Sylestone Domestic Sports Newswire

by **Sylestone** » Fri Mar 18, 2022 3:31 am

LAVATORY SHIELD

Season Two

Matchweek Six

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

New Gloucester Jaguars - 6d/508 (148.1)
E Cunningham 187 (382)			K Sonnel 3/139 (44.1)
L Afosha 160 (327)			A Fihelly 2/51 (18)

Central Sylestone Snakes - 238 (81.3)
J Appleby 85 (157)			M Poci 5/51 (22.3)
A Fihelly 66 (117)			J de Polo 2/52 (22)

Central Sylestone Snakes - 5/305 (129)
J Appleby 81 (199)			J de Polo 3/87 (31)
A Fihelly 74 (170)			S Cross 1/7 (8)

Player of the match: Liam Afosha
Match Drawn

Freeman Firestorm vs Suffolk Seals @ Freeman Oval, Freeman

Suffolk Seals - 240 (54)
L Cocrine 92 (141)			J Campton 4/65 (17)
B Eastwood 36 (36)			Z Jonjaakh 3/61 (9)

Freeman Firestorm - 431 (152.1)
E Hosbury 129 (280)			T Mankira 4/109 (33.1)
M Stopling 73 (145)			G Haines 3/113 (37)

Suffolk Seals - 193 (57.3)
P Cuniry 73 (163)			A Barragai 4/50 (13.3)
L Cocrine 66 (71)			J Campton 4/71 (17)

Freeman Firestorm - 0/6 (2)
S Lake 2* (8)				R Amitt 0/1 (1)
A Tasso 0* (4)				T Mankira 0/1 (1)

Player of the match: Jason Campton
Freeman Firestorm win by ten wickets

Capital Coyotes vs South Sylestone Scorpions @ Capital Stadium, Avondale

South Sylestone Scorpions - 412 (130)
P Shotenham 186 (263)			J Vilesti 5/143 (40)
S Creln 122 (280)			B Hall 2/74 (29)

Capital Coyotes - 239 (95.1)
T Monnier 68 (157)			O Lovia 5/69 (30.1)
F Crena 57 (142)			L Codrington 3/63 (25)

South Sylestone Scorpions - 216 (57.2)
E Nosten 61 (77)			B Hall 5/74 (20.2)
A Hodel 55 (115)			M Dixon 4/50 (14)

Capital Coyotes - 3/163 (49)
B Westleford 71* (154)			N Pistecial 2/37 (15)
P Lenton 48 (83)			O Lovia 1/53 (16)

Player of the match: Patrick Shotenham
Match Drawn

Matchweek Seven

Central Sylestone Snakes vs Capital Coyotes @ Capital Stadium, Avondale

Central Sylestone Snakes - 146 (49.5)
M Marshall 37 (49)			B Hall 6/49 (18)
J Appleby 28 (57)			J Vilesti 4/32 (10.5)

Capital Coyotes - 209 (81.1)
A Edmundstone 93 (105)			S Halliday 3/33 (17)
B Westleford 26 (102)			K Sonnel 3/34 (16.1)

Central Sylestone Snakes - 346 (90.5)
C Cunnings 83 (121)			P Wright 4/80 (22.5)
S Asaskia 62 (120)			J Vilesti 2/65 (17)

Capital Coyotes - 3/284 (102.2)
C Elliott 99 (198)			M Marshall 1/45 (19.2)
P Lenton 66* (150)			S Asaskia 1/89 (32)

Player of the match: Broughton Hall
Capital Coyotes win by seven wickets

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

Freeman Firestorm - 235 (78.4)
K Force 93 (132)			L Codrington 4/71 (21.4)
A Tasso 49 (137)			N Pistecial 4/82 (21)

South Sylestone Scorpions - 429 (119.2)
A Luke 130 (212)			Z Jonjaakh 4/89 (23)
C Anderson 105 (220)			J Campton 4/97 (26)

Freeman Firestorm - 310 (88.2)
Z Arafase 109 (200)			O Lovia 5/70 (21)
M Stopling 87 (177)			N Pistecial 3/68 (22)

South Sylestone Scorpions - 5/117 (49.3)
M Coventry 44 (115)			A Huntingfield 4/31 (17)
P Shotenham 26 (79)			A Barragai 1/34 (11)

Player of the match: Amber Luke
South Sylestone Scorpions win by five wickets

Suffolk Seals vs New Gloucester Jaguars @ Bolton Oval, Pesfield

New Gloucester Jaguars - 167 (50.5)
S Cross 60 (82)				R Amitt 4/34 (18.5)	
M Stein 44 (91)				G Haines 4/49 (13)

Suffolk Seals - 235 (58.1)
F Stanton 72 (97)			S Scron 3/47 (14)
J Menkens 34 (43)			J de Polo 3/57 (14)

New Gloucester Jaguars - 487 (136.3)
C Freehill 173 (199)			F Stanton 4/118 (44.3)
S Cross 104 (187)			G Haines 3/135 (26)

Suffolk Seals - 8/420 (100.2)
L Cocrine 116 (171)			L Njata 2/48 (15)
J Menkens 87 (126)			J de Polo 2/90 (22.2)

Player of the match: Lachlan Cocrine
Suffolk Seals win by two wickets

Matchweek Eight

Central Sylestone Snakes vs Suffolk Seals @ Wagham Stadium, Conton

Suffolk Seals - 7d/455 (126.3)
B Eastwood 196 (288)			S Asaskia 3/70 (27.3)
J Babbage 117 (219)			K Sonnel 3/107 (35)

Central Sylestone Snakes - 158 (58)
S Halliday 35 (64)			G Haines 5/65 (23)
M Marshall 33 (42)			F Stanton 3/22 (9)

Central Sylestone Snakes - 132 (60.2)
J Appleby 44 (153)			F Stanton 5/35 (23.2)
A Helms 36 (107)			G Haines 5/65 (27)

Player of the match: Georgia Haines
Suffolk Seals win by an innings and 165 runs

New Gloucester Jaguars vs South Sylestone Scorpions @ Evergreen Arena, Emacuton

New Gloucester Jaguars - 331 (139.4)
A Stealom 68 (107)			E Nosten 4/53 (23)
L Luffman 66 (188)			N Pistecial 2/59 (30)

South Sylestone Scorpions - 7d/568 (175.5)
S Creln 153 (318)			S Scron 3/122 (34)
E Nosten 103* (184)			M Poci 3/138 (42)

New Gloucester Jaguars - 4/191 (61)
E Cunningham 90 (166)			O Lovia 2/54 (14)
S Cross 31 (67)				A Hodel 1/13 (8)

Player of the match: Ethan Nosten
Match Drawn

Freeman Firestorm vs Capital Coyotes @ Ketonley Town Oval, Ketonley

Freeman Firestorm - 358 (112.3)
Z Arafase 122 (190)			P Wright 4/82 (26)
C Latour 76 (172)			B Hall 3/83 (27.3)

Capital Coyotes - 101 (43)
A Edmundstone 38 (84)			A Huntingfield 6/24 (15)
R Accrington 19 (77)			A Tasso 2/17 (9)

Capital Coyotes - 52 (24.1)
T Monnier 15 (44)			A Huntingfield 4/13 (6.1)
F Crena 12 (23)				C Latour 2/19 (7)

Player of the match: Anna Huntingfield
Freeman Firestorm win by an innings and 205 runs

Matchweek Nine

Freeman Firestorm vs Central Sylestone Snakes @ Freeman Oval, Freeman

Central Sylestone Snakes - 7d/467 (165.3)
J Appleby 177 (443)			A Huntingfield 4/158 (55)
S Asaskia 110 (267)			S Downes 2/104 (40.5)

Freeman Firestorm - 341 (89.3)
K Force 83 (150)			S Halliday 5/72 (18.3)
M Stopling 78 (96)			M Marshall 2/82 (20)

Central Sylestone Snakes - 5d/350 (86.1)
M Barff 142 (165)			L Milerum 2/54 (19.1)
S Asaskia 65 (132)			A Huntingfield 2/85 (24)

Freeman Firestorm - 6/126 (36.3)
A Tasso 50* (114)			S Asaskia 4/24 (10)
E Hosbury 27 (32)			K Sonnel 1/37 (11.3)

Player of the match: Jonah Appleby
Match Drawn

Capital Coyotes vs New Gloucester Jaguars @ Capital Stadium, Avondale

Capital Coyotes - 7d/514 (129)
T Monnier 228* (363)			B Hall 3/130 (28)
P Lenton 95 (122)			S Scron 2/122 (29)

New Gloucester Jaguars - 364 (108.2)
C Freehill 129 (200)			J Vilesti 5/62 (19)
E Cunningham 83 (125)			N Norwell 2/73 (26)

Capital Coyotes - 293 (60.1)
C Elliott 112 (91)			S Scron 3/60 (13)
N Norwell 51 (70)			C Freehill 2/25 (4.1)

New Gloucester Jaguars - 110 (35.5)
S Cross 34 (70)				B Hall 6/35 (15)
M Stein 18 (21)				M Dixon 4/53 (16.5)

Player of the match: Taylah Monnier
Capital Coyotes win by 333 runs

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

South Sylestone Scorpions - 6d/484 (128.2)
P Shotenham 209 (316)			T Mankira 3/104 (29.2)
C Anderson 82 (157)			B Eastwood 2/83 (20)

Suffolk Seals - 280 (87.3)
L Tiati 70 (113)			L Codrington 3/51 (17)
B Eastwood 62 (91)			E Nosten 2/45 (13)

Suffolk Seals - 114 (37)
F Stanton 34 (49)			N Pistecial 6/43 (15)
L Cocrine 20 (34)			O Lovia 3/46 (14)

Player of the match: Patrick Shotenham
South Sylestone Scorpions win by an innings and 90 runs

Matchweek Ten

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

Central Sylestone Snakes - 8d/476 (116.5)
S Asaskia 136 (194)			N Pistecial 4/110 (23)
A Fihelly 120 (186)			E Nosten 2/66 (17)

South Sylestone Scorpions - 467 (139.4)
N Pistecial 128* (119)			M Marshall 3/65 (27)
S Creln 119 (244)			S Halliday 3/76 (25.4)

Central Sylestone Snakes - 298 (89.5)
S Asaskia 116 (185)			O Lovia 6/110 (32)
M Barff 60 (123)			N Pistecial 4/83 (19)

South Sylestone Scorpions - 1/28 (6)
N Lovia 20* (23)			M Marshall 1/17 (3)
P Shotenham 5* (13)			A Hackett 0/10 (3)

Player of the match: Samuel Asaskia
Match Drawn

Suffolk Seals vs Capital Coyotes @ Bolton Oval, Pesfield

Capital Coyotes - 250 (70.4)
F Crena 53 (92)				G Haines 4/71 (20)
P Lenton 45 (67)			F Stanton 3/60 (17)

Suffolk Seals - 395 (124)
B Eastwood 141 (207)			B Hall 6/89 (34)
L Tiati 80 (167)			M Dixon 2/73 (22)

Capital Coyotes - 197 (69.3)
F Crena 52 (124)			R Amitt 5/44 (20)
R Accrington 34 (84)			T Mankira 2/16 (9.2)

Suffolk Seals - 1/53 (18.1)
L Tiati 25* (58)			N Norwell 1/21 (6)
B Eastwood 17* (31)			C Elliott 0/4 (1.1)

Player of the match: Brianna Eastwood
Suffolk Seals win by nine wickets

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

Freeman Firestorm - 366 (106.4)
K Force 130 (247)			S Scron 4/57 (22)
A Tasso 122 (188)			L Njata 4/61 (20)

New Gloucester Jaguars - 285 (88.1)
S Cross 109 (202)			Z Jonjaakh 4/119 (28)
M Stein 31 (58)				S Downes 3/65 (34.1)

Freeman Firestorm - 209 (74.2)
E Hosbury 50 (103)			S Scron 4/31 (13.2)
K Force 42 (119)			J de Polo 3/48 (21)

New Gloucester Jaguars - 9/294 (98.1)
L Luffman 113 (208)			J Campton 4/36 (19.1)
M Stein 66 (151)			Z Jonjaakh 2/68 (23)

Player of the match: Samuel Scron
New Gloucester Jaguars win by one wicket

Final Table

* Lavatory Shield               Pld   W  D  T  L  I  LD   Pts 
1 Capital Coyotes		 10   5  3  0  2  2  5    47
2 South Sylestone Scorpions	 10   4  4  0  2  2  5    43
3 New Gloucester Jaguars	 10   5  3  0  2  0  5    41
5 Freeman Firestorm		 10   2  4  0  4  1  7    30
6 Suffolk Seals			 10   3  2  0  5  1  5    30
6 Central Sylestone Snakes	 10   1  4  0  5  1  3    20


“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** » Fri Mar 18, 2022 4:28 pm

Capital Coyotes 1st Innings
Batter                                            R   B  4s  6s   SR
T Monnier           c Hodel b Lovia             124 197  16   0   62.94
C Elliott           lbw b Lovia                 163 245  21   2   66.53
B Westleford (+)    c Lonelet b Pistecial        31  97   3   0   31.96
P Lenton (c)        c Lonelet b Codrington       23  29   5   0   79.31
F Crena             not out                     102 170  12   1   60
R Accrington        not out                      77 128   7   3   60.16
       EXTRAS       (5 b, 7 lb, 11 wd, 5 nb)     28
        TOTAL       for 4 wickets               548   (143.3 ov; 3.82 RPO)
Did not bat:      A Edmundstone, N Norwell, O Winston, B Hall, J Vilesti

FOW: 1-283 (T Monnier, 70.3 overs); 2-310 (C Elliott, 76.6 overs); 3-342 (P Lenton (c), 85.1 overs); 
     4-386 (B Westleford (+), 103.5 overs)

South Sylestone Scorpions Bowling
Bowler                 Ov   M   R  W   Econ  Ext
N Pistecial          27.3   5  98  1   3.56  (1 nb, 3 wd)
L Codrington           24   2 103  1   4.29  
A Hodel                17   4  56  0   3.29  (2 wd)
E Nosten               18   1  85  0   4.72  (4 nb, 3 wd)
O Lovia                37   8 104  2   2.81  (1 wd)
C Anderson (c)          9   0  39  0   4.33  (1 wd)
N Lovia                 4   0  27  0   6.75  (1 wd)
P Shotenham             7   2  24  0   3.43  

South Sylestone Scorpions 1st Innings
Batter                                            R   B  4s  6s   SR
S Creln             c&b Vilesti                  48 116   4   0   41.38
N Lovia             b Vilesti                     2   8   0   0   25
P Shotenham         c Monnier b Vilesti           0   2   0   0    
A Luke              c Winston b Norwell           9  15   2   0   60
C Anderson (c)      c Westleford b Hall          22  30   3   0   73.33
A Hodel             b Hall                       16  21   3   0   76.19
A Lonelet (+)       not out                      24  65   2   0   36.92
N Pistecial         b Vilesti                     7  10   1   0   70
E Nosten            c Winston b Hall              4   6   1   0   66.67
L Codrington        b Vilesti                     1   9   0   0   11.11
O Lovia             c Westleford b Vilesti        0   3   0   0    
       EXTRAS       (5 lb, 1 wd)                  6
        TOTAL       all out                     139   (47.3 ov; 2.93 RPO)
                  

FOW: 1-7 (N Lovia, 3.3 overs); 44599 (P Shotenham, 3.5 overs); 44643 (A Luke, 8.4 overs); 
     4-66 (C Anderson (c), 22.1 overs); 5-88 (A Hodel, 28.3 overs); 6-113 (S Creln, 39.1 overs); 
     7-129 (N Pistecial, 43.2 overs); 8-134 (E Nosten, 44.2 overs); 9-135 (L Codrington, 45.6 overs); 
     10-139 (O Lovia, 47.3 overs)

