 4-23, 1 4-fors.
Oscar Bowles: Unknown
Lachlan Cocrine: 30 matches. 1080 runs @ 45.00, SR 168.22, HS 104*, 9 50s, 1 100s.
Lachlan Edwards: 3 matches. 23 runs @ 11.50, SR 135.29, HS 12*, 0 50s, 0 100s. 1 wicket @ 14.00, economy 6.00, SR 14.00, BBI 1-14, 0 4-fors.
Oliver Edwards: 15 matches. 107 runs @ 26.75, SR 178.33, HS 19, 0 50s, 0 100s.
Dewayne Goolsby: Unknown
Broughton Hall: 23 matches. 12 runs @ 4.00, SR 80.00, HS 6*, 0 50s, 0 100s. 36 wickets @ 17.25, economy 6.90, SR 15.00, BBI 5-24, 1 4-fors.
Eli Hunniford: Unknown
Simon Monteane: 23 matches. 545 runs @ 25.95, SR 131.01, HS 71, 5 50s, 0 100s.

Cleorough Devils

Overview:
They were predicted to finish fifth last season, with a side made up almost wholly of local talent. However, right from the outset, this Devils side gelled together and put their opponents to the sword, finishing first by the barest of margins - +0.01 on the Giants. However, that did not deter the Chamberley franchise from winning the Qualifier, winning themselves hosting rights to the final. But the Devils still held faith, downing the surprise packets, Dunkirk Rovers, to get themselves into their first-ever final. There, a late burst from Ashton Stealom saw the underdogs take out the title for the first time. Now, a season onward, the Devils haven’t made a load of changes, but appear stronger than ever. Zachary Charlton’s lack of form has seen him part ways from Cleorough, and Phoebe Wright’s unprecedented retirement has raised eyebrows across the nation. But the introduction of South Newlandian superstar Jana Hatfield and Gruenberger paceman Zefixaq Effervescentpyjamas has certainly helped the Devils, joining Blaine Risewell as the Devils’ three internationals for the season.

Key players include Daniel Fomleya, Brock Westleford, Blaine Risewell, Juan de Polo, Kate Sonnel.

General Information:

Primary Stadium: Cleorough Stadium, Cleorough (cap. 57,500)
Secondary Stadium: Greenhill Oval, Kirton (cap. 20,000)
Tertiary Stadium: The Showground, Chisbuton (cap. 5,000)
Nickname: The Devils
Previous Season: Champions
Predicted Finish: 3rd
Titles: 1
CLT20 Appearances: 1
Best CLT20 Performance: Playoff Round

Squad Changes:

In:
Jana Hatfield  ← South Newlandia 
Lauren Luffman  ← N/A
Zefizaq Effervescentpyjamas  ← Gruenberg 
Rose Elizabeth  ← N/A

Out:
Zachary Charlton  → Scorching Hot Dodle 
Austin Oltin  → Avondale Knights 
Phoebe Wright  → Retirement
Oliver Cooke  → Retirement

First XI (in batting order):

1. Taylah Monnier  (F) - Age 24 (LHB/LM; Batter)
2. (c) Daniel Fomleya (M)  - Age 35 (LHB/LOS; Batter)
3. Aiden Tasso  (M) - Age 34 (LHB/ROS; All Rounder)
4. Brock Westleford  (M) - Age 27 (LHB/LM; Batter)
5. Jana Hatfield  (F) - Age 24 (LHB; Batter)
6. (+) Ashton Stealom  (M) - Age 30 (RHB; Wicketkeeper)
7. Blaine Risewell  (M) - Age 26 (RHB/RF; All Rounder)
8. Nathan Norwell  (M) - Age 25 (LHB/RMF; All Rounder)
9. Juan de Polo  (M) - Age 27 (RHB/RLS; All Rounder)
10. Zefixaq Effervescentpyjamas  (M) - Age 28 (LHB/LFM; Bowler)
11. Kate Sonnel  (F) - Age 17 (RHB/RLS; Bowler)

Reserves:

Aidan Silas  (M) - Age 22 (RHB; Batter)
Charlie Greeves  (M) - Age 24 (RHB/RFM; All Rounder)
Lauren Luffman  (F) - Age 18 (RHB/RM; Batter)
Matthew Clopp  (M) - Age 32 (RHB; Wicketkeeper)
Andrew Ambrize  (M) - Age 25 (LHB/LF; Bowler)
Angelina Marlowe  (M) - Age 24 (RHB/LOS; Bowler)
Rose Elizabeth  (F) - Age 20 (LHB/LLS; Bowler)

International T20 Stats:

Juan de Polo: 4 matches. 9 wickets @ 11.44, economy 6.72, SR 10.22, BBI 3-22, 0 4-fors.
Daniel Fomleya: 24 matches. 546 runs @ 27.30, SR 129.08, HS 85*, 4 50s, 0 100s. 0 wickets @ N/A, economy 9.50, SR N/A, BBI 0-7, 0 4-fors.
Nathan Norwell: 4 matches. 2 wickets @ 41.50, economy 9.22, SR 27.00, BBI 1-20, 0 4-fors.
Blaine Risewell: Unknown
Kate Sonnel: 6 matches. 8 wickets @ 17.88, economy 5.96, SR 18.00, BBI 3-22, 0 4-fors.
Ashton Stealom: 7 matches. 80 runs @ 80.00, SR 177.78, HS 47, 0 50s, 0 100s.
Brock Westleford: 4 matches. 48 runs @ 12.00, SR 129.73, HS 21, 0 50s, 0 100s.

Dunkirk Rovers

Overview:
Wooden-spooners in the first two editions of the Crash n’ Smash, something clicked for the Rovers last season, allowing them to win games they really shouldn’t have done so to finish third overall, on the table and after the knockout phase. However, this season will be the one that will determine whether that was a fluke or not, with essentially every other side in the competition shaping up to look seriously good. The Rovers, though, haven’t let themselves be left behind. In addition to Grearish batter Maida Mcleroy, Dunkirk have lured in Licentian quick Miriam Boyle and the player with arguably the weirdest name in the cricketing multiverse, Hraffinthroquadilamjamhampamsamtamrambamattawakkipurrheliomansthophthanes Tumcoweiss from Gruenberg. His tight left-arm orthodox will be invaluable throughout the middle overs and with the likes of Milan Poci and Norbert Pistecial present in the bowling lineup, the Rovers certainly are a side to watch.

Key players include Maida Mcleroy, Peter Lenton, Hraffinthroquadilamjamhampamsamtamrambamattawakkipurrheliomansthophthanes Tumcoweiss, Norbert Pistecial and Miriam Boyle.

General Information:

Primary Stadium: Jameson Oval, Dunkirk (cap. 31,200)
Secondary Stadium: Evergreen Arena, Emacuton (cap. 15,000)
Tertiary Stadium: Coastline Showground, Garretty (cap. 6,675)
Nickname: The Rovers
Previous Season: 3rd
Predicted Finish: 7th
Titles: 0
CLT20 Appearances: 0
Best CLT20 Performance: N/A

Squad Changes:

In:
Hraffinthroquadilamjamhampamsamtamrambamattawakkipurrheliomansthophthanes Tumcoweiss  ← Gruenberg 
Miriam Boyle  ← The Licentian Isles 
Zoe Flower  ← N/A

Out:
Jack Fushui  → Retirement
Jorja Curran  → N/A
Isabel Liardet  → N/A

First XI (in batting order):

1. (+) Connor Alkina  (M) - Age 29 (RHB; Wicketkeeper)
2. Peter Cuniry  (M) - Age 33 (LHB/LOS; Batter)
3. Maida Mcleroy  (F) - Age 29 (RHB/ROS; Batter)
4. Peter Longlege  (M) - Age 21 (LHB/LOS; All Rounder)
5. (c) Peter Lenton  (M) - Age 34 (RHB/RM; Batter)
6. Hraffinthroquadilamjamhampamsamtamrambamattawakkipurrheliomansthophthanes Tumcoweiss  (M) - Age 21 (LHB/LOS; All Rounder)
7. Erin Hosbury  (F) - Age 21 (RHB/RM; Batter)
8. Norbert Pistecial  (M) - Age 24 (LHB/LFM; All Rounder)
9. Milan Poci  (M) - Age 31 (RHB/RLS; Bowler)
10. Miriam Boyle  (F) - Age 26 (RHB/RMF; Bowler)
11. Shawn Lampe  (M) - Age 35 (RHB/RFM; Bowler)

Reserves:

Austin Placea  (M) - Age 25 (LHB; Wicketkeeper)
Ruby Croll  (F) - Age 30 (LHB/LOS; Batter)
Jason Stolhead  (M) - Age 33 (LHB; Batter)
Kevin Rombice  (M) - Age 20 (RHB/ROS; Batter)
Riley Accrington  (M) - Age 21 (RHB/ROS; All Rounder)
Percy Benedict  (M) - Age 28 (RHB/RMF; Bowler)
Zoe Flower  (F) - Age 16 (LHB/LOS; Bowler)

International T20 Stats:

Miriam Boyle: Unknown
Peter Lenton: 11 matches. 105 runs @ 26.25, SR 122.09, HS 22, 0 50s, 0 100s.
Maida Mcleroy: Unknown
Norbert Pistecial: 23 matches. 74 runs @ 18.50, SR 112.12, HS 33*, 0 50s, 0 100s. 25 wickets @ 29.16, economy 7.92, SR 22.08, BBI 3-22, 0 4-fors.
Hraffinthroquadilamjamhampamsamtamrambamattawakkipurrheliomansthophthanes Tumcoweiss: 15 matches. 251 runs @ 41.83, SR 158.86, HS 52, 0 50s, 0 100s. 14 wickets @ 30.36, economy 7.61, SR 23.90, BBI 3-29, 0 4-fors.

Halpenley Lightning

Overview:
Last season, the Lightning thundered (lol) out of the blocks, storming (again, lol) past everyone to five consecutive victories, including wins against the eventual champions, Cleorough Devils, and runners-up Chamberley Giants. However, their matchday six loss to the Avondale Knights completely snuffed that run out. In their final ten games of the season, including the first eliminator, the Lightning could only win three games. Now, this season, they have not been able to bring in any extra internationals, keeping an almost identical squad to last time, and thus are predicted to finish last, though not by much. With a top six of Alyssa Fihelly, Charles McCrory, Mitchell Stein, Cameron Cunnings, Jack Martin and Samuel Asaskia, though, they certainly aren’t a side to sleep on, and will give it their absolute all.

Key players include Charles McCrory, Jack Martin, Samuel Asaskia, Catamite Darkcape and Leo Codrington.

General Information:

Primary Stadium:  Halpenley City Oval, Halpenley (cap. 35,000)
Secondary Stadium: Wagham Stadium, Conton (cap. 17,000)
Tertiary Stadium: Aerorum Oval, Brethonenil (cap. 2,000)
Nickname: The Lightning
Previous Season: 7th
Predicted Finish: 7th
Titles: 0
CLT20 Appearances: 1
Best CLT20 Performance: Group Stage

Squad Changes:

In:
Caitlyn Elliot  ← N/A
Seth Halliday  ← N/A

Out:
Andrew Nicholson  → Retirement
Brian Oplica  → Retirement

First XI (in batting order):

1. Alyssa Fihelly  (F) - Age 21 (RHB/RLS; All Rounder)
2. Charles McCrory  (M) - Age 28 (RHB/RFM; All Rounder)
3. (+) Mitchell Stein  (M) - Age 27 (LHB/LM; Wicketkeeper)
4. Cameron Cunnings  (M) - Age 30 (RHB; Batter)
5. Jack Martin  (M) - Age 22 (LHB/LOS; All Rounder)
6. (c) Samuel Asaskia  (M) - Age 25 (RHB/RFM; All Rounder)
7. James Hemingway  (M) - Age 20 (RHB/ROS; Batter)
8. Abbey Kennedy  (F) - Age 31 (RHB/RLS; Bowler)
9. Catamite Darkcape  (M) - Age 26 (LHB/LF; Bowler)
10. Leo Codrington  (M) - Age 26 (RHB/RF; Bowler)
11. Abhinav Singh  (M) - Age 26 (LHB/ROS; Bowler)

Reserves:

Chloe Lazenby  (F) - Age 24 (LHB; Wicketkeeper)
Caitlyn Elliot  (F) - Age 18 (RHB/ROS; All Rounder)
Kyle Nicolls  (M) - Age 28 (LHB; Batter)
Ashley Millen  (F) - Age 28 (RHB/RLS; Batter)
Luca De Groot  (M) - Age 22 (RHB/RF; All Rounder)
Seth Halliday  (M) - Age 17 (RHB/RFM; Bowler)
Georgia Biscoe  (F) - Age 25 (LHB/LFM; Bowler)

International T20 Stats:

Leo Codrington: 6 matches. 5 runs @ N/A, SR 166.67, HS 5*, 0 50s, 0 100s. 6 wickets @ 28.50, economy 7.77, SR 22.00, BBI 2-27, 0 4-fors.
Catamite Darkcape: Unknown
Jack Martin: 10 matches. 145 runs @ 29.00, SR 157.61, HS 68*, 1 50s, 0 100s. 0 wickets @ N/A, economy 8.80, SR N/A, BBI 0-3, 0 4-fors.
Charles McCrory: Unknown
Mitchell Stein: 2 matches. 4 runs @ N/A, SR 100.00, HS 4*, 0 50s, 0 100s.

Pesfield Wasps

Overview:
Last year, the Wasps had a squad that could certainly challenge the title, predicted to finish in third place behind the Giants and the Knights. However, despite being in the top five for the vast majority of the season, the Wasps were pipped just at the last moment, finishing in sixth place. This season, though, the introduction of Gruenberger all-rounder Jett Tyrkkekkekklukkekklukekk has bolstered both their batting and bowling stocks, shaping the Pesfield franchise up as one of the teams to beat, batting all the way down to seven or eight before getting into the bowlers. Additionally, the Pesfield management has also opted to go with eight frontline bowlers in their predicted first XI, including four all-rounders, of which a whopping SIX are spinners. It’s an out of the box tactic, but it may, just may, work out.

Key players include Luke Tiati, Gary Umbridge, Samuel Cross, Jett Tyrkkekkekklukkekklukekk and Sharron Irvine.

General Information:

Primary Stadium: Bolton Oval, Pesfield (cap. 50,000)
Secondary Stadium: The ‘Tato, Tartontation (cap. 6,700)
Tertiary Stadium: Chilseamers Park, Chilseamers (cap. 4,000)
Nickname: The Wasps
Previous Season: 6th
Predicted Finish: Runners-up
Titles: 0
CLT20 Appearances: 0
Best CLT20 Performance: N/A

Squad Changes:

In:
Kaye Newman  ← South Newlandia 
Patrick Shotenham  ← Betham Dogs 
Jett Tyrkkekkekklukkekklukekk  ← Gruenberg 

Out:
Jonah Appleby  → N/A
Fergus Crena  → Betham Dogs 
Zangj Jonjaakh  → Retirement

First XI (in batting order):

1. Zachary Arafase  (M) - Age 27 (RHB; Batter)
2. (c) (+) Luke Tiati  (M) - Age 29 (LHB; Wicketkeeper)
3. Kaye Newman  (F) - Age 24 (RHB/RLS; All Rounder)
4. Gary Umbridge  (M) - Age 34 (RHB; Batter)
5. Samuel Cross  (M) - Age 21 (RHB/RFM; All Rounder)
6. Jett Tyrkkekkekklukkekklukekk  (M) - Age 22 (LHB/LLS; All Rounder)
7. Holly Cranston  (F) - Age 25 (LHB/LOS; All Rounder)
8. Lily Bodenweiser  (F) - Age 26 (LHB/LOS; Bowler)
9. Osten Lovia  (M) - Age 24 (LHB/LLS; Bowler)
10. Talvin Mankira  (M) - Age 29 (LHB/LF; Bowler)
11. Sharron Irvine  (F) - Age 33 (RHB/RLS; Bowler)

Reserves:

Hannah Gilroy  (F) - Age 20 (RHB/RMF; All Rounder)
Daniel Hall  (M) - Age 33 (LHB/RLS; All Rounder)
Patrick Shotenham  (M) - Age 25 (RHB/RM; Batter)
Erin Andronicus  (F) - Age 23 (RHB/RM; Batter)
Leah Bacon  (F) - Age 35 (RHB/LOS; All Rounder)
Jason Campton  (M) - Age 24 (RHB/RMF; Bowler)
Thomas Strand  (M) - Age 26 (RHB/RFM; Bowler)

International T20 Stats:

Holly Cranston: Unknown
Samuel Cross: 7 matches. 155 runs @ 25.83, SR 118.32, HS 72, 1 50s, 0 100s. 10 wickets @ 14.00, economy 6.72, SR 12.50, BBI 3-18, 0 4-fors.
Sharron Irvine: 6 matches. 13 runs @ 13.00, SR 86.67, HS 7, 0 50s, 0 100s. 6 wickets @ 32.33, economy 8.82, SR 22.00, BBI 2-27, 0 4-fors.
Talvin Mankira: 9 matches. 6 runs @ N/A, SR 75.00, HS 6*, 0 50s, 0 100s. 9 wickets @ 31.22, economy 8.26, SR 22.67, BBI 2-35, 0 4-fors.
Kaye Newman: Unknown
Luke Tiati: 24 matches. 836 runs @ 36.35, SR 133.76, HS 108*, 5 50s, 1 100s.
Jett Tyrkkekkekklukkekklukekk: 10 matches. 65 runs @ 13.00, SR ~140, HS 25, 0 50s, 0 100s. 16 wickets @ 19.13, economy 8.70, SR 13.20, BBI 4-19, 1 4-fors.
Gary Umbridge: Unknown

Scorching Hot Dodle

Overview:
For yet another season, Scorching Hot Dodle possess a strong squad that has no real weak points. Last season’s fifth-placed finish would have been a tad underwhelming for their fans, particularly with four internationals, but they displayed many strong signs throughout the season and will be eager to come back for more. The promotion of Brianna Eastwood to the top worked wonders, making a very strong top three of her, Dharmendra Reddy and Bollonischian superstar Roderick Hale. The club will be captained b 24-year-old Chloe Anderson, whose aggressive play will win them more than one game this season. As for the bowling, Ross Amitt and Samuel Petersen will be eager to continue where they left off last season with their death bowling, while Panu Tripathi’s wily leg-spin is always a threat. Overall, the Scorchers possess a a side to be afraid of, and if they can click, it’s possible that they will be able to go deep indeed.

Key players include Brianna Eastwood, Roderick Hale, Chloe Anderson, Samuel Petersen and Panu Tripathi.

General Information:

Primary Stadium: Dodle Furnace (cap. 25,000)
Secondary Stadium: Eastern Sylestone Cricket Ground, Marbury (cap. 16,000)
Tertiary Stadium: Nordic Stadium, Oslolihul (cap. 10,000)
Nickname: The Scorchers
Previous Season: 5th
Predicted Finish: 5th
Titles: 0
CLT20 Appearances: 0
Best CLT20 Performance:N/A

Squad Changes:

In:
Zachary Charlton  ← Cleorough Devils 
Angus Hackett  ← N/A

Out:
Sean Lake  → Betham Dogs 
Gabrielle Bradley  → N/A

First XI (in batting order):

1. Brianna Eastwood  (F) - Age 21 (RHB/ROS; Batter)
2. Dharmendra Reddy  (M) - Age 27 (RHB/ROS; Batter)
3. Roderick Hale   (M) - Age 26 (RHB; Batter)
4. (c) Chloe Anderson  (F) - Age 23 (LHB/LLS; All Rounder)
5. Zachary Charlton  (M) - Age 32 (LHB/LM; Batter)
6. Samuel Petersen  (M) - Age 29 (RHB/RF; All Rounder)
7. (+) Victor Stonton  (M) - Age 32 (RHB; Wicketkeeper)
8. Ross Amitt  (M) - Age 30 (RHB/RMF; Bowler)
9. Anna Huntingfield  (F) - Age 34 (LHB/LLS; Bowler)
10. Panu Tripathi   (M) - Age 24 (RHB/RLS; Bowler)
11. Angara Barragai  (M) - Age 30 (RHB/RFM; Bowler)

Reserves:

Matthew Stopling  (M) - Age 32 (LHB; Batter)
Abigail Tozer  (F) - Age 22 (RHB/RMF; Batter)
Andy Rombigo  (M) - Age 22 (LHB/ROS; Batter)
Redmond Rombigo  (M) - Age 22 (LHB/LM; Batter)
Layla Mackersey  (F) - Age 21 (RHB/RFM; All Rounder)
Angus Hackett  (M) - Age 17 (LHB/RF; Bowler)
Layla Milerum  (F) - Age 27 (LHB/LFM; Bowler)

International T20 Stats:

Ross Amitt: 5 matches. 10 runs @ 10.00, SR 166.67, HS 10, 0 50s, 0 100s. 6 wickets @ 24.37, economy 6.43, SR 23.00, BBI 3-24, 0 4-fors.
Chloe Anderson: 4 matches. 52 runs @ 26.00, SR 130.00, HS 26*, 0 50s, 0 100s. 0 wickets @ N/A, economy 7.33, SR N/A, BBI 0-9, 0 4-fors.
Zachary Charlton: 4 matches. 18 runs @ 6.00, SR 105.88, HS 10, 0 50s, 0 100s.
Brianna Eastwood: 7 matches. 220 runs @ 44.00, SR 121.55, HS 75*, 2 50s, 0 100s. 0 wickets @ N/A, economy 7.00, SR N/A, BBI 0-5, 0 4-fors.
Roderick Hale: 6 matches. 210 runs @ 52.50, SR 176.47, HS 71*, 2 50s, 0 100s.
Samuel Petersen: Unknown
Dharmendra Reddy: Unknown
Panu Tripathi: Unknown

by **Sylestone** » Thu Jan 20, 2022 2:02 pm

CUBICLE ONE-DAY CUP

Season Two

Matchday One

New Gloucester Jaguars vs Central Sylestone Snakes @ Chamberley Cricket Ground, Chamberley

Central Sylestone Snakes - 6/353 (50)
A Fihelly 117 (124)			J de Polo 2/57 (10)
S Asaskia 110* (78)			S Scron 2/80 (10)

New Gloucester Jaguars - 9/324 (50)
S Cross 102 (88)			K Sonnel 4/60 (10)
C Freehill 65 (56)			A Hackett 2/57 (8)

Player of the match: Samuel Asaskia
Central Sylestone Snakes win by 29 runs

Talk about a start to the second edition of the Cubicle One-Day Cup - an absolute run-fest at the Chamberley Cricket Ground. Batting first, Alyssa Fihelly and Amy Helms got the innings off to a good start, scoring 53 for the loss of no wicket inside the first ten overs before the field began to spread. It was there when they upped the ante, but Helms’s wicket with the score on 78 was a vital one, Juan de Polo providing the breakthrough. The big wicket of Jonah Appleby followed soon after, but Cameron Cunnings became a useful ally for the young opener, scoring a well-made fifty before he was dismissed in the 27th over, the score 3-156, Fihelly 70 not out. With wickets in hand, Samuel Asaskia got himself set and began to put the bowlers to the sword, Fihelly playing a support role and giving him as much of the strike as possible. Eventually, though, she was dismissed for a marvellous 117 in the 43rd over, but she’d done her job and much, much more. Useful cameos from Madeline Barff and Seth Halliday saw the total of 350, while Asaskia finished with an unbeaten, 78-ball 110 to begin his season on a strong note. For the bowlers, Juan de Polo (2-57) was the pick, while Samuel Scron (2-80) also picked up multiple wickets.

But 353 would be too big of a chase for the Jaguars to complete. The early loss of Edward Cunningham was a big blow, but Caitlyn Freehill and Samuel Cross refused to give up. The two of them combined for a 131-run stand in a tad over 19 overs, before Freehill was dismissed for 65 in the 21st over. Cross continued to impress and reached an 85-ball century in the 29th over, but it simply was not enough, falling the following over as Kate Sonnel spun a web around the middle-order with big leg-spinners and hidden variations. Mitchell Stein stood tall for a superb 58 from just 50 balls, but all around him, wickets fell. The Jaguars ended up with 9-324 from their allocated overs, falling 29 runs short, with four wickets to Kate Sonnel being the main difference, although Samuel Asaskia’s death bowling and Angus Hackett’s tearaway pace on debut were all significant factors in the outcome. Still, what a great win for the Snakes, to defeat last season’s runners-up with relative ease.

Suffolk Seals vs Freeman Firestorm @ Bolton Oval, Pesfield

Suffolk Seals - 5/275 (50)
L Tiati 77 (97)				A Tasso 1/27 (4)
L Cocrine 70* (66)			C Latour 1/43 (7)

[b]Freeman Firestorm - 9/196 (50)
A Tasso 60 (83)				F Stanton 5/34 (10)
Z Jonjaakh 35* (38)			R Amitt 1/28 (8)

Player of the match: Fergus Stanton
Suffolk Seals win by 79 runs

Well, what a start for the defending champions. On a surprisingly slow and low Bolton Oval pitch, where runs are usually flowing all day long, Luke Tiati and his Seals were sent in by Aiden Tasso under greyish skies and humid conditions. The hosts got off to a slow start, only scoring 17 from the first five overs, before the Firestorm picked up the all-important wicket of Peter Cuniry for just six. However, Brianna Eastwood, newly-promoted to number three, set about her innings in a rather positive fashion, quickly outscoring her skipper to have the score 1-41 at the end of the powerplay. From there, Tiati and Eastwood upped the ante, but as Anna Huntingfield came on to bowl, the latter all of a sudden began to struggle. Eventually, it was Aiden Tasso who got her, though, for an 81-ball 65, bringing Lachlan Cocrine to the crease in the 30th over. With only two wickets down and twenty overs still left, the Seals were right on top, even with the score still below 150, but Freeman didn’t give in. A few overs later, Luke Tiati was sent back, leg before wicket, but that did not deter Cocrine. He anchored the remainder of the innings, finishing with an unbeaten 70 to guide the Seals to 5-275, at least 25 runs above par on a tricky surface. Now, all their bowlers had to do was back it up.

And so they did. The early breakthroughs of Sean Lake and Erin Hosbury ensured Freeman were well behind the eight-ball, the score only 2-36 at the end of the first ten overs. Zachary Arafase and Tasso began to build a partnership, though, and slowly, the scoring rate began to increase. At the end of 18 overs, the game was in the balance, the Firestorm 2-78. And that was where it turned on its head.

The induction of Fergus Stanton into the attack quickly saw the backs of Arafase and Kieran Force, and in his sixth over, Aiden Tasso. Chelsea Latour joined Matthew Stopling, but tight bowling meant that neither could really get going, the required run-rate ballooning well above 10 an over. Eventually, both were dismissed by Stanton, picking his maiden five-wicket haul, but that just confirmed the inevitable. Some late hitting from Zangj Jonjaakh brought the deficit below 100, but even that was simply a consolation act, Suffolk eventually winning by 79 runs in a rather dominant display. Certainly are world champions, eh?

South Sylestone Scorpions vs Capital Coyotes @ Betham Cricket Ground, Betham

South Sylestone Scorpions - 7/209 (50)
P Shotenham 87* (131)			J Vilesti 2/50 (10)
A Luke 31 (60)				B Hall 1/26 (10)

Capital Coyotes -  9/212 (38.5)
F Crena 71 (101)			N Pistecial 3/40 (7)
H Paling 36 (40)			O Lovia 3/53 (8.5)

Player of the match: Broughton Hall
Capital Coyotes win by one wicket with 67 balls remaining

A brilliant Broughton Hall innings under pressure has saved the Capital Coyotes from disaster in the opening round of the Cubicle One-Day Cup, chasing just 209 to win on a low, turning Betham deck. Winning the toss and electing to bowl first, the Coyotes tore through the top order but faced immediate resistance from Patrick Shotenham and Amber Luke. In the end, the former ended up batting through the innings for 87, while wickets fell around him, not really accelerating until the final couple of overs due to the pitch conditions.

In pursuit of a decent total of 209, Holly Paling and Taylah Monnier came out blazing, but when Monnier and Brock Westleford fell to Norbert Pistecial’s swing bowling, they were forced to take things down a notch. When Paling fell in the 12th over, the score was all of a sudden 3-66, the Coyotes in dire need of a partnership. Fergus Crena joined Capital captain Peter Lenton and the two of them combined for 58, before the latter was dismissed top-edging Osten Lovia to shot fine-leg. Soon after, Crena was dropped - a costly miss considering the state of the match. But he stayed, and forged invaluable partnerships with Riley Accrington and Nathan Norwell, bringing the Coyotes ever closer to their victory target. But the game had another twist left. With the score on 200 and the visitors seven down, Crena was dismissed for 71, throwing the game wide open. Two balls later, Phoebe Wright fell, leaving the Coyotes with ten to win, but only a single wicket left. And that’s where Broughton Hall comes in.

On 16 not out at the time, he keeps Joshua Vilesti away from the strike for the next two overs, before creaming two fours off Lovia to seal the victory with 67 balls remaining. A brilliant effort from the nation’s best spinner, backing up his economical figures of 2-16 from ten with superb batting. At only 23 years of age, what a future he has.