Capital Coyotes Bowling
Bowler                 Ov   M   R  W   Econ  Ext
N Norwell              11   2  38  1   3.45  
J Vilesti            13.3   3  43  6   3.19  
O Winston               8   2  18  0   2.25  (1 wd)
B Hall                 13   4  34  3   2.62  
C Elliott               2   1   1  0    0.5  

South Sylestone Scorpions 2nd Innings
Batter                                            R   B  4s  6s   SR
S Creln             lbw b Accrington            125 226  11   0   55.31
N Lovia             b Winston                    21  50   4   0   42
P Shotenham         c Crena b Elliott            87 132  10   2   65.91
A Luke              c Westleford b Norwell       19  69   2   0   27.54
L Codrington        b Vilesti                     2  26   0   0    7.69
C Anderson (c)      c Crena b Hall              126 244  15   1   51.64
A Hodel             b Hall                       14  54   0   0   25.93
A Lonelet (+)       c Lenton b Elliott           10  34   1   0   29.41
N Pistecial         b Elliott                    17  20   2   1   85
E Nosten            b Winston                    43 113   6   0   38.05
O Lovia             not out                       3  11   0   0   27.27
       EXTRAS       (8 b, 13 lb, 4 wd, 1 nb)     26
        TOTAL       all out                     493   (163 ov; 3.02 RPO)
                  

FOW: 1-53 (N Lovia, 17.4 overs); 2-224 (P Shotenham, 61.4 overs); 3-254 (S Creln, 72.5 overs); 
     4-265 (L Codrington, 79.2 overs); 5-270 (A Luke, 82.2 overs); 6-309 (A Hodel, 97.6 overs); 
     7-332 (A Lonelet (+), 107.5 overs); 8-363 (N Pistecial, 116.1 overs); 9-475 (E Nosten, 156.2 overs); 
     10-493 (C Anderson (c), 162.6 overs)

Capital Coyotes Bowling
Bowler                 Ov   M   R  W   Econ  Ext
N Norwell              22   4  64  1   2.91  (3 wd)
J Vilesti              29  14  42  1   1.45  
O Winston              25   6  76  2   3.04  (1 nb)
B Hall                 40   7 134  2   3.35  
C Elliott              27   7  71  3   2.63  (1 wd)
R Accrington           15   1  63  1    4.2  
T Monnier               5   0  22  0    4.4  

Capital Coyotes 2nd Innings   (Target: 85)
Batter                                            R   B  4s  6s   SR
T Monnier           not out                      45  85   7   0   52.94
C Elliott           c Luke b Codrington          12  16   2   0   75
B Westleford (+)    b Lonelet b Hodel            23  58   3   0   39.66
P Lenton (c)        not out                       3   6   0   0   50
       EXTRAS       (2 lb)                        2
        TOTAL       for 2 wickets                85   (27.3 ov; 3.09 RPO)
Did not bat:      F Crena, R Accrington, A Edmundstone, N Norwell, O Winston, B Hall, J Vilesti

FOW: 1-24 (C Elliott, 5.5 overs); 2-78 (B Westleford (+), 25.2 overs)

South Sylestone Scorpions Bowling
Bowler                 Ov   M   R  W   Econ  Ext
N Pistecial             8   2  25  0   3.13  
L Codrington            6   0  26  1   4.33  
O Lovia               7.3   1  25  0   3.33  
A Hodel                 6   3   7  1   1.17  


Venue: Capital Stadium, Avondale, Sylestone
Toss: Capital Coyotes won the toss and elected to bat
Season/Tournament: Lavatory Shield II
Matchdays: Grand Final
Player of the Match: Caitlyn Elliott
Debut: none
Umpires: Jacob Kurtin (SYL), Koby Diggs (SYL)
TV Umpire: David Rumpf (SYL)
Reserve Umpire: Amelia Gale (SYL)
Match Referee: Joshua Oldham (SYL)
Match Result: Capital Coyotes win by six wickets

by **Sylestone** » Fri Apr 15, 2022 3:25 pm

IFDC I ROUNDUP

Champions League T20

Avondale Knights

Matchday One: Avondale Knights (SYL) vs (TUR) Waridi Wickets @ Capital Stadium, Avondale, Sylestone

Avondale Knights - 6/151 (20)
R Bremner 68* (37)			Player 10 2/23 (4)
Y Ubuni 26 (15)				Player 8 2/28 (4)

Waridi Wickets - 3/155 (17.3)
Player 3 65 (43)			E Samuel 2/22 (4)
Player 2 37 (25)			C Freehill 1/6 (1)

Player of the match: Player 3 (Waridi Wickets)
Waridi Wickets (TUR) win by seven wickets with 15 balls remaining

Matchday Two: Morioh Town (BRO) vs (SYL) Avondale Knights @ Somewhere, Brookstation

Morioh Town - 2/158 (20)
D Daniel 69* (57)			J Vilesti 2/22 (4)
P Longlege 63* (48)			F Stanton 0/19 (3)

Avondale Knights - 5/160 (14)
Y Ubuni 45 (21)				A Ranagaswamy 2/21 (3)
M Scovell 33 (21)			B Strickland 2/34 (3)

Player of the match: Joshua Vilesti (Avondale Knights)
Avondale Knights (SYL) win by five wickets with 36 balls remaining

Matchday Four: Avondale Knights (SYL) vs (DAR) Hendricks City @ Capital Stadium, Avondale, Sylestone

Hendricks City - 5/161 (20)
Player 6 40* (26)			M Marshall 2/22 (3)
Player 4 33 (28)			E Samuel 1/17 (4)

Avondale Knights - 4/163 (14.4)
Y Ubuni 101* (47)			Player 8 3/21 (2.4)
K Force 40 (24)				Player 9 1/43 (3)

Player of the match: Yash Ubuni (Avondale Knights)
Avondale Knights (SYL) win by six wickets with 32 balls remaining

Matchday Five: NCHS (BOL) vs (SYL) Avondale Knights @ Somewhere, Bollonich

NCHS - 3/197 (20)
Player 2 84* (57)			F Stanton 2/37 (4)
Player 5 36* (15)			J Vilesti 1/23 (4)

Avondale Knights - 9/154 (20)
K Force 35 (28)				Player 11 3/24 (4)
C Freehill 33 (18)			Player 5 3/39 (4)

Player of the match: Player 11 (NCHS)
NCHS (BOL) win by 43 runs

Matchday Six: Waridi Wickets (TUR) vs (SYL) Avondale Knights @ Somewhere, Turori

Waridi Wickets - 7/174 (20)
Player 1 60 (44)			M Marshall 2/28 (4)
Player 3 30 (19)			J Vilesti 2/29 (4)

Avondale Knights - 5/177 (19.2)
M Scovell 81* (46)			Player 10 3/18 (4)	
Y Ubuni 41 (30)				Player 11 2/27 (3.2)

Player of the match: Moses Scovell (Avondale Knights)
Avondale Knights win by five wickets with four balls remaining

Matchday Seven: Avondale Knights (SYL) vs (BRO) Morioh Town

Avondale Knights - 8/188 (20)
C Freehill 68 (46)			B Strickland 3/45 (4)
M Scovell 52 (34)			B Stewart 9 2/15 (4)

Morioh Town - 5/189 (19.5)
P Lathoud 51* (31)			G Haines 2/41 (4)
P Longlege 31 (22)			F Stanton 1/29 (3)

Player of the match: Philippe Lathoud (Morioh Town)
Morioh Town (BRO) win by five wickets with one ball remaining

Matchday Nine: Hendricks City (DAR) vs (SYL) Avondale Knights

Hendricks City - 7/198 (20)
Player 4 83 (31)			J Vilesti 3/21 (4)
Player 1 24 (23)			G Haines 1/37 (4)

Avondale Knights - 4/200 (19.3)
R Bremner 62 (28)			Player 2 2/36 (3)
M Scovell 54 (35)			Player 11 1/32 (4)

Player of the match: Richard Bremner (Avondale Knights)
Avondale Knights win by six wickets with three balls remaining

Matchday Ten: Avondale Knights (SYL) vs (BOL) NCHS @ Capital Stadium, Avondale, Sylestone

Avondale Knights - 6/172 (20)
M Scovell 60 (36)			Player 11 3/24 (4)
Y Ubuni 53 (30)				Player 6 2/35 (4)

NCHS - 6/155 (20)
Player 4 26 (16)			G Haines 2/49 (4)
Player 1 26 (30)			C Freehill 1/2 (1)

Player of the match: Moses Scovell (Avondale Knights)
Avondale Knights win by 17 runs

Quarterfinal: Yeaddin Bears (VIL) vs (SYL) Avondale Knights @ Somewhere, Vilita

Yeaddin Bears - 2/162 (20)
Player 3 101* (60)			E Samuel 1/25 (4)
Player 2 32 (34)			M Marshall 1/31 (4)

Avondale Knights - 3/166 (17.3)
C Freehill 73* (47)			Player 7 1/22 (4)
Y Ubuni 56 (32)				Player 9 1/38 (4)

Player of the match: Caitlyn Freehill (Avondale Knights)
Avondale Knights win by seven wickets with 15 balls remaining

Semifinal: Avondale Knights (SYL) vs (DAR) Romanopolis @ Capital Stadium, Avondale, Sylestone

Avondale Knights - 6/153 (20)
R Bremner 34 (21)			Player 11 2/25 (4)
Y Ubuni 31 (15)				Player 8 1/19 (4)

Romanopolis - 5/155 (17.5)
Player 2 69* (52)			J Vilesti 2/28 (2.4)
Player 6 35 (25)			E Samuel 1/19 (3)

Player of the match: Player 2 (Romanopolis)
Romanopolis (DAR) win by five wickets with 13 balls remaining

Betham Dogs

Matchday Two: Betham Dogs (SYL) vs (KOR) Greencaster Heralds @ Betham Cricket Ground, Betham, Sylestone

Betham Dogs - 6/199 (20)
S Lake 104* (59)			M yChirnall 3/32 (4)
E Cunningham 37 (22)			B Chapman 1/36 (4)

Greencaster Heralds - 5/176 (20)
M yChirnall 50* (31)			E Hillock 2/39 (4)
C Shapter 42 (33)			N Lovia 1/6 (1)

Player of the match: Sean Lake
Betham Dogs (SYL) win by 23 runs

Matchday Three: Mliona Jackals (TUR) vs (SYL) Betham Dogs @ Somewhere, Turori

Mliona Jackals - 3/160 (20)
Player 2 54 (38)			P Robinson 3/23 (4)
Player 4 37* (23)			L yChallril 0/23 (4)

Betham Dogs - 7/161 (18.2)
C Demoncast 60 (41)			Player 11 2/25 (3)
N Lovia 38 (28)				Player 9 2/37 (4)

Player of the match: Peter Robinson (Betham Dogs)
Betham Dogs (SYL) win by three wickets with ten balls remaining

Matchday Four: Betham Dogs (SYL) vs (VIL) Jlinal Jolly Birds @ Betham Cricket Ground, Betham, Sylestone

Betham Dogs - 4/173 (20)
E Cunningham 99* (64)			Player 11 2/33 (4)
R Taylor 18* (16)			Player 5 1/19 (4)

Jlinal Jolly Birds - 5/154 (20)
Player 4 89* (63)			L yChallril 3/21 (4)
Player 3 27 (23)			E Hillock 1/24 (4)

Player of the match: Edwards Cunningham (Betham Dogs)
Betham Dogs (SYL) win by 19 runs

Matchday Five: Greencaster Bears (KOR) vs (SYL) Betham Dogs @ Greencaster Oval, Greencaster, Ko-oren

Betham Dogs - 6/167 (20)
R Taylor 51* (25)			A Galipeau 2/13 (4)
S Lake 47 (34)				Player 7 2/16 (4)

Greencaster Bears - 3/170 (19)
L Chiplinn 94* (53)			R Taylor 2/52 (4)
P ySeomchan 37 (36)			E Hillock 1/34 (3)

Player of the match: Lander Chiplinn (Greencaster Bears)
Greencaster Bears win by seven wickets with six balls remaining

Matchday Seven: Greencaster Heralds (KOR) vs (SYL) Betham Dogs @ Greencaster Oval, Greencaster, Ko-oren

Greencaster Heralds - 2/153 (20)
C Shapter 60 (48)			C Latour 1/14 (2)
G Wheelwright 39 (35)			E Cunningham 0/10 (1)

Betham Dogs - 3/156 (17.4)
S Lake 82 (48)				M yChirnall 3/24 (4)
E Cunningham 46 (47)			B Chapman 0/25 (2)

Player of the match: Sean Lake (Betham Dogs)
Betham Dogs (SYL) win by seven wickets with 14 balls remaining

Matchday Eight: Betham Dogs (SYL) vs (TUR) Mliona Jackals @ Betham Cricket Ground, Betham, Sylestone

Betham Dogs - 5/155 (20)
S Lake 51 (34)				Player 2 1/8 (2)
C Demoncast 41 (23)			Player 8 1/23 (4)

Mliona Jackals - 2/160 (20)
Player 3 61* (46)			L yChallril 1/25 (4)
Player 4 54* (36)			S Clapiope 1/28 (4)

Player of the match: Player 4 (Mliona Jackals)
Mliona Jackals (TUR) win by eight wickets with zero balls remaining

Matchday Nine: Jlinal Jolly Birds (VIL) vs (SYL) Betham Dogs @ Somewhere, Vilita

Betham Dogs - 9/189 (20)
O Edwards 64 (27)			Player 8 3/22 (4)
E Cunningham 35 (30)			Player 9 2/37 (3)

Jlinal Jolly Birds - 3/158 (20)
Player 1 44 (36)			L yChallril 1/24 (4)
Player 5 31* (23)			S Clapiope 1/32 (4)

Player of the match: Oliver Edwards (Betham Dogs)
Betham Dogs (SYL) win by 31 runs

Matchday Ten: Betham Dogs (SYL) vs (KOR) Greencaster Bears @ Betham Cricket Ground, Betham, Sylestone

Betham Dogs - 7/186 (20)
O Edwards 46 (26)			A Galipeau 2/56 (4)
S Lake 30 (20)				Player 6 1/17 (3)

Greencaster Bears - 7/156 (20)
S Solomons 65* (50)			S Clapiope 3/30 (4)
P ySeomchan 56 (38)			L yChallril 2/29 (4)

Player of the match: Shaun Clapiope (Betham Dogs)
Betham Dogs (SYL) win by 30 runs

Quarterfinal: Hendricks City (DAR) vs (SYL) Betham Dogs @ Somewhere, Darmen

Betham Dogs - 6/151 (20)
S Lake 47 (35)				Player 10 2/20 (3)
N Lovia 45* (32)			Player 8 2/21 (4)

Hendricks City - 5/155 (17.4)
Player 4 76* (49)			P Robinson 2/21 (3)
Player 5 32 (22)			E Hillock 2/40 (3.4)

Player of the match: Player 4 (Hendricks City)
Hendricks City (DAR) win by five wickets with 14 balls remaining

List A Super League

Capital Coyotes

Matchday One: Capital Coyotes (SYL) vs (SYL) Suffolk Seals @ Capital Stadium, Avondale, Sylestone

Capital Coyotes - 7/220 (50)
P Lenton 67 (88)			G Haines 3/33 (10)
C Elliott 42 (71)			H Gilroy 1/24 (4)

Suffolk Seals - 6/224 (41.1)
L Cocrine 77 (70)			B Hall 4/49 (8.1)
H Gilroy 60 (82)			C Elliott 1/44 (8)