Matchday Two

Central Sylestone Snakes vs Capital Coyotes @ Halpenley City Oval, Halpenley

Capital Coyotes - 7/262 (50)
T Monnier 56 (70)			S Asaskia 4/48 (10)
B Westleford 53 (73)			S Halliday 1/44 (10)

Central Sylestone Snakes - 6/266 (45)
C Cunnings 125* (116)			P Wright 3/56 (8)
S Knox 70 (73)				J Vilesti 1/39 (8)

Player of the match: Cameron Cunnings
Central Sylestone Snakes win by four wickets with 30 balls remaining

On a surprisingly green pitch in Halpenley, the Snakes and the Coyotes locked horns in an attempt to discover which of these two undefeated sides were the best. At many points throughout their innings, the Coyotes seemed set to take the game away from the Snakes, but wickets at regular intervals ensured that they could not. Fifties to Taylajh Monnier and Brock Westleford were not converted, nor were forties to Peter Lenton and Nathan Norwell, although the latter was still not out at the end of the innings. Four wickets to Samuel Asaskia, bowling short, sharp spells, were vital, while Angus Hackett, Seth Halliday and Kate Sonnel all picked up one apiece, the Coyotes finishing with 7-262 from their fifty overs.

Usually in Sylestonean One-Day matches, 262 is just a little short of the mark. But Phoebe Wright and Josh Vilesti came out and bowled with real heat, taking regular wickets to put the hosts on the back foot. Amy Helms was the first to go, followed by Alyssa Fihelly, Jonah Appleby and Samuel Asaskia, the score 4-50 from 13 overs. Madeline Barff also came and went for a quickfire twenty and in just 18 overs of madness, the Snakes had lost half of their wickets for just 77 runs, Samantha Knox the only remaining recognised batter.

But the Snakes fought, and fought hard. Cunnings and Knox dug in, ticking the runs over and not letting the required run-rate get out of hand. Cunnings passed fifty with the score on 137 and began to up the ante, before Knox passed her milestone eight overs later, the score 186. From there, both Cunnings and Knox began to bring the runs down in a hurry, but with the partnership worth 148, the score 225 and Cunnings in triple figures, another twist came. Phoebe Wright, whose over had already gone for thirteen, managed to slip a yorker through Knox, dismissing her for a career-high 70, keeping her side in the game. But they could not finish it off, with Halliday compiling a whirlwind 24 to ensure the victory, Cunnings still there, unbeaten on 125. The Snakes were up and running, with two wins in two games. Stopping them now would be a feat.

Freeman Firestorm vs South Sylestone Scorpions @ Freeman Oval, Freeman

South Sylestone Scorpions - 9/352 (50)
P Shotenham 143 (136)			Z Jonjaakh 3/83 (9)
N Pistecial 80* (48)			A Huntingfield 2/59 (10)

Freeman Firestorm - 7/274 (50)
S Lake 80 (70)				L Codrington 2/54 (10)
K Force 61 (69)				R Jones 2/65 (9)

Player of the match: Patrick Shotenham
South Sylestone Scorpions win by 78 runs

Patrick Shotenham’s good form has carried across from the Scorpions ill-fated opening game, this time making three figures and turning it into a big score. On a fast Freeman Oval track, Chloe Anderson batted first and piled on the runs. While she herself didn’t make too many, Samuel Creln and Shotenham rebounded from the early wicket of Nicholas Lovia, forming a 146-run partnership before Creln was dismissed for 63, the score 2-157 in the 23rd over. Amber Luke and Anderson both made starts, and Hodel was delivered a snorter fifth ball, the Scorpions 5-210 with 14 overs remaining. Most number seven batters would have been wary, getting themselves in before hitting out, but Norbert Pistecial didn’t play that way, even with his partner in triple figures at the other end. Instead, he attacked the bowling from the outset, combining with the South Sylestone number three for a 107 run partnership, off just 62 balls, before Shotenham was caught on the boundary for a 136-ball 143. Wickets tumbled following his dismissal, but Pistecial refused to halt the offensive, finishing unbeaten with 80 from 48 balls, playing a big role in guiding his state to 9-352. The Firestorm would have to live up to their name if they were to get even close to that total.

They couldn’t. Sean Lake played well for his 80, but as was the theme of the innings, he was dismissed just before he became a significant threat, Ryan Jones’s “off-spin” picking up the key wickets of him and Kieran Force, another half-centurion. Leo Codrington also picked up two wickets, conceding only 54 runs off ten overs while he was at it. Eventually, Freeman could only score 274 runs for seven wickets off their fifty overs, the Scorpions winning their first match of the season by a good margin - 78 runs - against the side that’s almost unarguably the weakest in the competition.

New Gloucester Jaguars vs Suffolk Seals @ Chamberley Cricket Ground

New Gloucester Jaguars - 5/299 (50)
E Cunningham 120 (115)			G Haines 2/59 (9)
M Stein 51* (57)			T Strand 1/32 (7)

Suffolk Seals - 9/292 (50)
B Eastwood 94 (110)			S Scron 5/48 (10)
J Babbage 48* (35)			S Cross 3/46 (7)

Player of the match: Samuel Scron
New Gloucester Jaguars win by seven runs

The rematch between last year’s finalists was always destined to be an intriguing one, particularly after only four runs could separate the two sides. However, this season in Chamberley, the Jaguars have gained revenge on the Seals, downing them by seven runs thanks to a century from Edward Cunningham and five wickets to Samuel Scron. Opening up, Cunningham and Caitlyn Freehill got the New Gloucester innings off to a flier before Freehill was dismissed in the 14th over for 40, bringing Samuel Cross to the crease. The two of them combined for a solid stand, but Cross fell for 31 just as he was looking to increase the scoring rate. Liam Afosha did a similar thing, too, so when Mitchell Stein arrived at the crease, the Jaguars were only 3-164 from 30 overs, about 20 runs short of where they really would have wanted to be considering the state of the pitch and the starts the rest of the batters had made. However their biggest blow came around the 40 over mark, when Cunningham fell for 120 from 115, the Seals having removed the Jaguars’ best shot at a total clear of 300. But cameos from Oliver Edwards and Ashton Stealom got them pretty darn close, Mitchell Stein also hangin in there until the with an unbeaten 51, a detrimental part of the hosts’ final total of 5-299. A good score, but on such a docile pitch, probably a bit below par.

But the early wicket of Luke Tiati changed that. Even if the pitch was fast and flat, 300 runs in 50 overs is never an easy target, especially with your best bat back in the sheds. However, 50-run partnerships between Brianna Eastwood and Peter Cuniry, and Eastwood and Lachlan Cocrine, shifted the momentum of the game. In reality, the Suffolk innings was rather similar to that of the Jaguars, with one batter batting through the majority of the innings while others fell around them. However, the run rate was nowhere near as high, and by the time the 40th over mark came around, Suffolk were still 88 runs in arrears and five wickets down. But Eastwood was still there, in the high 80s, and was in supreme touch. If anyone could get the Seals home, it was her.

So when she was bowled two overs later by Samuel Cross, Suffolk’s fleeting hopes were all but dismissed, youngster Jai Babbage left to bat with the tail. The 21-year-old brought his side within 22 runs of the Jaguars total with one over remaining, but it proved to be too much for him, finishing with an unbeaten 48, his side falling short by a mere seven runs. The Jaguars had their revenge.

Matchday Three

Suffolk Seals vs Central Sylestone Snakes @ Dodle Furnace, Dodle

Central Sylestone Snakes - 6/272 (50)
A Fihelly 130 (145)			R Amitt 2/60 (10)
J Appleby 64 (83)			T Mankira 1/37 (10)

Suffolk Seals - 9/255 (50)
L Tiati 73 (92)				S Asaskia 3/57 (10)
L Cocrine 46 (56)			A Hackett 2/31 (6)

Player of the match: Alyssa Fihelly
Central Sylestone Snakes win by 17 runs

My, the Snakes are on a roll. With two wins from their opening two outings, they proceeded to defend a rather small total on a good batting surface, away from home, too. The Central Sylestone innings was anchored by Alyssa Fihelly, who formed 100-run partnerships with both Jonah Appleby (64) and Samuel Asaskia (56 not out), to help guide the Snakes to their final total of 6-272. She was dismissed in the final over of the innings for 130 and although she didn’t appear to be too happy with her strike-rate, it had still been a marvellous knock, and indicated that there might just be a little bit of something in the Dodle Furnace pitch - something that was exploited by Ross Amitt (2-60) and Talvin Mankira (1-37).

In the second innings, a wicket apiece to openers Seth Halliday and Malcolm Marshall ensured that Suffolk was behind the eight-ball from the outset, although Luke Tiati was still there. But Lachlan Cocrine hung around with him before 17-year-old tearaway quick shattered his stumps to leave the Seals at 3-116. Then, in the 29th over, Kate Sonnel picked up the biggest wicket of all - Luke Tiati for 73 - to put the Snakes well and truly into the box seat. Jayden Menkens and Fergus Stanton gave the innings some oomph, but both were dismissed by Samuel Asaskia in the high 30s, the Seals eventually only managing a score of 9-255 from fifty overs.

South Sylestone Scorpions vs New Gloucester Jaguars @ Tutham Oval, Tutham

South Sylestone Scorpions - 9/306 (50)
C Anderson 157* (104)			L Afosha 3/54 (7)
A Luke 55 (87)				S Scron 3/78 (10)

New Gloucester Jaguars - 8/295 (50)
L Afosha 76 (81)			L Codrington 2/48 (10)
O Edwards 49 (28)			N Pistecial 1/37 (9)

Player of the match: Chloe Anderson
South Sylestone Scorpions win by 11 runs

Chloe Anderson’s return to form has been announced in the most violent way possible - in an absolute demolition of the New Gloucester Jaguars. Coming in at 3-76 after 22 overs, the Jaguars well on top due to the abysmal scoring rate of the home side, she immediately looked to attack. She forged a paramount 130-run partnership with a struggling Amber Luke, tearing Liam Afosha’s good figures to pieces. She did similar to Samuel Scron and Leo Njata, with only the Jaguars’ two leg-spinners and Samuel Cross not copping excessive punishment. 113 runs came off the final ten overs of the innings, almost 80 of which came from the blade of Chloe Anderson. She finished unbeaten with 157 from 104 balls, pulling her side across the right side of 300 to finish with 9-306. The Scorpions were in the box seat, but the Jaguars had a spectacular batting lineup. The game was not over just yet.

Edward Cunningham and Caitlyn Freehill struggled to get going, the asking rate quickly climbing above sevens even after they were dismissed. When Samuel Cross failed to really get going, too, questions were beginning to be asked about the state of the pitch, but Liam Afosha and Oliver Edwards appeared to deny any accusations about it. Coming together at 3-101 after 25 overs, the pair of them put on 84 runs in ten overs to keep the game alive, but when Edwards was dismissed for 49 from just 28 balls, the momentum fell back into the hands of the Scorpions. Mitchell Stein went soon after and a couple of overs later, when Afosha was run out for 76, it seemed only a matter of time. Ashton Stealom and Juan de Polo did their best to keep the game alive, but the required run-rate was simply too high, Leo Codrington and Norbert Pistecial’s death bowling too accurate for them to get away. The Jaguars ended up falling 11 runs short, slumping to their second loss of the season after three games, while South Sylestone picked up their second win.

Capital Coyotes vs Freeman Firestorm @ Cleorough Stadium, Cleorough

Capital Coyotes - 8/245 (50)
B Westleford 63 (79)			J Campton 4/27 (10)
C Elliott 54 (60)			C Latour 1/37 (8)

Freeman Firestorm - 8/248 (40)
S Lake 135* (129)			B Hall 5/57 (9)
E Hosbury 56 (50)			P Lenton 1/18 (2)

Player of the match: Sean Lake
Freeman Firestorm win by two wickets with 60 balls remaining

In a match between two sides desperate for a victory, the Freeman Firestorm won the toss and elected to bowl first, sending the Coyotes in at Cleorough. Caitlyn Elliott, playing her first game of the season, got off to an aggressive start, scoring at close to a run a ball throughout the powerplay. After the loss of Taylah Monnier in the sixth over, she and Brock Westleford began to build a good partnership, but it was cut short in the 18th over by Jason Campton, dismissing the opener, caught behind, for a 60-ball 54. Westleford continued to score, but he couldn’t find another truly stable partner before he was the fifth wicket to fall in the 32nd over, the score 143. Campton continued to tie down an end, taking regular wickets, to finish with 4-27 off his ten overs - an excellent performance on a wicket famous for favouring the spinners. Some good death bowling from Angara Barragai and Anna Huntingfield ensured that wickets continued to tumble, the Coyotes only able to muster a final total of 8-245 from their fifty overs.

Aiden Tasso and Sean Lake got the innings off to a flier, scoring 60 in the first nine overs before the Firestorm captain was dismissed for 27. But Erin Hosbury didn’t slacken off, scoring even quicker than her captain as the Coyote bowlers began to stray. Lake passed fifty in the 15th over and continued to up the ante, moving through the 50s and 60s with alarming speed. In the 23rd over, Hosbury brought up a 43-ball 50 with a whip off her pads over mid-wicket and with the score 1-180 after 25 overs, Lake 95 not out.

And that was when it all fell apart.

Broughton Hall, whose figures where an uncharacteristic 0-38 from four overs, dismissed Hosbury and Zachary Arafase just two balls apart, before picking up Kieran Force two overs later for just two. Matthew Stopling hung around with Lake for a little while, seeing him past his century, but when he and Chelsea Latour were dismissed with the score on 215, the momentum had completely shifted back in the favour of the visitors. Zangj Jonjaakh and Huntingfield didn’t last long, either, and before long, the score was 8-234 from 27 overs, Lake not out on 125. But the Firestorm hung on, Lake hitting the winning runs with a drive straight past Josh Vilesti on the final ball of the 40th over. Freeman had nearly choked it, but Lake had done it. They had their first victory of the season.

Matchday Four

Central Sylestone Snakes vs Freeman Firestorm @ Halpenley City Oval, Halpenley

Central Sylestone Snakes - 290 (44.3)
S Asaskia 91 (78)			Z Jonjaakh 3/46 (7.3)
A Helms 52 (62)				A Huntingfield 3/50 (9)

Freeman Firestorm - 9/291 (45.4)
C Latour 72* (70)			S Asaskia 3/41 (7.5)
M Stopling 45 (51)			K Sonnel 2/46 (9)

Player of the match: Chelsea Latour
Freeman Firestorm win by one wicket with 26 balls remaining

Central Sylestone’s first loss has come at the hands of one of the most unlikely culprits - Freeman Firestorm - and at home, too. On a turning wicket, Amy Helms and Alyssa Fihelly got the hosts off to a good start before were dismissed two overs apart around the 20-over mark to the leg-spin of Anna Huntingfield. From there, the collapse began, Jonah Appleby falling soon after, bringing Samuel Asaskia to the crease in the 23rd over, the score 3-113. Right from the outset, the Brethonenil-based all-rounder took the game on, scoring at a strike rate of over 100 while wickets tumbled at the other end. No one was really able to help him out as Chelsea Latour ran through the middle-order and Zangj Jonjaakh the tail. The Snakes eventually mustered a total of 290 - a very good one on a turning surface - but it could have been a lot more, being bowled out with 33 balls still remaining in the innings.

For Freeman, Sean Lake, Aiden Tasso, Erin Hosbury and Zachary Arafase all made scores of between 20 and 40, but to their immense frustration, none could go on to make a half-century or more. Kieran Force fell cheaply soon after, bringing Matthew Stopling and Chelsea Latour to the crease, the score 5-153 from 24 overs, thanks to aggressive knocks from Lake and Hosbury. The two middle-order batters combined for a 92-run stand from 16 overs, taking the score to 245 before Stopling was dismissed for 45 in the 40th over. Some lusty blows from Zangj Jonjaakh and Anna Huntingfield brought the required runs down into single figures with only seven wickets lost, but there was only, final twist, Samuel Asaskia using his change-ups to extract a little something from the surface, dismissing Huntingfield and Jason Campton. But Latour was still at the crease, and that proved fatal for the Snakes, the Firestorm number seven hitting the winning boundary to ensure her side of their second win on the trot.

New Gloucester Jaguars vs Capital Coyotes @ Chamberley Cricket Ground, Chamberley

Capital Coyotes - 9/244 (50)
P Lenton 53 (72)			L Njata 3/32 (9)
R Accrington 48 (46)			M Poci 3/50 (10)

New Gloucester Jaguars - 6/248 (45.1)
M Stein 57 (64)				R Accrington 3/54 (8)
S Cross 54 (74)				B Hall 1/31 (9.1)

Player of the match: Mitchell Stein
New Gloucester Jaguars win by four wickets with 29 balls remaining

It was a game of starts, in terms of batting. For the Capital Coyotes, winning the toss and electing to bat in Chamberley, no batter in the top seven made less than eleven, but only one could pass the fifty mark; captain Peter Lenton with a 72-ball 53. But even so, most batters struggled against the economical bowling of the hosts, the Coyotes only managing 244 from their 50 overs thanks to some late hitting from Nathan Norwell and to a lesser extent, Riley Accrington. Leo Njata and Milan Poci were excellent with the ball, picking up three wickets apiece, while the fielding was also superb, the remaining three wickets being run-outs.

The early wicket of Edward Cunningham gave the Coyotes a sniff, but Caitlyn Freehill and Samuel Cross saw off the new ball and began to accelerate, nudging the run-rate back up to the required five an over. However, when both were dismissed a couple of overs apart, Capital kept their tiny chances of winning the match alive, the score 3-128 from 28 overs. But Liam Afosha and Mitchell Stein refused to allow them to get any closer, combining for a 106-run partnership before Afosha was dismissed with just eleven required to win. Soon after, having passed fifty just before the fall of his captain, Stein was also dismissed, but the game was over, the Jaguars passing the Coyotes’ total with four wickets in hand and 29 balls remaining for their second win of the season.

Suffolk Seals vs South Sylestone Scorpions @ Bolton Oval, Pesfield

Suffolk Seals - 6/278 (50)
L Cocrine 86 (98)			N Pistecial 2/54 (10)
B Eastwood 78 (115)			A Hodel 1/36 (10)

South Sylestone Scorpions - 8/231 (50)
S Creln 58 (90)				F Stanton 3/49 (9)
C Anderson 49 (48)			G Haines 2/36 (9)

Player of the match: Lachlan Cocrine
Suffolk Seals win by 47 runs

After being sent in by fellow Sylestone international Chloe Anderson, Luke Tiati opened up for the Suffolk Seals with serious intent, looking to score as many runs as possible with the pace on the ball, as the pitch appeared to be very spin-friendly. But while he scored at a good clip over a run a ball, Peter Cuniry continued his struggles at the other end, eventually being run out for ten in the tenth over, the score 1-60. Soon after, Angelina Hodel picked up the big wicket of Luke Tiati, putting the Scorpions right back in the game.

Brianna Eastwood and Lachlan Cocrine had other ideas, though, working their way into a partnership against accurate pace bowling from Hodel and wily leggies from Osten Lovia made the going rather tough. Yet, they both survived both bowlers’ initial bursts before moving into second gear, and began to up the ante. Cocrine succeeded more than Eastwood, who struggled throughout her innings, but she did well enough to play an integral role in a 149-run partnership before she was run out on 78. Cocrine continued to play well, but wickets fell around him until he, too, was dismissed for 86 in the final over. The Seals finished with a score around par, 6-278, considering the unusual turning nature of the surface.

An excellent opening partnership of 70 in 16 overs between Nicholas Lovia (35 from 48) and Samuel Creln (58 from 90) gave the Scorpions a sniff, but when the former and the in-form Patrick Shotenham were dismissed just three runs apart, the Seals never looked back. Chloe Anderson and Angelina Hodel both made scores in the 40s, but neither could really take the game on and provide a little bit of rearguard action. The Scorpions innings kind of stumbled away to 8-231 after their fifty overs were up, Suffolk finding their route back into the winners’ circle with a 47 run victory.

Matchday Five

South Sylestone Scorpions vs Central Sylestone Snakes @ Betham Cricket Ground, Betham

South Sylestone Scorpions - 5/220 (50)
C Anderson 71 (91)			K Sonnel 2/36 (8)
S Creln 59 (89)				A Kennedy 1/27 (5)

Central Sylestone Snakes - 156 (46.5)
S Knox 51 (84)				O Lovia 3/42 (9.5)
A Kennedy 28 (32)			N Pistecial 3/42 (10)

Player of the match: Osten Lovia
South Sylestone Scorpions win by 64 runs

On a batting minefield in Betham, Samuel Asaskia won the toss and, without hesitation, sent his opposite number in for the first dig. The move paid off, too, with Malcolm Marshall picking up the early wicket of Nicholas Lovia, before Samuel Creln and Patrick Shotenham began to dig in. However, batting never proved to be easy for the hosts, Shotenham’s wicket in the 14th over bringing Amber Luke to the crease. The out-of-form right-hander continued her struggles throughout the season, eventually being dismissed for a 30-ball 10 in the 21st over, having (accidentally) hogged the strike ever since she arrived at the crease. But her wicket was far from the end of the world, for it brought the Scorpion skipper to the crease, who immediately looked to read the track better than any to play on it. Anderson anchored the remainder of the innings, keeping her head even after the dismissal of Creln for 59, eventually being dismissed in the penultimate over for a 91-ball 71, good death bowling the only thing stopping her from getting many more. The Scorpions finished with 5-220 from their 50 overs - usually a score well below par - but not on this pitch. Hell, anything over 150 would have been acceptable.

And in the end, 220 proved to be too much for the Snakes batters. Of the top five batters, only one, Alyssa Fihelly, made it to double figures as the visitors slumped to 5-55 in the 19th over. However, that brought Samantha Knox and the aggressive Abbey Kennedy to the wicket, of whom put together a 43-run partnership; the best of the innings. But when Kennedy fell for a quickfire 28 in the 30th over, the game was truly done and dusted, Seth Halliday’s solid defence only delaying the inevitable and allowing his batting partner to make 50 before she was the ninth out with the score on 150. The Snakes ended with 156, being bowled out on the fifth ball of the 47th over, to fall 64 runs short of their target.

Capital Coyotes vs Suffolk Seals @ Capital Stadium, Avondale

Capital Coyotes - 9/268 (50)
C Elliott 104 (92)			N Norwell 2/55 (10)
F Crena 68 (71)				J Vilesti 2/55 (10)

Suffolk Seals - 7/263 (50)
L Cocrine 82 (70)			K Sonnel 3/53 (10)
B Eastwood 53 (82)			S Asaskia 2/47 (10)

Player of the match: Caitlyn Elliott
Capital Coyotes win by five runs

Jai Babbage peered out from beyond his grill towards the bowler 50 metres away, knowing that this ball was the be all and end all for the game. This had to disappear out of the park. The score was 6-263 from 49.5 overs, an 80-odd from Lachlan Cocrine anchoring the run chase, while Luke Tiati and Brianna Eastwood chipped in with fifties, too. They’d done the hard yards - and it was his turn. He couldn’t let his team down. That was the thought, ever on repeat, circling his mind.

Earlier, 18-year-old Caitlyn Elliott had blown the Suffolk bowlers away with an astonishing century, backing up her fifty in her previous game to announce herself to the rest of the nation. Fergus Crena also chipped in with a vital 68, batting right until the end of the innings, a late burst helping the Coyotes to 9-268, roughly par on a decent batting surface like the Capital Stadium.

So there you have it. Six runs to win. One ball to go. This was it for Jai Babbage.

Just as the bowler, Samuel Asaskia reached his stride, Babbage pushed back in his crease, preparing for the yorker. But Asaskia, his international experience shining through, saw him, and delivered the ball a foot fuller than he would have. On the back foot, the 21-year-old batter saw the trajectory of the delivery and realised, with horror, that there was next to nothing he could do about it. Thinking on his feet, he shuffled across to get into position to ramp, but the next thing he knew, his middle stump was cartwheeling out of the ground. The pressure had been too immense. He was out. His side had lost. And he could not believe it.

Freeman Firestorm vs New Gloucester Jaguars @ Freeman Oval, Freeman

Freeman Firestorm - 7/249 (50)
S Lake 96 (125)				L Afosha 3/38 (8)
A Tasso 45 (61)				C Freehill 1/17 (4)

New Gloucester Jaguars - 3/250 (33)
S Cross 131* (95)			A Huntingfield 2/62 (7)
E Cunningham 76 (68)			J Campton 1/38 (5)

Player of the match: Samuel Cross
New Gloucester Jaguars win by seven wickets with 102 balls remaining

With both sides on two wins from four matches, this match between the Firestorm and the Jaguars would determine who would join the Snakes and Scorpions on three wins, and who would not. A pretty even game you would think, right?

Lol.

Batting first, the Firestorm put an under par but defendable 7-249 on the board, a poor score considering that, at one stage, they were 0-76 after 18 overs. Sean Lake anchored the innings with a superb 96, falling just short of a deserved ton due to a piece of stunning fielding from Juan de Polo, picking up and throwing in one movement, and achieving a direct hit while at it. Towards the back end, the innings sort of spluttered out, no one really able to hit the boundaries required to get beyond that magic 260 or 270 score. Off-spinner Liam Afosha picked up his best figures thus far this season, with 3-38 from eight overs, while the other bowlers also chipped oin, bowling tight lines and lengths to strangle the Firestorm.

But the run chase… oh my. When Caitlyn Freehill fell for two on the first ball of the second over, Freeman had a sniff, but it did not last long. Samuel Cross arrived at the crease and between he and Edward Cunningham, the score rollicked along to 1-68 before the field began to spread and from there, the scoring rate would only be upped. When Cunningham was eventually dismissed for 76 in the 22nd over, the game was already done, the partnership worth 167 and the score 171. Liam Afosha helped his partner past a sublime century, contributing with a 40-odd before he fell with just a handful of runs required. Cross finished with an unbeaten 131 from 96 balls, hitting the winning runs off the bowling of Anna Huntingfield in just the 33rd over with the fall of three wickets. A “convincing victory” puts it lightly. More like a “complete fucking slaughtering”.

Current Table

* Cubicle One-Day Cup           Pld   W  D  L   NRR    Pts
1 New Gloucester Jaguars          5   3  0  2  +0.430    6
2 South Sylestone Scorpions       5   3  0  2  +0.185    6
3 Central Sylestone Snakes        5   3  0  2  -0.046    6
4 Suffolk Seals                   5   2  0  3  +0.388    4
5 Capital Coyotes                 5   2  0  3  -0.207    4
6 Freeman Firestorm               5   2  0  3  -0.722    4

by **Sylestone** » Tue Feb 08, 2022 1:37 pm

CUBICLE ONE-DAY CUP

Season Two

Matchday Six

Central Sylestone Snakes vs New Gloucester Jaguars @ Halpenley City Oval, Halpenley

New Gloucester Jaguars - 3/298 (50)
C Freehill 117* (136)			S Asaskia 2/42 (10)
L Afosha 106 (91)			M Marshall 1/78 (10)

Central Sylestone Snakes - 8/258 (50)
S Asaskia 87 (103)			J de Polo 3/38 (10)
S Halliday 40 (42)			L Afosha 1/40 (7)

Player of the match: Liam Afosha
New Gloucester Jaguars win by 40 runs

Caitlyn Freehill, coming into the Jaguars’ sixth-round match against the Snakes, knew she was out of form. However, while batting on a turning Halpenley deck, she looked anything but, anchoring the New Gloucester innings with an unbeaten 117, while batters around her attempted to go big. Samuel Cross got a rare duck after Edward Cunningham came out blazing at the beginning of the innings, but Liam Afosha looked perfectly calm at the crease for his 106. While Oliver Edwards failed to find his touch at the back end of the innings, the Jaguars still succeeded in compiling 3-298 on a tough pitch - at least 30-40 runs above par. In fact, only Samuel Asaskia caused consistent questions for the western state’s batters, picking up 2-42 from his ten overs, while everyone else conceded around six an over, if not well over.

The Snakes never really looked likely to chase the total down, with three of the top four batters all being dismissed for a score between 10 and 20, while opener Alyssa Fihelly looked good for her run-a-ball 32 before Caitlyn Freehill got her. Asaskia, though, really dug in, but could not up the ante when the need was there, dismissed in the final over for an 103-ball 87. After 50 overs, all Central Sylestone could muster was a total of 8-258, but it could’ve been a lot worse after they were 6-131 with 20-odd overs remaining. A good win for the Jaguars, though, who made it three in a row, but the Snakes, after winning their first three matches, haven’t been able to take a trick since that final victory, slumping back into the mid-table.