Player of the match: Lachlan Cocrine (Suffolk Seals)
Suffolk Seals (SYL) win by four wickets with 53 balls remaining

Matchday Two: Thornton (TMB) vs (SYL) Capital Coyotes @ Morrell Park, Collatia, Tumbra

Thornton - 4/240 (50)
Player 6 81* (87)			N Norwell 2/46 (10)
Player 5 59* (72)			B Hall 2/49 (10)

Capital Coyotes - 160 (32.4)
N Norwell 59 (61)			Player 10 3/15 (5)
R Accrington 50 (56)			Player 5 3/33 (6.2)

Player of the match: Player 10 (Thornton)
Thornton (TMB) win by 80 runs

Matchday Four: Capital Coyotes (SYL) vs (STR) Circunses @ Capital Stadium, Avondale, Sylestone

Capital Coyotes - 3/266 (50)
P Lenton 82* (99)			Player 4 1/24 (3)
T Monnier 67 (80)			Player 11 1/43 (10)

Circunses - 212 (39)
Player 5 67 (82)			P Wright 4/35 (7)
Player 6 63 (60)			J Vilesti 3/44 (8)

Player of the match: Phoebe Wright (Capital Coyotes)
Capital Coyotes win by 54 runs

Matchday Five: Nauti CC (DAR) vs (SYL) Capital Coyotes @ Somewhere, Darmen

Capital Coyotes - 8/277 (50)
P Lenton 95 (112)			Player 9 2/45 (8)
B Westleford 56 (79)			Player 10 2/49 (9)

Nauti CC - 209 (48.2)
Player 4 33 (55)			B Hall 4/44 (10)
Player 8 30 (40)			P Wright 3/33 (9.2)

Player of the match: Peter Lenton (Capital Coyotes)
Capital Coyotes (SYL) win by 68 runs

Matchday Six: Suffolk Seals (SYL) vs (SYL) Capital Coyotes @ Bolton Oval, Pesfield, Sylestone

Suffolk Seals - 267 (47.1)
H Gilroy 74 (58)			J Vilesti 3/54 (9.1)
J Menkens 47 (72)			B Hall 3/55 (10)

Capital Coyotes - 8/248 (50)
B Westleford 73 (109)			F Stanton 2/37 (10)
C Elliott 56 (54)			T Mankira 1/36 (10)

Player of the match: Hannah Gilroy (Suffolk Seals)
Suffolk Seals (SYL) win by 19 runs

Matchday Seven: Capital Coyotes (SYL) vs (TMB) Thornton @ Cleorough Stadium, Cleorough, Sylestone

Capital Coyotes - 3/279 (50)
C Elliott 179* (168)			Player 10 2/56 (10)
P Lenton 66 (97)			Player 8 1/44 (8)

Thornton - 5/250 (50)
Player 5 103* (125)			N Norwell 3/54 (10)
Player 4 54 (90)			P Wright 1/34 (7)

Player of the match: Caitlyn Elliott (Capital Coyotes)
Capital Coyotes (SYL) win by 29 runs

Matchday Nine: Circunses (STR) vs (SYL) Capital Coyotes @ Somewhere, StrayaRoos

Circunses - 4/276 (50)
Player 1 98 (95)			P Wright 2/71 (10)
Player 6 50* (53)			B Hall 1/45 (10)

Capital Coyotes - 8/260 (50)
T Monnier 126 (129)			Player 9 4/61 (10)
B Westleford 46 (75)			Player 11 1/30 (10)

Player of the match: Player 1 (Circunses)
Circunses (STR) win by 16 runs

Matchday Ten: Capital Coyotes (SYL) vs (DAR) Nauti CC @ Capital Stadium, Avondale, Sylestone

Nauti CC - 272 (49.1)
Player 7 92 (80)			B Hall 5/60 (10)
Player 4 70 (71)			C Elliott 1/40 (8)

Capital Coyotes - 6/234 (50)
B Westleford 77 (102)			Player 5 2/31 (10)
T Monnier 48 (69)			Player 8 1/37 (7)

Player of the match: Player 7 (Nauti CC)
Nauti CC (DAR) win by 38 runs

New Gloucester Jaguars

Matchday One: New Gloucester Jaguars (SYL) vs (DAR) Cosmopolitan CC @ Chamberley Cricket Ground, Chamberley, Sylestone

New Gloucester Jaguars - 5/293 (50)
A Stealom 75* (74)			Player 11 2/38 (10)
S Cross 68 (84)				Player 8 1/34 (10)

Cosmopolitan CC - 193 (34.4)
Player 3 57 (78)			L Afosha 6/27 (7)
Player 10 24* (31)			S Scron 2/59 (7.4)

Player of the match: Liam Afosha (New Gloucester Jaguars)
New Gloucester Jaguars (SYL) win by 100 runs

Matchday Two: New Gloucester Jaguars (SYL) vs (KGS) Winter City @ Chamberley Cricket Ground, Chamberley, Sylestone

New Gloucester Jaguars - 201 (46.1)
C Freehill 71 (98)			Player 9 4/57 (10)
A Stealom 39 (47)			Player 6 2/30 (10)

Winter City - 7/205 (49.2)
Player 1 56 (108)			S Scron 2/22 (9.2)
Player 6 49 (59)			J de Polo 2/26 (10)

Player of the match: Player 9 (Winter City)
Winter City (KGS) win by three wickets with four balls remaining

Matchday Three: Rocker Lagos (BOL) vs (SYL) New Gloucester Jaguars @ Somewhere, Bollonich

New Gloucester Jaguars - 9/271 (50)
L Afosha 173* (124)			Player 9 2/41 (10)
M Stein 22 (33)				Player 10 2/46 (10)

Rocker Lagos - 8/275 (49.2)
Player 2 72 (79)			S Cross 3/51 (10)
Player 6 52 (60)			L Njata 1/14 (5)

Player of the match: Liam Afosha (New Gloucester Jaguars)
Rocker Lagos (BOL) win by two wickets with four balls remaining

Matchday Four: Cosmopolitan CC (DAR) vs (SYL) New Gloucester Jaguars @ Somewhere, Darmen

Cosmopolitan CC - 6/213 (50)
Player 1 56 (92)			C Freehill 3/28 (9)
Player 5 55* (56)			S Cross 1/10 (3)

New Gloucester Jaguars - 9/214 (44.1)
C Freehill 87 (115)			Player 10 3/20 (7)
M Stein 40 (53)				Player 11 3/28 (9)

Player of the match: Caitlyn Freehill (New Gloucester Jaguars)
New Gloucester Jaguars (SYL) win by one wicket with 35 balls remaining

Matchday Five: Winter City (KGS) vs (SYL) New Gloucester Jaguars @ Somewhere, Kriegiersien

New Gloucester Jaguars - 6/273 (50)
M Stein 123* (134)			Player 9 2/61 (10)
A Stealom 50 (56)			Player 11 2/72 (10)

Winter City - 6/222 (50)
Player 1 68 (132)			J de Polo 1/25 (10)
Player 7 40* (39)			M Poci 1/30 (10)

Player of the match: Mitchell Stein (New Gloucester Jaguars)
New Gloucester Jaguars (SYL) win by 51 runs

Matchday Six: New Gloucester Jaguars (SYL) vs (BOL) Rocker Lagos @ Chamberley Cricket Ground, Chamberley, Sylestone

Rocker Lagos 159 (29)
Player 2 44 (48)			S Cross 3/25 (5)
Player 6 32* (48)			M Poci 2/35 (6)

New Gloucester Jaguars - 4/161 (24.5)
E Cunningham 60 (64)			Player 8 2/34 (5.4)
S Cross 48 (37)				Player 5 1/14 (2)

Player of the match: Samuel Cross (New Gloucester Jaguars)
New Gloucester Jaguars (SYL) win by six wickets with 151 balls remaining

Quarterfinal: Georgia (TMB) vs (SYL) New Gloucester Jaguars @ Thistlebury Ground, Kingsbury, Tumbra

Georgia - 7/257 (50)
Player 1 134* (160)			S Scron 3/40 (10)
Player 4 64 (84)			M Poci 2/43 (10)

New Gloucester Jaguars - 242 (45.5)
A Stealom 52 (62)			Player 10 3/54 (9)
M Stein 48 (56)				Player 3 2/15 (1.5)

Player of the match: Player 1 (Georgia)
Georgia (TMB) win by 15 runs

Suffolk Seals

Matchday One: Capital Coyotes (SYL) vs (SYL) Suffolk Seals @ Capital Stadium, Avondale, Sylestone

Capital Coyotes - 7/220 (50)
P Lenton 67 (88)			G Haines 3/33 (10)
C Elliott 42 (71)			H Gilroy 1/24 (4)

Suffolk Seals - 6/224 (41.1)
L Cocrine 77 (70)			B Hall 4/49 (8.1)
H Gilroy 60 (82)			C Elliott 1/44 (8)

Player of the match: Lachlan Cocrine (Suffolk Seals)
Suffolk Seals (SYL) win by four wickets with 53 balls remaining

Matchday Two: Suffolk Seals (SYL) vs (STR) Circunses @ Dodle Furnace, Dodle, Sylestone

Suffolk Seals - 6/275 (50)
B Eastwood 125 (155)			Player 10 2/24 (6)
J Menkens 69 (81)			Player 11 2/49 (7)

Circunses - 8/223 (50)
Player 7 59 (51)			R Amitt 3/28 (10)
Player 6 37 (47)			T Mankira 2/31 (10)

Player of the match: Brianna Eastwood (Suffolk Seals)
Suffolk Seals (SYL) win by 52 runs

Matchday Three: Nauti CC (DAR) vs (SYL) Suffolk Seals @ Somewhere, Darmen

Suffolk Seals - 7/203 (50)
R Amitt 53* (61)			Player 8 2/31 (8)
F Stanton 49 (82)			Player 9 2/41 (7)

Nauti CC - 6/207 (39.4)
Player 3 49 (78)			G Haines 2/40 (7.4)
Player 2 46 (65)			T Strand 2/33 (7)

Player of the match: Player 8 (Nauti CC)
Nauti CC (DAR) win by four wickets with 62 balls remaining

Matchday Five: Suffolk Seals (SYL) vs (TMB) Thornton

Suffolk Seals - 9/206 (50)
L Cocrine 90 (144)			Player 7 4/34 (10)
J Menkens 78 (79)			Player 10 3/33 (10)

Thornton - 2/209 (26.1)
Player 3 68* (53)			F Stanton 1/56 (7)
Player 1 66 (67)			B Eastwood 1/18 (2)

Player of the match: Player 7 (Thornton)
Thornton (TMB) win by eight wickets with 143 balls remaining

Matchday Six: Suffolk Seals (SYL) vs (SYL) Capital Coyotes @ Bolton Oval, Pesfield, Sylestone

Suffolk Seals - 267 (47.1)
H Gilroy 74 (58)			J Vilesti 3/54 (9.1)
J Menkens 47 (72)			B Hall 3/55 (10)

Capital Coyotes - 8/248 (50)
B Westleford 73 (109)			F Stanton 2/37 (10)
C Elliott 56 (54)			T Mankira 1/36 (10)

Player of the match: Hannah Gilroy (Suffolk Seals)
Suffolk Seals (SYL) win by 19 runs

Matchday Seven: Circunses (STR) vs (SYL) Suffolk Seals @ Somewhere, StrayaRoos

Circunses - 244/9 (50)
Player 6 65 (76)			R Amitt 3/50 (10)
Player 5 39 (41)			F Stanton 2/40 (10)

Suffolk Seals - 9/246 (40.4)
L Tiati 68 (46)				Player 9 3/31 (7.4)
L Cocrine 50 (63)			Player 7 3/39 (8)

Player of the match: Luke Tiati
Suffolk Seals win by one wicket with 56 balls remaining

Matchday Eight: Suffolk Seals (SYL) vs (DAR) Nauti CC @ Bolton Oval, Pesfield, Sylestone

Nauti CC - 2/200 (50)
Player 2 81 (129)			T Mankira 1/22 (10)
Player 1 46 (99)			G Haines 1/48 (10)

Suffolk Seals - 8/204 (37)
L Cocrine 59 (62)			Player 9 3/48 (8)
F Stanton 35 (61)			Player 3 1/6 (2)

Player of the match: Talvin Mankira (Suffolk Seals)
Suffolk Seals (SYL) win by two wickets with 78 balls remaining

Matchday Ten: Thornton (TMB) vs (SYL) Suffolk Seals @ Morrell Park, Collatia, Tumbra

Suffolk Seals - 7/232 (50)
B Eastwood 107 (113)			Player 9 3/38 (8)
J Babbage 28 (26)			Player 8 2/62 (9)

Thornton - 6/235 (42.5)
Player 6 103 (80)			B Eastwood 2/49 (7)
Player 5 46 (50)			F Stanton 1/26 (4.5)

Player of the match: Player 6 (Thornton)
Thornton (TMB) win by four wickets with 43 balls remaining

Quarterfinal: San Pablo (BOL) vs (SYL) Suffolk Seals @ Somewhere, Bollonich

Suffolk Seals - 2/256 (50)
L Tiati 110 (132)			Player 11 2/43 (10)
B Eastwood 63* (55)			Player 4 0/16 (4)

San Pablo CC - 8/260 (41.1)
Player 5 63 (61)			G Haines 2/43 (7.1)
Player 1 54 (60)			T Mankira 2/44 (7)

Player of the match: Player 5 (San Pablo)
San Pablo win by two wickets with 53 balls remaining

Elite Trophy First Class

Capital Coyotes

Quarterfinal: Ballcary (BRO) vs (SYL) Capital Coyotes

Ballcary - 371 (241.2)
Player 5 158* (566)			B Hall 5/77 (60)
Player 6 63 (238)			J Vilesti 3/78 (42)

Capital Coyotes - 154 (41.5)
N Norwell 35 (45)			Player 11 3/35 (10)
T Monnier 32 (50)			Player 9 3/51 (13.5)

Capital Coyotes - 3/163 (51)
P Lenton 63* (103)			Player 11 2/27 (12)
F Crena 41* (95)			Player 8 1/45 (13)

Player of the match: Player 5 (Ballcary)
Match Drawn

South Sylestone Scorpions

Quarterfinal: South Sylestone Scorpions (SYL) vs DAR) Cosmopolitan CC @ Betham Cricket Ground, Betham

South Sylestone Scorpions - 190 (83.3)
 Pistecial 58 (107)			Player 10 4/35 (23.3)
A Hodel 49 (101)			Player 8 3/87 (27)

Cosmopolitan CC - 6d/400 (171.3)
Player 3 121 (296)			N Pistecial 5/80 (42.3)
Player 5 100 (269)			C Anderson 1/23 (10)

South Sylestone Scorpions - 6/340 (112.4)
S Creln 93 (223)			Player 11 5/71 (22.4)
C Anderson 79 (122)			Player 5 1/22 (6)

Player of the match: Player 3 (Cosmopolitan CC)
Match Drawn

by **Sylestone** » Fri Apr 22, 2022 8:34 pm

LAVATORY SHIELD

CUBICLE ONE-DAY CUP

Season Three

Wait, already? Didn’t the season literally just finish a couple of months ago? The ODI squad is still at the World Trophy and the IFDC has only just begun! We’re smack bang in the middle of the wet season! Why the early previews and squad overviews? Well you see, my friends, the squads have already been finalised! Fancy that, huh? So, while we have the opportunity, we may as well post, right? Right? Wrong? If so, too bad, because we’re heading right on in.