Freeman Firestorm vs Suffolk Seals @ Freeman Oval, Freeman

Suffolk Seals - 9/413 (50)
L Tiati 160 (124)			A Huntingfield 2/60 (10)
L Cocrine 90 (43)			A Barragai 2/81 (10)

Freeman Firestorm - 9/264 (50)
A Tasso 92 (123)			T Mankira 3/37 (10)
E Hosbury 73 (72)			G Haines 3/59 (10)

Player of the match: Luke Tiati
Suffolk Seals win by 149 runs

Top-order brutality has led the Suffolk Seals to a classy, 149-run thumping of the Freeman Firestorm to get their One-Day Cup campaign back on track. Hannah Gilroy, playing her first match of the season, played the support role in a 188-run partnership with her captain before she was dismissed for a 60-ball 67, having seen Luke Tiati past yet another domestic ton. However, her dismissal only paved the way for the entrance of renowned hitter Lachlan Cocrine, and boy did he deliver. In a 128-run partnership with Tiati, he blazed away for 90 from a mere 43 balls, absolutely tearing the Firestorm attack to all parts of Freeman Oval. no boundary was big enough for him, hitting ten fours and five sixes in the whirlwind knock before he was dismissed in the 37th over. From there, wickets tumbled at a regular rate in search of quick runs, including Tiati’s for 160, Freeman fighting back just a tad to keep the Seals to 9-413 from their 50 overs, instead of a total over 450.

The Firestorm never looked in the hunt. After the early loss of Sean Lake, Aiden Tasso and Erin Hosbury combined for a 140-run partnership, but that was the only real highlight for the hosts. Following Hosbury’s dismissal for 73, wickets fell at regular intervals as the life sputtered out of the Freeman innings, the hosts finishing at 9-264. Georgia Haines and Talvin Mankira played big roles in picking up those aforementioned wickets, sharing six wickets between them to help their state to a mammoth 149-run victory. The multiversal champions were back.

Capital Coyotes vs South Sylestone Scorpions @ Capital Stadium, Avondale

South Sylestone Scorpions - 10/224 (47.4)
N Pistecial 74 (60)			J Vilesti 4/30 (10)
S Creln 30 (50)				N Norwell 3/34 (9)

Capital Coyotes - 5/228 (33)
T Monnier 83 (71)			E Nosten 2/41 (6)
C Elliott 40 (32)			O Lovia 1/37 (7)

Player of the match: Joshua Vilesti
Capital Coyotes win by five wickets with 102 balls remaining

After being bottom of the table two rounds ago, the Capital Coyotes have successfully equalled their loss number with wins following this convincing victory over multiversal first-class champions, the South Sylestone Scorpions. Despite an early blitz from Nicholas Lovia, the Scorpions always appeared slightly behind in the game, before three wickets fell for eight runs to leave the visitors at 6-102 in the 28th over, Joshua Vilesti and Nathan Norwell the chief destroyers. However, Norbert Pistecial was not about to let his state be bowled out cheaply, providing some superb rearguard action with a 60-ball 74 before he was dismissed in the 44th over, the score on 211. The final three wickets fell for a mere thirteen runs, the Scorpions bowled out for 224 with sixteen balls remaining, setting the Coyotes 225 to win on a decent batting surface.

Knowing they were well on top, Taylah Monnier and Caitlyn Elliott absolutely took the game to the Scorpion bowlers, hammering them to all parts of the 100,000-seater in the heart of Avondale. No bowler was handed mercy, even when they took a wicket. Elliott was the first to go, for forty, the lowest score in her three-match career, but Brock Westleford took up the mantle, taking just 17 balls to hammer 29 runs while Monnier upped the ante at the other end. Eventually, the total was chased down in just 33 overs, but it was Josh Vilesti, with figures of 4-30 from his ten overs, who picked up the player of the match award.

Matchday Seven

Capital Coyotes vs Central Sylestone Snakes @ Capital Stadium

Central Sylestone Snakes - 230 (46.1)
S Asaskia 58 (63)			B Hall 6/42 (10)
C Cunnings 39 (48)			P Wright 2/28 (8)

Capital Coyotes - 4/231 (35.2)
T Monnier 92 (97)			K Sonnel 2/60 (9)
P Lenton 43 (39)			S Asaskia 1/16 (3)

Player of the match: Broughton Hall
Capital Coyotes win by six wickets with 88 balls remaining

Broughton Hall - back to his best. On a pitch that had just a little bit in it in Avondale, the young mystery spinner was nigh on unplayable, picking up the tremendous figures of 6-42 from his ten overs. As a result, none of the Central Sylestone batters were able to really get going, Samuel Asaskia the only exception. The Snakes skipper scored a 63-ball 58, including just two boundaries, and looked to be batting on a different pitch to his counterparts. Even still, though, his input could only help his state muster a score of 230, all out in the 47th over. Against a Coyote side with their tails up, the Snakes would have to bowl extremely well to avoid their fourth loss in four games.

They could not. Caitlyn Elliott fell early, but Brock Westleford and Peter Lenton showed serious intent, while Taylah Monnier held the innings together with a flowing 92, coming from just 97 balls. Kate Sonnel managed to pick up a couple of wickets to continue her good form with the ball, but it wasn’t enough, with multiple batters looking to target her as a leg-spinner. Eventually, the Coyotes were able to complete their second quickfire run chase in a row to boost that net run-rate, chasing the total down for the loss of four wickets in just 35.2 overs. The Coyotes were really beginning to shape up as a side to beat.

Suffolk Seals vs New Gloucester Jaguars @ Bolton Oval, Pesfield

Suffolk Seals - 358 (48)
L Tiati 143 (115)			S Scron 5/70 (9)
H Gilroy 95 (85)			S Cross 3/85 (9)

New Gloucester Jaguars - 8/359 (49.4)
C Freehill 151 (129)			T Mankira 4/67 (10)
O Edwards 52 (43)			F Stanton 2/74 (10)

Player of the match: Caitlyn Freehill
New Gloucester Jaguars win by two wickets with two balls remaining

Talk about a game. Determined to get their own back after the New Gloucester Jaguars defeated them by a mere seven runs in the corresponding round two fixture, the Suffolk Seals took the New Gloucester bowling to all parts, racking up 358 runs before they were all out on the final ball of the 48th over. Luke Tiati made yet another century, scoring a 115-ball 143 to take his tally to 303 runs from the past two games alone, while Hannah Gilroy played the support role, falling just shy of a maiden one-day century when she was caught at cover off the bowling of Samuel Cross for 95, the score already 193. From then on, the Jaguars’ bowlers half-heartedly managed to fight their way back into the game, Samuel Scron picking up 5-70 from nine overs, while Cross also took three wickets. But 358… in the history of the Crash n’ Smash, only two sides have successfully chased a total of over 300. One was only mere runs over that mark, while the other was an astonishing blitz by the Capital Coyotes that saw them chase 382 in just 45.4 overs. It was possible for the Jaguars, but it would be very, very tough.

And that’s what made the chase so much more special. Caitlyn Freehill anchored it with a 129-ball 151, but when she was the sixth wicket to fall with 28 balls and 49 runs still remaining, the game was firmly in the Seals’ hands. But the lower-order continued to have a bash and much to the frustration of the bowlers, the total slowly began to be whittled down. With an over remaining, the score was 8-348, and the game was anyone’s. But Milan Poci, with a calm, clear head, successfully bashed back-to-back boundaries to ensure the victory with two balls and two wickets remaining. With five wins and just two losses, the Jaguars seemed prime for their second-straight spot in the final. Could they win this one, if they made it in?

Matchday Eight

Central Sylestone Snakes vs Suffolk Seals @ Wagham Stadium, Conton

Suffolk Seals - 213 (47.2)
F Stanton 52 (55)			M Marshall 4/40 (8.1)
B Eastwood 36 (53)			K Sonnel 2/36 (10)

Central Sylestone Snakes - 6/214 (33.5)
R Rombigo 45* (49)			G Haines 4/27 (6.2)
A Helms 42 (44)				F Stanton 1/31 (4)

Player of the match: Malcolm Marshall
Central Sylestone Snakes win by four wickets with 97 balls remaining

After the Jaguars chased down a seemingly impossible target two days ago, the Suffolk Seals seemed absolutely flustered for their match at Wagham Stadiuml against the Snakes. All five of the Central Sylestone bowlers managed to find their lines and lengths, meaning that nigh on no batter would be able to get going. Only one - Fergus Stanton - was able to pass fifty before he was the eighth player out for 52 as Malcolm Marshall and Samuel Asaskia wrapped up the tail in three balls.

Alyssa Fihelly and Amy Helms got the Snakes innings off to a flier, taking the score to 76 for no loss inside only ten overs before Fihelly fell chasing a wide one. It spurred a collapse of 4-24, but with the score 4-100, Redmond Rombigo and Samuel Asaskia were not fazed, combining for a quickfire 72-run partnership to essentially seal the match. After the cheap loss of Samantha Knox, Marshall and Rombigo steered the ship home with 97 balls still remaining and four wickets in the sheds. For the bowlers, Georgia Haines finally produced her best, picking up 4-27 from 6.2 deadly overs. No other Suffolk bowler conceded less than six runs an over.

New Gloucester Jaguars vs South Sylestone Scorpions @ Evergreen Arena, Emacuton

South Sylestone Scorpions - 7/297 (50)
C Anderson 112 (113)			J de Polo 4/64 (10)
A Luke 62 (63)				S Cross 1/50 (8)

New Gloucester Jaguars - 8/297 (50)
S Cross 95 (77)				L Codrington 3/59 (10)
L Afosha 66* (83)			O Lovia 2/48 (8)

Player of the match: Chloe Anderson
Match Tied

Nearing the end of the second edition of the Cubicle One-Day Cup, the competition has received its first tied match, the South Sylestone Scorpions and New Gloucester Jaguars fighting out an intense match in front of a small crowd in Emacuton. However, the match was plagued by injury, with Liam Afosha and Mitchell Stein each concussed by Ethan Nosten bouncers mere balls apart, both having also passed fifty. If neither had been forced to leave the field, the Jaguars should have won far easier, but it simply was not to be, Samuel Scron edging the final ball of the innings into the gloves of Adam Lonelet to ensure the two states shared the points.

Earlier, early wickets for the Jaguars saw the Scorpions slump to 3-62 in the 13th over before Amber Luke and Chloe Anderson revived the innings, putting on 100 in 113 deliveries before Luke was dismissed for 62. Lonelet also chipped in with some lower-order runs, but ultimately, a score of 297 on such a brilliant batting surface was under par, Juan de Polo playing the role of chief destroyer with 4-64 from his ten overs.

Samuel Cross top-scored in the run chase, coming to the crease with the score on 9 and making 95 from just 77 balls, departing with the Jaguars in firm control on 166 from just 26 overs, Afosha simply giving his partner the strike in the pair’s 101-run partnership. Mitchell Stein then joined Afosha and the two combined for a 91-run partnership, taking the score to 3-257 before Nosten’s bouncers spelled the end of their respective innings’. Even so, it should’ve been a relatively easy job for the lower-order and tail, but somehow, they managed to cock it up. Needing just three from the last over, Scron could manage just two from the first five balls before edging behind on the final ball to hand the Scorpions a much-needed point.

Afosha and Stein will be out for the remaining two rounds, but should hopefully be back in for the all-important final, if the Jaguars hold their spot and make it in.

Freeman Firestorm vs Capital Coyotes @ Ketonley Town Oval, Ketonley

Capital Coyotes - 8/281 (50)
C Elliott 102 (60)			A Huntingfield 2/67 (9)
F Crena 41 (63)				A Tasso 1/35 (10)

Freeman Firestorm - 8/285 (46.2)
E Hosbury 128* (127)			J Vilesti 3/50 (8.2)
S Lake 83 (87)				M Dixon 2/66 (10)

Player of the match: Erin Hosbury
Freeman Firestorm win by two wickets with 22 balls remaining

Despite the Coyotes loss, the true extent of Caitlyn Elliott’s skills have come directly to the fore in their round eight match against the Freeman Firestorm in Ketonley. On a tough, turning pitch, the young right-hander took the game to the bowlers, taking every one of them to the cleaners in a breathtaking knock. Her century came off just 56 balls and when she was dismissed for 102, only 25 runs scored in the innings to that point did not come off her blade. It was a brilliant platform for the Capital side, but none could really build on it, with the rest of the side scratching around on a difficult track, eventually finding their way to 281 - an above-par score thanks to Elliott’s knock - but one that really could have been a whole lot more. The Firestorm were still in the game.

Freeman came out on what looked like a completely different track, the early loss of skipper Aiden Tasso not deterring the likes of Sean Lake and number three bat Erin Hosbury. After getting their eyes in, the two of them combined for an astonishing 151-run partnership to put the pressure back on the Coyotes. The dismissal of Lake for 83 ought to have allowed Hosbury to fall back into her shell, but she refused, upping the ante even further to pass her hundred with the score on 234. But wickets were falling at the other end, and at a rate of knots, too, as Josh Vilesti began to knock some life into the game. All of a sudden, 2-222 became 5-229, and the Coyotes were back in it.

Chelsea Latour combined with Hosbury for an integral 29-run stand before the former was dismissed, but the Freeman number three only continued to up her strike rate, farming the strike. Eventually, she helped her side over the line with a boundary off the second ball of the 46th over, finishing with 128 not out from 127 balls. She’d been showing signs of class over the past couple of years, but finally, Hosbury was able to win her state a game. And there’d be many more to come.

Matchday Nine

Freeman Firestorm vs Central Sylestone Snakes @ Freeman Oval, Freeman

Freeman Firestorm - 8/258 (50)
A Tasso 91 (115)			K Sonnel 3/46 (10)
S Lake 73 (97)				S Halliday 3/48 (10)

Central Sylestone Snakes - 5/260 (41.3)
A Fihelly 106 (103)			Z Jonjaakh 2/49 (7.3)
J Appleby 66 (54)			J Campton 2/50 (8)

Player of the match: Alyssa Fihelly
Central Sylestone Snakes win by five wickets with 51 balls remaining

Fresh off a brilliant run chase against the Capital Coyotes, the Freeman Firestorm were put back down in their place by a Snakes side needing a win, moving back up into second place. However, for the first 35 overs of the Firestorm innings, it didn’t seem to be that way, with Aiden Tasso and Sean Lake combining for a 174-run opening stand spanning 34.1 overs, the scoring rate roughly five an over. However, when both were dismissed one run and nine balls apart, the Snakes had a slight opening, with two new batters at the crease. And they took it with both hands, with no other batter able to pass 25 and only a couple scoring at more than a run a ball. Kate Sonnel and Seth Halliday played detrimental roles in that, both picking up three key scalps and conceding less than five runs per over as the Firestorm innings snuffed out. In the end, the hosts were able to put a score of 8-258 on the board - one that the Snakes were confident in chasing down.

And that they did. Amy Helms struggled for her 31, but from that point onwards, there was no looking back for the Central Sylestone side. Following an opening partnership of 95, Alyssa Fihelly and Jonah Appleby put on 117 together, taking the total to 1-212 before the former was dismissed for 106. Appleby kept on going, though, and by the time he was dismissed for 66, the game was all but over, with only 20 runs needed. A couple more wickets fell to add some respectability to the scoreline, but the result was inevitable, with the Snakes chasing the total down with five wickets in the sheds and 51 balls remaining, making it two in a row for the state.

Capital Coyotes vs New Gloucester Jaguars @ Capital Stadium, Avondale

Capital Coyotes - 237 (45.3)
T Monnier 56 (79)			M Poci 3/46 (10)
B Hall 46 (44)				S Cross 2/31 (4)

New Gloucester Jaguars - 2/239 (34.5)
L Luffman 95* (96)			N Norwell 2/32 (5.5)
S Cross 97 (78)				T Monnier 0/6 (1)

Player of the match: Samuel Cross
New Gloucester Jaguars win by eight wickets with 91 balls remaining

The New Gloucester Jaguars have qualified for their second-straight final with an emphatic victory over the Capital Coyotes, knocking their finals hopes down another notch with their second loss in two games. The Coyotes never seemed to really have their hearts in the match, losing wickets at regular intervals, while no batter made it past 60. Every one of their top six made a start, but none could convert, with four of those falling before they had made 20. In fact, it was only due to a superb rearguard partnership of 91 between Riley Accrington and Broughton Hall that they did not get bowled out for less than 237, both batters making scores in the 40s before being dismissed. The wickets were shared around the bowlers, but Milan Poci was the standout, picking up 3-46 from his ten overs, while three others got two wickets apiece. Now, to qualify for the final, all the Jaguars needed to do was score 238 runs.

They got it in quick time. However, like all big games, it did not come without a cost, with Caitlyn Freehill doing an already-sore hamstring while scrambling for a quick run, and will be out for the rest of the season. But that did not deter the likes of debutant Lauren Luffman and Samuel Cross, of whom tore into the bowling with utter relentlessness. Cross was the faster of the two, but when he fell for his second-straight score in the 90s, the game was already done and dusted. Oliver Edwards joined Luffman to seal the deal, racking up a quickfire 44-run partnership to continue the momentum and boost the Jaguars’ net run-rate. They got the job done with a whopping 91 balls remaining - certainly sending a message to all sides out there. Even with arguably the two most experienced batters in the side out due to concussion, they just could not stop winning.

South Sylestone Scorpions vs Suffolk Seals @ Betham Cricket Ground, Betham

South Sylestone Scorpions - 8/161 (50)
S Creln 68 (118)			G Haines 4/37 (10)
N Pistecial 26 (42)			T Mankira 2/25 (10)

Suffolk Seals - 7/162 (27.5)
F Stanton 69 (77)			N Pistecial 3/24 (5)
J Babbage 24 (18)			C Anderson 2/14 (3)

Player of the match: Georgia Haines
Suffolk Seals win by three wickets with 137 balls remaining

A dismal batting effort at home against the Suffolk Seals was adequate enough to end the Scorpions’ List-A hopes, with a concerted bowling effort not good enough to defend a total of 161. On an admittedly tough track in Betham, the Suffolk bowlers ran riot, causing most of the hosts’ batters significant trouble, with only Samuel Creln, with a hard-fought 68, making it past 20 inside the top seven bats. All of the bowlers contributed, but Georgia Haines went above and beyond, picking up four wickets with her fearless wickets, and was ably backed up by Talvin Mankira (2-25), Ross Amitt (2-28) and Fergus Stanton (1-26). Norbert Pistecial scored a few runs at the back end of the innings, but in the end, it was nowhere near enough to form any sort of competitive total.

But the Scorpion bowlers gave it their best shot, making it real tough for the Seals’ batters. However, after coming in at 3-14 in the fifth over, Fergus Stanton looked to make light work of it, creating a backbone for the innings while other batters made starts and fell around him. From then onwards, Suffolk were always in front, and even so when the youngster was the seventh dismissed with 12 runs still to play with, Ross Amitt and Thomas Strand guiding the visitors home and keeping their ever-so-faint playoff hopes alive. Could they do it?

Matchday Ten

Central Sylestone Snakes vs South Sylestone Scorpions @ Halpenley City Oval, Halpenley

Central Sylestone Snakes - 6/277 (50)
S Asaskia 67* (62)			C Anderson 4/43 (10)
J Appleby 49 (46)			A Hodel 1/24 (5)

South Sylestone Scorpions - 2/280 (35.2)
N Lovia 116 (85)			S Halliday 1/44 (7)
P Shotenham 91* (80)			A Hackett 1/50 (6.2)

Player of the match: Nicholas Lovia
South Sylestone Scorpions win by eight wickets with 88 balls remaining

Despite already being eliminated, the Scorpions proceeded to show the rest of the nation that they are still a state to be wary of in the one-day format, chasing down a rather tricky 6-277 on a turning track with just the loss of two wickets. Even more dominant was their way of chasing the runs, going at around eight an over to get home with 88 balls still remaining. Nicholas Lovia led the way in the run chase, scoring his first-ever List A century with an aggressive 85-ball 116, while Patrick Shotenham backed him up with an unbeaten 91.

Earlier, Chloe Anderson’s 4-43 stole the headlines, the part-time leg-spinner continuing to show that she can certainly bowl and picking up her second four-wicket haul in the format on her way. However, there were still things to discuss from a Snakes point of view, with Jonah Appleby continuing his fine transition to a far more aggressive player with a 46-ball 49 and Samuel Asaskia scoring yet another half-century with an unbeaten 67. Overall, 6-277 was certainly a target the hosts could be proud of, but ultimately, the Scorpions were simply too good. They would now have to rely on other results if they wanted to qualify for the final.

Suffolk Seals vs Capital Coyotes @ Bolton Oval, Pesfield

Suffolk Seals - 248 (47.3)
L Tiati 84 (96)				C Elliott 2/34 (7)
B Eastwood 49 (64)			J Vilesti 2/43 (8.3)

Capital Coyotes - 7/249 (50)
T Monnier 55 (73)			T Mankira 4/63 (8)
N Norwell 51* (57)			T Strand 2/37 (9)

Player of the match: Nathan Norwell
Capital Coyotes win by three wickets with 30 balls remaining

The Capital Coyotes have done it - qualified for their first final despite beginning this season underwhelmingly and struggling all through last season. Even with a 5-0-5 record, it would still be good enough to meet the in-form New Gloucester Jaguars at the Chamberley Cricket Ground in a few days time. In a game that was essentially a winner-takes-all, no batters other than Luke Tiati (84 from 96) and Brianna Eastwood (49 from 64) got going, with Talvin Mankira (4-63) and Thomas Strand (2-37) the main destroyers. Some tail-end runs saw the Suffolk Seals muster a total score of 248 before they were bowled out with fifteen balls remaining, meaning they would have to defend a measly score on the nation’s best batting pitch in order to make the final.

And they did not give up, not until Nathan Norwell drove Ross Amitt over long-on for six to seal the victory with five overs in hand, bringing up his own personal fifty. Earlier, the Seals had kept the game in the balance, taking wickets just when they mattered. First it was the big wicket of Caitlyn Elliott for a quickfire 30, before a few fell quickly, including that of Taylah Monnier for 55, to put the Seals on the top, the score 5-133 in the 28th over. But Riley Accrington and Nathan Norwell kept their heads down, combining for a 50-run partnership from just 49 deliveries. But the wicket of Accrington for 31 kept Suffolk in the game, the score 6-183 with 14 overs remaining. The over count wasn’t an issue for the Coyotes - they just needed to keep their bloody wickets.

And that’s exactly what Norwell and Broughton Hall did, taking the score to 232 before Hall was dismissed for 26, keeping the Seals in the game. But Norwell was still there, and the left-hander guided his state over the line with his best-ever one-day knock, and into the final, where they would play the mightiest team of all: the New Gloucester Jaguars. Could they complete one more upset and take home the trophy?

New Gloucester Jaguars vs Freeman Firestorm @ Chamberley Cricket Ground, Chamberley

New Gloucester Jaguars - 9/358 (50)
S Cross 124 (95)			A Barragai 3/57 (8)
E Cunningham 104 (99)			Z Jonjaakh 2/72 (10)

Freeman Firestorm - 307/5 (50)
K Force 99 (93)				J de Polo 2/14 (10)
M Stopling 79* (85)			M Poci 2/51 (10)

Player of the match: Juan de Polo
New Gloucester Jaguars win by 51 runs

The New Gloucester Jaguars, having already wrapped up first place, completed yet another clinical performance to bring their undefeated streak to seven games heading into the final. Samuel Cross, who has made two scores in the 90s over the past two rounds, finally broke the three-figure barrier with an astonishing 95-ball 124, ably supported by Edward Cunningham’s 99-ball 104. The two of them provided the backbone of the innings so the middle-order could hit out later, and hit out they did, Oliver Edwards hitting a fifty from mere 21 balls to help guide his state to the whopping total of 9-358. None of the bowlers were respected and the only one who picked up decent figures was Angara Barragai, with 3-57 from his eight overs, while Zangj Jonjaakh also picked up two poles.

The Firestorm never really looked in the hunt at all during the run chase. A strong opening partnership between Sean Lake and Aiden Tasso gave them some hope, but it didn’t take long until the visitors were 4-105 in the 21st over. Giving up all hopes of a victory, Kieran Force and Matthew Stopling played their best innings of their respective careers thus far, combining for a 174-run partnership before the keeper-batter was dismissed for an agonising 99 from 93 balls. Stopping batted through the rest of the innings, finishing on 79, but it was ultimately the extras - particularly the 28 wides - that guided Freeman above the 300 mark. Alas, it was still a vital victory for the Jaguars, and certainly cemented themselves as the favourites in the final.

Final Table

* Cubicle One-Day Cup           Pld   W  D  L   NRR    Pts
1 New Gloucester Jaguars         10   7  1  2  +0.611   15
2 Capital Coyotes                10   5  0  5  +0.101   10
3 Central Sylestone Snakes       10   5  0  5  -0.167   10
4 South Sylestone Scorpions      10   4  1  5  -0.291    9
5 Suffolk Seals                  10   4  0  6  +0.526    8
6 Freeman Firestorm              10   4  0  6  -0.743    8

by **Sylestone** » Sat Feb 12, 2022 7:41 pm

New Gloucester Jaguars Batting
Batter                                            R   B  4s  6s   SR
E Cunningham        c&b Hall                     17  30   1   0   56.67
C Freehill          c Elizabeth b Hall           31  41   4   0   75.61
S Cross             lbw b Vilesti               134 123  13   4  108.94
L Afosha (c)        c Elliott b Norwell          78  83   6   1   93.98
O Edwards           b Norwell                     7   5   0   1  140
A Stealom (+)       c Hall b Norwell             11   8   2   0  137.5
M Stein             c Westleford b Vilesti        1   2   0   0   50
J de Polo           not out                       9   7   1   0  128.57
M Poci              run out (Oldacre)             0   1   0   0    
S Scron             not out                       0   0   0   0        
       EXTRAS       (2 b, 5 lb, 8 wd)            15
        TOTAL       for 8 wickets               303   (50 ov; 6.06 RPO)
Did not bat:      L Njata

FOW: 1-45 (E Cunningham, 10.6 overs); 2-53 (C Freehill, 12.3 overs); 3-235 (L Afosha (c), 40.4 overs); 
     4-249 (O Edwards, 42.1 overs); 5-281 (A Stealom (+), 46.6 overs); 6-283 (M Stein, 47.3 overs); 
     7-299 (S Cross, 49.3 overs); 8-299 (M Poci, 49.4 overs)

Capital Coyotes Bowling
Bowler                 Ov   M   R  W   Econ  Ext
N Norwell              10   1  64  3    6.4  (2 wd)
J Vilesti              10   0  55  2    5.5  (1 wd)
P Wright                6   0  41  0   6.83  (1 wd)
B Hall                 10   1  49  2    4.9  
C Elliott               8   0  42  0   5.25  
R Elizabeth             6   0  45  0    7.5  (4 wd)

Capital Coyotes Batting   (Target: 304)
Batter                                            R   B  4s  6s   SR
T Monnier           c Stealom b Freehill          5  16   1   0   31.25
C Elliott           c Freehill b Poci           163 124  10  11  131.45
B Westleford (+)    c Afosha b de Polo           14  24   2   0   58.33
P Lenton (c)        c Stein b Cross              68 106   3   0   64.15
R Accrington        not out                      16  13   0   1  123.08
M Oldacre           b Scron                       9  10   1   0   90
N Norwell           c Stealom b Scron             1   3   0   0   33.33
B Hall              not out                       4   4   0   0  100
       EXTRAS       (1 b, 10 lb, 16 wd)          27
        TOTAL       for 6 wickets               307   (50 ov; 6.14 RPO)
Did not bat:      P Wright, J Vilesti, R Elizabeth

FOW: 1-27 (T Monnier, 5.6 overs); 2-72 (B Westleford (+), 13.2 overs); 3-269 (C Elliott, 44.3 overs); 
     4-273 (P Lenton (c), 45.1 overs); 5-293 (M Oldacre, 48.1 overs); 6-295 (N Norwell, 48.5 overs)

New Gloucester Jaguars Bowling
Bowler                 Ov   M   R  W   Econ  Ext
S Scron                 8   2  46  2   5.75  (1 wd)
C Freehill              4   0  15  1   3.75  (4 wd)
L Njata                 6   0  47  0   7.83  (6 wd)
J de Polo               9   1  48  1   5.33  
M Poci                 10   1  57  1    5.7  (2 wd)
S Cross                 7   0  49  1      7  (3 wd)
L Afosha (c)            6   0  33  0    5.5  

Venue: Chamberley Cricket Ground, Chamberley, Sylestone
Toss: New Gloucester Jaguars won the toss and elected to bat
Season/Tournament: Cubicle One-Day Cup II
Matchdays: Final
Player of the Match: Caitlyn Elliott
Debut: none
Umpires: Jacob Kurtin (SYL), Koby Diggs (SYL)
TV Umpire: David Rumpf (SYL)
Reserve Umpire: Joshua Oldham (SYL)
Match Referee: Amelia Gale (SYL)
Match Result: Capital Coyotes win by four wickets with zero balls remaining

by **Sylestone** » Tue Feb 22, 2022 3:36 am

LAVATORY SHIELD

Season Two

Matchweek One

New Gloucester Jaguars vs Central Sylestone Snakes @ Chamberley Cricket Ground, Chamberley

Central Sylestone Snakes - 268 (90.1)
A Fihelly 84 (154)			L Njata 4/73 (16)
C Cunnings 48 (101)			J de Polo 3/36 (12)

New Gloucester Jaguars - 363 (101)
A Stealom 133 (161)			S Asaskia 4/92 (24)
M Stein 102 (165)			S Halliday 3/70 (19)

Central Sylestone Snakes - 237 (73.3)
A Fihelly 68 (107)			M Poci 3/46 (15)
S Asaskia 57 (102)			L Afosha 2/23 (9)

New Gloucester Jaguars - 5/144 (34)
C Freehill 41 (70)			K Sonnel 2/14 (6)
L Afosha 33* (73)			A Hackett 1/19 (4)

Player of the match: Ashton Stealom
New Gloucester Jaguars win by five wickets

Following their disappointing loss to the Capital Coyotes in an intense Cubicle One-Day Cup final, there were questions about how well this Jaguars’ side was going to bounce back, a week later on the same venue Riley Accrington hit Samuel Cross over mid-wicket for six to seal the win. However, it was clear from the hosts’ play that they had put that behind them and knowing that they were still one of the best state sides in the nation, compiled a commanding performance against the defending champions to get their season off to a victory despite losing the toss and being asked to bowl first. Inside the first day, four wickets to Leo Njata and three to Juan de Polo saw the Snakes bowled out for a mere 268, Alyssa Fihelly’s 84 the only score of note. However, on a good pitch, the Jaguars failed to take the Snakes out of the game, losing early wickets to leave their middle order vulnerable. However, Mitchell Stein and Ashton Stealom combined for a thrilling 132-run partnership before the former fell for 102, leaving Stealom with the tail. However, he continued on, playing the best anyone had ever seen him in the longer format before eventually falling for an aggressive 133, fresh off an 80-run partnership with Samuel Scron. In the end, the Jaguars would lead the Snakes by 95 runs heading into the second innings - a commanding lead, but not yet a safe one.