Last season was a superb one for the Capital state, and particularly the national capital city of Avondale. Capital Coyotes and Avondale Knights supporters had the time of their lives, the Coyotes winning both the Cubicle One-Day Cup and the Lavatory Shield, while the Knights were able to overcome the Betham Dogs to hold aloft the fourth Crash n’ Smash title - their first. However, so far at the IFDC, things have not been going well for the Coyotes. They were first batted out of a contest by Ballcary, made to run around in the field for three days before succumbing to weariness with the bat in hand. They are also on the brink of elimination in the List A Super League, albeit without some of their stars, with two wins from five games. So despite winning the domestic leagues, they have certainly flunked on the world stage, which is very much Not Good for Sylestone.

However, most of the other representative sides have been doing admirably well. The Avondale Knights and Betham Dogs have both progressed from their respective CLT20 groups, the latter doing particularly well considering they had to fight it out against two Ko-orenite clubs and two from the Vilitan Cricket Championship. The Suffolk Seals, with five wins and two losses, have already qualified for the next stage in their LASL group, too, and yesterday, the New Gloucester Jaguars slaughtered Bollonich’s Rocker Lagos in a winner-takes-all match to ensure their progression to the quarterfinals.

But for now, we’re focused on the third edition of the Lavatory Shield and the Cubicle One-Day Cup. The first season of the Cubicle One-Day Cup was won by the Suffolk Seals - who went onto win the inaugural LASL - before the Coyotes emerged victorious in the aforementioned second season. Both games, against perennial bridesmaids New Gloucester Jaguars, came down to the last ball and was sealed then. Can the Jaguars make it third time lucky, will the Seals or Coyotes make it two in three editions, or will there be a new team make the final and win the entire thing?

A similar scenario has been occurring in the Lavatory Shield, too. The South Sylestone Scorpions have reached the final on both occasions, but have not been able to seal their first title despite winning the inaugural edition of the ETFC. Instead, they have succumbed at the hands of the Central Sylestone Snakes and Capital Coyotes, but perhaps this year is their year. Could they pull it off?

One final thing, and that is a change in schedule from the previous two seasons. Instead of the Lavatory Shield being split down the middle by the franchise-based Crash n’ Smash, the first-class season will occur right from the start of the season, while the Cubicle One-Day Cup will move from the beginning to the end of the season, following the Crash n’ Smash, which will remain in the holiday break in order to maximise crowds.

Here are the squads for the third instalments of the Cubicle One-Day Cup and Lavatory Shield.

Capital Coyotes

Overview:
The Coyotes may have struggled in the inaugural editions of both the Cubicle One-Day Cup and Lavatory Shield, but last season they broke the shackles, dominating the first-class competition and winning both that and the shorter format. While they have struggled in the LASL as a result of losing their better players for a significant portion of the competition, they have no excuse for the ETFC fiasco that saw them humiliated by Brookstation’s Ballcary, bowled out for 154 after conceding 371 in a ridiculous 241 overs. However, they have shown an ability to bounce back and with strength right throughout the order, it will not take long until they’ll be back at their best. With an in-form Caitlyn Elliott at the top of the order and the calm heads of Brock Westleford, Peter Lenton and Fergus Crena below her, batting is certainly not an issue, while the likes of Broughton Hall, Joshua Vilesti and Nathan Norwell in any bowling attack is certain to cause grief for opponents. If they can perform like they did last season, then they may well have two more titles coming their way.

Key players include Taylah Monnier (first-class), Caitlyn Elliott (one-day), 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): 1st
Last Season (Lavatory Shield): 1st
Predicted Finish (Cubicle One-Day Cup): 2nd
Last Season (Cubicle One-Day Cup): 1st
Shield Titles: 1
One-Day Cup Titles: 1
ETFC Appearances: 1
Best ETFC Performance: Quarterfinals
LASL Appearances: 1
Best LASL Performance: Group Stage

Squad Changes:

In:
-none

Out:
-none-

First XI (in batting order):

1. Taylah Monnier (F) - Age 25 (LHB/LM; Batter)
2. Caitlyn Elliott (F) - Age 19 (RHB/ROS; All Rounder)
3. (+) Brock Westleford (M) - Age 27 (LHB/LOS; Wicketkeeper)
4. (c) Peter Lenton (M) - Age 35 (RHB/RM; Batter)
5. Fergus Crena (M) - Age 31 (LHB; Batter)
6. Riley Accrington (M) - Age 22 (RHB; All Rounder)
7. Alicia Edmundstone (F) - Age 30 (RHB/RLS; Batter)
8. Nathan Norwell (M) - Age 26 (LHB/RMF; All Rounder)
9. Broughton Hall (M) - Age 24 (RHB/ROS; Bowler)
10. Phoebe Wright (F) - Age 34 (LHB/LMF; Bowler)
11. Joshua Vilesti (M) - Age 34 (RHB/RF; Bowler)

Reserves:

Holly Paling (F) - Age 22 (LHB/LOS; Batter)
Brooke Ironside (F) - Age 27 (RHB/RMF; Batter)
Mariam Oldacre (F) - Age 29 (RHB; Batter)
Xander Forsheish (M) - Age 32 (RHB/LOS; Batter)
(+) Connor Alkina (M) - Age 30 (RHB; Wicketkeeper)
Molly Dixon (F) - Age 23 (LHB/LOS; Bowler)
Olivia Winston (F) - Age 22 (RHB/RMF; Bowler)
Rose Elizabeth (F) - Age 21 (LHB/LLS; Bowler)
Percy Benedict (M) - Age 29 (RHB/RMF; Bowler)

International Test Stats:

Broughton Hall: 18 matches. 343 runs @ 14.29, SR 46.54, HS 41*, 0 50s, 0 100s. 90 wickets @ 24.18, ER 2.87, SR 50.60, 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, ER 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, ER 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, ER 3.28, SR 53.15, BBI 7-25, 2 5-fors.

International ODI Stats:

Broughton Hall: 34 matches. 97 runs @ 16.17, SR 78.86, HS 28*, 0 50s, 0 100s. 57 wickets @ 26/35, ER 4.77, SR 33.16, 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, ER 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: 31 matches. 58 runs @ 14.50, SR 96.67, HS 12*, 0 50s, 0 100s. 51 wickets @ 29.06, ER 5.09, SR 34.25, BBI 5-49, 1 5-fors.

Central Sylestone Snakes

Overview:
Champions of the inaugural edition of the Lavatory Shield on the back of brilliant performances with bat and ball by skipper Samuel Asaskia, the Snakes could not get their act together last season, finishing rock bottom with a single win and four draws from ten games. Interestingly, though, they have only made a single squad change, backing themselves to bounce back from last season, as it was essentially the same squad that saw the Halpenley-based side hold aloft the trophy two years ago. With three promising 18-year-old bowlers in their lineup, too, Central Sylestone appears set to be a force to contend with in future years and with a couple of other younger players already making marks on the game, they will only continue to improve as the older players eventually retire. The one change the Snakes made was a swap of Madeline Barff for Ashley Millen, who was failing to get many chances over at the Suffolk Seals. Her patient nature with the bat should contrast the likes of Cameron Cunnings, Samuel Asaskia and Samantha Knox in the middle-order well, and despite Barff being a long and proud servant of Central Sylestonean cricket, Millen should fit in well.

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): 5th
Last Season (Lavatory Shield): 4th
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: Quarterfinals
LASL Appearances: 0
Best LASL Performance: N/A

Squad Changes:

In:
Ashley Millen ← Suffolk Seals 

Out:
Madeline Barff → Suffolk Seals

First XI (in batting order):

1. Alyssa Fihelly (F) - Age 22 (RHB/RLS; All Rounder)
2. Kyle Nicolls (M) - Age 29 (LHB; Batter)
3. (+) Jonah Appleby (M) - Age 30 (RHB; Wicketkeeper)
4. Cameron Cunnings (M) - Age 31 (RHB; Batter)
5. (c) Samuel Asaskia (M) - Age 26 (RHB/RFM; All Rounder)
6. Ashley Millen (F) - Age 29 (RHB/RLS; Batter)
7. Samantha Knox (M) - Age 32 (LHB; Batter)
8. Seth Halliday (M) - Age 18 (RHB/RFM; All Rounder)
9. Malcolm Marshall (M) - Age 33 (RHB/RFM; Bowler)
10. Angus Hackett (M) - Age 18 (LHB/RF; Bowler)
11. Kate Sonnel (F) - Age 18 (RHB/RLS; Bowler)

Reserves:

Amy Helms (F) - Age 37 (LHB/LM; Batter)
Kaitlyn Whittingham (F) - Age 24 (RHB/RMF; Batter)
Andy Rombigo (M) - Age 23 (LHB/ROS; Batter)
Redmond Rombigo (M) - Age 23 (LHB/LM; Batter)
Abbey Kennedy (F) - Age 32 (RHB/RLS; All Rounder)
(+) Chloe Lazenby (F) - Age 25 (LHB; Wicketkeeper)
Ali Molesworth (M) - Age 35 (RHB/RFM; All Rounder)
Georgia Biscoe (F) - Age 26 (LHB/LFM; Bowler)
Layla Saville (F) - Age 24 (LHB/ROS; Bowler)

International Test Stats:

Jonah Appleby: 17 matches. 827 runs @ 34.46, SR 38.27, HS 112, 6 50s, 1 100s.
Samuel Asaskia: 6 matches. 385 runs @ 48.13, SR 60.06, HS 105*, 1 50s, 1 100s. 17 wickets @ 28.76, ER 3.06, SR 56.47, BBI 4-67, 0 5-fors.
Alyssa Fihelly: 10 matches. 515 runs @ 27.11, SR 46.69, HS 87, 4 50s, 0 100s. 1 wicket @ 54.00, ER 3.38, SR 96.00, 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.
Samuel Asaskia: 1 match. 0 wickets @ N/A, ER 5.71, SR N/A, BBI 0-38, 0 5-fors.
Kate Sonnel: 1 match. 1 wicket @ 26.50, ER 5.30, SR 30.00, BBI 2-53, 0 5-fors.

Freeman Firestorm

Overview:
Hailing from the state with by far the smallest population of all, everything is stacked against the Freeman Firestorm. With no standout players or anything, they have to work exceptionally hard for each and every minor victory and credit to them for that, for they have somehow amassed a squad that can challenge the other Sylestonean states. Two years ago, it was not enough to avoid two wooden-spoon finishes in both the Cubicle One-Day Cup and the Lavatory Shield, but they fought back last year, finishing fourth in the Lavatory Shield, ahead of a struggling Suffolk and the Central Sylestone Snakes. However, the retirement of stalwart speedster Zangj Jonjaakh has thrown a spanner in the works, and as a result, swing bowler Amber Homburg is likely to take over his spot in the XI. She doesn’t possess the firepower Jonjaakh did, though, and that lack of a tearaway quick will be something that may come back to bite the Firestorm throughout the season. Their batting line-up will certainly have to perform if Freeman want to go anywhere this season and if they cannot, two more wooden spoons await them.

Key players include Sean Lake, Aiden Tasso 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 
Emily Lendie ← N/A

Out:
James Hemingway → Suffolk Seals 
Zangj Jonjaakh → Retirement

First XI (in batting order):

1. Sean Lake (M) - Age 33 (RHB/RM; Batter)
2. (c) Aiden Tasso (M) - Age 35 (LHB/ROS; Batter)
3. Erin Hosbury (F) - Age 22 (RHB/RM; Batter)
4. Zachary Arafase (M) - Age 28 (RHB; Batter)
5. (+) Kieran Force (M) - Age 25 (RHB; Wicketkeeper)
6. Matthew Stopling (M) - Age 33 (LHB; Batter)
7. Chelsea Latour (F) - Age 32 (RHB/RLS; All Rounder)
8. Amber Homburg (F) - Age 21 (LHB/LFM; All Rounder)
9. Anna Huntingfield (F) - Age 35 (LHB/LLS; Bowler)
10. Jason Campton (M) - Age 25 (RHB/RMF; Bowler)
11. Angara Barragai (M) - Age 31 (RHB/RFM; Bowler)

Reserves:

Maddison Takasuka (F) - Age 20(LHB/RLS; Batter)
Benjamin Mostre (M) - Age 26 (LHB; Batter)
Scarlett Downes (F) - Age 26 (LHB/LOS; All Rounder)
(+) Jade Rickards (F) - Age 31 (RHB; Wicketkeeper)
Emily Lendie (F) - Age 21 (RHB/LMF; All Rounder)
Alexander Burns (M) - Age 25 (LHB/LOS; Batter)
Kevin Rombice (M) - Age 21 (RHB/ROS; Batter)
William Barnes (M) - Age 19 (RHB/RMF; Bowler)
Layla Milerum (F) - Age 28 (LHB/LFM; Bowler)

International Test Stats:

Sean Lake: 4 matches. 184 runs @ 30.67, SR 56.27, HS 61, 1 50s, 0 100s.

New Gloucester Jaguars

Overview:
Widely acknowledged as one of the best state sides in the nation, it’s astonishing that the New Gloucester Jaguars’ cabinet remains empty. They’ve made both Cubicle One-Day Cup finals but lost both on the final ball of the match and despite racing out of the blocks in last year’s Lavatory Shield, they could not replicate their form in the second half of the season, falling behind the world champion Scorpion outfit at the final hurdles. However, it will only be a matter of time until that changes, and with a squad of the calibre they possess, it may certainly be this year. Led by Liam Afosha, the side appears to have no real weak links, boasting strength all the way through the lineup, from openers Caityln Freehill and Edward Cunningham, to bowlers Samuel Scron and Juan de Polo. With ten of the state’s players representing the nation in the sport, they will be a team to beat any day of the week, no matter the format, pitch conditions and whatnot.

Key players include Caitlyn Freehill, Samuel Cross, Liam Afosha, Mitchell Stein (first-class), 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): Champions
Last Season (Lavatory Shield): 3rd
Predicted Finish (Cubicle One-Day Cup): 3rd
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: 2
Best LASL Performance: Semifinal

Squad Changes:

In:
Cody Kirkwood ← N/A

Out:
Lily Bodenweiser → South Sylestone Scorpions

First XI (in batting order):

1. Caitlyn Freehill (F) - Age 24 (LHB/LMF; All Rounder)
2. Edward Cunningham (M) - Age 30 (RHB/RM; All Rounder)
3. Samuel Cross (M) - Age 23 (RHB/RFM; All Rounder)
4. (c) Liam Afosha (M) - Age 31 (RHB/ROS; All Rounder)
5. Mitchell Stein (M) - Age 28 (LHB/LM; Batter)
6. Oliver Edwards (M) - Age 23 (RHB/ROS; Batter)
7. (+) Ashton Stealom (M) - Age 31 (RHB; Wicketkeeper)
8. Juan de Polo (M) - Age 28 (RHB/RLS; All Rounder)
9. Milan Poci (M) - Age 32 (RHB/RLS; Bowler)
10. Samuel Scron (M) - Age 25 (RHB/RFM; Bowler)
11. Leo Njata (M) - Age 29 (RHB/RF; Bowler)

Reserves:

Ava Fantl (F) - Age 18 (RHB/RM; Batter)
Jason Stolhead (M) - Age 34 (LHB; Batter)
Ashley Jefferis (F) - Age 22 (RHB/RFM; All Rounder)
Lauren Luffman (F) - Age 19 (RHB/RM; Batter)
Amelia Olden (F) - Age 31 (LHB/LOS; Batter)
(+) Victor Stonton (M) - Age 33 (RHB; Batter)
Sara Kingsmill (F) - Age 26 (RHB/ROS; Bowler)
Gabrielle Lawrence (F) - Age 20 (LHB/LMF; Bowler)
Lily Bodenweiser (F) - Age 28 (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, ER 3.54, SR 53.45, BBI 3-39, 0 5-fors.
Juan de Polo: 4 matches. 84 runs @ 16.80, SR 49.41, HS 33, 0 50s, 0 100s. 18 wickets @ 25.50, ER 3.23, SR 47.39, 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, ER 2.37, SR 93.60, BBI 2-16, 0 5-fors.
Mitchell Stein: 6 matches. 268 runs @ 33.50, SR 36.41, HS 68, 3 50s, 0 100s.

International ODI Stats:

Liam Afosha: 32 matches. 1088 runs @ 54.40, SR 103.93, HS 134, 5 50s, 3 100s. 16 wickets @ 67.06, ER 5.71, SR 70.44, 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, ER 11.00, SR N/A, BBI 0-22, 0 5-fors.

South Sylestone Scorpions

Overview:
Champions of the second Elite Trophy First Class and two-time Lavatory Shield runners-up, the South Sylestone Scorpions are made for competing at their pinnacle in the longest format. They may be led by Chloe Anderson, regarded as one of Sylestone’s more aggressive players with the bat, ball and tactics, but the way she is able to wear down the opposition batters with her field placings is truly remarkable. Her never-say-die attitude paid its virtues last season, coming from a near-impossible deficit to pip the Jaguars in the final couple of rounds to clinch a spot in the final itself. For the second season running, she was unable to lift the trophy aloft, but nevertheless, a brilliant performance from a brilliant tactician. The remaining quality players in the squad are mostly first-class masters, though, hence the state’s strength in the format despite going next to nowhere in the Cubicle One-Day Cup. With incumbent opener Samuel Creln, famous for his ability to wear down bowlers with his signature forward defence, swing bowlers Norbert Pistecial and Leo Codrington and the likes of Patrick Shotenham and Angelina Hodel joining Chloe Anderson in the middle-order, it really is a formidable team in paper. Can they put in the yards as they have over the past two seasons, and possibly win their first Lavatory Shield title?

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): 3rd
Last Season (Lavatory Shield): Runners-up
Predicted Finish (Cubicle One-Day Cup): 5th
Last Season (Cubicle One-Day Cup): 5th
Shield Titles: 0
One-Day Cup Titles: 0
ETFC Appearances: 2
Best ETFC Performance: Champions
LASL Appearances: 0
Best LASL Performance: N/A

Squad Changes:

In:
Ben Birdwood ← N/A
Amy Cayley ← N/A
Lily Bodenweiser ← New Gloucester Jaguars 

Out:
Jack Fushui → Retirement
Ryan Jones → Retirement
Holly Lambe → Retirement

First XI (in batting order):

1. Samuel Creln (M) - Age 31 (LHB/LLS; Batter)
2. Nicholas Lovia (M) - Age 24 (RHB/ROS; Batter)
3. Patrick Shotenham (M) - Age 26 (RHB/RM; Batter)
4. Amber Luke (F) - Age 27 (RHB/RM; Batter)
5. (c) Chloe Anderson (F) - Age 25 (LHB/LLS; All Rounder)
6. Angelina Hodel (F) - Age 29 (LHB/LFM; All Rounder)
7. (+) Adam Lonelet (M) - Age 35 (RHB; Wicketkeeper)
8. Norbert Pistecial (M) - Age 25 (LHB/LFM; All Rounder)
9. Ethan Nosten (M) - Age 33 (RHB/RMF; Bowler)
10. Leo Codrington (M) - Age 27 (RHB/RF; Bowler)
11. Osten Lovia (M) - Age 25 (LHB/LLS; Bowler)

Reserves:

Mary Coventry (F) - Age 30 (RHB; Batter)
Peter Shopkin (M) - Age 32 (RHB/ROS; Batter)
Austin Oltin (M) - Age 34 (LHB/LOS; Batter)
Lauren Stout (F) - Age 26 (RHB/RMF; All Rounder)
Amy Cayley (F) - Age 23 (RHB; Batter)
Ben Birdwood (M) - Age 29 (LHB/LFM; All Rounder)
(+) Matthew Clopp (M) - Age 33 (RHB; Wicketkeeper)
Lily Bodenweiser (F) - Age 27 (LHB/LOS; Bowler)
Isabel Liardet (F) - Age 32 (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, ER 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, ER 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: 19 matches. 746 runs @ 27.63, SR 60.72, HS 100, 1 50s, 1 100s. 60 wickets @ 30.67, ER 3.14, SR 58.58, BBI 8-33, 2 5-fors.

International ODI Stats:

Chloe Anderson: 9 matches. 292 runs @ 41.71, SR 98.65, HS 65, 3 50s, 0 100s. 0 wickets @ N/A, ER 6.50, SR N/A, BBI 0-26, 0 5-fors.
Norbert Pistecial: 33 matches. 314 runs @ 22.43, SR 104.32, HS 37*, 0 50s, 0 100s. 42 wickets @ 38.12, ER 5.30, SR 42.19, BBI 4-43, 0 5-fors.

Suffolk Seals

Overview:
After winning both the first edition of the Cubicle One-Day Cup and the List A Super League, the Suffolk Seals failed to impress last season, finishing fifth in both the one- and four-day formats. Their lacklustre performances were no doubt partly due to the excessive commitments on skipper Luke Tiati’s plate, having been handed the Sylestonean captaincy from Daniel Fomleya, too, and as a result, has made the decision to hand over the Seals’ reigns to Talvin Mankira. Like the Scorpions, the Seals have a good team on paper, boasting the likes of Luke Tiati, Brianna Eastwood and Lachlan Cocrine in the top four, as well as Talvin Mankira and Georgia Haines with the ball. However, despite the two trophies in their cabinet, they are still yet to really click. Having a home ground that gives literally nothing to the bowlers does not help, but even so, that’s no excuse for their recent performances. Can Mankira’s leadership help the Seals regain the form of the initial season?

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): 4th
Last Season (Lavatory Shield): 5th
Predicted Finish (Cubicle One-Day Cup): Runners-up
Last Season (Cubicle One-Day Cup): 5th
Shield Titles: 0
One-Day Cup Titles: 1
ETFC Appearances: 0
Best ETFC Performance: N/A
LASL Appearances: 2
Best LASL Performance: Champions

Squad Changes:

In:
Madeline Barff ← Central Sylestone Snakes 

Out:
Ashley Millen → Central Sylestone Snakes

First XI (in batting order):

1. (+) Luke Tiati (M) - Age 30 (LHB; Wicketkeeper)
2. Peter Cuniry (M) - Age 34 (LHB/LOS; Batter)
3. Brianna Eastwood (F) - Age 22 (RHB/ROS; Batter)
4. Lachlan Cocrine (M) - Age 27 (RHB/ROS; Batter)
5. Madeline Barff (F) - Age 34 (RHB/LLS; Batter)
6. Fergus Stanton (M) - Age 24 (RHB/RLS; All Rounder)
7. Jai Babbage (M) - 22 (RHB/RLS; Batter)
8. Ross Amitt (M) - Age 31 (RHB/RFM; Bowler)
9. Thomas Strand (M) - Age 27 (RHB/RFM; Bowler)
10. (c) Talvin Mankira (M) - Age 30 (LHB/LF; Bowler)
11. Georgia Haines (F) - Age 31 (RHB/RLS; Bowler)

Reserves:

Abigail Tozer (F) - Age 23 (RHB/RMF; Batter)
Hannah Gilroy (F) - Age 21 (RHB/RMF; All Rounder)
James Hemingway (M) - Age 21 (RHB/ROS; Batter)
Isla Trefl (F) - Age 28 (LHB/LM; Batter)
Jai Babbage (M) - Age 22 (RHB/RLS; Batter)
(+) Austin Placea (M) - Age 26 (LHB; Wicketkeeper)
Layla Mackersey (F) - Age 20 (RHB/RFM; Bowler)
Jesse McMillan (M) - Age 20 (RHB/LFM; Bowler)
Eve Lenehan (F) - Age 26 (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: 20 matches. 2097 runs @ 63.55, SR 54.51, HS 177, 9 50s, 7 100s.
International ODI Stats:
[box]Lachlan Cocrine: 25 matches. 638 runs @ 33.58, SR 87.64, HS 121*, 2 50s, 1 100s.
Georgia Haines: 2 matches. 2 wickets @ 70.50, economy 7.05, SR 60.00, BBI 1-68, 0 5-fors.
Luke Tiati: 34 matches. 1659 runs @ 53.52, SR 93.78, HS 167*, 9 50s, 5 100s.

by **Sylestone** » Wed Apr 27, 2022 1:18 am

CRASH N’ SMASH

Season Three

The start of the Lavatory Shield may be just around the corner, but today other cricket news has been announced - the official Crash n’ Smash squad lists for each of the eight franchises! Over the past few months, each of the clubs has looked at possible methods of improvement, building their “optimal squad”. Each has had varying degrees of success, while some - notably reigning champions Avondale Knights - barely touched it at all, making as minimal changes as possible to their lineup in the hope they will once again take it all the way. Meanwhile, the third-placed Pesfield Wasps did the opposite, their expected starting XI now nearly unrecognisable. With all other clubs located somewhere between the two, but all making at least one significant change due to contract expirations, an interesting season begs.

Two new overseas imports have been brought in for this season of the Crash n’ Smash, to join the 29 already participating in the league. The first is 18-year-old Quebecois prodigy Wanda Hosaka, a gun batter signed by the Betham Dogs, and is expected to bat number three for last edition’s runners-ups’. The other, snapped up by the Dunkirk Rovers, is Avoragan pinch-hitter Chinwuebo Chinama, a player of whom shot onto the scene in the inaugural AODICC, whacking 373 runs at a strike rate of 116 to announce himself to the multiverse. This included a tournament-high individual score of 161 against Kotzellach - an insane innings that came off a mere 96 balls. Both are aggressive-natured batters, and if they can find their mojo, they will be a joy to watch.

On the international scene, Sylestone’s clubs have gone a step further, the Avondale Knights reaching a place where no other club has gone before - making the semifinals in the 13th CLT20. There, they were heartbreakingly knocked out by eventual champions Romanopolis, while the Betham Dogs reached the quarterfinals from a group of death, consisting of two Ko-orenite and two VCC clubs alongside them. It means that the nation has risen to third in the association rankings with a coefficient 24.309. Only Darmen (33.821) and Ko-oren (30.092) rank higher than Sylestone, and while there is a gap to bridge, the nation’s meteoric rise in all formats of cricket means that it will only be a matter of time until Sylestone attempt to knock them off their pedestals.

Finally, a quick reminder of the playoff 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.

But enough on that; that’s not what we’re here for, is it? No, we want previews!

So here are previews!

Avondale Knights

Overview:
As CLT20 semifinalists and last season’s champions, the Avondale Knights have pressure heaped upon them to perform once again. Despite being predicted to finish outside of the top five for the first time last year, the Knights really shone through after the halfway point of the season, winning eight games and losing only one to take out the title in a thrilling grand finale. They then proceeded to back it up on the world stage, Darmeni club Romanopolis only halting their charge in the semifinal. On paper, they don’t look exceptionally strong, but my word, did they gel well together last season. 22-year-old Ko-orenite Moses Scovell had a breakthrough season, scoring two centuries, while local youngster Caitlyn Freehill performed just as admirably, her top score being an unbeaten 95 in the Knights’ final game of the regular season, where she kept a cool head through crisis to ensure victory with a ball to spare. Tumbran Richard Bremner is also an experienced batter who has had success with the Knights, while the likes of Fergus Stanton and Sophia Locke are useful lower-order hitters. The bowling is strong, too, with experienced quick Josh Vilesti leading the charge, while wily Grearish off-spinner Emmie Samuel always poses a threat. The only real change of significant note to the Knights’ outfit is Georgia Haines’ departure to the Halpenley Lightning, with ex-Pesfield orthodox spinner Lily Bodenweiser taking her place in the squad. After all, why break a winning combination?

Key players include Moses Scovell, Caitlyn Freehill, 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
Previous Season: Champions
Predicted Finish: 4th
Titles: 1
CLT20 Appearances: 2
Best CLT20 Appearances: Semifinals

Squad Changes:

In:
Lily Bodenweiser  ← Pesfield Wasps 
Stella Burne  ← N/A
Sebastian Fishbourne  ← N/A

Out:
Georgia Haines  → Halpenley Lightning 
Sara Kingsmill  → Chamberley Giants 
Austin Oltin  → N/A

First XI (in batting order):

1. Moses Scovell  (M) - Age 22 (LHB/LM; Batter)
2. (+) Yash Ubuni  (M) - Age 37 (RHB; Wicketkeeper)
3. Caitlyn Freehill  (F) - Age 24 (LHB/LMF; All Rounder)
4. Richard Bremner  (M) - Age 32 (LHB; Batter)
5. Kieran Force  (M) - Age 25 (RHB; Wicketkeeper)
6. Fergus Stanton  (M) - Age 24 (RHB/RLS; All Rounder)
7. Sophia Locke  (F) - Age 24 (LHB/RLS; Batter)
8. Malcolm Marshall  (M) - Age 33 (RHB/RFM; Bowler)
9. Lily Bodenweiser  (F) - Age 27 (LHB/LOS; Bowler)
10. (c) Joshua Vilesti  (M) - Age 34 (RHB/RF; Bowler)
11. Emmie Samuel  (M) - Age 31 (LHB/ROS; Bowler)

Reserves

Holly Paling  (F) - Age 22 (LHB/LOS; Batter)
Sebastian Fishbourne  (M) - Age 21 (RHB/RM; Batter)
Ashley Jefferis  (F) - Age 22 (RHB/RFM; All Rounder)
Mariam Oldacre  (F) - Age 29 (RHB; Batter)
Chloe Heathershaw  (F) - Age 25 (LHB/LOS; All Rounder)
Jesse Hedley  (F) - Age 22 (LHB/LMF; Bowler)
Stella Burne  (F) - Age 18 (RHB/RMF; 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, ER 8.00, SR 80.00, BBI 1-25, 0 4-fors.
Yash Ubuni: 7 matches. 106 runs @ 15.14, SR 153.62, HS 32, 0 50s, 0 100s.
Joshua Vilesti: 24 matches. 5 runs @ 5.00, SR 83.33, HS 5*, 0 5s, 0 100s. 24 wickets @ 29.25, ER 7.86, SR 22.33, BBI 2-27, 0 4-fors.

Betham Dogs

Overview:
Last year, the Betham Dogs might have topped the group stage standings on net run-rate, but could not bring the trophy home in the grand final, falling short of the Avondale Knights in the final over. However, they have gone from strength to strength to this season, keeping the vast majority of the squad but making a few changes here and there. Gun opening combination Edward Cunningham and Sean Lake will remain at the top of the order, while next to no changes have been made to the core of the bowling lineup. However, it is the middle-order where the Dogs have rather surprisingly amended themselves. Wanda Hosaka is a new addition, becoming the first Quebecois to participate in the league at only 18 years of age. Chloe Anderson has also made the move from the Scorching Hot Dodle in a like-for-like transfer for Nicholas Lovia. Tumbran Holly Cranston has also joined the southern side after a relatively disappointing season with the Pesfield Wasps (although she did make a century), with Ronald Taylor and Catbug Demoncast making way and moving elsewhere. Whether the changes are worth it will certainly rouse contentious debate, but one thing is for sure.
This is a very, very strong team.