The Snakes gave it their best shot at setting a difficult target. Coming to the crease with the score 3-20, Fihelly and Samuel Asaskia combined for a much-needed 103-run partnership before the former was dismissed for a counter-attacking 67. With the score 5-201 and the lead 106, though, a couple of quick wickets saw the visitors be bundled out for 237, setting the Jaguars 103 to win. Not easy on a wearing Chamberley pitch, but the hosts were still definitely favourites.

Regular wickets kept Central Sylestone in the game right up until Ashton Stealom hit the winning boundary off the final ball of the 34th over, but it was simply not enough. Liam Afosha’s calm 33 anchored the innings, while the likes of Caitlyn Freehill and Mitchell Stein made scores around him. But it was always going to be a tough ask for the Snakes bowlers, even with Kate Sonnel right at the top of her game with a wonderful 2-14 from her six overs. But the Jaguars, coming into the match as underdogs against the defending champions, had won. And boy, had they deserved it.

Suffolk Seals vs Freeman Firestorm @ Bolton Oval, Pesfield

Suffolk Seals - 306 (87.5)
B Eastwood 120 (217)			A Barragai 3/71 (22.5)
L Cocrine 40 (46)			J Campton 3/61 (19)

Freeman Firestorm - 469 (124)
E Hosbury 114 (170)			G Haines 3/147 (40)
Z Jonjaakh 103 (132)			R Amitt 2/79 (22)

Suffolk Seals - 7/452 (128)
L Tiati 156 (288)			H Gilroy 2/29 (7)
L Cocrine 56 (72)			F Stanton 2/98 (35)

Player of the match: Luke Tiati
Match Drawn

Once again, Bolton Oval in Pesfield has produced a stalemate. After the first day, where the Suffolk Seals were bundled out for 306 on an absolute road, the Freeman Firestorm must have felt as though they had a sniff. But a washed out session and some interesting captaincy from Aiden Tasso largely threw that chance away, allowing the last pair to compile a nation-wide record partnership for the final wicket, worth a whopping 127 runs. By the time Zangj Jonjaakh was stumped for 103, the score was 469 and the Firestorm would only have 130 overs to bowl the Seals out and chase down the runs. Manageable, but a declaration a little earlier probably wouldn’t have hurt.

In the end, it proved to be costly. After only scoring five runs in the first innings, Luke Tiati dug in in the second, playing one of his best-ever knocks at state level. Him and Hannah Gilroy (50) combined for a first-wicket stand of 137 from 39 overs, while Lachlan Cocrine (56), Ashley Millen (46) and Fergus Stanton (44) all played their roles. While the wicket of Tiati for 156 in the 102nd over opened the doors just a little bit, there was simply not enough time remaining in the match as it fizzled out, neither side willing to risk losing their points. A rather boring end to such a promising game of first-class cricket, really. It could have been so much more.

South Sylestone Scorpions vs Capital Coyotes @ Betham Cricket Ground, Betham

South Sylestone Scorpions - 293 (79.4)
A Hodel 78 (99)				B Hall 5/93 (27.4)
E Nosten 46* (93)			J Vilesti 4/61 (18)

Capital Coyotes - 7d/496 (132)
P Lenton 161* (311)			O Lovia 4/73 (21)
C Elliott 135 (152)			L Codrington 1/44 (10.1)

South Sylestone Scorpions - 217 (61)
C Anderson 49 (77)			N Norwell 5/31 (14)
P Shotenham 44 (82)			M Dixon 2/40 (11)

Capital Coyotes - 0/15 (2.5)
C Elliott 10* (9)			E Nosten 0/7 (1.5)
T Monnier 4* (8)			N Pistecial 0/7 (1)

Player of the match: Peter Lenton
Capital Coyotes win by ten wickets

Just a few months after lifting the Elite Trophy First Class ahold in the inaugural edition of the IFDC, the South Sylestone Scorpions have stumbled at the hands of the Capital Coyotes, fresh off a Cubicle One-Day Cup final win no one saw coming. In this game, though, it would be their experienced players that stood up, with Broughton Hall and Josh Vilesti leading the bowling attack from the outset, the two international bowlers combining for nine of the ten wickets to fall in the Scorpions first innings, which saw them bundled out for 293. Caitlyn Elliott, a late inclusion to the squad following an injury to Holly Paling, then proceeded to continue her superb form with the bat, taking only 152 balls to compile 135 runs on her first-class debut. However, it would be Peter Lenton, with an unbeaten 161, who shocked everyone. He was also well-supported by Fergus Crena (84), helping the Coyotes to a score of 7-496 before the declaration was called. Osten Lovia was the pick of the bowlers with four wickets, bouncing back from an early hammering, while Leo Codrington was ruled out of the rest of the match and the one after with a minor side strain while bowling his eleventh over.

The loss of one of their star bowler’s appeared to hamper the Scorpions, who could not form any real partnerships of note in their second innings. Chloe Anderson top-scored in a disappointing effort of 217, making 49 runs from 77 balls, but she could not go on with it. When Nathan Norwell picked up the final wicket to complete a brilliant five-wicket haul, the Scorpions only led by 14 runs. And it took Elliott and Taylah Monnier just 17 balls to chase that down, completing a ten-wicket win over the world champions to kick off their campaign.

Matchweek Two

Central Sylestone Snakes vs Capital Coyotes @ Halpenley City Oval, Halpenley

Central Sylestone Snakes - 141 (63.1)
A Helms 33 (117)			B Hall 3/29 (17)
S Knox 29 (34)				N Norwell 3/50 (18)

Capital Coyotes - 178 (63.4)
T Monnier 86* (211)			M Marshall 5/28 (10.4)
B Westleford 53 (110)			S Asaskia 2/31 (13)

Central Sylestone Snakes - 93 (36)
S Knox 25 (42)				N Norwell 5/28 (12)
S Halliday 15 (51)			P Wright 3/25 (9)

Capital Coyotes - 1/60 (21.1)
C Elliott 34 (43)			S Asaskia 1/17 (5)
T Monnier 21* (70)			A Fihelly 0/0 (1)

Player of the match: Nathan Norwell
Capital Coyotes win by nine wickets

On paper, it looks like a very convincing win. In reality? Not so much. On a green pitch in Halpenley - where dust bowls are usually found - Peter Lenton elected to send the defending Lavatory Shield champions in for a first dig, confident his pace attack could master the conditions. And that they did, bowling the Snakes out for a measly 141, Broughton Hall and Nathan Norwell the destroyers with three poles apiece, while Josh Vilesti and Phoebe Wright chipped in with two apiece. In reply, the Coyotes lost the big wicket of Caitlyn Elliott early on, before Taylah Monnier and Brock Westleford, who both play their first-class cricket for the Western Beaches in Avondale on a pitch famous for providing conducive swing, combined for a vital, 120-run partnership, allowing both batters past 50 before Westleford nicked off from the bowling of Asaskia. The floodgates had opened.

Wickets may have only been taken from one end, with Monnier holding up the other with some determined survival strategies, but that did not stop them from coming thick and fast. From 1-125 in the 43rd over of the innings, the Coyotes stumbled, losing 9-53 in a horror collapse to be bowled out for 178, the lead only a rather mediocre 37. The Snakes, through a brilliant display of fast bowling from Malcolm Marshall, with 5-28, were back in the game.

And then they proceeded to throw it all away. In the Snakes’ second innings, only three batters - Samantha Knox (25), Sean Halliday (15) and Alyssa Fihelly (10) - were able to reach double figures as Nathan Norwell (5-28) and Phoebe Wright (3-25) ran riot. Central Sylestone could only muster 93 runs before they were bowled out, leaving the Coyotes batters needing 57 victory. And they did it for the loss of just a single wicket - Caitlyn Elliott for 34 - before Monnier hit the winning runs with a boundary, compiling 105 runs without being beaten for the match, where the average score was just 15. If it wasn’t for Nathan Norwell’s eight wickets, the player of the match award was hers.

South Sylestone Scorpions vs Freeman Firestorm @ Betham Cricket Ground, Betham

South Sylestone Scorpions - 5d/561 (130.1)
P Shotenham 211* (327)			C Latour 3/87 (19)
S Creln 153 (240)			A Huntingfield 1/134 (28.5)

Freeman Firestorm - 565 (144.2)
Z Jonjaakh 147 (148)			P Shotenham 3/29 (5.2)
C Latour 146 (188)			A Hodel 3/60 (23)

South Sylestone Scorpions - 245 (61.2)
C Anderson 93 (143)			Z Jonjaakh 4/51 (14)
A Lonelet 56 (75)			A Huntingfield 2/70 (21)

Freeman Firestorm - 3/37 (21)
K Force 13* (30)			N Pistecial 3/16 (10)
E Hosbury 13* (56)			O Lovia 0/3 (2)

Player of the match: Patrick Shotenham
Match Drawn

It was a shame that this match was drawn - at various stages throughout it, one or both sides could have opened it right up. Over the first day and a half, the hosts built a massive total on their home track in Betham, scoring 561 runs for the loss of only five wickets before declaring partway through the second session of day two. Patrick Shotenham top-scored for the Scorpions, scoring the season’s first double-century with an unbeaten 211. Additionally, Samuel Creln and Chloe Anderson were able to compile centuries of their own as South Sylestone put themselves into the box seat for the match. And when the Freeman Firestorm were 5-107 then 6-232 in their first innings, still trailing by 329, it seemed the Scorpions were destined to be heading for a huge win. Until they weren’t.

Chelsea Latour and Zangj Jonjaakh, two players with rather poor batting records, came to the crease together and immediately began to pile on the runs. In a brutal display, the two of them scored 189 runs together, taking the score to 421 before Latour fell for an astonishing 146. Jonjaakh then moved along to his second century in two matches, this one coming off only 96 balls, and with the help of fellow tailender Anna Huntingfield, took the score to 517 before Jonjaakh went for a run-a-ball 147. Huntingfield passed 50 herself and continued to attack, but was eventually dismissed with the Firestorm a mere ten runs behind the Scorpions’ first-innings score. With an actual result looking unlikely, all efforts were focused on that first-innings point. The Firestorm eventually got there before being bowled out for 565 mere balls later, early on the fourth day of the match. A generous declaration from Chloe Anderson would be the only way a result could even be possible.

It didn’t happen. Instead, Anderson simply allowed her side to bat on, mainly because she herself was out in the middle for most of it, scoring 93 out of the Scorpions’ second-innings total of 245. It gave them a 241-run lead with 25 overs remaining in the day - something the Firestorm didn’t even bother trying to chase, losing three wickets for 37 runs before the captains opted to call it a day.

New Gloucester Jaguars vs Suffolk Seals @ Chamberley Cricket Ground, Chamberley

Suffolk Seals - 168 (49)
J Menkens 41 (73)			S Cross 2/13 (4)
B Eastwood 38 (77)			J de Polo 2/35 (10)

New Gloucester Jaguars - 329 (84)
C Freehill 161 (211)			G Haines 4/128 (25)
M Stein 67 (129)			T Mankira 3/47 (14)

Suffolk Seals - 234 (77)
L Tiati 65 (118)			C Freehill 4/18 (8)
F Stanton 48 (114)			M Poci 2/56 (12)

New Gloucester Jaguars - 1/74 (14)
C Freehill 41* (46)			T Strand 1/20 (3)
E Cunningham 25 (31)			F Stanton 0/6 (1)

Player of the match: Caitlyn Freehill
New Gloucester Jaguars win by 9 wickets

No wonder this game has been dubbed “Freehill’s match” by all of those who viewed it. After the Suffolk Seals won the toss and elected to bat on a grassy pitch in Chamberley, the New Gloucester bowlers shone through, with six of their seven bowlers picking up wickets as the visitors were bundled out for just 168. Freehill took 1-5 from her two overs, taking the final wicket before running off to pad up. By the time she was dismissed just after lunch on day two, she had nearly equalled the entire total the Seals had managed, being the fourth wicket to fall, the score 248. She had scored 161 of them, taking 211 balls to do so, and took part in a fourth-wicket partnership of 166 with Mitchell Stein. But when he was dismissed mere balls later for 67, Suffolk had an opening. Oliver Edwards hit a few lusty blows en route to an unbeaten 58, but he was the only member of the lower-order that scored runs as New Gloucester were bowled out for 329, 161 in front.

The Seals began their second innings well, but regular wickets saw them collapse to 5-190, multiple players making scores in the 20s and 30s without going on. Sylestonean skipper Luke Tiati was the only one to pass fifty, making 65 before he was brilliantly stumped by Ashton Stealom off the bowling of leg-spinner Milan Poci. The Seals were in need of lower-order runs to give themselves a target to defend, but Freehill had other ideas. She took four of the final five wickets, picking up figures of 4-18 in the process as Suffolk stumbled along to 234 before the final wicket fell. The Jaguars would only require 74 runs to win, and the visitors would require a miracle.

And yeah, you know what happened from then. Freehill, yet again, did not let it happen. In a 61-run opening stand with Edward Cunningham, they all but wrapped up the match before latter was dismissed, allowing Samuel Cross to come out and whack a few to get the Jaguars home in just 14 overs. And guess who hit the winning runs, and finished with an unbeaten 41 from only 46 balls?

Caitlyn Freehill.

Boy, the 23-year-old was a talent.

Matchweek Three

Suffolk Seals vs Central Sylestone Snakes @ Dodle Furnace, Dodle

Central Sylestone Snakes - 351 (98.1)
M Barff 96 (163)			G Haines 5/123 (29.1)
C Cunnings 56 (94)			R Amitt 3/57 (24)

Suffolk Seals - 9d/582 (163.1)
L Tiati 117 (206)			S Halliday 4/122 (32.1)
J Menkens 107 (181)			A Fihelly 3/74 (21)

Central Sylestone Snakes - 8/136 (79)
J Appleby 47* (249)			T Mankira 4/47 (15)
S Asaskia 30 (106)			F Stanton 2/13 (21)

Player of the match: Jayden Menkens
Match Drawn

Overall, it was somewhat a surprise that Jayden Menkens, the young Suffolk batter, was awarded player of the match. Yes, the Seals dominated much of the match, but in the end, it was a Jonah Appleby defensive masterclass that saved the Snakes from humiliation. On the first day of the match and early into the second, the visitors compiled a total of 351 in Dodle, Madeline Barff top-scoring with a superb 96, falling a boundary short of a deserved century. However, it was Georgia Haines’s five-for that stole the show, the leg-spinner taking 5-123 from 29.1 overs to help wrap up the Snakes innings. But it was still a superb batting surface, and 351 was still probably short. And it proved to be so, with centuries to Luke Tiati (117) and Jayden Menkens (107) anchoring the innings and alongside four half-centuries, the hosts were able to pile on a whopping 582 runs in 163.1 overs before Luke Tiati declared with a day and a bit remaining.

It really should’ve been an easy win for the Seals on a wearing pitch, but the Snakes fought and fought. Talvin Mankira was edged about twenty times through the slips off the bats of Samuel Asaskia and Alyssa Fihelly, but somehow, barely any went to hand. Fergus Stanton and Georgia Haines were extremely economical in their leg-spin, and as the fourth and final day of the match progressed, a Suffolk victory seemed a certainty. But Jonah Appleby was still out there, and with the score 8-136 at the tea break, a draw seemed to rest on his bat alone.

But no, it would be one of Sylestone’s famous tropical storms that ended the endeavour, the stinking hot day turning to a soggy mess as the ground began to flood. Eventually, the game was called off, the hosts on the verge of a much-needed victory. This season just was not theirs.

South Sylestone Scorpions vs New Gloucester Jaguars @ Tutham Oval, Tuthambedon

South Sylestone Scorpions - 173 (63)
S Creln 49 (121)			J de Polo 5/58 (18)
N Pistecial 39 (66)			S Scron 2/19 (8)

New Gloucester Jaguars - 4d/410 (138.2)
C Freehill 108 (127)			N Pistecial 3/98 (28.2)
M Stein 106* (166)			L Codrington 1/73 (23)

South Sylestone Scorpions - 325 (92.4)
S Creln 150 (281)			J de Polo 8/119 (40.4)
N Pistecial 52 (108)			L Njata 1/27 (8)

New Gloucester Jaguars - 2/90 (19.4)
S Cross 38* (50)			L Codrington 2/38 (9)
L Afosha 32* (44)			O Lovia 0/7 (0.4)

Player of the match: Juan de Polo
New Gloucester Jaguars win by 8 wickets

It seems like in every game the New Gloucester Jaguars play, someone different stands up and plays a match-winning role. And that’s why they seem to be so fucking good. Because they have those match-winners, and everyone else in the XI is capable of playing their own roles more often than not. This match, against the world-champion Scorpions, was yet another of those. On a turning deck in Tuthambedon, Juan de Polo stole the show with figures of 5-58 as the hosts, after electing to bat, crumbled to be all out for 173. However, those figures were nothing compared to his performance in the second innings of the match, where he picked up the first eight-for in the history of the Lavatory Shield. It occurred after Caitlyn Freehill and Mitchell Stein made centuries in the Jaguars’ first innings, playing the bowling with ease, while Liam Afosha (57) and Lauren Luffman (50 not out) also played integral roles. A declaration with the score 4-410 saw New Gloucester primed for another big win, and de Polo produced once again, tearing the heart out of the Scorpion innings with figures of 8-119. However, some dogged batting from Samuel Creln (150) helped his state to a score of 325 and a lead of 88, making the Jaguars think about their approach. The early loss of Freehill and Cunningham gave the Scorpions a spark of hope, but it was soon quenched by Samuel Cross and Liam Afosha, guiding their side home with a session and a bit remaining.

Capital Coyotes vs Freeman Firestorm @ Cleorough Stadium, Cleorough

Freeman Firestorm - 4d/451 (155.3)
S Lake 181 (325)			B Hall 2/145 (53)
K Force 101* (189)			C Elliott 1/62 (18)

Capital Coyotes - 375 (82.2)
C Elliott 145 (137)			C Latour 4/104 (17)
F Crena 86 (124)			Z Jonjaakh 3/67 (14.2)

Freeman Firestorm - 155 (44)
K Force 75 (110)			J Vilesti 4/15 (7)
A Huntingfield 19 (37)			P Wright 3/43 (10)

Capital Coyotes - 6/166 (49)
P Lenton 50* (117)			Z Jonjaakh 3/65 (13.3)
C Elliott 41 (50)			J Campton 1/12 (6)

Player of the match: Kieran Force
Match Drawn

All in all, it is kudos to both sides on the final couple of days of the match that a result was actually obtained. On the first two days of the match, the Firestorm appeared to have no intention of winning, piling on 451 runs in 155.3 runs, with a big century to Sean Lake anchoring the innings before Kieran Force took over, reaching a century before the rain came in, forcing Aiden Tasso into a declaration. The Coyotes then batted through the majority of the next day, racking up a whopping 375 runs in just over 80 overs before declaring with five overs remaining in the day. And with only 95 overs remaining in the match and two innings still remaining, a draw seemed inevitable.

But Josh Vilesti and Nathan Norwell disagreed, reducing the Firestorm to 3-11 in 4.4 overs overnight, and when wickets continued to tumble on the following day, the Coyotes were all of a sudden favourites. But it was Kieran Force, who played a gem of a knock on a crumbling pitch, who impressed the most, scoring nearly half the runs as his state were bowled out for 155, leaving the Coyotes needing 232 runs in 49 overs to take out an unlikely victory.

They gave it a shot, but when wickets began to fall, captain Peter Lenton steadied the ship, the Coyotes only losing six wickets against a determined Freeman bowling lineup. A disappointing end to a solid four days’ cricket, and both teams had their positives to take out. And in the end, shared points were probably fair.

Matchweek Four

Central Sylestone Snakes vs Freeman Firestorm @ Halpenley City Oval

Central Sylestone Snakes - 7d/722 (170)
A Fihelly 314 (458)			A Tasso 2/67 (12)
S Asaskia 203* (256)			A Barragai 2/115 (26)

Freeman Firestorm - 145/10 (63.1)
A Tasso 45 (74)				S Asaskia 3/15 (8.1)
M Stopling 26 (78)			K Sonnel 3/48 (14)

Freeman Firestorm - 110/10 (46.3)
S Lake 60* (156)			K Sonnel 6/49 (20.3)
J Campton 11 (20)			L Saville 3/40 (16)

Player of the match: Alyssa Fihelly
Central Sylestone Snakes win by an innings and 467 runs

In the history of the Lavatory Shield, or even domestic cricket in general, there has never been anything close to the slaughtering we saw this round. Essentially, the game was won with the toss, where Samuel Asaskia opted to bat first on a decent batting track, but one everyone at the ground knew was going to crumble on days three and four. Confident that even a score of 300 would be enough for an innings win, Alyssa Fihelly and Amy Helms set about their task with confidence, scoring at three or four runs an over from the outset. It set the tone for one of the biggest scores in multiversal domestic cricket history - a declaration with the score 7-722 late on the second day of the match. Alyssa Fihelly top-scored with the first-ever triple century by a Sylestonean in professional cricket, while the Snakes’ captain also chipped in with a measly double century.

Sean Lake and Aiden Tasso got through the remaining seven overs of the day unscathed, picking up 18 runs in the process. It proved to be the only positive in an extraordinarily heavy defeat for the Firestorm.

Over the next 100 overs of the match, the visitors were bowled out twice, once for 145, and once for a miserable 110. During the first innings, only Aiden Tasso seemed to find an answer on a crumbling pitch, top-scoring with 45, as Samuel Asaskia, Kate Sonnel and co. ran through the Freeman batting like a knife through warm butter. And the second innings was even more imperious from the Snakes, taking regular wickets around Lake, who carried his bat for an unbeaten 60. The next highest score was 11, as nine of the ten wickets fell to spin. A truly dominant performance from the Snakes as they racked up the biggest-ever win in Lavatory Shield history - by an innings and a whopping 467 runs.

New Gloucester Jaguars vs Capital Coyotes @ Chamberley Cricket Ground, Chamberley

New Gloucester Jaguars - 524 (106.2)
L Afosha 210 (214)			P Wright 4/125 (19)
C Freehill 89 (105)			B Hall 3/102 (27)

Capital Coyotes - 403 (92)
B Westleford 144 (187)			L Afosha 2/31 (7)
C Elliott 108 (90)			S Cross 2/40 (12)

New Gloucester Jaguars - 157 (51.3)
E Cunningham 48 (81)			J Vilesti 4/28 (12.3)
A Stealom 33 (79)			B Hall 4/51 (14)

Capital Coyotes - 5/203 (55)
L Luffman 68* (98)			M Poci 4/45 (13)
A Stealom 52* (60)			S Scron 1/38 (10)

Player of the match: Liam Afosha
Match Drawn

For yet another time this season, rain has ensured that a result has not been obtained from a game that certainly could have been one to go down to the wire. On the first day of the match, a typical Sylestonean tropical storm saw two thirds of the day washed out, leaving the top-of-the-table clash almost destined to be a draw. But for both captains to at least attempt to draw a result out of the match was admirable considering its importance.

In the first innings, New Gloucester were able to smash 524 in just over a day to put themselves on the front foot, but the Coyotes were up to the task, with centuries to Brock Westleford and Caitlyn Elliott guiding them to 403 and a 121-run deficit, avoiding the follow-on by a mere 29 runs. A victory was essentially out of sight for them with only a little over 100 overs remaining in the match, but they refused to give up, bowling the Jaguars out for just 157 in their second innings, giving themselves a difficult chase of 279 runs in 55 overs on a deteriorating pitch with a shiny red cherry.

When the visitors lost Caitlyn Elliott cheaply, for a duck in the second over, they were all but out of the race. Especially when Milan Poci ran through the middle-order, keeping his side in with a chance of victory and with 22 overs remaining, the score was only 5-120. But Luaren Luffman (68 not out) and Ashton Stealom (52 not out) quenched those thoughts, combining for an 83-run partnership to guide their side to two points.

Suffolk Seals vs South Sylestone Scorpions @ Bolton Oval, Pesfield

Suffolk Seals - 398 (100.3)
J Menkens 114 (166)			N Pistecial 4/95 (26.3)
F Stanton 91 (160)			H Lambe 3/57 (20)

South Sylestone Scorpions - 284 (75)
C Anderson 86 (109)			T Strand 4/92 (22)
A Lonelet 65 (131)			G Haines 4/72 (23)

Suffolk Seals - 250 (80.1)
L Tiati 97 (160)			N Pistecial 4/61 (20)
B Eastwood 50 (115)			A Hodel 2/24 (9.1)

South Sylestone Scorpions - 3/365 (101.3)
S Creln 164* (293)			R Amitt 2/67 (16)
N Lovia 113 (135)			G Haines 1/114 (30)

Player of the match: Samuel Creln
South Sylestone Scorpions win by 7 wickets

For three days, the Suffolk Seals appeared destined for their first victory of the season, dominating the Scorpions right from the first ball, while Luke Tiati crashed straight back down past Leo Codrington for four. However, it was Jayden Menkens, Fergus Stanton and Lachlan Cocrine who shone in the Seals innings, the former compiling his second shield century, and the other two chipping in with big half-centuries. The tail wagged for a bit, but in the end, Stanton was the last man out for a brilliant 91 early on the second day of the match. Across that time, the hosts had put on 398 on a pitch with sporadic consistency, and would need to bowl well to remain on top.

And that was exactly what they did, bowling the Scorpions out with five overs left in the day for just 284, giving themselves a sizeable 114-run lead. However, the Southern Sylestoneans were world champions for a reason, and refused to back down from a tough task, keeping the game alive. However, the pitch was beginning to hint at a few tricks, and with 365 runs required at roughly 3.5 runs an over, a Scorpion victory appeared extremely unlikely.

However, when the first wicket fell, that status had drastically changed. Despite having only twelve overs in the third day to bat, Nicholas Lovia, playing his first game of the season, came out flying, racing along to 45 from just 40 balls before stumps were called. And while the Suffolk bowlers were able to contain him a bit more on the fourth morning, he still could not be stopped from reaching a 124-ball century. But when he was dismissed with the score on 151, Samuel Creln struggling to find his groove at the other end, he had completely changed the game’s momentum.

His wicket would be the final chance the Seals were given as Creln took over, forging a 50-run partnership with Patrick Shotenham and 40-run one with Amber Luke, the score now 3-244 with 35 overs left remaining in the match. Any notions that the Seals could bring this back, or that the match was going to be drawn, were snuffed out as Creln and Chloe Anderson batted sensibly, playing a wearing pitch with superiority to guide their state home with five overs and a whopping seven wickets to spare. And that was that - they’d just completed the largest run chase in Lavatory Shield history. With ease.

Matchweek Five

South Sylestone Scorpions vs Central Sylestone Snakes @ Betham Cricket Ground, Betham

South Sylestone Scorpions - 4d/532 (178.5)
S Creln 246 (517)			K Sonnel 4/158 (60.5)
P Shotenham 157 (288)			M Barff 0/15 (3)

Central Sylestone Snakes - 243 (65.3)
C Cunnings 62 (128)			L Codrington 5/82 (15)
S Asaskia 49 (65)			O Lovia 4/49 (14.3)

Central Sylestone Snakes - 274 (69.5)
C Cunnings 149 (205)			E Nosten 4/74 (15)
A Helms 26 (36)				A Hodel 2/31 (8)

Player of the match: Samuel Creln
South Sylestone Scorpions win by an innings and 15 runs

With both states coming off confidence-boosting wins - the Scorpions having completed the highest run chase in the history of the Lavatory Shield, and the Snakes completing the biggest win in the tournament’s history - now appeared to be the right time to hold a thrilling match, one that would go down to the final ball of the fourth day.