Key players include Sean Lake, Chloe Anderson, Holly Cranston, Lasrewll yChallril, 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: Runners-up
Predicted Finish: Champions
Titles: 0
CLT20 Appearances: 1
Best CLT20 Performance: Quarterfinals

Squad Changes:

In:
Chloe Anderson  ← Scorching Hot Dodle 
Holly Cranston  ← Pesfield Wasps 
Wanda Hosaka  ← Quebec and Shingoryeo 
Maddison Takasuka  ← Chamberley Giants 

Out:
Fergus Crena  → N/A
Catbug Demoncast  → Scorching Hot Dodle 
Nicholas Lovia  → Scorching Hot Dodle 
Ronald Taylor  → Cleorough Devils

First XI (in batting order):

1. (c) Edward Cunningham  (M) - Age 30 (RHB/RM; All Rounder)
2. Sean Lake  (M) - Age 33 (RHB/RM; Batter)
3. Wanda Hosaka  (F) - Age 18 (RHB/LLS; Batter)
4. Chloe Anderson  (F) - Age 25 (LHB/LLS; Bowler)
5. Holly Cranston  (F) - Age 26 (LHB/LOS; All Rounder)
6. (+) Oliver Edwards  (M) - Age 23 (RHB/ROS; Wicketkeeper)
7. Shaun Clapiope  (M) - Age 32 (LHB/LF; All Rounder)
8. Chelsea Latour  (F) - Age 32 (RHB/RLS; All Rounder)
9. Peter Robinson  (M) - Age 21 (LHB/LOS; Bowler)
10. Lasrewll yChallril  (M) - Age 25 (LHB/LLS; Bowler)
11. Edward Hillock  (M) - Age 22 (LHB/LF; Bowler)

Reserves:

Adam Lonelet  (M) - Age 35 (RHB; Wicketkeeper)
Maddison Takasuka  (F) - Age 21 (LHB/RLS; Batter)
Peter Shopkin  (M) - Age 32 (RHB/ROS; Batter)
Lauren Stout  (F) - Age 26 (RHB/RMF; All Rounder)
Mary Geach  (F) - Age 21 (RHB/ROS; Batter)
Molly Dixon  (F) - Age 23 (LHB/LOS; Bowler)
Ethan Nosten  (M) - Age 33 (RHB/RMF; Bowler)

International T20 Stats:

Chloe Anderson: 4 matches. 52 runs @ 26.00, SR 130.00, HS 26*, 0 50s, 0 100s. 0 wickets @ N/A, ER 7.33, SR N/A, BBI 0-9, 0 4-fors.
Holly Cranston: Unknown
Edward Cunningham: 1 match. 32 runs @ 32.00, SR 118.52, HS 32, 0 50s, 0 100s. 0 wickets @ N/A, ER 12.00, SR N/A, BBI 0-12, 0 4-fors.
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

Chamberley Giants

Overview:
Champions of the first two editions of the Crash n’ Smash and runners-up of the third, the Chamberley Giants had a season to forget last year, only just qualifying for the eliminator final before being well-beaten by the Cleorough Devils. It meant that they placed fifth and with a squad of the calibre that they possessed, Giants fans were very much Not Happy. However, rather surprisingly, the response from the Giants’ management was to make next to no changes to the squad, backing them to bounce back and perform this season. They’re still a favourite to take out the title - after all, any club boasting the likes of Lachlan Cocrine, Broughton Hall and Liam Afosha has got to have the ability to challenge some of the very best. Under the captaincy of Grearish incumbent Dewayne Goolsby for the third season running, Chamberley will have their sights set on their third Crash n’ Smash title this season, but with every single franchise boasting a squad that has the ability to win the tournament, it will be more difficult than ever. However, considering the Giants’ squad of eighteen contains ten players with international experience, it will not be easy.

Key players include Simon Monteane, Lachlan Cocrine, Liam Afosha, Dewayne Goolsby, Steven Dickson, Oscar Bowles, Broughton Hall and Talvin Mankira.

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: 5th
Predicted Finish: Runners-up
Titles: 2
CLT20 Appearances: 3
Best CLT20 Performance: Quarterfinals

Squad Changes:

In:
Charlie Greeves  ← Cleorough Devils 
Sara Kingsmill  ← Avondale Knights 
Talvin Mankira  ← Pesfield Wasps 

Out:
Amelia Olden  → Cleorough Devils 
Samuel Scron  → Pesfield Wasps 
Maddison Takasuka  → Betham Dogs

First XI (in batting order):

1. Simon Monteane  (M) - Age 27 (RHB/ROS; Batter)
2. Lachlan Edwards  (M) - Age 22 (RHB/RLS; All Rounder)
3. Lachlan Cocrine  (M) - Age 27 (RHB/ROS; Batter)
4. Steven Dickson  (M) - Age 24 (RHB; Batter)
5. Liam Afosha  (M) - Age 31 (RHB/ROS; All Rounder)
6. (c) Dewayne Goolsby  (M) - Age 35 (RHB/RFM; All Rounder)
7. (+) Eli Hunniford  (M) - Age 34 (RHB; Wicketkeeper)
8. Broughton Hall  (M) - Age 24 (RHB/ROS; Bowler)
9. Oscar Bowles  (M) - Age 26 (RHB/ROS; Bowler)
10. Talvin Mankira  (M) - Age 30 (LHB/LF; Bowler)
11. Leo Njata  (M) - Age 29 (RHB/RF; Bowler)

Reserves:

Xander Forsheish  (M) - Age 32 (RHB/LOS; Batter)
Mary Coventry  (F) - Age 30 (RHB; Batter)
Charlie Greeves  (M) - Age 25 (RHB/RFM; All Rounder)
Riley Skerst  (M) - Age 23 (LHB/RLS; All Rounder)
Amber Homburg  (F) - Age 21 (LHB/LFM; Bowler)
Eve Lenehan  (F) - Age 26 (LHB/RLS; Bowler)
Sara Kingsmill  (F) - Age 25 (RHB/ROS; Bowler)

International T20 Stats:

Liam Afosha: 32 matches. 598 runs @ 35.18, SR 140.38, HS 54*, 2 50s, 0 100s. 20 wickets @ 39.75, ER 7.71, SR 30.95, BBI 4-23, 1 4-fors.
Oscar Bowles: Unknown
Lachlan Cocrine: 31 matches. 1088 runs @ 43.52, SR 167.90, 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, ER 6.00, SR 14.00, BBI 1-14, 0 4-fors.
Dewayne Goolsby: Unknown
Broughton Hall: 24 matches. 15 runs @ 5.00, SR 88.24, HS 6*, 0 50s, 0 100s. 39 wickets @ 16.82, ER 6.98, SR 14.46, BBI 5-24, 1 4-fors.
Eli Hunniford: Unknown
Talvin Mankira: 9 matches. 6 runs @ N/A, SR 75.00, HS 6*, 0 50s, 0 100s. 9 wickets @ 31.22, ER 8.26, SR 22.67, BBI 2-35, 0 4-fors.
Simon Monteane: 24 matches. 547 runs @ 24.86, SR 130.55, HS 71, 5 50s, 0 100s.

Cleorough Devils

Overview:
Last season, Cleorough struggled with the pressure that comes with being the reigning champions, only just scraping into the top five with seven wins and seven losses from their fourteen games. Despite boasting the tournament’s most prolific run-scorer amongst their ranks - Daniel Fomleya - the Devils simply could not live up to their feats of the year before, being absolutely slaughtered in the second Eliminator by the Pesfield Wasps to finish fourth. Unfortunately for them, this season may certainly go down a similar trajectory. While Ronald Taylor’s signing will certainly favour the Devils in both the batting and bowling departments, the departure of wicketkeeper Ashton Stealom certainly throws a spanner in the works. Yes, Brock Westleford is able to take over the gloves and both the batting and bowling still appear strong, but there’s just something about Cleorough this season. For some reason, each and every club appears to have made improvements to their squad, but the Devils… possibly have not? It’s certainly a bold prediction, and if the team is able to click together as they did in the third edition of the tournament, then they will be title challengers.

Key players include Daniel Fomleya, Ronald Taylor, 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: 4th
Predicted Finish: 6th
Titles: 1
CLT20 Appearances: 1
Best CLT20 Performance: Playoff Round

Squad Changes:

In:
Ronald Taylor  ← Betham Dogs 
Amelia Olden  ← Chamberley Giants 
Elijah Shirley  ← N/A

Out:
Matthew Clopp  → Retirement
Charlie Greeves  → Chamberley Giants 
Ashton Stealom  → Halpenley Lightning

First XI (in batting order):

1. Taylah Monnier  (F) - Age 25 (LHB/LM; Batter)
2. (c) Daniel Fomleya  (M) - Age 36 (LHB/LOS; Batter)
3. Aiden Tasso  (M) - Age 35 (LHB/ROS; All Rounder)
4. (+) Brock Westleford  (M) - Age 28 (LHB/LM; Batter)
5. Jana Hatfield  (F) - Age 25 (LHB; Batter)
6. Ronald Taylor  (M) - Age 25 (LHB/LM; All Rounder)
7. Blaine Risewell  (M) - Age 27 (RHB/RF; All Rounder)
8. Nathan Norwell  (M) - Age 26 (LHB/RMF; All Rounder)
9. Juan de Polo  (M) - Age 28 (RHB/RLS; All Rounder)
10. Zefixaq Effervescentpyjamas  (M) - Age 29 (LHB/LFM; Bowler)
11. Kate Sonnel  (F) - Age 18 (RHB/RLS; Bowler)

Reserves:

Aidan Silas  (M) - Age 23 (RHB; Batter)
Amelia Olden  (F) - Age 31 (LHB/LOS; Batter)
Lauren Luffman  (F) - Age 19 (RHB/RM; Batter)
Elijah Shirley  (M) - Age 21 (RHB; Wicketkeeper)
Andrew Ambrize  (M) - Age 26 (LHB/LF; Bowler)
Angelina Marlowe  (M) - Age 25 (RHB/LOS; Bowler)
Rose Elizabeth  (F) - Age 21 (LHB/LLS; Bowler)

International T20 Stats:

Juan de Polo: 4 matches. 9 wickets @ 11.44, ER 6.72, SR 10.22, BBI 3-22, 0 4-fors.
Daniel Fomleya: 25 matches. 546 runs @ 27.30, SR 129.08, HS 85*, 4 50s, 0 100s. 0 wickets @ N/A, ER 9.50, SR N/A, BBI 0-7, 0 4-fors.
Jana Hatfield: Unknown
Nathan Norwell: 4 matches. 2 wickets @ 41.50, ER 9.22, SR 27.00, BBI 1-20, 0 4-fors.
Blaine Risewell: Unknown
Kate Sonnel: 7 matches. 9 wickets @ 19.78, ER 6.36, SR 18.67, BBI 3-23, 0 4-fors.
Ronald Taylor: Unknown
Brock Westleford: 4 matches. 48 runs @ 12.00, SR 129.73, HS 21, 0 50s, 0 100s.

Dunkirk Rovers

Overview:
Historically the worst team on paper in the Crash n’ Smash, the Rovers have made a bit of a name for themselves as a side that is always looking to punch above their weight. They failed to shine in the first couple of seasons, but in the third edition of the tournament, they somehow racked up a third-placed finish and appeared destined to do similar last season, if it weren’t for a six-game losing streak that saw them drop out of the top five despite slaughtering the Halpenley Lightning in their final match of the competition. But the Rovers have spent big money in the off-season, splurging huge cash on the likes of ex-Halpenley captain Samuel Asaskia and Avoragan pinch-hitter Chinwuebo Chinama. The latter will join Connor Alkina at the head of a power-packed batting lineup, and if one or both fail, with the likes of Maida Mcleroy, Peter Longlege and Peter Lenton in next, Dunkirk are in good hands. The bowling, though, is the Rovers’ weak point. While they have five quality bowlers in their squad, that includes two all-rounders, meaning that the fourth out-and-out bowler may not get much of a go. It will be a harsh reality for that player, but that is the risk the Rovers have taken, and only time will tell to see whether it pays off.

Key players include Maida Mcleroy, Chinwuebo Chinama, 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: 6th
Predicted Finish: 8th
Titles: 0
CLT20 Appearances: 0
Best CLT20 Performance: N/A

Squad Changes:

In:
Samuel Asaskia  ← Halpenley Lightning  
Chinwuebo Chinama  ← Avorago 
Chloe Lazenby  ← Halpenley Lightning  
Jesse McMillan  ← N/A

Out:
Ruby Croll  → N/A
Peter Cuniry  → N/A
Shawn Lampe  → Retirement
Jason Stolhead  → N/A

First XI (in batting order):

1. (+) Connor Alkina  (M) - Age 30 (RHB; Wicketkeeper)
2. Chinwuebo Chinama  (M) - Age 25 (RHB/ROS; Batter)
3. Maida Mcleroy  (F) - Age 30 (RHB/ROS; Batter)
4. Peter Longlege  (M) - Age 23 (LHB/LOS; All Rounder)
5. (c) Peter Lenton  (M) - Age 35 (RHB/RM; Batter)
6. Samuel Asaskia  (M) - Age 26 (RHB/RFM; All Rounder)
7. Hraffinthroquadilamjamhampamsamtamrambamattawakkipurrheliomansthophthanes Tumcoweiss  (M) - Age 22 (LHB/LOS; All Rounder)
8. Norbert Pistecial  (M) - Age 25 (LHB/LFM; All Rounder)
9. Milan Poci  (M) - Age 32 (RHB/RLS; Bowler)
10. Miriam Boyle  (F) - Age 27 (RHB/RMF; Bowler)
11. Jesse McMillan  (M) - Age 20 (RHB/LFM; Bowler)

Reserves:

Austin Placea  (M) - Age 26 (LHB; Wicketkeeper)
Chloe Lazenby  (F) - Age 25 (LHB; Wicketkeeper)
Kevin Rombice  (M) - Age 21 (RHB/ROS; Batter)
Riley Accrington  (M) - Age 22 (RHB/ROS; All Rounder)
Erin Hosbury  (F) - Age 22 (RHB/RM; Batter)
Percy Benedict  (M) - Age 29 (RHB/RMF; Bowler)
Zoe Flower  (F) - Age 17 (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: 24 matches. 84 runs @ 21.00, SR 118.31, HS 33*, 0 50s, 0 100s. 25 wickets @ 30.28, ER 7.97, SR 22.80, 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, ER 7.61, SR 23.90, BBI 3-29, 0 4-fors.

Halpenley Lightning

Overview:
In comparison to last season, the Halpenley Lightning are one of the more unrecognisable teams in terms of players. Losing their captain to the Dunkirk Rovers didn’t help them, but that was not the only change last season’s seventh-placed club made. The Lightning splurged money on Bollonischian superstar Roderick Hale, boosting an already-strong batting lineup, while they were also able to secure the likes of Samuel Cross and Ashton Stealom, who are expected to play finishing or aggressive roles depending on the game situation. With a very strong batting lineup comes a rather average set of bowlers, though, and if Halpenley wants to defy the odds and take the tournament deep, then they will have to perform, and perform well. However, they will have to start anew, for a change of leadership from Samuel Asaskia to Ashton Stealom is going to result in significant changes at a tactics level. Can these big changes make a difference to this rather star-studded Halpenley squad, or will they once again fail to deliver?

Key players include Roderick Hale, Jack Martin, Samuel Cross, Ashton Stealom and Catamite Darkcape.

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: 5th
Titles: 0
CLT20 Appearances: 1
Best CLT20 Performance: Group Stage

Squad Changes:

In:
Samuel Cross  ← Pesfield Wasps 
Georgia Haines  ← Avondale Knights 
Roderick Hale  ← Scorching Hot Dodle 
Ashton Stealom  ← Cleorough Devils 

Out:
Samuel Asaskia  → Dunkirk Rovers 
Abbey Kennedy  → Pesfield Wasps 
Chloe Lazenby  → Dunkirk Rovers 
Charles McCrory  → Pesfield Wasps

First XI (in batting order):

1. Mitchell Stein  (M) - Age 28 (LHB/LM; Wicketkeeper)
2. Caitlyn Elliot  (F) - Age 19 (RHB/ROS; All Rounder)
3. Roderick Hale  (M) - Age 27 (RHB; Batter)
4. Cameron Cunnings  (M) - Age 31 (RHB; Batter)
5. Jack Martin  (M) - Age 23 (LHB/LOS; All Rounder)
6. Samuel Cross  (M) - Age 23 (RHB/RFM; All Rounder)
7. (c) (+) Ashton Stealom  (M) - Age 31 (RHB; Wicketkeeper)
8. Seth Halliday  (M) - Age 18 (RHB/RFM; Bowler)
9. Catamite Darkcape  (M) - Age 27 (LHB/LF; Bowler)
10. Leo Codrington  (M) - Age 27 (RHB/RF; Bowler)
11. Georgia Haines  (F) - Age 31 (RHB/RLS; Bowler)

Reserves:

Alyssa Fihelly  (F) - Age 22 (RHB/RLS; All Rounder)
Kyle Nicolls  (M) - Age 29 (LHB; Batter)
Ashley Millen  (F) - Age 29 (RHB/RLS; Batter)
James Hemingway  (M) - Age 21 (RHB/ROS; Batter)
Luca De Groot  (M) - Age 22 (RHB/RF; All Rounder)
Abhinav Singh  (M) - Age 27 (LHB/ROS; Bowler)
Georgia Biscoe  (F) - Age 26 (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, ER 7.77, SR 22.00, BBI 2-27, 0 4-fors.
Samuel Cross: 7 matches. 155 runs @ 25.83, SR 118.32, HS 72, 1 50s, 0 100s. 10 wickets @ 14.00, ER 6.72, SR 12.50, BBI 3-18, 0 4-fors.
Catamite Darkcape: Unknown
Roderick Hale: 6 matches. 210 runs @ 52.50, SR 176.47, HS 71*, 2 50s, 0 100s.
Jack Martin: 10 matches. 145 runs @ 29.00, SR 157.61, HS 68*, 1 50s, 0 100s. 0 wickets @ N/A, ER 8.80, SR N/A, BBI 0-3, 0 4-fors.
Ashton Stealom: 7 matches. 80 runs @ 80.00, SR 177.78, HS 47, 0 50s, 0 100s.
Mitchell Stein: 2 matches. 4 runs @ N/A, SR 100.00, HS 4*, 0 50s, 0 100s.

Pesfield Wasps

Overview:
Another franchise to have made significant changes to their squad, the Pesfield Wasps will be looking to better last season’s third-place finish as they edge closer and closer towards CLT20 contention. They certainly have the players to achieve that feat; the only thing that has been stopping the Wasps in recent years has been their inability to gel together as a team due to the management’s constant changes. It doesn’t help that Pesfield have a history for stacking their sides with all-rounders - something that has occurred once again this season. Spin-bowling batting all-rounders Jett Tyrkkekkekklukkekklukekk from Gruenberg and Kaye Newman from South Newlandia have been retained, while Tumbran Charles McCrory has been switched with Samuel Cross, who has taken the opportunity to move to the Halpenley Lightning. With all of these three quality batters, too, it means that out-and-out bowlers will struggle to get a go, with Luke Tiati left to juggle as many as seven bowling options per game. The stakes will be ridiculously high for the bowlers, but if they can perform, they will go a long way to cementing their spot in this lineup. If not, though, the axe will inevitably come their way.

Key players include Luke Tiati, Charles McCrory, Kaye Newman, Gary Umbridge, 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: 3rd
Predicted Finish: 3rd
Titles: 0
CLT20 Appearances: 0
Best CLT20 Performance: N/A

Squad Changes:

In:
Jai Babbage  ← N/A
Anna Huntingfield  ← Scorching Hot Dodle 
Abbey Kennedy  ← Halpenley Lightning 
Charles McCrory  ← Halpenley Lightning 
Samuel Scron  ← Chamberley Giants 
Kaitlyn Whittingham  ← N/A

Out:
Lily Bodenweiser  → Avondale Knights 
Holly Cranston  → Betham Dogs 
Samuel Cross  → Halpenley Lightning 
Daniel Hall  → N/A
Osten Lovia  → Scorching Hot Dodle 
Talvin Mankira  → Chamberley Giants

First XI (in batting order):

1. (c) (+) Luke Tiati  (M) - Age 30 (LHB; Wicketkeeper)
2. Zachary Arafase  (M) - Age 28 (RHB; Batter)
3. Charles McCrory  (M) - Age 29 (RHB/RFM; All Rounder)
4. Gary Umbridge  (M) - Age 35 (RHB; Batter)
5. Kaye Newman  (F) - Age 25 (RHB/RLS; All Rounder)
6. Patrick Shotenham  (M) - Age 26 (RHB/RM; Batter)
7. Jett Tyrkkekkekklukkekklukekk  (M) - Age 23 (LHB/LLS; All Rounder)
8. Samuel Scron  (M) - Age 25 (RHB/RFM; Bowler)
9. Anna Huntingfield  (F) - Age 35 (LHB/LLS; Bowler)
10. Thomas Strand  (M) - Age 27 (RHB/RFM; Bowler)
11. Sharron Irvine  (F) - Age 34 (RHB/RLS; Bowler)

Reserves:

Hannah Gilroy  (F) - Age 21 (RHB/RMF; All Rounder)
Kaitlyn Whittingham  (F) - Age 24 (RHB/RFM; All Rounder)
Jai Babbage  (M) - Age 22 (RHB/RLS; Batter)
Erin Andronicus  (F) - Age 24 (RHB/RM; Batter)
Leah Bacon  (F) - Age 36 (RHB/LOS; All Rounder)
Abbey Kennedy  (F) - Age 32 (RHB/RLS; All Rounder)
Jason Campton  (M) - Age 25 (RHB/RMF; Bowler)

International T20 Stats:

Sharron Irvine: 6 matches. 13 runs @ 13.00, SR 86.67, HS 7, 0 50s, 0 100s. 6 wickets @ 32.33, ER 8.82, SR 22.00, BBI 2-27, 0 4-fors.
Charles McCrory: Unknown
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, ER 8.70, SR 13.20, BBI 4-19, 1 4-fors.
Gary Umbridge: Unknown

Scorching Hot Dodle

Overview:
It is only fitting that last season’s wooden-spooners are placed at the end of the previews, accidental or not. With only four wins from fourteen games, Scorching Hot Dodle had a season to forget and as a result, changes have been strung to help boost the lineup. Looking through their squad, they possess a side that has the ability to challenge for the title, but due to the strength of each and every other team in the competition, many eyebrows would be raised if they do eventually defy the odds to hold aloft the trophy in a few months’ time. But with the likes of Brianna Eastwood and Dharmendra at the top and Catbug Demoncast and Samuel Petersen in the middle-order, the batting department should be able to hold itself up, while the bowling, led by Petersen, Ross Amitt and Panu Tripathi, appears far from weak. Last season, the Betham Dogs bounced back from their first wooden spoon, reaching the final and taking out the minor premiership. Can Dodle do the same?

Key players include Brianna Eastwood, Catbug Demoncast, Samuel Petersen, Ross Amitt 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: 8th
Predicted Finish: 7th
Titles: 0
CLT20 Appearances: 0
Best CLT20 Performance:N/A

Squad Changes:

In:
Catbug Demoncast  ← Betham Dogs 
Nicholas Lovia  ← Betham Dogs 
Osten Lovia  ← Pesfield Wasps 

Out:
Chloe Anderson  → Betham Dogs 
Roderick Hale  → Halpenley Lightning 
Anna Huntingfield  → Pesfield Wasps

First XI (in batting order):

1. Brianna Eastwood  (F) - Age 22 (RHB/ROS; Batter)
2. Dharmendra Reddy  (M) - Age 28 (RHB/ROS; Batter)
3. Nicholas Lovia  (M) - Age 24 (RHB/ROS; Batter)
4. Catbug Demoncast  (M) - Age 25 (LHB; Batter)
5. Zachary Charlton  (M) - Age 33 (LHB/LM; Batter)
6. (c) Samuel Petersen  (M) - Age 30 (RHB/RF; All Rounder)
7. (+) Victor Stonton  (M) - Age 33 (RHB; Wicketkeeper)
8. Ross Amitt  (M) - Age 31 (RHB/RMF; Bowler)
9. Angus Hackett  (M) - Age 18 (LHB/RF; Bowler)
10. Panu Tripathi  (M) - Age 25 (RHB/RLS; Bowler)
11. Osten Lovia  (M) - Age 25 (LHB/LLS; Bowler)

Reserves:

Matthew Stopling  (M) - Age 33 (LHB; Wicketkeeper)
Abigail Tozer  (F) - Age 23 (RHB/RMF; Batter)
Andy Rombigo  (M) - Age 23 (LHB/ROS; Batter)
Redmond Rombigo  (M) - Age 23 (LHB/LM; Batter)
Layla Mackersey  (F) - Age 22 (RHB/RFM; All Rounder)
Angara Barragai  (M) - Age 31 (RHB/RFM; Bowler)
Layla Milerum  (F) - Age 28 (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, ER 6.43, SR 23.00, BBI 3-24, 0 4-fors.
Zachary Charlton: 4 matches. 18 runs @ 6.00, SR 105.88, HS 10, 0 50s, 0 100s.
Catbug Demoncast: Unknown
Brianna Eastwood: 8 matches. 263 runs @ 43.83, SR 121.76, HS 75*, 2 50s, 0 100s. 0 wickets @ N/A, ER 7.00, SR N/A, BBI 0-5, 0 4-fors.
Samuel Petersen: Unknown
Dharmendra Reddy: Unknown
Panu Tripathi: Unknown

by **Sylestone** » Sat Apr 30, 2022 6:40 pm

LAVATORY SHIELD

Season Two

Matchweek One

Suffolk Seals vs Capital Coyotes @ Bolton Oval, Pesfield

Suffolk Seals - 250 (67.3)
M Barff 53 (82)				P Wright 4/71 (16.3)
L Cocrine 45 (57)			B Hall 3/60 (17)

Capital Coyotes - 326 (85.1)
T Monnier 70 (131)			T Mankira 4/41 (14.1)
R Accrington 58 (60)			T Strand 2/53 (19)

Suffolk Seals - 431 (100)
B Eastwood 158 (194)			J Vilesti 5/104 (23)
J Babbage 70* (95)			P Wright 2/78 (23)

Capital Coyotes - 7/353 (77)
B Westleford 139 (183)			G Haines 4/129 (24)
R Accrington 126* (166)			M Marshall 2/85 (12)

Player of the match: Brianna Eastwood
Match Drawn

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

Central Sylestone Snakes - 7d/481 (138)
S Asaskia 144* (195)			O Lovia 3/91 (39.2)
C Cunnings 135 (235)			A Hodel 2/82 (22.4)

South Sylestone Scorpions - 238 (73.1)
P Shotenham 85 (137)			S Halliday 5/51 (18.1)
N Lovia 66 (102)			K Sonnel 2/52 (18)

South Sylestone Scorpions - 229 (63)
A Lonelet 59 (89)			K Sonnel 7/87 (28)
P Shotenham 47 (64)			A Kennedy 2/110 (26)

Player of the match: Kate Sonnel
Central Sylestone Snakes win by an innings and 14 runs

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

New Gloucester Jaguars - 313 (76.5)
C Freehill 87 (97)			J Campton 4/71 (21.5)
L Afosha 53 (88)			A Huntingfield 4/86 (24)

Freeman Firestorm - 330 (96.2)
M Stopling 114 (183)			S Scron 5/51 (16.2)
K Force 91 (175)			S Cross 2/38 (9)

New Gloucester Jaguars - 311 (88)
C Freehill 141* (254)			A Barragai 4/78 (25)
M Stein 64 (90)				A Huntingfield 2/43 (16)

Freeman Firestorm - 5/295 (80)
S Lake 114 (195)			J de Polo 3/45 (12)
A Tasso 82 (139)			C Freehill 1/33 (5)

Player of the match: Caitlyn Freehill
Freeman Firestorm win by five wickets

Well, where do we start here? Three games, three very, very interesting results to discuss. So when in doubt, we start at the top, at the game between the Suffolk Seals and the Capital Coyotes. It was a seesawing affair, the hosts crumbling to be all out for 250 on a lifeless pitch as Phoebe Wright and Broughton Hall ran through Suffolk’s batting lineup. However, the Coyotes failed to capitalise on their advantage, only acquiring a 76-run lead, with fifties to Taylah Monnier and Riley Accrington providing most of the heavy lifting. And fully knowledgeable that Capital’s failures provided an opportunity for the hosts to come back into the game, Brianna Eastwood proceeded to play her best innings yet at first-class level, scoring 158 as the Seals racked up a total of 431, giving the Coyotes only 77 overs to chase down a total of 356. In a fourth-innings chase, it seemed far too much of a challenge, but the Bolton Oval wicket was still as flat as a pancake. The Coyotes were not out of this yet.

They ended up three runs short of the target. With both Brock Westleford and Riley Accrington hitting aggressive centuries, the champions certainly knew that they had missed a huge opportunity to kick their defence off optimally. To make matters worse, it appeared that Capital were going to reach the total, too, but late wickets ensured that Suffolk would hold on for the two points.

Pretty hard to beat that for a game, huh? But, to be perfectly honest, we’re only just getting started. Over in Betham, last season’s runners-up, the South Sylestone Scorpions, took on wooden-spooners Central Sylestone Snakes, determined to get back to their winning ways of two years ago. And after winning the toss and electing to bat, that was exactly what they did. Making use of the best batting conditions all match, the Snakes piled on a total of 7-481 before declaring midway through the second day’s play just as the pitch was beginning to liven up a bit. An unbeaten 144 to skipper Samuel Asaskia and a century to Cameron Cunnings led the Snakes’ charge, but the Halpenley-based side was only just getting started. Over the course of the next day or two, the bowlers completed their job admirably, taking all twenty wickets required to wrap up an innings victory with a day or so to spare. In the first innings, of which South Sylestone mustered 238 in, adolescent Seth Halliday proved to be the main destroyer, taking 5-51 in 18.1 overs before Kate Sonnel one-upped him in the second on a deck far more conducive to spin, picking up figures of 7-87 as the hosts were bowled out for 229, Adam Lonelet the only Scorpion to pass fifty. A decisive victory for the Snakes, and if the Scorpions wanted to reach the final for the third time in a row, they would have to fix some pretty major issues with both bat and ball.

But even that result wasn’t the talk of the week. No, that came from the final match of the round - the one at the CCG between New Gloucester, predicted to finish in the top two by most, and Freeman, eternal Lavatory Shield whipping boys. But here, in Chamberley, the latter proved that they would be a tough adversary, gelling together to somehow defeat the Jaguars by five wickets despite batting heroics from 24-year-old left-hander Caitlyn Freehill. Top-scoring in both innings and carrying her bat through the second, Freehill played a rather lone hand, her match tally accounting for over a third of New Gloucester’s total score. It was on her alone that the Firestorm was left to chase a tricky target of 295 in the fourth innings of the match, one of which they succeeded in overcoming thanks to a 175-run opening stand between veterans Sean Lake and Aiden Tasso. Overall, a brilliant game of cricket, and one that certainly proved that in the sport, nothing can ever be known for sure.