So it’s a real shame that it didn’t.

In the end, the world champions were far too good for the visitors, enacting revenge for their defeat in last year’s final with an innings-and-15-run thumping. Batting first, the Scorpions piled on the runs, taking over half the allocated days to post 532 before declaring. The innings was led by a mammoth double-century from Samuel Creln, who continued his push back towards the test team, and Patrick Shotenham, who’s 157 played an integral role in a 290-run partnership with the Scorpion opener. Kate Sonnel, the 17-year-old leg-spinner from Tumblestone, took all four wickets in her 60.5 overs, being the only positive the Snakes could take out of the ordeal.

In reply, the defending Toilet League champions could not even muster the individual score Samuel Creln hit in his 517-ball innings, with Cameron Cunnings and Samuel Asaskia providing the only real positives in a poor batting performance. When Kate Sonnel was the final player out, the score was only 243, and it was an easy decision for Chloe Anderson to make, and with a 289-run lead, opted to send her opponents back in for a second dig.

In the second innings the Snakes were able to perform marginally better, but that was all on the bat of Cameron Cunnings, whose innings of 149 made up more than half the Snakes’ total. Aside from him, Amy Helms was the next top score, with 26, showing just how abysmal the innings would have been without Cunnings’ lone hand. From 7-169, the visitors appeared to have no hope, but Cunnings began to hit out, scoring 87 out of the remaining 105 runs before his state were bowled out, 15 runs short of making the Scorpions bat again. And finally, after a poor start to the season, the South Sylestoneans were once again a formidable foe.

Capital Coyotes vs Suffolk Seals @ Capital Stadium, Avondale

Suffolk Seals - 263 (82.2)
L Cocrine 117 (176)			N Norwell 4/62 (17.2)
F Stanton 24 (67)			B Hall 4/49 (22)

Capital Coyotes - 4d/512 (94.4)
C Elliott 193 (170)			T Mankira 2/96 (20)
P Lenton 162 (166)			T Strand 1/109 (18)

Suffolk Seals - 222 (64.4)
B Eastwood 51 (46)			J Vilesti 4/58 (17)
R Amitt 50 (85)				B Hall 3/43 (18)

Player of the match: Broughton Hall
Capital Coyotes win by an innings and 27 runs

The similarities between this match and the one between the Scorpions and the Snakes are remarkably similar. In both games, the home side were able to compile a total of 500+ for the loss of only four wickets before declaring, and in both games, that team was able to bowl out their opposition twice in the mid-200s to ascertain a small innings win by roughly 20 runs. However, in this match, it was the Seals who batted first after being sent in, and it was only on Lachlan Cocrine’s bat that they posted a score of any substance as Nathan Norwell and Broughton Hall ran through their batting lineup. They were eventually bowled out in a little over 80 overs, before the Coyotes batted out the next 95 overs in remarkably aggressive fashion, taking the Suffolk bowlers to all corners of Capital Stadium. Centuries to Brock Caitlyn Elliott (193 from 170), Peter Lenton (162 from 166) and Taylah Monnier (100 from 141) led the way, as the hosts posted 4-512 before declaring overnight following the second day. And from then on, the Seals were never in it, although Brianna Eastwood replicated Elliott with a quickfire fifty and Ross Amitt decided to be a pain in the arse with his first shield fifty. But all in all, it was not enough to make the Coyotes bat again as they chalked up yet another win, keeping their good form rolling following their One-Day Cup triumph.

Freeman Firestorm vs New Gloucester Jaguars @ Freeman Oval, Freeman

New Gloucester Jaguars - 265 (65.2)
S Cross 80 (111)			Z Jonjaakh 5/69 (14.2)
A Stealom 54 (88)			A Huntingfield 2/79 (15)

Freeman Firestorm - 324 (98.1)
E Hosbury 120 (187)			S Scron 4/70 (22)
J Campton 39* (68)			L Afosha 3/40 (15.1)

New Gloucester Jaguars - 438 (127)
L Luffman 108 (230)			A Huntingfield 4/97 (28)
M Stein 78 (166)			J Campton 2/69 (20)

Freeman Firestorm - 243 (62.3)
K Force 88 (117)			J de Polo 5/83 (24.3)
S Lake 57 (86)				M Poci 4/72 (17)

Player of the match: Juan de Polo
Freeman Firestorm lose by 136 runs

The Jaguars have kept pace with their main rivals for top spot, the Capital Coyotes, with this all-important win over the Freeman Firestorm. After a disappointing first innings, where they were bowled out in 65 overs for just 265 on a decent batting surface, the Firestorm capitalised, ensuring they would take at least one point out of the match, no matter the outright result. An Erin Hosbury century anchored the innings, but no one else fired, with bowler Jason Campton scoring the next highest score, with an unbeaten 39. Samuel Scron and Liam Afosha played big roles, taking four and three wickets respectively as they restricted the Firestorm to a lead of just 69 runs.

At 4-67, the Jaguars appeared to be in need of a miracle to win, but with such a strong batting unit, they never seemed completely out. And so Mitchell Stein and Lauren Luffman rebuilt the innings before the former was dismissed for 78, the score 213. Ashton Stealom then took over Stein’s role as runs began to flow once again, the wicketkeeper-batter looking to play with flair and freedom throughout his innings. The two of them combined for 121 before Luffman, having passed 100, was dismissed by a flying catch off the bowling of Anna Huntingfield. Two runs later, Stealom fell for 76, and with two new batters at the crease, this was Freeman’s chance. But Juan de Polo refused to give it to them, whacking a run-a-ball 67 to take New Gloucester to 438 before the final wicket fell, leaving Freeman needing 370 to win.

They didn’t even come close. Half-centuries to Kieran Force and Sean Lake kept supporters guessing, but the spin attack on a turning Freeman pitch was too much as the hosts were bowled out for 243, de Polo picking up 5-83 and Milan Poci 4-72. And with that win, they lengthened their gap to third place to twelve points, and kept themselves primed for another showdown with the Capital Coyotes in the Lavatory Shield final.

What a game that would be.

Current Table

* Lavatory Shield               Pld   W  D  T  L  I  LD   Pts
1 Capital Coyotes		  5   3  2  0  0  2  3    31
2 New Gloucester Jaguars`	  5   4  1  0  0  0  4    30
3 South Sylestone Scorpions	  5   2  1  0  2  1  1    18
4 Central Sylestone Snakes	  5   1  1  0  3  1  1    12
5 Freeman Firestorm		  5   0  4  0  1  0  4    10
6 Suffolk Seals			  5   0  2  0  3  0  2     6


“I” indicates innings win
“LD” indicates first-innings lead
“T” indicates tie

Key:
Win - 6
Tie - 3
Draw - 2
Loss - 0
First-innings lead - +1
Innings/10-wicket win - +3

by **Sylestone** » Sat Feb 26, 2022 6:40 pm

CRASH N’ SMASH

Season Four

Matchday One

Betham Dogs vs Cleorough Devils @ Betham Cricket Ground, Betham

Cleorough Devils - 6/165 (20)
A Tasso 55 (41)				P Robinson 2/24 (4)
J Hatfield 49 (24)			L yChallril 1/22 (4)

Betham Dogs - 5/169 (19.4)
N Lovia 63 (44)				B Risewell 1/21 (3)
S Lake 41 (34)				J de Polo 1/23 (4)

Player of the match: Ronald Taylor
Betham Dogs win by five wickets with two balls remaining

Kicking off the season was the match between the defending champions and last season’s wooden-spooners, and boy, what a game it was. The Betham Dogs, with a far improved squad from last season, were able to get across the line in the end, beginning the season with a rather drastic upset. On a BCG strip with a bit of something in it, the Dogs restricted the visitors to just 2-51 from their first ten overs before Nicholas Lovia took the game by the throat and began to swing the momentum. But when he and big hitter Ashton Stealom were dismissed balls apart, the hosts regained control of the match, the score only 5-114 with only 21 balls left in the innings. That was when South Newlandian import Jana Hatfield made her mark on the game, scoring 49 from just 24 balls to propel her franchise to 6-165 from their 20 overs, while fellow Elephant (yes a literal one; get used to it) Peter Robinson picked up innings-best figures of 2-24 from his four overs.

For much of the run chase, Betham had things under control. Edward Cunningham and Sean Lake played aggressively throughout the powerplay before the former was dismissed for 19, the score on 36. However, that only brought Nicholas Lovia to the crease, and the right-hander proceeded to cause even more damage, combining with Lake for a 71-run partnership from just 54 balls, taking the total to 1-107 and the required runs to 59 from seven overs. But that was when the class of the Devils broke through, taking 4-28 in 23 balls to all but seal the game. With two new batters at the crease and the required rate 12 an over, the Dogs appeared to have choked yet another game.

But Ko-orenite international Ronald Taylor had other ideas, proceeding to take the Devils’ bowlers down in a brutal display, whacking an unbeaten 32 from 14 balls to seal the game with two balls remaining. After last year’s wooden spoon, the Dogs had invested a lot of money into a brand-new side, and for the moment, it appeared to be paying dividends.

Dunkirk Rovers vs Chamberley Giants @ Jameson Oval, Dunkirk

Chamberley Giants - 6/168 (20)
S Monteane 56 (42)			H Tumcoweiss 2/35 (4)
E Hunniford 29* (8)			M Boyle 1/21 (4)

Dunkirk Rovers - 7/156 (20)
P Longlege 65 (42)			S Scron 4/34 (4)
H Tumcoweiss 49 (37)			O Bowles 1/23 (3)

Player of the match: Samuel Scron
Chamberley Giants win by 12 runs

The Chamberley Giants, widely renowned as the best club in the Crash n’ Smash, got their season off to a rather shaky start with an unconvincing triumph over the Dunkirk Rovers. After winning the toss and batting, Simon Monteane anchored the innings with his 56, while other batters looked to play aggressively around him. However, when he was the fourth wicket to fall, the run-rate was still only 7.5, and required a boost. And that was exactly what wicketkeeper Eli Hunniford gave it, making 29 runs from just eight balls in a mindblowing cameo to propel the score up to 6-168, leaving the Rovers with a difficult chase ahead of them on a turning pitch.

However, it would not be the spin quartet of Broughton Hall, Oscar Bowles, Liam Afosha and Lachlan Edwards who won the game for their city. As a matter of fact, Edwards didn’t even get an over. No, it would be Samuel Scron who proved to be the destroyer, picking up 4-34 with his skilful variations, including the key wicket of Hraffinthroquadilamjamhampamsamtamrambamattawakkipurrheliomansthophthanes (poor guy) Tumcoweiss with four balls remaining for 49. And thus, it would not be half-century makers Sumon Monteane or Peter Longlege, or even Eli Hunniford, who would be awarded with the player of the match title.

Pesfield Wasps vs Halpenley Lightning @ Bolton Oval, Pesfield

Pesfield Wasps - 9/235 (20)
S Cross 82 (35)				S Asaskia 3/33 (4)
L Tiati 68 (44)				L Codrington 2/49 (4)

Halpenley Lightning - 153 (17.1)
C McCrory 70 (39)			H Cranston 3/29 (4)
S Asaskia 29 (17)			T Mankira 2/34 (3.1)

Player of the match: Samuel Cross
Pesfield Wasps win by 82 runs

When a team goes berserk like the Pesfield Wasps did on this day in front of home fans at Bolton Oval, there is almost nothing their opposition can do. Samuel Cross and Luke Tiati led the charge, both making half-centuries as the Wasps smashed a total of 9-235 from their 50 overs. Samuel Asaskia was the only bowler not torn to shreds, picking up 3-33 from four overs, but no one else went for under tens.

In reply, Charles McCrory set about the run chase in destructive fashion, but he could not find a partner in crime as wickets continued to tumble at the other end. As a result, when he was dismissed for a 39-ball 70, the score was only 109 in the 12th over, and the game was done and dusted. Eventually, the Lightning were bowled out for 153 in the 18th over, falling short of their target by a whopping 82 runs. The Wasps were back.

Avondale Knights vs Scorching Hot Dodle @ Capital Stadium, Avondale

Scorching Hot Dodle - 8/173 (20)
Z Charlton 68 (39)			J Vilesti 2/20 (4)
R Hale 41 (24)				E Samuel 2/25 (4)

Avondale Knights - 2/174 (17.4)
M Scovell 67 (46)			A Huntingfield 1/30 (3)
C Freehill 59* (35)			A Barragai 1/43 (4)

Player of the match: Caitlyn Freehill
Avondale Knights win by eight wickets with 14 balls remaining

After last season’s poor campaign, the Avondale Knights have kicked this season off with a resounding, eight wicket win over Dodle, much to the enjoyment of their home crowd. Throughout the entirety of the Dodle innings, their batters teed off, looking to score as many runs as possible, but only two players - Roderick Hale and Zachary Charlton - succeeded. The latter, after being delisted by the Cleorough Devils last season, whacked five fours and two sixes in his 39-ball 68, but when he was dismissed, the innings kind of spluttered as a possible 200 score was reduced by quality bowling to a mere 8-173. However, it was still a good total, and the Knights would have to work hard to get there.

Yash Ubuni got the innings off to a flier, scoring his 19 at over a run a ball before he was caught on the boundary, bringing Caitlyn Freehill to the crease to join Ko-orenite opener Moses Scovell. The pair combined for an 85-run partnership in 61 balls before Scovell was dismissed for 67 and with the required run-rate still above seven, the Scorchers had a sniff. But they couldn’t capitalise as Freehill (59 not out) and Richard Bremner (28 not out) guided their franchise home with 14 balls remaining.

Matchday Two

Cleorough Devils vs Scorching Hot Dodle @ Greenhill Oval, Kirton

Cleorough Devils - 5/196 (20)
A Tasso 52 (34)				P Tripathi 1/34 (4)
D Fomleya 39 (29)			S Petersen 1/35 (4)

Scorching Hot Dodle - 8/181 (20)
Z Charlton 78 (49)			B Risewell 3/36 (4)
C Anderson 43 (25)			J de Polo 2/23 (4)

Player of the match: Juan de Polo
Cleorough Devils win by 15 runs

For the second time in two games, Dodle’s bowling has let them down. Despite having three players with international experience - Ross Amitt, Samuel Petersen and Panu Tripathi - in their attack, they have somehow not managed to successfully bog down any batting lineup. While they took regular wickets in this match against the Cleorough Devils, they could do nothing to stop the momentum as the hosts racked up 5-196 from their 20 overs, Aiden Tasso top-scoring with 52. And despite the Scorchers boasting one of the strongest batting lineups in the Crash n’ Smash, they could only muster 8-181 in reply, and it could have been worse if it wasn’t for some wayward bowling in the final over from Gruenberger Zefizaq Effervescentpyjamas, giving Zachary Charlton some much-needed runs before dismissing the Dodle number five for 78 with two balls remaining. But all in all, it was a Cleorough victory, and boy did they need it to get their season going.

Halpenley Lightning vs Avondale Knights @ Wagham Stadium, Conton

Halpenley Lightning - 5/227 (20)
C McCrory 95 (53)			C Freehill 2/21 (2)
J Martin 64* (26)			F Stanton 2/46 (4)

Avondale Knights - 6/153 (20)
M Scovell 36 (31)			A Kennedy 2/28 (4)
C Freehill 30 (20)			A Singh 1/25 (4)

Player of the match: Charles McCrory
Halpenley Lightning win by 73 runs

After being taken everywhere by the Pesfield Wasps in the first round, the Lightning decided it would be their turn to take an attack down. On the back of Charles McCrory’s 53-ball 95, the Halpenley franchise pummelled a whopping 5-227 in 20 overs against the Avondale Knights, with Jack Martin also chipping in with a handy 64 form just 26 balls. It was a brutal display of strength and next to no bowlers were spared, although Caitlyn Freehill and Fergus Stanton kind of redeemed themselves with two wickets apiece. Yet, it was not enough to stem the run flow as the Knights found themselves chasing a total nigh on impossible to chase down.

They barely gave it a shot. Yash Ubuni and Moses Scovell struggled against accurate bowling and while Freehill struck a couple of lusty blows in her quickfire 30, it was nowhere near the run-rate the Knights required. In the end, Avondale had to be satisfied with a total of 6-153 from their 20 overs, falling short of the target by 74 runs, taking a big hit to their net run-rate as critics widely criticised the defensive nature of the chase, especially coming from a side who chased down a decent total in short time just a few days ago.

Chamberley Giants vs Pesfield Wasps @ Freeman Oval, Freeman

Chamberley Giants - 7/162 (20)
L Cocrine 66 (43)		 	O Lovia 2/13 (3)
S Monteane 44 (29)			S Cross 2/14 (3)

Pesfield Wasps - 3/165 (17.3)
L Tiati 69* (47)			D Goolsby 1/13 (2)
K Newman 34 (21)			L Edwards 1/16 (2)

Player of the match: Luke Tiati
Pesfield Wasps win by seven wickets with 15 balls remaining

Just the strength of this new-look Wasps side was established in this match, where they were able to convincingly defeat the most successful team in the history of the Crash n’ Smash by a whopping seven wickets with over two overs remaining. Earlier, the Wasps’ bowlers were good enough to keep the Giants to just 7-162 from their 20 overs, despite ominous innings from Simon Monteane and Lachlan Cocrine threatening to take the total above that. It meant that the game was evenly balanced heading into the second innings, where the visitors took it by the scruff of the neck to rack up their second win in two games. Luke Tiati was the mainstay of the innings, scoring 69 not out, while forming partnerships with Zachary Arafase (22), Kaye Newman (34), Gary Umbridge (16) and Samuel Cross (12 not out) to bring his side across the finish line with fifteen balls to spare.

Betham Dogs vs Dunkirk Rovers @ Flush Park, Kirkham

Betham Dogs - 6/175 (20)
O Edwards 54* (26)			H Tumcoweiss 2/23 (4)
E Cunningham 41 (32)			N Pistecial 2/30 (4)

Dunkirk Rovers - 4/176 (16)
C Alkina 105 (46)			L yChallril 3/38 (4)
M Mcleroy 41* (35)			S Clapiope 1/27 (2)

Player of the match: Connor Alkina
Dunkirk Rovers win by six wickets with 24 balls remaining

In just one innings, Connor Alkina has gone from mediocrity onto the national selection table. Sure, you need to have consistency, but if you can score 105 from 46 balls against a bowling lineup containing Peter Robinson, Lasrewll yChallril, Edward Hillock and Ronald Taylor, then you’re clearly doing something right. Chasing the Dogs’ first-innings total of 6-175, Alkina never relented, taking the score to 140 before he was dismissed, having scored 75% of his team’s runs up until that stage. Maida Mcleroy continued to play a supportive role at the other end while her teammates came and went going for big shots against the leg-spin of the Ko-orenite yChallril, but the game was all but won. Eventually, the Grearish batter finished with 41 not out, scoring the winning single with 24 balls still remaining, the Rovers only four down. The surprise packets were back up following a close loss to the Chamberley Giants, and were once again winning.

Matchday Three

Dunkirk Rovers vs Cleorough Devils @ Jameson Oval, Dunkirk

Dunkirk Rovers - 6/170 (20)
C Alkina 98* (58)			B Risewell 2/37 (4)
H Tumcoweiss 41 (20)			Z Effervescentpyjamas 2/40 (4)

Cleorough Devils - 7/166 (20)
A Silas 27 (21)				H Tumcoweiss 2/13 (4)
J Hatfield 27 (28)			M Boyle 2/29 (4)

Player of the match: Hraffinthroquadilamjamhampamsamtamrambamattawakkipurrheliomansthophthanes Tumcoweiss
Dunkirk Rovers win by four runs

Yep, Connor Alkina is definitely knocking on the door for a T20I debut. On a home Jameson Oval pitch with a bit of kick in it, he began slowly before upping the ante towards the end of his innings. With the score 4-101 in the 15th over, Hraffinquadiwhowouldgivetheirpoorchildthisname Tumcoweiss joined Alkine at the crease and proceeded to hit 41 from 20 balls, before being dismissed on the first ball of the final over. With one ball remaining, Alkina was 96 not out, and he seemed prime to become the first player to score consecutive centuries in the Crash n; Smash. However, he could only squirt the final ball out for two as the Rovers finished with 6-170 from their 20 overs, an above-par total on a tricky surface against a strong bowling lineup. But the Rovers were up against the defending champions, and they certainly would not go down without a fight.

And unfortunately for the Cleorough Devils, their fight was not good enough. Despite creating the impression they were cruising towards the total when the score was 2-90 at the halfway mark, Dunkirk continued to take regular wickets and as a result, no batter was able to top 27 runs. Jana Hatfield held things together in the back half of the innings, and combined with Ko-orenite allrounder Blaine Risewell to bring the visitors ever closer to the target, but in the end, their efforts were not enough. With Tumcoweiss spinning a web around the Devils’ batters with his 2-13 from four overs, it was always going to be a tough ask, and in the end, they fell four runs short as Dunkirk picked up their second win on the trot. Once again, the surprise packets had struck, and another quality side was left without points from a game they really should have won.

Pesfield Wasps vs Betham Dogs @ Bolton Oval, Pesfield

Betham Dogs - 6/157 (20)
S Lake 70 (49)				S Irvine 2/13 (3)
C Demoncast 34* (27)			S Cross 2/29 (3)

Pesfield Wasps - 5/158 (20)
K Newman 51* (34)			L yChallril 2/16 (4)
L Tiati 33 (25)				R Taylor 1/20 (3)

Player of the match: Kaye Newman
Pesfield Wasps win by five wickets with zero balls remaining

Sometimes, the best games of cricket aren’t necessarily the high-scoring affairs. And this one, between the Betham Dogs and Pesfield Wasps, was certainly one of them. After the Wasps sent the visitors in on a good-looking track at Bolton Oval, Sean Lake was the only batter to really get going, scoring a 49-ball 70 before being dismissed in the 16th over, the score 4-116. Bruxoan magician Catbug Demoncast whacked a few to ensure the Dogs passed 150, but ultimately, there was no way 6-157 would be enough without some brilliant bowling.

Zachary Arafase and Luke Tiati opened the Pesfield innings cautiously, but by the time Tiati fell for 33 in the 9th over, they were nearly up at the required run-rate, the score 62. When Arafase was dismissed a couple of overs later, though, the required rates were up around ten and all of a sudden, the Dogs were back in it.

South Newlandian skipper Kaye Newman began to find her groove, but wickets continued to fall at the other end and by the time Ronald Taylor joined her at the crease, 58 runs were needed from 29 balls, Pesfield well and truly behind the eight-ball. But Taylor and Newman proceeded to completely flip that, combining for a 54-run stand in just 27 balls to flip that, before Taylor was dismissed for an 11-ball 24 with four runs required from three balls. And with a pair of twos that brought up Newman’s half-century and the winning runs at the same time, the Wasps were able to somehow take both points out of the game from a seemingly unwinnable position. It marked their third win in three games, and in each game, they proved they could do something we previously didn’t know they could. My, were they quickly turning into hot favourites.

Avondale Knights vs Chamberley Giants @ Capital Stadium, Avondale

Avondale Knights - 5/164 (20)
C Freehill 75 (56)			B Hall 3/25 (4)
E Cunningham 31 (35)			D Goolsby 1/13 (2)

Chamberley Giants - 6/165 (16.1)
L Cocrine 68 (33)			E Samuel 2/28 (3.1)
L Edwards 33 (21)			J Vilesti 1/23 (3)

Player of the match: Lachlan Cocrine
Chamberley Giants win by four wickets with 23 balls remaining

A brutal knock from Lachlan Cocrine and disciplined bowling from Broughton Hall has trumped Caitlyn Freehill’s best knock thus far in T20’s, the young Knight scoring a 56-ball 75 as part of her franchise’s 5-164 from their 20 overs. It could’ve been more, too, if Broughton Hall hadn’t tied the Avondale middle-order down with superb figures of 3-25 from his four overs. But nevertheless, 164 is always a competitive total, and the Giants would have to do well to chase it down.

They did more than “well” in the end. Cocrine’s innings of 68 at over two runs a ball made simply magnificent viewing and while wickets fell at regular intervals, at no point did the run chase relent. When Chamberley passed the Knights’ score six wickets down, there were still 23 balls remaining in the innings as the Giants gained a much-needed net run-rate boost.

Scorching Hot Dodle vs Halpenley Lightning @ Dodle Furnace, Dodle

Halpenley Lightning - 5/188 (20)
C Cunnings 49 (36)			R Amitt 3/40 (4)
S Asaskia 44* (20)			S Petersen 1/27 (4)

Scorching Hot Dodle - 7/148 (20)
B Eastwood 27 (20)			J Martin 3/22 (4)
V Stonton 26* (18)			C Darkcape 2/36 (4)

Player of the match: Jack Martin
Halpenley Lightning win by 40 runs

Yet another commanding display from the Halpenley Lightning, predicted wooden-spooners, has seen them jump to second on net run-rate. While no one in the Halpenley batting lineup could succeed in passing fifty - Cameron Cunnings’ 49 was the closest - consistent performance throughout the top- and middle-order helped them to 188 for just the loss of five wickets. Samuel Asaskia played an integral role at the death, as always, hitting an unbeaten 20-ball 44 against Ross Amitt and Samuel Petersen’s quality death bowling while wickets fell around him. Amitt was the pick of the bowlers with 3-40, but Petersen performed equally well with his 1-27 from four overs, nailing yorkers with perfection on multiple occasions.

The Scorchers never really looked as though they had their hearts in the chase. Brianna Eastwood looked good at the top of the order with 27, but that was the highest score of the innings as wickets fell whenever a partnership was beginning to form. Jack Martin, the part-time off-spinner, was the pick of the bowlers with 3-22 from his four overs and was duly awarded player of the match, proving near impossible to hit at times with his cagey tweakers. Victor Stonton hit a lusty blow or two towards the back end of the Dodle innings and finished with 26 not out, but the final Dodle total was a good 40 runs short of their target, slumping to their third loss on the trot.

Matchday Four

Cleorough Devils vs Halpenley Lightning @ The Showground, Chisbuton

Halpenley Lightning - 5/178 (20)
C Cunnings 57 (41)			J de Polo 4/36 (4)
M Stein 43 (31)				N Norwell 1/13 (3)

Cleorough Devils - 6/182 (20)
D Fomleya 46 (34)			J Martin 1/21 (4)
A Stealom 41* (19)			C Darkcape 1/23 (2)

Player of the match: Ashton Stealom
Cleorough Devils win by four wickets with zero balls remaining

Ashton Stealom, what a player he is turning into. After Cameron Cunnings, Mitchell Stein and Samuel Asaskia pummelled the Devils attack for 178 from their 20 overs - above par on a turning track in Chisbuton - the 30-year-old keeper-batter came in with his club only four wickets down but needing 60 runs in less than six overs to win. With Jack Martin bowling his heart out in an economical spell that yielded 1-21 from his four overs, Stealom had to get his eye in against that and some high-quality fast bowling from Samuel Asaskia and co. Yet, he managed to whittle it down to fourteen off the final over, bowled by Leo Codrington, and from there, one from the final ball. With everyone in the infield, Stealom pierced them all with ease, hitting a boundary to bring the Devils home in a thriller. Following two losses in their opening three games, this performance was just the thing that could get the defending champions’ season back on track.

Chamberley Giants vs Scorching Hot Dodle @ Katham Oval, Katham

Chamberley Giants - 6/159 (20)
L Edwards 53 (31)			P Tripathi 3/35 (4)
L Cocrine 51* (31)			A Huntingfield 2/27 (4)

Scorching Hot Dodle - 2/161 (14.4)
R Hale 88* (44)				D Goolsby 1/25 (2.4)
C Anderson 58* (32)			B Hall 1/32 (3)

Player of the match: Roderick Hale
Scorching Hot Dodle win by eight wickets with 32 balls remaining

In the past three matches, the Dodle bowling has simply been unable to click together, conceding well above nine runs an over in each of those games. However, in their opening two games, the batting has, but at no point were able to successfully counter the bowling struggles as the Scorchers hit rock bottom, losing all three of their opening games. However, despite the Chamberley Giants looking ominous at various stages throughout this match - particularly when Lachlan Edwards was going berserk - they managed to take key wickets at key times to keep the hosts to 159. On a turning wicket that had a lot of up and down bounce in it, Panu Tripathi and Anna Huntingfield, Dodle’s two frontline spinners, combined for a total of 5-62 from their eight overs, displaying their class and never relenting with lines and lengths.

On most Sylestonean pitches, 159 would be considered a good 10-20 below par. But not here in Katham, where the turning nature and up and down bounce of the wicket makes it supremely conducive to spin bowling and slower balls. However, when the Scorchers came out to bat, it appeared they were playing at the Bolton Oval in Pesfield, and next to no balls were playing tricks. Yet, despite this, Dodle were still 2-32 after four overs, and the Giants were well on top.

It would be the last time they felt as though they were in the game. Over the course of the next 12 overs, Roderick Hale and Chloe Anderson smacked the bowling everywhere, combining for over a dozen sixes and an unbeaten 129-run partnership in that time. Hale finished with 88 from 44 balls and was duly awarded as player of the match, but Anderson played equally well for her 32-ball 58 to complete almost unarguably the Scorchers’ biggest win. Ever.

Betham Dogs vs Avondale Knights @ Tutham Oval, Tuthambedon

Avondale Knights - 5/180 (20)
Y Ubuni 80 (48)				L yChallril 2/23 (4)
M Oldacre 36* (23)			C Latour 2/40 (4)

Betham Dogs - 7/154 (20)
E Cunningham 29 (25)			J Vilesti 2/26 (4)
S Lake 28 (13)				E Samuel 1/19 (4)

Player of the match: Yash Ubuni
Avondale Knights win by 26 runs

Avondale have found their winning ways once again, producing an excellent all-round performance to defeat the Betham Dogs by 26 runs at their home tertiary ground in Tuthambedon. Yash Ubuni and Moses Scovell opened up for the visitors after being sent in for the first dig, the two forming a partnership of 62 in 7.2 overs before the Ko-orenite was dismissed for 17. However, that did not faze the ageing wicketkeeper-batter, who passed his maiden fifty of the season balls after Caitlyn Freehill was caught at backward point in a contender for catch of the season. Only Lasrewll yChallril was shown any sort of respect, the leg-spinner conceding just 23 runs from his four overs, picking up two wickets on the way. Richard Bremner once again made a start before getting out, but it was Mariam Oldacre who finished off the innings following Ubuni’s dismissal for 80, scoring an unbeaten 36 at a strike rate of 157 to propel her side to 5-180. On a good batting surface, it was an above-par score, but certainly not unchaseable.

Sean Lake got the innings off to a flier, whacking a 13-ball 28 before he was caught on the boundary off the bowling of Josh Vilesti, the score 44 midway through the fifth over. And from then on, the Dogs’ innings followed a gradual decline, falling further and further below the required run-rate. Some late blows from Ronald Taylor saw the hosts to 7-154, but it was not enough to halt a convincing Knights’ victory as Betham, once again, moved to the bottom of the table, below the Scorchers on net run-rate.

Dunkirk Rovers vs Pesfield Wasps @ Coastline Showground, Garretty

Pesfield Wasps - 5/173 (20)
K Newman 93 (57)			N Pistecial 2/27 (4)
G Umbridge 37 (22)			P Longlege 1/21 (2)

Dunkirk Rovers - 5/174 (19)
M Mcleroy 82 (51)			J Tyrkkekkekklukkekklukekk 2/24 (4)
P Longlege 25 (18)			T Mankira 2/34 (4)

Player of the match: Maida Mcleroy
Dunkirk Rovers win by five wickets with six balls remaining

Well, if a franchise would be able to defeat the Pesfield Wasps, no one thought it would be the Dunkirk Rovers. Yet, over the past couple of seasons, Peter Lenton’s side has built a reputation for being giant-killers, and tonight was no different. After sending the Wasps into bat first, Norbert Pistecial picked up the key wicket of Luke Tiati just third ball, bowling a maiden to put the Wasps on the back foot early. But South Newlandian skipper Kaye Newman wasn’t one to believe that, playing a counter-aggressive knock of 93 from 57 balls before being caught on the boundary in the 17th over when all signs began to point towards her maiden T20 century. Despite only being at the crease for 16 overs, Newman made over half the runs in the Wasps’ innings, with the remaining batters only combining for 80 as Pesfield posted a target of 173, albeit on a good batting surface. A thrilling second innings awaited.

The huge wicket of Connor Alkina on the third ball of the innings put the Wasps on top, but Maida Mcleroy looked right at home at the crease right from her opening delivery. She formed a 33-run partnership with Peter Cuniry (17), a 40-run one with Peter Longlege (25), 34 runs with Peter Lenton (15) before being dismissed on the final ball of the 17th over for 82 with 14 runs required from 13 balls, the heavy lifting complete. Eventually, Gruenberger Howthefuckdoyouevenpronouncethisname Tumcoweiss ensured his side would emerge victorious, scoring 13 runs in the penultimate over, the Rovers passing the target of 173 with six balls remaining in the innings and climbing to second place on the table, only behind the Wasps on net run-rate. But with four teams right on their tails with two wins and two losses, both Dunkirk and Pesfield would have to keep on winning.

Matchday Five

Pesfield Wasps vs Cleorough Devils @ Bolton Oval, Pesfield
G Umbridge 83 (44) Z Effervescentpyjamas 3/47 (4)
L Tiati 43 (16) N Norwell 2/50 (4)

Cleorough Devils - 4/159 (20)
D Fomleya 62 (48) K Newman 1/10 (2)
B Westleford 33 (27) H Cranston 1/12 (2)

Player of the match: Gary Umbridge
Pesfield Wasps win by 77 runs[/pre]
Last round, the importance for the Wasps to keep on winning to ensure they maintained their position at the head of the Crash n’ Smash table was emphasised, and it appears they have listened to us. Up against the defending champions at Bolton Oval, Luke Tiati won the toss and did not hesitate to bat first, before taking the opening Cleorough bowlers to all parts of the Pesfield stadium, scoring 43 off just 16 balls before being dismissed. However, it set the tone for the innings and from that point onwards, the Wasps did not take their feet off the accelerator. Ethanian import Gary Umbridge top-scored, hitting 83 runs from 44 balls, and anchoring the Pesfield innings as batters came and went around him. Only Kate Sonnel, with figures of 1-28 from her four overs, conceded below ten runs an over as Pesfield piled on a total of 236, Zefizaq Effervescentpyjamas taking three wickets and Nathan Norwell two.

Much to the disappointment of the crowd, the Cleorough Devils didn’t even try to chase down the total, instead opting to give their top six some batting practice. Daniel Fomleya made the most of it, hitting a 48-ball 62, while Brock Westleford chipped in with 33. The wickets were shared amongst the Pesfield bowlers, with Kaye Newman, Holly Cranston, Sharron Irvine and Samuel Cross all taking one apiece, while Tyrkkekkekklukkekklukekk’s four overs conceded a mere 15 runs. Cleorough finished with 4-159, a deficit of 77 runs, and could have been a lot lower if it wasn’t for some Jana Hatfield entertainment towards the back end of the innings.

Avondale Knights vs Dunkirk Rovers @ Capital Stadium, Avondale

Dunkirk Rovers - 5/194 (20)
C Alkina 58 (32)			G Haines 2/20 (4)
M Mcleroy 46 (38)			C Freehill 1/24 (2)

Avondale Knights - 6/153 (20)
Y Ubuni 45 (24)				H Tumcoweiss 2/22 (4)
R Bremner 40 (42)			M Boyle 2/24 (4)

Player of the match: Connor Alkina
Dunkirk Rovers win by 41 runs

After being dismissed for just four against the Pesfield Wasps, Connor Alkina has returned to form with a quickfire 58, top-scoring in the first innings of the Dunkirk Rovers’ matchup against the Avondale Knights before Georgia Haines bowled him. Maida Mcleroy anchored the innings with a 38-ball 46, continuing her good form from previous rounds, and only Haines, with figures of 2-20 from her four overs, garnered any sort of respect from the Dunkirk batters. After their 20 overs were up, Dunkirk had piled on a total of 5-194, and were well and truly on top.

Yash Ubuni got the innings off to a flier with a 24-ball 45, but other than Fergus Stanton down at number six who finished the innings off with an unbeaten 32 from 17 balls, no one could get going. Tumbran batter Richard Bremner made his highest score of the season with 40, but took 42 balls to get there. It would be struggling performances like this that would plague the Knights as they scrambled together a reply of 6-153, falling 41 runs short of their intended target as the Rovers maintained their pace with the Wasps at the head of the table.

Scorching Hot Dodle vs Betham Dogs @ Dodle Furnace, Dodle

Scorching Hot Dodle - 9/181 (20)
R Hale 84 (50)				C Latour 3/36 (4)
Z Charlton 26 (21)			E Hillock 3/42 (4)

Betham Dogs - 6/185 (17.3)
E Cunningham 72 (42)			C Anderson 3/24 (3)
S Lake 31 (14)				P Tripathi 2/20 (4)

Player of the match: Edward Cunningham
Betham Dogs win by four wickets with 15 balls remaining

In a match between the two bottom-dwellers, the Betham Dogs emerged victorious with a four-wicket win in the 18th over as Dodle’s bowlers once again failed to fire. Earlier in the day, the Scorchers piled on a score of 9-181 at their home ground in Dodle, with Roderick Hale continuing his superb touch with yet another score in the eighties, while Chelsea Latour and Edward Hillock each picked up three wickets, and Peter Robinson two.

But it would simply not be enough. Sean Lake and Edward Cunningham got the Betham innings off to a flier, taking Samuel Petersen and Angara Barragai to all parts of the Dodle Furnace in a stand of 62 in just 29 balls. From that moment onwards, the required run-rate was always in check, even after Cunningham was dismissed for 72 in the 14th over, the score 132. Some massive blows from Ronald Taylor and Mary Geach ensured the remaining runs were chased down in quick time, completing the victory with 15 balls still remaining. Only Panu Tripathi (2-20 from four) and Chloe Anderson (3-24 from three) didn’t necessarily cop stick, but the fast bowlers simply did not perform at their best, and that was the factor that ultimately cost the Scorchers.

Halpenley Lightning vs Chamberley Giants @ Halpenley City Oval, Halpenley

Halpenley Lightning - 5/168 (20)
M Stein 61* (48)			L Njata 2/38 (4)
S Asaskia 38 (24)			D Goolsby 1/14 (2)

Chamberley Giants - 9/161 (20)
L Afosha 47 (40)			C Darkcape 3/16 (4)
S Dickson 45 (32)			S Asaskia 2/36 (4)

Player of the match: Catamite Darkcape
Halpenley Lightning win by seven runs

Well, what a turn of events. Sure, the Chamberley Giants are yet to click this season, but it’s hard to comprehend this particular result. After being sent in by the Giants, Leo Njata picked up the early wicket of Alyssa Fihelly, bowled off a short ball that struck her ribs, breaking them, before ricocheting onto her stumps. But this brought Mitchell Stein to the crease, who looked rather comfortable the bowling as he set about running hard between the wickets. Samuel Asaskia hit a few blows towards the end of the innings with wickets still left in the sheds, but Stein failed to significantly up the ante as the Lightning completed their innings at 5-168, a tricky total on a tough surface to get going on.

And it proved thus. After Catamite Darkcape picked up both openers, a run out left the Giants struggling at 3-20 in the fifth over, bringing Steven Dickson and Liam Afosha to the crease together. The Licentian number four went about things at a brisk pace before he was dismissed for 45 from 32 balls, while Afosha was more relaxed, taking 40 balls to score his 47. When he was caught at point, he was just beginning to up the run-rate, and looking like getting his city home. Dewayne Goolsby smashed a couple in a 12-ball cameo that yielded 26 runs, but late wickets ensured that the Giants would only muster 161 from their 20 overs, as Halpenley picked up their third win of the season, moving up into the top four. Meanwhile, the Giants, for the first time in a long time, were struggling at three losses from five.

Matchday Six

Cleorough Devils vs Chamberley Giants @ Greenhill Oval, Kirton

Chamberley Giants - 6/190 (20)
L Afosha 66* (37)			K Sonnel 3/32 (4)
D Goolsby 39 (22)			J de Polo 1/29 (4)

Cleorough Devils - 5/160 (20)
D Fomleya 91 (56)			B Hall 2/26 (4)
B Westleford 36 (34)			S Scron 0/18 (3)

Player of the match: Liam Afosha
Chamberley Giants win by 30 runs

After their shock loss to the Halpenley Lightning mere days ago, the Chamberley Giants have bounced back with an integral victory against the defending champions in the first of two grand final rematches. With both franchises struggling with only two wins from five matches, it was a decisive game for both, and the Giants were good enough to take it out by thirty runs, on the back of a Liam Afosha half-century and a partnership of 80 between him and Dewayne Goolsby to launch them out of trouble, and to an above-par total of 190.

Taylah Monnier, back in the side following illness, struggled to get going, chewing up 17 balls for just seven runs before getting run out. A couple of overs later, another run out occurred, this time of vice-captain Aiden Tasso for five and the Devils were 2-38 in the eighth over. But Daniel Fomleya was still there and combined for a 102-run partnership with a struggling Brock Westleford. But with 51 runs required from 16 balls to pull off an unlikely victory, he skied one straight into the gloves of Eli Hunniford, essentially ending the game then and there as the Hawthorn captain departed for a fabulous 91. Three balls later, Broughton Hall bowled Hatfield for a golden duck with a carrom ball, before Westleford was run out on the final ball of the innings for a disappointing 36 from 34 balls. The final total was 5-160, still 30 runs short, as the Devils dropped to eighth place for the first time since who knows when.

Betham Dogs vs Halpenley Lightning @ Flush Park, Kirkham

Betham Dogs - 4/178 (20)
S Lake 97* (62)				L Codrington 2/36 (4)
O Edwards 30 (16)			A Kennedy 1/22 (2)

Halpenley Lightning - 5/161 (20)
M Stein 56 (49)				P Robinson 2/27 (4)
C Cunnings 43 (31)			S Clapiope 1/23

Player of the match: Sean Lake
Betham Dogs win by 17 runs

Sean Lake has continued to show his class with a superb 62-ball 97, remaining unbeaten as he led his franchise to a total of 4-178 from their 20 overs on a pitch with just a little bit of something in it. Oliver Edwards also chipped in with a fiery 30, coming off just 16 balls, to help increase the run-rate towards the back end of the innings. But 178 - it’s a good score, particularly on a pitch where something around 160 or 165 is par, but it’s far from unchaseable. Halpenley were far from out of this.

In the end, though, things went the Dogs’ way as they chalked up their second win in two games. A partnership between Mitchell Stein and Cameron Cunnings failed to really get going despite being worth 89 runs in 66 balls, Stein once again struggling for timing. Once the 20 overs were up, Peter Robinson was the only bowler with multiple wickets as Halpenley finished with a total of 5-161, falling short of their target by 17 runs.

Dunkirk Rovers vs Scorching Hot Dodle @ Evergreen Arena, Emacuton

Scorching Hot Dodle - 4/217 (20)
B Eastwood 113 (61)			N Pistecial 2/44 (4)
C Anderson 49 (27)			H Tumcoweiss 1/40 (4)

Dunkirk Rovers - 7/196 (20)
H Tumcoweiss 64 (27)			P Tripathi 2/27 (4)
M Mcleroy 39 (28)			S Petersen 2/32 (4)

Player of the match: Brianna Eastwood
Scorching Hot Dodle win by 21 runs

Finally, one of the biggest finds of last year’s Crash n’ Smash has regained its feet, with Dodle opener Brianna Eastwood smashing a sublime 113 from just 61 balls, albeit at a tiny Evergreen Arena with 55-metre boundaries. She scored above 50% of her club’s final total of 4-217, and next to no bowlers were spared in the onslaught. Dharmendra Reddy made his highest score of the season with a gobsmacking 20-ball 43, while Chloe Anderson also chipped in with 49.

Dunkirk weren’t quite ready to give up, though, and scored at nine runs an over right from the outset until the big wicket of Connor Alkina was taken in the sixth over. Peter Cuniry continued along at a rapid rate, too, though, but when he was dismissed on the second ball of the eleventh over, the required run-rate was at fourteens and a Rovers’ victory was looking increasingly unlikely. But enter H Tumcoweiss, and boom, it was game on. The promoted Gruenberger took the game to the Dodle bowlers, smashing a 20-ball fifty. But he received little to no support from the other end, and with 32 required from eight, was given out leg-before wicket as the innings spluttered in the final over. The Rovers finished with 7-196, falling 21 runs short of their target, but they had to be commended for giving it a red-hot go and keeping the game alive into its dying moments. After all, they were in second place.

Pesfield Wasps vs Avondale Knights @ The ‘Tato, Tartontaton

Pesfield Wasps - 2/156 (20)
Z Arafase 73* (58)			M Marshall 1/20 (3)
S Cross 36* (21)			F Stanton 1/35 (4)

Avondale Knights - 9/160 (20)
Y Ubuni 44 (31)				J Tyrkkekkekklukkekklukekk 3/19 (4)
F Stanton 30 (20)			S Cross 2/15 (2)

Player of the match: Jett Tyrkkekkekklukkekklukekk
Avondale Knights win by one wicket with zero balls remaining

After the Dunkirk Rovers lost to the last-placed Scorchers, this was the Wasps’ chance to one-up their rivals with their fifth win in six games. But the Avondale Knights had other ideas, triumphing in a tense final-ball win with a single wicket remaining. Earlier in the day, some superb bowling from the Knights’ attack meant that no batter was really able to get going on a pitch that was allowing slower balls to hold in the wicket. Joshua Vilesti’s disciplined bowling at the death was a particular highlight, the incumbent picking up figures of 0-26 from his four overs despite bowling some tough overs. Only Samuel Cross appeared to have any idea to play the pitch with an unbeaten 36 from 21, while Zachary Arafase never really seemed set throughout his 58-ball innings, from which he made 73 runs as the Wasps finished with just 156 for the loss of just two wickets.

Moses Scovell and Yash Ubuni got the Avondale innings off to a flier, forming a partnership of 40 from just 20 balls before the former was dismissed for 16. Caitlyn Freehill relieved Scovell and played a significant role in a 43-run partnership with Ubuni, taking the score to 1-83 from 8.2 overs before she was run out by Jett Tyrkkekkekklukkekklukekk. At that point, the Knights really should have cruised towards the total, but no. They insisted on making it tough.

At the ten-over mark, the score was 2-89, with only 68 runs required for victory from 60 balls. However, from that point, the Knights proceeded to lose 4-25 in 28 balls, slumping to 6-114 while the required run-rate began to escalate. This collapse included the wicket of Ubuni for a 31-ball 44, and in just a few overs, the Wasps were back on top. Tyrkkekkekklukkekklukekk was the catalyst of the collapse, picking up figures of 3-19 from his four overs in the process with his tricky variations, including two with that famous, big-spinning wrong-un. But with the Knights holding on by a thread, Malcolm Marshall joined Fergus Stanton for a 27-run partnership before Marshall was dismissed for 12, leaving his side with 16 needed from 11. Fergus Stanton hit a six that over, though, and when Josh Vilesti creamed the opening ball of the final over back over Samuel Cross’s head for four, the scores were level.

With one required from five balls, Vilesti went for glory with the field in… but only succeeded in hitting the ball straight up into the air, to cover, where Tyrkkekkekklukkekklukekk took the catch. Then, the very next ball, with Stanton on strike, Cross delivered up a half-volley. The young all-rounder saw it, and his eyes lit up. But despite timing the ball with perfection, he had slightly misjudged the pace of the ball, hitting it right to Tyrkkekklukkekklukekk’s left, and the Gruenberger, who had already been involved in five dismissals, did not hesitate to stick out his dominant hand and snaffle the ball in one of the catches of the tournament.

One from three, but with one wicket in the sheds. With Emmie Samuel and Georgia Haines at the crease. Two players well-known for barely being able to hold a bat.

Yet, Samuel was good enough to keep out two accurate Cross yorkers, but was unable to score off either. One from one.

The final delivery, a leg-stump yorker, was tickled off Samuel’s bat, past a diving Luke Tiati and down to the boundary. The Knights had nearly choked it multiple times, but in the end, they had emerged victorious. By the skin on their fucking teeth.

Matchday Seven

Avondale Knights vs Cleorough Devils @ Capital Stadium, Avondale

Cleorough Devils - 3/196 (20)
A Tasso 69 (46)				M Marshall 2/38 (4)
B Westleford 47* (26)			G Haines 1/34 (4)

Avondale Knights - 9/161 (20)
M Scovell 45 (35)			Z Effervescentpyjamas 3/37 (4)
Y Ubuni 30 (19)				N Norwell 2/14 (3)

Player of the match: Aiden Tasso
Cleorough Devils win by 35 runs

After a thrilling one-wicket victory over the ladder-leaders, the Knights really should have been riding on a high, ready to give the defending champions and their cross-state rivals a real run for their money. However, when the day came for the match, they were simply not at their best. Despite the early wicket of Taylah Monnier, Daniel Fomleya and Aiden Tasso got the innings off to a good start, combining for an 83-run partnership before Fomleya was dismissed for a 36-ball 36 in the 12th over, the score 105. With only two wickets down, a score of 200-plus looked likely and Brock Westleford did not disappoint, playing an aggressive role in a 71-run partnership with his vice-captain before Tasso was dismissed for 69 on the first ball of the penultimate over. However, Ashton Stealom wasn’t messing about, check-driving his very first delivery over cover for six en route to an unbeaten 15 from seven balls, while Westleford finished on 47 from 26 as the Devils piled on a total of 3-196.

Despite an ominous opening partnership of 45 in five overs, the Knights never really seemed in the game. By the time the ten-over mark came around, the required rate was already up around elevens, and when opener Moses Scovell fell mere balls later for 45, the hosts were well behind the eight-ball. Some lusty hits from Mariam Oldacre at the death were useful, but they were too little too late as the Devils racked up their third win of the season, this one by 35 runs over their rivals as they moved back into sixth place.

Scorching Hot Dodle vs Pesfield Wasps @ Dodle Furnace, Dodle

Scorching Hot Dodle - 4/189 (20)
R Hale 89 (51)				S Irvine 2/28 (4)
B Eastwood 55 (47)			T Mankira 2/33 (3)

Pesfield Wasps - 6/192 (19.3)
L Tiati 81 (48)				P Tripathi 2/44 (4)
Z Arafase 42 (32)			A Hackett 1/29 (4)

Player of the match: Luke Tiati
Pesfield Wasps win by four wickets with three balls remaining

Roderick Hale’s remarkable form has continued with yet another score in the 80s, playing an attacking game as his franchise clocked up a total of 4-189 in their 20 overs after Chloe Anderson elected to bat first. Following the early wicket of the struggling Dharmendra Reddy, Hale and Brianna Eastwood (55) put on a partnership of 145 together before Hale was dismissed. When Eastwood was caught on the boundary a few balls later and Zachary Charlton was bowled by Talvin Mankira on the first ball of the 19th over, a collapse seemed inevitable. But Chloe Anderson (23 not out) and Samuel Petersen saw that off, whacking 20 runs from the final eleven balls of the innings to post an above-par total.

Pesfield were up to the task, though. Zachary Arafase and Luke Tiati began the innings with positivity, compiling an opening partnership of 83 in 57 balls before Arafase was dismissed for 42. With the asking rate at over tens, Samuel Cross came in at three and smashed a 16-ball 28 as part of a 55-run partnership with Tiati in 35 balls. But the required run-rate was continuing to escalate, and the introduction of Jett Tyrkkekkekklukkekklukekk at number four was one the Wasps dearly needed. He may have only made fourteen from eight balls, but he played an integral role in helping Tiati smash 23 off the next seven balls following Cross’s wicket before the Sylestonean left-hander was run-out with 29 runs needed from 20 balls.

The Wasps got there in the end, thanks to Holly Cranston smashing an unbeaten 18 from 10 balls, including the winning boundary with three balls remaining, retaining top spot on the Crash n’ Smash table at the halfway mark, while Dodle remained at the bottom with just two wins. Their batting was fine; it was just their bowling that needed serious work.

Halpenley Lightning vs Dunkirk Rovers @ Halpenley City Oval, Halpenley

Halpenley Lightning - 6/152 (20)
C Cunnings 47 (36)			M Boyle 3/29 (4)
M Stein 27 (20)				S Lampe 2/31 (4)

Dunkirk Rovers - 3/155 (13.3)
C Alkina 95 (41)			S Asaskia 1/15 (2)
P Cuniry 20 (13)			S Halliday 1/24 (2.3)

Player of the match: Connor Alkina
Dunkirk Rovers win by seven wickets with 39 balls remaining

Connor Alkina has done it again. For the third time in seven games, a big innings from him has led the Rovers to triumph, and this was arguably the most dominant performance of all three. After the Dunkirk bowlers restricted Halpenley to 6-152, with Miriam Boyle picking up three wickets and Shawn Lampe two on an unusually seaming pitch, Alkina went out with intent, plastering the very first ball of the innings from Catamite Darkcape over the long-off boundary for six. He hit 70 runs in partnership with Peter Cuniry and 62 with Maida Mcleroy before being trapped in front by Seth Halliday in the 12th over, with just ten runs required. The two Peter’s - Longlege and Lenton - guided their club home with a whopping 39 balls to spare to consolidate second spot.

Chamberley Giants vs Betham Dogs @ Chamberley Cricket Ground, Chamberley

Chamberley Giants - 9/165 (20)
S Dickson 70 (49)			R Taylor 4/31 (4)
L Cocrine 45 (36)			L yChallril 3/24 (4)

Betham Dogs  - 4/169 (17.4)
C Demoncast 61* (40)			L Edwards 1/8 (1)
O Edwards 44 (24)			L Afosha 1/20 (2)

Player of the match: Catbug Demoncast
Betham Dogs win by six wickets with 14 balls remaining

The Dogs have made it three wins a row with this slaughtering of the Chamberley Giants, with a 80-run partnership between Catbug Demoncast and Oliver Edwards sealing the game after the match was in the balance at 3-70 in the ninth over. Earlier, a half-century to Steven Dickson had helped Chamberley along to 165, but it really should’ve been more, with four wickets falling from the final five balls as Ronald Taylor ran through the lower-order in the ultimate over of the innings. Then, an unbeaten 61 to Catbug Demoncast led the Dogs home, while Oliver Edwards helped out with a useful 44. Lachlan Edwards’ poor batting form continued, but at least he got bragging rights over his cousin after bowling him with a wrong’un despite the result of the game. But by then, the game was gone, and it was just a minor positive in what was really a very worrying sign for the Giants, with only three wins from seven games despite possessing such a strong squad.

Current Table

* Crash n' Smash          Pld   W  T  L   NRR   Pts
1 Pesfield Wasps            7   5  0  2  +1.296  10
2 Dunkirk Rovers            7   5  0  2  +0.902  10
3 Betham Dogs               7   4  0  3  +0.083  8
4 Chamberley Giants         7   3  0  4  -0.211  6
5 Halpenley Lighting        7   3  0  4  -0.314  6
6 Cleorough Devils          7   3  0  4  -0.458  6
7 Avondale Knights          7   3  0  4  -0.972  6
8 Scorching Hot Dodle       7   2  0  5  -0.297  4

by **Sylestone** » Tue Mar 08, 2022 8:07 pm

CRASH N’ SMASH

Season Four

Matchday Eight

Cleorough Devils vs Betham Dogs @ Cleorough Stadium, Cleorough

Cleorough Devils - 7/193 (20)
A Tasso 74 (42)				S Clapiope 3/29 (4)
T Monnier 34 (20)			L yChallril 2/31 (4)

Betham Dogs - 6/186 (20)
E Cunningham 78 (47)			K Sonnel 3/33 (4)
N Lovia 50 (37)				Z Effervescentpyjamas 2/18 9(4)

Player of the match: Cleorough Devils
Cleorough Devils win by seven runs

In their first game at their home ground all season, the Cleorough crowd were rewarded for turning up with a bit of history - Kate Sonnel picking up the first-ever hat-trick in the Crash n’ Smash’s four-year history. After the Devils piled on a total of 7-193 on a pitch that could almost be described as a dust bowl, the Betham Dogs could be excused if they simply gave up. But no, despite the early loss of Sean Lake, Edward Cunningham and Nicholas Lovia combined for a partnership of 109 in 74 balls, but when Cunningham was dismissed for 78, the visitors still needed another 73 runs with only 38 balls remaining. The dismissal of big-hitter Ronald Taylor for just one in the following over put the hosts further ahead, but Lovia and Catbug Demoncast were not quite ready to give up. The pair them took the score to 159 with three overs remaining, Lovia bringing up his fifty with a well-run two on the final ball of the 17th over. Then came the big call - leg-spinner Kate Sonnel, with underwhelming figures of 0-28 from three overs, would bowl the antepenultimate over.

Demoncast took the opportunity as one to whittle down the run-rate, reverse-sweeping her first ball for four before bunting the second to long-on for a single. 30 from 16 was required, and with Lovia on strike, the Dogs appeared to have it under control. And the Devils needed a wicket.

So Kate Sonnel, going up and beyond, got three in three balls, including the vital wickets of Lovia and Demoncast, essentially winning the game for her franchise and finishing with 3-33 from four overs. Some good death bowling from Zefizaq Effervescentpyjamas helped take the total beyond the Dogs’ reach, as the visitors finished with 186, falling seven short of their target.

Chamberley Giants vs Dunkirk Rovers @ Chamberley Cricket Ground, Chamberley

Chamberley Giants - 2/180 (20)
S Monteane 100* (65)			N Pistecial 1/36 (4)
L Edwards 57 (38)			H Tumcoweiss 0/25 (4)

Dunkirk Rovers - 8/174 (20)
M Mcleroy 36 (34)			O Bowles 3/28 (4)
C Alkina 24 (12)			L Afosha 2/36 (3)

Player of the match: Simon Monteane
Chamberley Giants win by six runs

An opening stand of 134 in 13.3 between Simon Monteane and Lachlan Edwards has led the Giants to a rather slender victory, triumphing over the second-placed Dunkirk Rovers by a mere six runs after some quality death bowling restricted the hosts to a gettable total. Yet, they were not able to restrict Simon Monteane, who completed his century with a four off the final ball of the innings, reaching his first three-figure score in domestic T20s from just 65 balls. For the bowling, only Norbert Pistecial picked up a wicket, with Edwards falling to a direct hit from Maida Mcleroy in the covers.

Connor Alkina got the innings off to a flier, racing along to 24 from just eleven balls as he threatened to chase the target down in absolutely no time at all. He was particularly aggressive against Leo Njata, hitting him for ten runs in three balls in the fourth over of the match before skying one as the Giants picked up their second wicket in the powerplay. However, Maida Mcleroy and Peter Longlege steadied the ship, taking the score to 2-101 after eleven overs and putting the visitors in the box seat.

But when Mcleroy and Longlege departed a ball apart, the Giants once again gained the ascendancy. Peter Lenton could only manage two before getting bowled, and H Tumcoweiss used up an unnatural 17 balls for his 16, leaving the lower-order and tail with too much of an ask as the Rovers finished on 8-174 and dropped their third match of the tournament. Oscar Bowles was the pick of the bowlers with 3-28 from his four overs, while Broughton Hall and Dewayne Goolsby proved nearly unhittable, conceding just 38 runs from seven overs between them.

Halpenley Lightning vs Pesfield Wasps @ Halpenley City Oval, Halpenley

Pesfield Wasps - 5/161 (20)
K Newman 50* (37)			A Singh 2/48 (4)
L Tiati 41 (24)				C McCrory 1/18 (3)

Halpenley Lightning - 3/163 (17.2)
C McCrory 90* (56)			J Tyrkkekkekklukkekklukekk 2/28 (4)
J Martin 39* (25)			K Newman 1/24 (2)

Player of the match: Charles McCrory
Halpenley Lightning win by seven wickets with 16 balls remaining

With the Dunkirk Rovers falling six runs short of a tough target set by the Chamberley Giants, this was Pesfield’s chance to gain two points over the Rovers in first place. But up against a never-say-die Halpenley side at their home ground, it would not be easy. And that proved to be the case, with the Lightning picking up regular wickets to restrict the Wasps to just 5-161 from their 20 overs. Kaye Newman top-scored with an unbeaten 57 but didn’t get much strike, while Abhinav Singh picked up two expensive wickets.

Right from the first ball he faced, Charles McCrory appeared on. While Alyssa Fihelly, Mitchell Stein and Cameron Cunnings fell around him, the Tumbran left-hander barely mistimed a ball, and was scoring at a rate that would have taken the Lightning home with ease. Only Jett Tyrkkekkekklukkekklukekk, with figures of 2-28, was respected in any way by McCrory en route to an unbeaten 90. He found an ally in Jack Martin (39 not out), and the two of them took Halpenley home from a tough position at 3-73 in the ninth with a 90-run partnership. The Lightning eventually passed the Wasps’ score with 16 balls remaining, completing a convincing victory to further spice up the table.

Scorching Hot Dodle vs Avondale Knights @ Dodle Furnace, Dodle

Avondale Knights-  6/181 (20)
M Scovell 46 (36)			A Huntingfield 2/24 (4)
R Bremner 29 (21)			P Tripathi 2/47 (4)

Scorching Hot Dodle - 6/155 (20)
S Petersen 31* (24)			J Vilesti 2/24 (4)
C Anderson 23 (22)			C Freehill 1/24 (4)

Player of the match: Joshua Vilesti
Avondale Knights win by 26 runs

Another inept display from Dodle has led them to their sixth defeat in eight games, failing to track down a total of 181 set by the Avondale Knights on a good Dodle surface. Moses Scovell top-scored for the visitors with a classy 46, and Richard Bremner chipped in with a solid 29, batting the best he has done all season. Sophia Locke chipped in with a seven-ball 21 towards the back end of the innings to help her franchise to an above-par total, but one that was not quite safe just yet.

But disciplined bowling ensured it would be. With Fergus Stanton and Chloe Heathershaw out due to injury, the Knights only really had five plausible bowling options, but all five of them performed. Caitlyn Freehill and Joshua Vilesti only conceded 24 runs off their respective overs, but it was regular wickets that got the job done for the Knights. With five overs remaining, the Scorchers were already out of it at 6-113, and it was only due to some lusty blows from Samuel Petersen and Ross Amitt that ensured that the deficit would be reduced to 26 runs before Dodle’s allocated overs were used up. The result meant that they would fall two wins behind fifth spot, and it was turning into a season to forget for the Scorchers. And fast.

Matchday Nine

Scorching Hot Dodle vs Cleorough Devils @ Eastern Sylestone Cricket Ground, Marbury

Cleorough Devils - 6/237 (20)
T Monnier 91 (45)			Z Charlton 1/9 (1)
D Fomleya 86 (44)			B Eastwood 1/27 (2)

Scorching Hot Dodle - 9/170 (20)
B Eastwood 69 (43)			Z Effervescentpyjamas 2/31 (4)
R Hale 30 (25)				B Risewell 2/33 (4)

Player of the match: Taylah Monnier
Cleorough Devils win by 67 runs

A mammoth opening stand has set up a huge victory for the Cleorough Devils over the struggling Scorching Hot Dodle, with Daniel Fomleya and Taylah Monnier trading blow for blow in a partnership of 164 in just 13.1 overs. Chloe Anderson ran so dry of options that, in the end, it was the medium-pace of Zachary Charlton who took the wicket with his very first ball of T20 cricket, and Fomleya, on 86, couldn’t help but laugh when his lofted drive was caught on the boundary by Samuel Petersen. From then on, wickets and runs came thick and fast, with Taylah Monnier also falling just short of a century with a 45-ball 91. Late runs took the Cleorough score to a massive 237, one that proved far too large for the Dodle XI, with only Brianna Eastwood, with a 43-ball 69, looking like causing major problems for the Devils’ bowlers. A late collapse of 7-22 in a little over four overs did not help Dodle either, collapsing from 2-148 in the 17th to 9-170 by the time their allocated overs were complete.

Avondale Knights vs Halpenley Lightning @ Heritage Stadium, Avondale

Avondale Knights - 4/179 (20)
K Force 41* (25)			C Darkcape 2/17 (4)
S Locke 35* (17)			S Asaskia 2/17 (3)

Halpenley Lightning - 8/159 (20)
C McCrory 69 (46)			E Samuel 5/24 (4)
A Fihelly 30 (20)			M Marshall 2/21 (4)

Player of the match: Emmie Samuel
Avondale Knights win by 20 runs

A stunning spell of off-spin bowling from Grearish tweaker Emmie Samuel has guided the Avondale Knights to a 20-run victory over the Halpenley Lightning at the old Heritage Stadium in the city centre. Earlier, some later hitting from Kieran Force and Sophia Locke propelled a good score to an excellent one on a wicket that was holding up a bit, nullifying the effects of Catemite Darkcape and Samuel Asaskia after the two of them tore through the top-order. However, an opening partnership of 50 saw the Lightning off to a good start, but when Samuel was introduced in the eighth over, things began to go steadily downhill for the visitors. Only Charles McCrory, with 69, made any sort of score of note, and when he was dismissed, the Lightning were never going to make their target.

Pesfield Wasps vs Chamberley Giants @ The ‘Tato, Tartontaton

Chamberley Giants - 7/167 (20)
S Monteane 78 (48)			S Cross 3/33 (4)
D Goolsby 30* (11)			T Mankira 2/21 (4)

Pesfield Wasps - 162 (19.4)
K Newman 55 (35)			S Scron 5/27 (2.4)
J Tyrkkekkekklukkekklukekk 41 (28)	L Afosha 4/30 (4)

Player of the match: Samuel Scron
Chamberley Giants win by five runs

You thought Kate Sonnel was pretty special after she completed a hat-trick for Cleorough against Betham the other day? Think again. For Samuel Scron just upped her, completing a last-gasp double hat-trick to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

After winning the toss and batting, regular wickets hampered the Chamberley Giants throughout their innings, with no one really staying with Simon Monteane for a lengthy period of time. The 26-year-old opener finished with a 48-ball 78 and was fifth out in the 17th over, the score only 126. But skipper Dewayne Goolsby came to the rescue, whacking an unbeaten, 11-ball 30 to propel his club over the 160 mark on a tough wicket. Samuel Cross and Talvin Mankira impressed for the Wasps with three wickets, while Holly Cranston could be considered hard done by to not get another over after her first - the first of the innings - conceded just one run and picked up a wicket.

The Pesfield top-order set about chasing down the target in boundaries, the opening pair not running a single run in either of their innings’. But once both were dismissed, Kaye Newman and Gary Umbridge steadied the ship, taking the score to 86 after 10 overs before Umbridge was caught at point off Samuel Scron. When Samuel Cross was dismissed in the following over off Liam Afosha, and Newman made herself the off-spinner’s third victim in the 14th over, stumped for 55, the tide was turning back in favour of the Giants. This was amplified with the dismissal of Patrick Shotenham in the 16th over, also to Afosha, but that only brought regular middle-order player Holly Cranston to the crease, the Wasps needing 49 runs off 29 balls, but with her and Jett Tyrkkekkekklukkekklukekk at the crease, the Wasps were far from out of it.

And they went on to prove that hypothesis. By the time the penultimate over was wrapped up by Dewayne Goolsby, the score was 6-162, Tyrkkekkekklukkekklukekk 41 and Cranston 7, with only six runs required for victory from six Samuel Scron deliveries. Surely, the game was theirs.

And then came the twist, and a pretty fucking big one at that.

Looking for a six to seal the match, Cranston only succeeded in popping the first ball of the over straight up into the air, where Eli Hunniford ran forward to take a good catch. But the batters had crossed, and with an in-form Tyrkkekkekklukkekklukekk on strike, the Giants could not afford to take any liberties. The Wasps were still in front.

But when Tyrkkekkekklukkekklukekk had no answer to a pinpoint Scron yorker, that all changed. All of a sudden, Talvin Mankira was on strike, his franchise needing six runs from four balls, but with only two wickets remaining and a bowler with his tail up, on a hat-trick.

Mankira went for glory, but once again, Scron’s yorker was too good, castling the big fast bowler as Scron unleashed a deafening roar. But he was not finished yet, with a third successive yorker bowling Sharron Irvine on the fourth ball of the over, completing the astonishing feat of a double hat-trick to snuff out Pesfield’s chances in an instant classic. Now, with two losses in a row, all of the pressure was heaped back onto them, and this was Dunkirk’s chance to jump into first.

Dunkirk Rovers vs Betham Dogs @ Evergreen Arena, Emacuton

Betham Dogs - 5/191 (20)
C Demoncast 94 (54)			H Tumcoweiss 2/36 (4)
E Cunningham 31 (31)			M Boyle 1/28 (4)

Dunkirk Rovers - 7/157 (20)
H Tumcoweiss 44 (31)			L Codrington 4/39 (4)
P Cuniry 29 (26)			L yChallril 1/20 (4)

Player of the match: Catbug Demoncast
Betham Dogs win by 34 runs

Catbug Demoncast is finally back to his best. On a pitch-perfect strip on tiny boundaries in Emacuton, the Bruxoan magician belted 94 from just 54 balls as the Dogs racked up 191 from their 20 overs. His main ally was Edward Cunningham, who, recognising the way Demoncast was hitting the ball, played second fiddle for his 31. Only H Tumcoweiss and Miriam Boyle looked like they were going to cause any sort of trouble for the batters; the former picking up two wickets while the latter only went at sevens throughout her four overs. And right from when Connor Alkina was bowled by Leo Codrington for 15, 192 looked significantly too big a total for the Rovers to chase down, forfeiting their chance to jump to first place.

Matchday Ten

Cleorough Devils vs Dunkirk Rovers @ Cleorough Stadium, Cleorough

Dunkirk Rovers - 9/164 (20)
P Cuniry 33 (28)			K Sonnel 4/30 (4)
M Mcleroy 31 (30)			J de Polo 1/30 (4)

Cleorough Devils - 5/166 (18.5)
A Tasso 62 (40)				N Pistecial 2/31 (4)
D Fomleya 48 (36)			P Lenton 1/11 (0.5)

Player of the match: Kate Sonnel
Cleorough Devils win by five wickets with seven balls remaining

On a Cleorough surface famous for its conduciveness to spin bowling, the hosts were able to restrict the Dunkirk Rovers to 9-164, with Kate Sonnel picking up 4-30 from her four overs the highlight for the Devils. However, in reality, it really should have been a lot less than that, with late hitting from H Tumcoweiss and Erin Hosbury taking the visitors from 108 in the 16th over to above eight runs an over - always a difficult target at this ground. But Aiden Tasso and Daniel Fomleya weren’t fazed, with the latter combining with Taylah Monnier for a 50-run opening stand from 31 balls and a 59-run one with his vice-captain before Norbert Pistecial had him caught behind for 48. However, it was too late, with Tasso upping the ante en route to 62, while Brock Westleford’s unbeaten 17 ensured that the hosts would get home with five wickets and seven balls remaining.

Betham Dogs vs Pesfield Wasps @ Betham Cricket Ground, Betham

Betham Dogs - 7/184 (20)
S Lake 56 (30)				S Irvine 3/27 (4)
E Cunningham 29 (21)			H Cranston 1/22 (3)

Pesfield Wasps - 7/149 (20)
L Tiati 82* (61)			C Latour 2/11 (2)
S Cross 15 (11)				R Taylor 2/24 (3)

Player of the match: Sean Lake
Betham Dogs win by 35 runs

Some carefree, flowing batting from the Dogs lineup has ensured that the Pesfield Wasps would suffer their third loss in a row, slumping back down into the mid-table while Betham took the lead. It was Sean Lake who got the innings of to a flier, smashing 56 from just 30 balls before the middle-order took hold, with multiple players making starts. It was only due to Sharron Irvine, who picked up figures of 3-27 from her four overs, that stopped the Dogs from making an even more convincing total, picking up key wickets throughout the innings just when they mattered, “restricting” the hosts to “just” 184.

In the run chase, the Wasps simply lost too many wickets, too regularly. Aside from Luke Tiati, who carried his bat for a 61-ball 82, no other batter was able to pass 15 as the Betham bowlers refused to relent from their tight lines and lengths. And if it wasn’t for the Sylestonean skipper, the Wasps may have faced their biggest hiding as of yet, and should be considered lucky to not go down that path.

Chamberley Giants vs Avondale Knights @ Chamberley Cricket Ground, Chamberley

Avondale Knights - 9/191
R Bremner 80* (46)			S Scron 4/34 (4)
C Freehill 62 (44)			B Hall 1/29 (4)

Chamberley Giants - 7/184 (20)
L Edwards 44 (41)			J Vilesti 2/22 (4)
L Cocrine 36 (18)			M Marshall 2/47 (4)

Player of the match: Richard Bremner
Avondale Knights win by seven runs

Two superb half-centuries from Richard Bremner and Caitlyn Freehill have led the Avondale Knights to a morale-boosting seven-run victory over the star-laden Chamberley Giants. After electing to bat first at the CCG, Samuel Scron broke through in just the second over with the key wicket of Yash Ubuni, before Moses Scovell was second out in the sixth off the mystery-spin of Broughton Hall. However, a brilliant, 101-run stand between Bremner and Freehill put the Knights on course for a 200-plus total, but when the latter was dismissed for 62 early in the 17th over, it sparked a massive collapse of 7-35 off the final four overs, Bremner batting through it all for 80, helping the Knights to 9-191 from their 20 overs, despite some excellent death bowling from Samuel Scron that yielded him yet another four-wicket haul.

The early wicket of the in-form Simon Monteane did not help the Giants, but while Lachlan Edwards struggled to find the middle of the bat, Lachlan Cocrine and Steven Dickson both made cameos around him, both scoring at or close to a 200 strike rate. However, despite this and Eli Hunniford’s 14-ball cameo of 31, Chamberley still found themselves seven runs in arrears by the time their allocated overs were used up as they continued to hang on the brink of the top five.

Halpenley Lightning vs Scorching Hot Dodle @ Halpenley City Oval, Halpenley

Scorching Hot Dodle - 6/173 (20)
B Eastwood 65 (50)			S Asaskia 2/24 (4)
C Anderson 46 (35)			L Codrington 2/36 (4)

Halpenley Lightning - 6/177 (19.5)
A Fihelly 89 (59)			S Petersen 2/25 (4)
M Stein 41 (30)				P Tripathi 2/40 (4)

Player of the match: Alyssa Fihelly
Halpenley Lightning win by four wickets with five balls remaining

A superb knock from Alyssa Fihelly - her best in domestic T20s - has set up an important Halpenley victory over the Scorchers, with their struggling bowling attack once again copping serious tap as they failed to defend a well above-par total on a track with variable bounce and turn. After Brianna Eastwood and Chloe Anderson anchored Dodle’s innings before Samuel Asaskia fought back at the death with some tight bowling, the Lightning were set 174 for victory, and with the pitch in no state for chasing a total of that size, it seemed that the Scorchers were going to be able to keep their slim hopes alive. But Fihelly (89), Mitchell Stein (41) and wicketkeeper Victor Stonton (14 not out from 7) ensured that would not be the case, guiding the hosts home against the quality death bowling of Samuel Petersen and Ross Amitt to a four-wicket win with a single ball remaining as Dodle’s bowling woes continued. Anna Huntingfield (1-37), Panu Tripathi (2-40) and Angara Barragai (0-43) all copped the tap, and bowled well beneath their best, ultimately giving Petersen and Amitt too much of a job at the death. It was Dodle’s eighth loss in ten matches, and unless a miracle occurred, they only had four games left in their abhorrent season.

Matchday Eleven

Halpenley Lightning vs Cleorough Devils @ Aerorum Oval, Brethonenil

Halpenley Lightning - 4/156 (20)
J Martin 62* (36)			Z Effervescentpyjamas 1/19 (4)
C McCrory 40 (29)			K Sonnel 1/26 (4)

Cleorough Devils - 5/144 (20)
J Hatfield 43* (31)			J Martin 1/13 (3)
A Tasso 40 (37)				C Darkcape 1/22 (4)

Player of the match: Jack Martin
Halpenley Lightning win by 12 runs

It was a game won with the toss, really. After having a decent look at the Brethonenil pitch, it was pretty obvious that it would hold up for the first ten or so overs before descending into an uneven, turning mess. So when Samuel Asaskia won the toss in 42° heat, he did not hesitate to elect to bat first, and make use of a somewhat decent batting surface. But when the Lightning collapsed to 3-39 in the seventh over of the innings, it seemed as though it was a poor decision, with only Charles McCrory timing the ball at all. But Jack Martin, the hometown boy who had grown up playing at the ground, looked a class above all else, taking over the reins once the Tumbran was dismissed in the tenth over of the innings for forty. He was joined by Samuel Asaskia, who struggled to time a single delivery in his 37-ball innings that yielded a mediocre 31 runs, but in the end, it didn’t matter too much. For Jack Martin was picking everything with perfection, and was even able to accelerate towards the end of his innings, taking his franchise past the 150 mark. He finished unbeaten on 62, and his partnership with his skipper was worth 91 from 65 balls as the hosts finished at 4-156. Now, on most Sylestonean pitches, that would be well below-par, but not here. Here, anything above a mediocre 120 was rather defendable.

So, despite falling 12 runs short of their target, the Cleorough Devils actually batted extremely well. Daniel Fomleya fought hard for his 29, continuing his superb form, while Aiden Tasso’s 40 was an innings to be savoured. But the true highlight was South Newlandian Jana Hatfield, who looked at ease for her 43, and for a fair amount of the time, looked as though she was going to bring the Devils home. But alas, it wasn’t to be, as quality spin bowling ensured that they would finish at 5-144, as Cleorough continued their topsy-turvy season.

Scorching Hot Dodle vs Chamberley Giants @ Nordic Stadium, Oslolihul

Chamberley Giants - 6/158 (20)
L Afosha 75* (47)			A Hackett 3/39 (4)
S Monteane 52 (43)			R Amitt 2/29 (4)

Scorching Hot Dodle - 5/160 (19.5)
B Eastwood 62 (47)			O Bowles 2/31 (4)
R Hale 47 (35)				D Goolsby 1/25 (4)

Player of the match: Brianna Eastwood
Scorching Hot Dodle win by five wickets with one ball remaining

A good partnership from Brianna Eastwood and Roderick Hale has guided the Dodle to just their third win of the season, and remarkably, their second over the Chamberley Giants. Early wickets saw the hosts restrict the Giants to 3-34 in the fifth over, but Simon Monteane and Liam Afosha steadied the ship, putting on 71 together in 58 balls before the Chamberley opener, on 52, was caught at cover. From then on, wickets tumbled, and with three balls remaining, the score was only 142. But 16 runs came from those three as Liam Afosha destroyed Angus Hackett’s figures to finish unbeaten on 75, the Giants having the momentum going into the break.

Brianna Eastwood and a reappointed Dharmendra Reddy opened the innings cautiously, hitting 43 in 38 balls before the Sherpa was dismissed for 19. But that only brought Bollonischian hitter Roderick Hale to the crease, and with Eastwood, began to pile on the runs. But when the 21-year-old opener was dismissed in the 16th over for 62, 44 runs were still required, and a cameo was required.

But it didn’t come. Chloe Anderson was the next to go, for seven, and then Hale, for 47. When Zachary Charlton was fifth out, 11 runs were required from the final over, and it would be bowled by an in-form Samuel Scron.

The first two balls yielded two singles, and the third a dot. But when the fourth disappeared over square-leg for six, three were needed from two. And Samuel Petersen did it in one, ramping a wide yorker to the third-man fence to complete a five-wicket victory with a single ball remaining.

Avondale Knights vs Betham Dogs @ Town Oval, Hageling

Avondale Knights - 4/163 (20)
K Force 39* (21)			S Clapiope 1/15 (3)
F Stanton 35* (23)			L yChallril 1/22 (4)

Betham Dogs - 5/165 (16.5)
S Lake 64 (33)				G Haines 2/39 (3.5)
O Edwards 42* (24)			J Vilesti 1/24 (3)

Player of the match: Sean Lake
Betham Dogs win by five wickets with 19 balls remaining

Some aggressive batting from the Betham Dogs in a chase of 164 has seen them move clear of everyone else on the table with their third win in a row, with last season’s wooden-spooners beginning to peak at the right time. Despite late hitting from Kieran Force and Fergus Stanton, economical bowling restricted the Avondale Knights to 163 in Hageling before Sean Lake slaughtered the home bowling in a clinical display of T20 batting. But after he was the fourth one out with the score 103, Oliver Edwards took over, clubbing 42 from 24 balls to seal a convincing victory with 19 balls still remaining.

Pesfield Wasps vs Dunkirk Rovers @ Chilseamers Park, Chilseamers

Pesfield Wasps - 5/187 (20)
K Newman 90* (52)			P Longlege 2/28 (4)
J Tyrkkekkekklukkekklukekk 40 (21)	S Lampe 1/21 (2)

Dunkirk Rovers - 5/158 (20)
P Lenton 39* (32)			K Newman 3/24 (4)
H Tumcoweiss 36 (17)			O Lovia 1/26 (3)

Player of the match: Kaye Newman
Pesfield Wasps win by 29 runs

Kaye Newman, what a tournament she’s having. Before arriving on the island nation’s shores barely a month ago, hardly any Sylestoneans knew who she was, and only those who were following the recent EspoT20 in South Newlandia would have any idea. But now, here in Esportiva’s best domestic cricket league according to IFDC ranks, she is beginning to make a name for herself. And her performance in the small seaside town of Chilseamers today pretty much summed all of that up.

Batting first on a good strip, the Wasps lost the big wicket of Luke Tiati for 14 in the fourth over, bringing the 24-year-old to the crease with Jett Tyrkkekkekklukkekklukekk, of whom was sent in as a pinch hitter as Pesfield look to rediscover their winning ways. And right from her first ball, she looked at home. She was not fazed by Tyrkkekkekklukkekklukekk’s dismissal in the 7th over for a rapid-fire 40, and with each wicket that fell, she seemed to up her strike rate even further. With Holly Cranston, she put on an unbeaten 71 for the final wicket in just 37 balls, taking the Wasps from an average score to an excellent one of 187 from their 20 overs. Newman herself finished with 90 from 52 balls, and if the 20-over restriction was not in place, a hundred was hers for the taking.

But she wasn’t done there. In the second innings of the match, the young South Newlandian skipper took three key wickets and conceded just 24 runs from her four overs, essentially taking the game away from the Rovers. Only some late hitting from Dunkirk’s Gruenberger all-rounder, H Tumcoweiss, allowed the visitors to reach 158, but ultimately, it was not enough to get anywhere near Pesfield’s score. And they were back in the winners circle, while Dunkirk racked up their fourth loss in a row. They were in dire need of some of their earlier form.

Matchday Twelve

Cleorough Devils vs Pesfield Wasps @ Cleorough Stadium, Cleorough

Cleorough Devils - 6/154 (20)
D Fomleya 35 (25)			J Tyrkkekkekklukkekklukekk 2/12 (4)
A Tasso 35 (27)				S Irvine 2/35 (4)

Pesfield Wasps - 6/155 (17.3)
L Tiati 55 (35)				J de Polo 2/27 (3.3)
H Cranston 33 (24)			K Sonnel 2/43 (4)

Player of the match: Jett Tyrkkekkekklukkekklukekk
Pesfield Wasps win by four wickets with 15 balls remaining

Another commanding all-round performance from the Pesfield Wasps has seen them jump temporarily to second place with their seventh win in twelve games, including their second in two days. After the Devils won the toss and batted first, the Wasps were able to take regular wickets, restricting the hosts to just 154 from their 20 overs, with Jett Tyrkkekkekklukkekklukekk once again shining with figures of just 2-12 from his four overs, proving almost unhittable with his high-arm action and devastating wrong’un. While three Cleorough batters passed 30, the top score was only 35, which was integral for the Wasps in keeping the Devils in check, as the hosts finished with 6-154.

Holly Cranston, promoted to opening due to Tyrkkekkekklukkekklukekk’s finishing qualities, combined with her captain for a 78-run opening partnership in just 44 balls, setting the tone for what would turn out to be a decisive run chase. Luke Tiati top-scored with 55 from just 35 balls, and despite a late middle-order collapse, the game was essentially already done and dusted. They might have lost six wickets in the chase, but Pesfield were still able to track down the target with 15 balls remaining, gaining an important net run-rate boost to maintain their place inside the top three.

Dunkirk Rovers vs Avondale Knights @ Jameson Oval, Dunkirk

Avondale Knights - 2/180 (20)
M Scovell 103* (70)			P Longlege 1/2 (1)
Y Ubuni 25 (28)				M Poci 1/25 (4)

Dunkirk Rovers - 8/153 (20)
P Cuniry 43 (35)			M Marshall 3/31 (4)
P Longlege 41 (34)			E Samuel 2/37 (4)

Player of the match: Moses Scovell
Avondale Knights win by 27 runs

A first T20 hundred for Moses Scovell has led the Avondale Knights to another convincing victory, with the franchise continuing to assert themselves inside the top three teams this season. Each match they’ve one, someone different has always stood up, and as a result, they have many players with enviable statistics this season. On a surface that was very conducive to spin, the Knights’ batters found the going tough, with the Rovers restricting them to just 111 when the second wicket - Caitlyn Freehill’s - fell. But from then on, it was all Avondale, with a whopping 69 runs coming from the final 28 balls of the innings, with the promoted Sophia Locke for once playing second fiddle as the Ko-orenite opener blitzed the ball in a way that no one had ever seen him play before.

Set 180 to win, Dunkirk never really looked in the chase. Sure, left-handers Peter Cuniry and Peter Longlege looked good at the crease, but at no point did they ever look like they were likely to put the foot on the accelerator. Malcolm Marshall was particularly effective, taking 3-31 from his four overs, and if it wasn’t for Scovell, he almost certainly would have picked up the player of the match award with highly-skilful powerplay and death bowling to restrict the hosts to 153, the Knights triumphing by 27 runs.

Betham Dogs vs Scorching Hot Dodle @ Betham Cricket Ground, Betham

Scorching Hot Dodle - 4/152 (20)
B Eastwood 76* (63)			L yChallril 2/25 (4)
S Petersen 30* (18)			E Hillock 1/29 (4)

Betham Dogs - 5/156 (16.5)
E Cunningham 57 (37)			R Amitt 3/29 (4)
O Edwards 34 (17)			S Petersen 2/27 (3)

Player of the match: Edward Cunningham
Betham Dogs win by five wickets with 19 balls remaining

For the second game in a row, the Betham Dogs have gained an important net run-rate boost, winning by exactly five wickets with nineteen balls remaining. After being sent in by the hosts on a challenging pitch, none of the Dodle batters were really able to get going thanks to quality Betham bowling restricting them to just 152 from their 20 overs. However, throughout that time period, the Scorchers only lost four wickets, with Brianna Eastwood (76 not out) batting through the innings and never really getting going. Only Samuel Petersen, who finished the innings off with an unbeaten 30 from just 18 balls looked as though he was in any sort of form as Lasrewll yChallril ran through the middle-order, proving almost unplayable for his 2-25. But even so, Edward Cunningham, with a 37-ball 57 to anchor the run chase. Oliver Edwards’s quickfire 17 was detrimental in chasing the total down quickly, with the Dogs once again happy to sacrifice wickets in a high-risk manner, instead putting all of their focus on net run-rate as they all but asserted their position in the finals.

However, for Dodle, the news was not so good. With this loss, the Scorchers were now officially out of finals contention with their ninth loss in twelve games, continuing their torrid season. Changes will be made for next season, for this season, things just did not go to plan.

Chamberley Giants vs Halpenley Lightning @ Chamberley Cricket Ground, Chamberley

Chamberley Giants - 5/195 (20)
D Goolsby 60* (21)			S Asaskia 2/31 (4)
L Cocrine 40 (26)			S Halliday 2/36 (4)

Halpenley Lightning - 6/153 (20)
C McCrory 84 (52)			O Bowles 2/18 (4)
A Fihelly 18 (10)			D Goolsby 2/24 (3)

Player of the match: Dewayne Goolsby
Chamberley Giants win by 42 runs

This season, it must suck being a Chamberley Giants supporter. At no point have they been able to string together more than two wins in a row, but they haven’t lost three in a row, either. And today, at home against another mid-table side in the Halpenley Lightning, they produced arguably their best performance of the season with a commanding 42-run victory. But for the most part, it was all down to one person: Dewayne Goolsby.

The Chamberley skipper arrived at the crease in the 13th over following the big wicket of Lachlan Cocrine for 40, but with seven wickets in the sheds, the Giants were still primed to make a big target. But Goolsby didn’t just make it big, he made it massive. Coming to the crease with the score on 95, he proceeded to whack 60 runs from just 21 balls, including a 50 off 17 balls, the fastest in the history of the Crash n’ Smash. But if it wasn’t for Cameron Cunnings, who put down a tough chance off him on eight, it may have been a whole lot less than that, and the Giants would not have ended up with a monster 5-195.

Alyssa Fihelly and Charles McCrory went out with confidence, eager to chase down the massive target, the score rocketing along to 39 in just 3.3 overs. But when Fihelly was dismissed for 18 the next ball and Mitchell Stein began to struggle to find his groove, the Lightning gradually began to fall behind the asking rate. Despite the best efforts of McCrory, who made a 52-ball 84, he struggled to find able support and in the end, was a lone hand as Halpenley finished their allocated overs with a 42-run deficit.

Matchday Thirteen

Chamberley Giants vs Cleorough Devils @ Freeman Oval, Freeman

Cleorough Devils - 4/170 (20)
B Westleford 58* (48)			B Hall 2/37 (4)
A Stealom 53* (25)			A Homburg 1/32 (4)

Chamberley Giants - 9/145 (20)
M Takasuka 35 (32)			J de Polo 2/20 (4)
L Cocrine 26 (15)			K Sonnel 2/22 (4)

Player of the match: Ashton Stealom
Cleorough Devils win by 25 runs

And in just one match, the Giants were back down to their lows. After having the defending champions, the Cleorough Devils, on the ropes at 3-47 in the eighth and then 4-92 in the twelfth, a blistering half-century from Ashton Stealom helped the Devils smash 76 from the final seven overs to put his side in the box seat, with momentum behind them, with a score of 4-170.

But for Cleorough, the job was only half-done. They still needed to defend their total. The early wicket of Simon Monteane helped, but when Aiden Tasso picked up Lachlan Cocrine for 26, the Giants were always going to have to play catch-up. Some superb leg-spin bowling from Juan de POlo (2-20) and Kate Sonnel (2-22) ensured that would not happen, threatening with each and every ball of their respective four-over spells. Blaine Risewell also picked up two wickets, and was the catalyst of a final-ball run-out as Chamberley fell 25 short of their target to drop back into the bottom four with a single game remaining in the regular season.

Halpenley Lightning vs Betham Dogs @ Halpenley City Oval, Halpenley

Halpenley Lightning - 6/147 (20)
A Fihelly 51 (47)			P Robinson 3/33 (4)
C Cunnings 25 (13)			E Hillock 1/20 (4)

Betham Dogs - 3/149 (16.3)
E Cunningham 64 (46)			C McCrory 1/21 (2.3)
N Lovia 47 (31)				S Asaskia 1/27 (4)

Player of the match: Peter Robinson
Betham Dogs win by seven wickets with 21 balls remaining

And the Bethan train continues to roll along. For the third game in a row, they found themselves fielding first and in a fine performance, they managed to restrict their opposition to a score that they were eventually able to chase down in under 17 overs. Peter Robinson led the charge with the ball, taking 3-33 from his four overs, while only Alyssa Fihelly made a score of note with a slow 51. Then, an 88-run partnership between Edward Cunningham, who made his second fifty in two matches, and Nicholas Lovia essentially won the game for the Dogs as they confirmed their position in the top two with their ninth win of the season. Who would join them in the finals would be decided by the Knights-Wasps match tomorrow.

Scorching Hot Dodle vs Dunkirk Rovers @ Eastern Sylestone Cricket Ground, Marbury

Scorching Hot Dodle - 8/196 (20)
D Reddy 58 (44)				M Boyle 4/41 (4)
Z Charlton 35 (20)			H Tumcoweiss 2/33 (4)

Dunkirk Rovers - 134 (18)
M Mcleroy 53 (33)			P Tripathi 4/16 (4)
C Alkina 33 (19)			A Hackett 2/15 (2)

Player of the match: Panu Tripathi
Scorching Hot Dodle win by 62 runs

A dominant performance from bottom-dwellers Scorching Hot Dodle has led them to a huge consolation over the Dunkirk Rovers, who slumped to a record sixth defeat in a row after being in second place at the halfway mark of the season. Dharmendra Reddy finally batted his way back into form, overcoming a slow start to make his first half-century of the season. Important cameos from Zachary Charlton (35 from 20), Chloe Anderson (29 from 18) and Samuel Petersen (28 not out from 12) led the Scorchers to a massive total of 8-196, pleasing the Marbury crowd to no end and setting the Rovers with a near-impossible chase.

Yet, they still gave it their best shot. After Peter Cuniry used up nine deliveries for just four runs in the first two overs of the innings, Connor Alkina and Maida Mcleroy both began to time the ball well, hitting gaps in the field and coupling it with the occasional boundary. From 1-7 after the first two overs, the pair took the score to 75 in just 7.4 overs before the big wicket came - Alkina off the leg-spin bowling of Panu Tripathi. It proved to be the first of the Sherpa’s four wickets, with Maida Mcleroy, for 53, another. From 1-75 in the eighth over, the Rovers lost a whopping 7-33 over the space of 40 balls before Norbert Pistecial (14 from 13) and Miriam Boyle (14 from 12) decided to be annoying, delaying the inevitable for a few overs. Eventually, Boyle was the last out on the final ball of the eighteenth over, the score 134, the Rovers essentially out of finals contention barring a really really major miracle.

Avondale Knights vs Pesfield Wasps @ Heritage Stadium, Avondale

Pesfield Wasps - 8/138 (20)
S Cross 28 (19)				E Samuel 2/15 (4)
K Newman 28 (24)			J Vilesti 2/23 (4)

Avondale Knights - 3/142 (17)
M Scovell 57* (46)			S Cross 1/8 (1)
Y Ubuni 34 (25)				H Cranston 1/18 (2)

Player of the match: Emmie Samuel
Avondale Knights win by seven wickets with 18 balls remaining

One round out, only two teams have officially qualified for the semifinals so far, and ironically, they are the teams that finished seventh and eighth last season. Meanwhile, last season’s sixth-placers, the Pesfield Wasps, appear primed to finish third on net run-rate, and if the Dogs can win their final game, those three franchises would be in the exact opposite positions going into the finals than last season.

With a convincing win over the aforementioned Wasps, the Avondale Knights, through brilliant bowling from Emmie Samuel and Joshua Vilesti and an anchoring fifty from Moses Scovell, were able to book the second spot of five in the finals with their eighth win of the season. After winning the toss and batting, Pesfield had the distinctive characteristic of having three batters top-score, with Samuel Cross, Kaye Newman and Jett Tyrkkekkekklukkekklukekk all scoring 28 before being dismissed in what was ultimately a rather poor performance from the visitors. And chasing just 138, the Knights were able to do it relatively comfortably, losing only three wickets before Kieran Force hit the winning boundary.

Matchday Fourteen

Cleorough Devils vs Avondale Knights @ Cleorough Stadium, Cleorough

Cleorough Devils - 9/172 (20)
J Hatfield 64 (39)			C Freehill 2/22 (3)
D Fomleya 35 (28)			S Kingsmill 2/46 (4)

Avondale Knights - 9/173 (19.5)
C Freehill 95* (64)			K Sonnel 5/25 (4)
R Bremner 38 (27)			Z Effervescentpyjamas 2/49 (3.5)

Player of the match: Caitlyn Freehill
Avondale Knights win by one wicket with one ball remaining

17 runs from the final over. One wicket in hand. Caitlyn Freehill, 79 not out, 60 balls faced, but at the non-striker’s end. Score 9-156. Zefixaq Effervescentpyjamas, with figures of 2-32 from three overs, staring down at her partner, Georgia Haines, having not faced a ball yet, from over 50 metres away. Inside Freehill’s 23-year-old head, she could not help but thinking that Haines, a renowned batting bunny, had no chance against the inevitable yorker the Gruenberger was going to deliver up. A loss by 16 runs - admittedly to the defending champions, but nevertheless a loss - was not what her franchise needed heading into the finals.

Earlier, a blistering 64 from South Newlandian left-hander Jana Hatfield had seen the Cleorough Devils notch up a total of 9-172, with Freehill herself picking up the key poles of Aiden Tasso and Daniel Fomleya inside her three overs. Then, with Tumbran Richard Bremner, the Knights had reached 2-118 inside 13 overs, and a victory seemed like a certainty, with Devils fans already beginning to stream out of the stadium, not wanting to face the reality of a loss to their rivals and relying on other results to go their way in order to achieve a top five position.

How it had gone all wrong from there, Freehill had no idea. But here she was, stuck at the non-striker's end, as Haines waited with obvious fear in her eyes at the prospect of facing an Effervescentpyjamas sandshoe-crusher. And sure enough, down it came, at 143 km/h, but in a minor miracle, she somehow managed to get her bat down on it, squeezing it out to point and immediately setting off for a single. 16 from five, and most importantly Freehill was on strike.

But when she missed an inch-perfect wide yorker from Effervescentpyjamas the next ball, it didn’t seem that important. Frustrated, Freehill swore rather explosively into the stump microphones, not caring who heard. All of her focus was in putting the next ball into the stands.

Which was exactly what happened. As the left-arm bowler was just leaping into his stride, Freehill moved deep into her crease, hoping it would be too late for Effervescentpyjamas to change up his line. It proved to be so, with the on-pace delivery pitching a mere couple of feet short of her legs. But it was enough, and in a display of remarkable wristwork, Freehill clipped it, sending it screaming over the mid-wicket boundary and into the joyous Avondale section of the crowd. Maybe she could do this. Ten from three.

A slower-ball bouncer followed, and after spotting Effervescentpyjamas’s hand early, Freehill propped towards the off-side and flicked it around the corner, behind square-leg and directly into the gap left by the two fielders on that side of the boundary. Four runs. All of a sudden, the Knights were on top.

It took Daniel Fomleya and Zefixaq Effervescentpyjamas several minutes to set their field, doing their best to put Freehill off her game. Yet, she barely noticed it, so caught up in the moment was she. She barely even noticed the wide yorker coming, and instead relied wholly on instincts, charging down and across her stumps to turn the delivery into a full-toss. The bowler saw her coming and tried to send a quicker one past her into the stumps, but Freehill was simply in the zone, going down on one leg and flicking the ball off her pads into the astonished crowd. She herself could not even process what had happened until Haines wrapped her in unarguably the tightest hug of her career before she felt joyous teammates rush around her like flies to a pile of poop. Never had she been so happy.

That was a terrible analogy, I’m sorry.

Pesfield Wasps vs Scorching Hot Dodle @ Bolton Oval, Pesfield

Scorching Hot Dodle - 8/172 (20)
B Eastwood 38 (30)			S Cross 2/24 (3)
Z Charlton 32 (19)			K Newman 1/15 (2)

Pesfield Wasps - 1/174 (15.1)
H Cranston 103 (48)			S Petersen 1/43 (3)
L Tiati 61* (42)			D Reddy 0/2 (0.1)

Player of the match: Holly Cranston
Pesfield Wasps win by nine wickets with 28 balls remaining

Well, what a way to seal yourself a spot in the finals. At an absolute batting paradise in Pesfield, the Scorchers’ total of 8-172 was deemed under-par despite multiple batters making starts. Brianna Eastwood’s 38 was the top score of the innings, with excellent Pesfield bowling restricting the visitors. In fact, it could have been significantly less if it wasn’t for Ross Amitt’s 12-ball cameo of 28 at the death.

But even so, that did not matter to promoted opener Holly Cranston and her partner, Pesfield and Sylestonean skipper, Luke Tiati, who set about the run chase in destructive fashion. 76 came from the powerplay, with 49 from Cranston’s bat, and the Tumbran did not stop after that. With Tiati playing a supportive role at the other end, Cranston continued to go up through the gears, passing 60, 70, 80…

With 14 runs remaining, she passed her century - her inaugural one in any sort of T20 competition. And despite being dismissed just two balls later for 103, the damage was done, with Tiati and Kaye Newman completing the final ten runs in a little over an over to bring the Wasps home with a whopping 29 balls remaining. Talk about a finals tune-up.

Dunkirk Rovers vs Halpenley Lightning @ Jameson Oval, Dunkirk

Halpenley Lightning - 6/171 (20)
C McCrory 67 (45)			M Boyle 2/18 (4)
M Stein 47 (37)				S Lampe 1/32 (4)

Dunkirk Rovers - 2/174 (16.2)
C Alkina 80 (41)			L Codrington 2/25 (3)
M Mcleroy 51* (36)			A Kennedy 0/13 (1)

Player of the match: Connor Alkina
Dunkirk Rovers win by eight wickets with 23 balls remaining

Despite being in the top half of the table for the majority of the season, this result has ensured that the Halpenley Lightning would not be qualifying for the finals, instead finishing in seventh place with six wins and eight losses. Meanwhile, yet another Dunkirk top-order blitz has seen the Rovers safely home with 22 balls to spare as they finally broke their six-game losing streak to remain in finals contention. After Miriam Boyle’s 2-18 restricted Halpenley to 6-171, Connor Alkina came out all guns blazing, scoring a significant portion of a 17-run opening stand with Austin Placea before he combined with Grearish left-hander Maida Mcleroy for 119 in just ten overs. By the time the Dunkirk wicketkeeper was dismissed for 80, the game was already wrapped up, and some lusty Peter Lenton blows only confirmed that, the total being whittled down in the seventeenth over, Mcleroy 51 not out. For Halpenley, only Leo Codrington took wickets in what was ultimately a disappointing display, while Dunkirk awaited on the Dogs-Giants result that would determine whether they would play finals or not.

Betham Dogs vs Chamberley Giants @ Betham Cricket Ground, Betham

Chamberley Giants - 7/190 (20)
S Monteane 68 (44)			E Hillock 3/31 (4)
L Edwards 48 (33)			R Taylor 3/33 (4)

Betham Dogs - 8/164 (20)
C Demoncast 51 (38)			L Njata 3/34 (4)
S Lake 33 (24)				O Bowles 2/26 (3)

Player of the match: Simon Monteane
Chamberley Giants win by 26 runs

Despite playing some of the worst cricket as a team in the club’s history, the Chamberley Giants have somehow managed to qualify for the finals, and in fourth place, too. However, it wasn’t easy, for to do so, they would have to defeat the ladder-leading Betham Dogs at their home ground. However, after being sent in by Edward Cunningham, Lachlan Edwards and Simon Monteane put on 85 for the first wicket in 9.2 overs before the former was dismissed for 48. The big wicket of Lachlan Cocrine followed soon after, but Steven Dickson seemed on right from his first ball. Despite losing Simon Monteane for 68 in the fifteenth over, the Licentian power-hitter was not afraid to take the Betham bowlers on, putting on a whopping 49 with Liam Afosha before both were dismissed a ball apart at the conclusion of the eighteenth over. Edward Hillock picked up a couple of late poles, the Giants finishing with 7-190 from their 20 overs.

Sean Lake began positively, but lost Edward Cunningham for 10 and then Nicholas Lovia for a quickfire 21 to put the Giants ahead. Lake himself was then dismissed for 33 in the ninth over, and with Catbug Demoncast still only new to the crease, the Giants’ ability to take regular wickets was proving to be Betham’s downfall.

Ronald Taylor was promoted to join the Bruxoan, but even he failed to get going against the miserly bowling of Chamberley’s spinners, being bogged down before his dismissal with nearly 16 an over required. And despite Demoncast making a half-century and some late hitting from Abbey Kennedy, it was always going to be a task too big for the Dogs, falling 26 runs of their target to cap off the regular season with a decent-sized loss against the fourth-placed Giants. While it wasn’t big enough for the Knights to catch up to them - not by a long, long shot - it wasn’t the preparation they would’ve wanted heading into the business end of the tournament, and especially with a team at close to full strength.

Final Table

* Crash n' Smash          Pld   W  T  L   NRR   Pts
1 Betham Dogs              14   9  0  5  +0.521  18
2 Avondale Knights         14   9  0  5  -0.183  18
3 Pesfield Wasps           14   8  0  6  +0.654  16
4 Chamberley Giants        14   7  0  7  +0.058  14
5 Cleorough Devils         14   7  0  7  +0.035  14
6 Dunkirk Rovers           14   6  0  8  -0.054  12
7 Halpenley Lighting       14   6  0  8  -0.458  12
8 Scorching Hot Dodle      14   4  0 10  -0.580  8

by **Sylestone** » Thu Mar 10, 2022 3:37 am

CRASH N’ SMASH

Season Four

First Eliminator

Chamberley Giants vs Cleorough Devils @ Chamberley Cricket Ground, Chamberley

Chamberley Giants - 6/138 (20)
L Afosha 61 (41)			J de Polo 3/18 (4)
S Dickson 24 (28)			A Tasso 1/6 (1)

Cleorough Devils - 4/140 (14.5)
D Fomleya 77* (47)			B Hall 3/29 (4)
A Stealom 26* (20)			S Scron 1/24 (1.5)

Player of the match: Daniel Fomleya
Cleorough Devils win by six wickets with 31 balls remaining

It’s just been that kind of season for Chamberley, I guess. Half the time they play like demons, but the rest of the time they’re a junior club team. And unfortunately for them, this was one of those days. On a perfect batting pitch at the CCG, only Liam Afosha was able to get going as Juan de Polo tore through the Chamberley middle-order, proving next to unplayable. Coming to the crease at 3-46 in the ninth over, the Chamberley captain put on 35 with Lachlan Cocrine in 29 balls before the latter was dismissed for 23. When Dewayne Goolsby followed him back three balls later, it was 5-82, and a total under 120 seemed like a possibility. But Afosha ensured that that would not be the case, tearing into the Cleorough bowling with determination as he pummelled 38 runs out of the 44 scored in partnership with Eli Hunniford before he was dismissed for 61, having scored nearly half his side’s runs.

Defending a mere 138, the going was always going to be nigh on impossible for the Giants. However, they gave it their best shot, with Samuel Scron picking up the early wicket of Taylah Monnier in the second over before Broughton Hall ran through the rest of the top- and middle-order. But with the score 4-56 from seven overs and Daniel Fomleya still there, the game began to gradually slip away from the hosts, the 35-year-old left-hander beginning to take the spinners on while Ashton Stealom played a rare supporting role. Together, the two of them put on an unbeaten 84-run partnership in just 47 balls, the Devils’ bounding over the finish line for just the loss of four wickets with a whopping 31 balls still remaining. Much to the dismay of their fans, the Giants’ season was over, while the defending champions barrelled onwards to Pesfield, where they would take on the Wasps in two days time.

Qualifier

Betham Dogs vs Avondale Knights @ Betham Cricket Ground, Betham

Avondale Knights - 4/186 (20)
M Scovell 103* (57)			E Hillock 2/35 (4)
C Freehill 26 (18)			L yChallril 1/29 (4)

Betham Dogs - 9/163 (20)
S Clapiope 62* (39)			J Vilesti 3/21 (4)
E Hillock 35* (18)			M Marshall 2/20 (3)

Player of the match: Moses Scovell
Avondale Knights win by 23 runs

After finishing seventh last season, the Avondale Knights have become the first team to reach the grand final with a rather convincing 23-run victory over the Betham Dogs. But it did not come without a cost, and that cost was centurion Moses Scovell. Following a slow start, the young Ko-orenite took the game to the bowlers from the tenth over onwards, reaching a 56-ball century in the eighteenth over, the score 158. But the very next ball was a quick Shaun Clapiope bouncer, directed right at his head. Scovell could not get out of the way quick enough, the ball smashing right into his badge as he slumped to the ground, clearly concussed.

Despite the 21-year-old’s best effort to convince his physio that he wanted to stay, protocols insisted he left the field. After all, he would have another game in a few days time no matter the result, and it would be in the best interests of the Knights to have him ready for that.

In the end, though, some lusty blows late on saw the visitors make the most of a shocked bowling group, piling on the runs to finish with 4-186 on a surface with a bit of something in it. The Dogs would have to bat very, very well to chase down that total.

And, honestly, they could not have batted first. In their top seven, only one batter made it to double figures - Nicholas Lovia with 33 - as the Knights bowlers ran riot through the Dogs’ lineup. By the time Shaun Clapiope arrived at the crease to join Lovia, the score was already 6-49, and the game was long gone. But Clapiope dug in, forming a 25-run partnership with his number three before Lovia was dismissed in the twelfth over. Three overs later, the score was 102, but the Dogs were nine down, and heading right towards a huge defeat.

How Shaun Clapiope (62 not out from 39) and Edward Hillock (35 not out from 18) managed to put on a record 61 for the final wicket from just 34 balls. While it wasn’t enough to get close to the target total, it certainly caused death bowling concerns that they would have to rectify by the final. The powerplay and middle overs were superb; they just lost the plot at the end.

Second Eliminator

Pesfield Wasps vs Cleorough Devils @ Bolton Oval, Pesfield

Pesfield Wasps - 4/217 (20)
K Newman 70 (45)			R Taylor 2/36 (3)
S Cross 64* (26)			P Robinson 1/44 (4)

Cleorough Devils - 131 (16.4)
B Westleford 45 (33)			J Tyrkkekkekklukkekklukekk 4/28 (3.4)
B Risewell 23 (13)			S Irvine 2/23 (3)

Player of the match: Samuel Cross
Pesfield Wasps win by 86 runs

The Pesfield Wasps have sent a message out to the Betham Dogs and Avondale Knights with a commanding home victory over the Cleorough Devils, slaughtering them in the second eliminator by a whopping 86 runs. After winning the toss and electing to bat first, Holly Cranston got the innings off to a flier with a 10-ball 20, setting the tone for a brutal 20 overs. Luke Tiati was more composed for his 47, but Kaye Newman was sublime for her 45-ball 70, barely mistiming a ball before being run out on the final ball of the innings. But it wasn’t her who stole the limelight; it was Samuel Cross, who finally struck form with a destructive 26-ball 64, remaining unbeaten when the allocated 20 overs were up. His partnership with Newman was worth 84 from just 39 balls as the Wasps smashed their way to a whopping 217, essentially putting one foot into the Challenger final.

And when a bowling onslaught saw the Cleorough Devils restricted to 4-18 inside the powerplay, the game was pretty much done and dusted. Sure, Brock Westleford’s 45 made things interesting for a while there, but by the time he was dismissed, the required run-rate was quickly approaching twenties and with only the lower-order and tail to go, it was essentially a lost cause, the visitors being bowled out for 131 on the back of Jett Tyrkkekkekklukkekklukekk’s 4-28 - 86 runs short - as the Pesfield Wasps made the first of three wins required to hold the trophy aloft.

Challenger

Betham Dogs vs Pesfield Wasps @ Betham Cricket Ground, Betham

Pesfield Wasps - 8/148 (20)]
L Tiati 40 (33)				P Robinson 3/28 (4)
G Umbridge 30 (21)			C Latour 2/13 (2)

Betham Dogs - 5/149 (19.1)
E Cunningham 44 (35)			T Mankira 2/16 (3.1)
C Demoncast 38 (36)			K Newman 1/11 (2)

Player of the match: Peter Robinson
Betham Dogs win by five wickets with five balls remaining

Fresh off a whopping 86-run victory over the defending champions to move into the Challenger final, the Pesfield Wasps were thumped back down to Esportiva by a determined Betham side, ready to make amends for a calamitous batting performance at the very same ground mere days before. And while their batting wasn’t quite up to scratch, their bowling was, and it was good enough to scrape across the line into the final to meet the Avondale Knights for the Qualifier rematch.

Peter Robinson led the way with the ball, picking up three of Pesfield’s eight wickets to fall with his accurate, left-arm off-spinners. Luke Tiati top-scored with 40, and it was only due to a little cameo from Patrick Shotenham towards the back end of the innings that helped the Wasps along to a semi-respectable score of 148.

But their bowlers were up to the task of defending the total, bowling with economy and by the time only five overs remained, 40 runs were still required with Catbug Demoncast and Ronald Taylor at the crease. But Taylor performed, and while Demoncast fell for 39 at the other end, his unbeaten 26 was able to successfully carry the Dogs across the line with five balls remaining and confirming their rematch against the Knights in the final.

Grand Final

Betham Dogs Batting
Batter                                            R   B  4s  6s   SR
E Cunningham (c)    c Locke b Freehill           71  47   9   1  151.06
S Lake              c Bremner b Kingsmill         1   3   0   0   33.33
N Lovia             c Ubuni b Haines             29  24   3   0  120.83
C Demoncast         run out (Freehill)           14  11   1   0  127.27
R Taylor            not out                      51  25   2   4  204
O Edwards (+)       lbw b Samuel                  7   4   0   1  175
M Geach             not out                      13   6   0   1  216.67
       EXTRAS       (1 lb, 1 wd)                  2
        TOTAL       for 5 wickets               188   (20 ov; 9.4 RPO)
Did not bat:      S Clapiope, P Robinson, L yChallril, E Hillock

FOW: 1-5 (S Lake, 0.6 overs); 2-86 (N Lovia, 10.5 overs); 3-110 (C Demoncast, 13.5 overs); 
     4-123 (E Cunningham (c), 15.2 overs); 5-153 (O Edwards (+), 17.1 overs)

Avondale Knights Bowling
Bowler                 Ov   M   R  W   Econ  Ext
S Kingsmill             3   0  35  1  11.67  
J Vilesti (c)           4   0  31  0   7.75  (1 wd)
C Freehill              3   0  21  1      7  
E Samuel                4   0  32  1      8  
G Haines                3   0  31  1  10.33  
F Stanton               2   0  24  0     12  
S Locke                 1   0  13  0     13  

Avondale Knights Batting   (Target: 189)
Batter                                            R   B  4s  6s   SR
M Scovell           b Robinson                    5   8   1   0   62.5
Y Ubuni (+)         c&b Robinson                 11   6   2   0  183.33
C Freehill          c Taylor b yChallril         31  23   4   0  134.78
R Bremner           not out                      87  50   7   2  174
K Force             st Edwards b yChallril        7   7   0   0  100
S Locke             not out                      38  21   3   2  180.95
       EXTRAS       (2 b, 4 lb, 5 wd)            11
        TOTAL       for 4 wickets               190   (19.1 ov; 9.91 RPO)
Did not bat:      F Stanton, S Kingsmill, J Vilesti (c), E Samuel, G Haines

FOW: 1-16 (Y Ubuni (+), 2.1 overs); 44609 (M Scovell, 2.3 overs); 3-85 (C Freehill, 9.2 overs); 
     4-107 (K Force, 11.6 overs)

Betham Dogs Bowling
Bowler                 Ov   M   R  W   Econ  Ext
P Robinson              4   0  27  2   6.75  
E Hillock             3.1   0  32  0  10.11  (1 wd)
S Clapiope              3   0  36  0     12  (2 wd)
R Taylor                4   0  44  0     11  (1 wd)
L yChallril             4   0  37  2   9.25  (1 wd)
E Cunningham (c)        1   0   8  0      8  

Venue: Capital Stadium, Avondale, Sylestone
Match number: Game 61
Toss: Betham Dogs won the toss and elected to bat
Season/Tournament: Crash n' Smash IV
Matchdays: Grand Final
Player of the Match: Richard Bremner
Debut: none
Umpires: Jacob Kurtin (SYL), Koby Diggs (SYL)
TV Umpire: David Rumpf (SYL)
Reserve Umpire: Joshua Oldham (SYL)
Match Referee: Amelia Gale (SYL)
Match Result: Avondale Knights win by six wickets with five balls remaining

Sylestone Domestic Sports Newswire

Sylestone Domestic Sports Newswire

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