Matchweek Two

Freeman Firestorm vs Central Sylestone Snakes @ Freeman Oval, Freeman

Freeman Firestorm - 356 (102.5)
C Latour 149* (188)			S Asaskia 4/80 (24)
A Huntingfield 56 (115)			S Halliday 3/60 (16)

Central Sylestone Snakes - 188 (55)
S Halliday 36 (58)			A Homburg 4/45 (16)
C Cunnings 34 (56)			J Campton 3/53 (13)

Freeman Firestorm - 5d/326 (113.3)
M Stopling 95 (140)			K Sonnel 2/27 (11)
Z Arafase 67* (199)			K Whittingham 1/34 (11)

Central Sylestone Snakes - 245 (72.1)
A Millen 62 (102)			A Huntingfield 4/66 (18)
S Asaskia 48 (93)			C Latour 2/13 (5.1)

Player of the match: Chelsea Latour
Freeman Firestorm win by 249 runs

New Gloucester Jaguars vs Suffolk Seals @ Chamberley Cricket Ground

New Gloucester Jaguars - 302 (109.3)
S Cross 83 (160)			T Mankira 3/77 (26)
M Stein 56 (120)			R Amitt 3/85 (28)

Suffolk Seals - 307 (94.1)
B Eastwood 143 (234)			J de Polo 4/71 (30)
P Cuniry 39 (85)			C Freehill 2/39 (12)

New Gloucester Jaguars - 261 (71.5)
J de Polo 63 (94)			T Strand 3/53 (16)
L Afosha 44 (72)			G Haines 3/82 (26)

Suffolk Seals - 219 (60)
L Tiati 77 (124)			M Poci 4/27 (11)
R Amitt 37* (50)			L Afosha 4/30 (8)

Player of the match: Juan de Polo
New Gloucester Jaguars win by 37 runs

Capital Coyotes vs South Sylestone Scorpions @ Capital Stadium, Avondale

South Sylestone Scorpions - 329 (76.4)
A Hodel 56 (93)				J Vilesti 4/78 (22)
P Shotenham 54 (54)			B Hall 3/71 (21)

Capital Coyotes - 241 (71.1)
P Lenton 68* (143)			E Nosten 3/49 (15.1)
R Accrington 51 (66)			N Pistecial 2/33 (12)

South Sylestone Scorpions - 7d/379 (82.4)
C Anderson 182* (196)			N Norwell 3/102 (21.4)
N Pistecial 66 (63)			P Wright 2/76 (18)

Capital Coyotes - 345 (83.2)
C Elliott 149 (174)			N Pistecial 3/45 (12.2)
R Accrington 114 (126)			E Nosten 2/23 (5)

Player of the match: Chloe Anderson
South Sylestone Scorpions win by 122 runs

The results may not have been quite as intriguing as those from the first week, but there’s still a whole lot to talk about. First and foremost is the Capital Coyotes’ struggles, with last season’s champions failing to recover from coming demoralisingly close to pulling off a miraculous run chase over in Pesfield. Back at home for their second match against a South Sylestone side coming off an innings defeat to the Snakes, they were well-beaten, falling well behind in their first-innings and were faced with the enormous task of chasing a target of 468 on days three and four after Chloe Anderson toyed with the Coyote bowlers, smashing an unbeaten 182 from just 196 balls. However, in the fourth innings, a 204-run sixth-wicket partnership between Caitlyn Elliott (149) and Riley Accrington (114) gave the hosts hope, but they ultimately fell 122 runs short of their target, Norbert Pistecial’s 3/45 wrapping up the tail.

Meanwhile, over in Freeman, the Firestorm affirmed that they were really a team to beat this year, confirming that their five-wicket victory over the New Gloucester Jaguars was no mere fluke. Hosting the Central Sylestone Snakes, fresh off an innings victory against the South Sylestone Scorpions in front of an adoring home crowd, Freeman was under the pump early, but a 139-run eighth-wicket partnership between Chelsea Latour and Anna Huntingfield guided the Firestorm along to 356 in their first innings, Latour finishing with an astounding, unbeaten 149 in what would prove to be a player-of-the-match performance. In response, the Coyotes could only muster 188, Amber Homburg finishing with career-best figures of 4-45 from 16 overs with some unplayable swing bowling. Freeman’s 168-run lead meant that their batters were able to approach their second innings with ease of mind, with half-centuries to Matthew Stopling, Zachary Arafase and Erin Hosbury all playing a big role in helping the hosts to 326 before Aiden Tasso called them in, setting the Snakes with a target of 494; one that, on a pitch beginning to break up, was always going to be a step too far. Some dogged batting from Ashley Millen kept the Firestorm waiting for victory, but the spinners were always on top, the hosts emerging victorious by 249 runs to move atop the Lavatory Shield table with fourteen points in two matches.

That leaves us with the closely-fought tussle between the Jaguars and Seals in Chamberley. With the former losing their opening match to the Freeman Firestorm and the latter holding onto a draw by the skin of their teeth, this game was shaping up to be pivotal for both sides. It did not disappoint, either, the difference between the two states being a mere five runs by the time Suffolk’s first innings ended, the Jaguars and Seals held to 302 and 307 respectively on a good batting track by quality bowling. Only Brianna Eastwood and Samuel Cross appeared to be playing with real conviction and as a result, both top-scored for their respective teams, Eastwood scoring nearly half her state’s runs with a sublime 143, while Cross managed a controlled 83. In the third innings of the match, a Juan de Polo half-century provided vital rearguard action as the Jaguars clocked up 261, setting Suffolk with a target of 257 to win their first game of the season. However, despite a 70-odd to Luke Tiati, he failed to find much support as the Seals’ innings was snuffed out by a pair of four-wicket hauls from Liam Afosha and Milan Poci, New Gloucester winning the match by 37 runs to kickstart their season following their opening loss.

Matchweek Three

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

Suffolk Seals - 120 (49.4)
L Tiati 31 (102)			K Sonnel 5/18 (11)
F Stanton 22 (62)			M Marshall 2/10 (6.4)

Central Sylestone Snakes - 164 (52.3)
J Appleby 40 (100)			T Mankira 5/28 (13)
C Cunnings 32 (59)			G Haines 2/37 (12)

Suffolk Seals - 380 (138)
M Barff 130 (256)			K Sonnel 7/103 (43)
J Babbage 68 (142)			A Kennedy 2/71 (37)

Central Sylestone Snakes - 238 (73.1)
S Asaskia 58 (88)			T Strand 5/52 (21)
C Cunnings 55 (126)			F Stanton 4/45 (13.1)

Player of the match: Kate Sonnel
Suffolk Seals win by 98 runs

Capital Coyotes vs New Gloucester Jaguars @ Capital Stadium, Avondale

New Gloucester Jaguars - 370 (102.2)
E Cunningham 98 (177)			C Elliott 3/69 (22)
M Stein 77 (97)				B Hall 3/87 (24)

Capital Coyotes - 155 (58)
N Norwell 49 (91)			J de Polo 5/27 (12)
P Lenton 27 (65)			L Njata 3/26 (9)

Capital Coyotes - 200 (76.4)
B Westleford 61 (139)			L Afosha 2/19 (4.4)
T Monnier 40 (67)			S Scron 2/24 (11)

Player of the match: Juan de Polo
New Gloucester Jaguars win by an innings and 15 runs

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

South Sylestone Scorpions - 463 (133.1)
A Hodel 162* (266)			J Campton 4/124 (32)
N Pistecial 79 (122)			A Huntingfield 4/106 (30.1)

Freeman Firestorm - 244 (103.5)
Z Arafase 74 (200)			N Pistecial 4/53 (24)
B Mostre 43 (180)			L Codrington 3/48 (23.5)

Freeman Firestorm - 330 (99.1)
A Huntingfield 85* (136)		N Pistecial 4/94 (26)
A Homburg 57 (90)			E Nosten 3/51 (22.1)

South Sylestone Scorpions - 3/114 (29.5)
N Lovia 49 (66)				J Campton 2/35 (8)
C Anderson 26* (41)			A Huntingfield 1/17 (5.5)

Player of the match: Angelina Hodel
South Sylestone Scorpions win by seven wickets

Finally, the Freeman train has been halted. After the expected wooden spooners shocked the New Gloucester Jaguars with a five-wicket win at home, the Firestorm went on to slaughter the Central Sylestone Snakes by a whopping 249 runs to move well atop the Lavatory Shield table. But up against the South Sylestone Scorpions in Betham, the upstarts knew that they would be hard-pressed to continue their run. So despite restricting the Scorpions to 6-234 late on the first day, Angelina Hodel, Norbert Pistecial and Ethan Nosten all put the bowlers to the sword, Hodel finishing with 162 while the latter two both made fifties. In response, Freeman could only compile a painstaking 244 and were duly sent back in, capitulating to 7-132 in the second innings, still 87 runs behind making the hosts bat again. However, an excellent rearguard performance from Anna Huntingfield (85 not out from 136), Amber Homburg (57 from 90) and Jason Campton (54 from 53) saw the Firestorm score an extra 198 runs, making the top-order look like a bunch of junior club cricketers. The Scorpion target of 112 was never going to be enough, though, with the hosts chasing it down for the loss of just three wickets to rack up their second consecutive victory, successfully bouncing back from that innings defeat on matchweek one.

While the Scorpions dealt with the Firestorm, the Coyotes’ season went from bad to worse in a vital home match against the New Gloucester Jaguars. After the visitors won the toss and elected to bat, Capital, through spinners Caitlyn Elliott (3-69) and Broughton Hall (3-87), was able to restrict New Gloucester to a slightly above par first-innings total of 370, Edward Cunningham top-scoring with a solid 98. The score left the game in the balance, and if the Coyotes could bat well, then their first win of the season was a possibility. However, Juan de Polo had other ideas, scything through the hosts’ batting lineup with figures of 5-27 to dismiss the Coyotes for a mere 155. 215 runs behind the Jaguars, they were sent in again and only achieved a marginally better total score of 200 in their second innings, all seven New Gloucester bowlers taking at least a wicket. The final result, as basic mathematics has already indicated, was an innings and fifteen run victory for the Chamberley-based state side, as they moved atop the Lavatory Shield table, dethroning the Freeman Firestorm.

Now, we move along to Halpenley for the match between the Suffolk Seals and Central Sylestone Snakes. With both states coming off losses, a win was considered essential for both, but only one, or none, could take it out. And on the first day, Kate Sonnel decided that it would be the Snakes, taking 5-18 to bowl Suffolk out for a meagre 120, putting the hosts well on top. But Talvin Mankira’s Seals were up to the challenge of keeping themselves in the game, reducing their deficit to just 44, the captain leading the way with 5-28. And on this, the visitors capitalised, taking their time to rack up 380 on a tough pitch to bat on, Madeline Barff top-scoring with 130, while Jai Babbage continued his good form with 68. It would have been a whole lot more if Kate Sonnel hadn’t decided to put the onus upon herself for the second time in the match, taking 7-103 with her accurate leg breaks. But her twelve-wicket haul went in vain, the Central Sylestone batters only mustering 238 in the final innings as the Seals took out a 98-run victory; their first of the season.

Matchweek Four

Freeman Firestorm vs Capital Coyotes @ Ketonley Town Oval, Ketonley

Freeman Firestorm - 99 (39.2)
S Lake 53 (107)				N Norwell 6/24 (15)
Z Arafase 14 (33)			B Hall 2/3 (4.2)

Capital Coyotes - 8d/416 (149)
F Crena 137 (290)			A Homburg 5/101 (33)
P Lenton 67 (161)			E Hosbury 1/36 (9)

Freeman Firestorm - 315 (102)
Z Arafase 175* (310)			N Norwell 4/55 (25)
S Lake 71 (153)				B Hall 3/115 (31)

Player of the match: Nathan Norwell
Capital Coyotes win by an innings and two runs

New Gloucester Jaguars vs Central Sylestone Snakes @ Evergreen Arena, Emacuton

Central Sylestone Snakes - 323 (72)
A Millen 84 (127)			S Scron 5/75 (17)
S Asaskia 81 (100)			J de Polo 2/42 (11)

New Gloucester Jaguars - 306 (108.4)
E Cunningham 81 (182)			K Sonnel 5/125 (41.4)
A Stealom 64 (109)			A Fihelly 2/23 (5)

Central Sylestone Snakes - 477 (140.3)
A Millen 102 (152)			S Cross 3/25 (9.3)
A Kennedy 85 (169)			J de Polo 3/97 (28)

New Gloucester Jaguars - 2/55 (16)
C Freehill 31 (44)			S Halliday 1/13 (4)
S Cross 14* (38)			A Kennedy 1/16 (3)

Player of the match: Ashley Millen
Match Drawn

Suffolk Seals vs South Sylestone Scorpions @ Dodle Furnace, Dodle

South Sylestone Scorpions - 155 (51.1)
A Lonelet 47 (91)			R Amitt 3/23 (11)
L Codrington 30* (22)			T Strand 3/33 (11.1)

Suffolk Seals - 279 (99.4)
J Babbage 84 (135)			O Lovia 6/63 (27)
B Eastwood 67 (173)			L Codrington 2/60 (17)

South Sylestone Scorpions - 518 (195.3)
A Lonelet 128 (225)			T Mankira 4/128 (50)
P Shotenham 97 (214)			G Haines 3/105 (42)

Suffolk Seals - 0/20 (6)
N Lovia 17* (23)			A Hodel 0/0 (1)
S Creln 3* (13)				N Pistecial 0/6 (3)

Player of the match: Adam Lonelet
Match Drawn

Finally, finally, the Capital Coyotes have actually won a game. Coming into the season as favourites to take out the shield title, they fell just three runs short of the Suffolk Seals in the opening match and had to be satisfied with three points, before losing convincingly to the South Sylestone Scorpions and New Gloucester Jaguars to slump to the bottom of the table. However, on a spicy Ketonley track against the Freeman Firestorm, this was their chance to finally get on the board. And they took that opportunity with both hands, bowling Freeman out for 99 in the first innings on the back of Nathan Norwell’s 6-24, before very carefully compiling a total of 8-416 on the back of a classy Fergus Crena century; his first of the season. It set the Firestorm with a massive 317 to score to even make the Coyotes bat again, and an innings defeat for the hosts appeared a certainty. However, Zachary Arafase had other ideas, compiling an astonishing 175 on a very unpredictable pitch to keep the Firestorm’s faint hopes alive. However, he failed to find much support in anyone other than half-centurion Sean Lake as Freeman fell two runs short of making Capital bat again, slumping to their first innings defeat of the year.

However, with the shield moving to secondary grounds for this round and Evergreen Arena and Dodle Furnace being among those, two draws alongside a result in Ketonley were always going to be a possibility. Unfortunately for viewers, this culminated to be the case, although the match between the Seals and Scorpions appeared destined for a result until the visitors batted out two days to see themselves to safety with two points. The first of these two games was between the New Gloucester Jaguars and Central Sylestone Snakes in Emacuton, where the Snakes won the toss and batted, looking to play aggressively and force a result. However, a Samuel Scron five-for ensured they would not achieve any more than 323 before they were bowled out late on day one, giving the hosts a shot at building a sizeable lead on a ground with small boundaries and a near-perfect pitch. But the visitors, too, bowled well, Kate Sonnel in particular worthy of an honourable mention with her 5-125 from 41.4 gruelling overs, the Jaguars bowled out for 306 as the Snakes salvaged the first-innings points. With two days still to play, a result seemed possible, but Ashley Millen, Abbey Kennedy and Jonah Appleby all ensured that would not be the case before the rain came in on the final day.

That takes us to the other drawn match, between the Suffolk Seals and South Sylestone Scorpions in the mountainous city of Dodle. Electing to bat first on a good-looking track, Chloe Anderson and her players proceeded to fall in a heap, Ross Amitt, Thomas Strand and Talvin Mankira all picking up three wickets apiece as the visitors were bundled out for a measly 155. However, the Scorpions picked themselves up again, making life tough work for the home batters, the final deficit 124 runs. It may be a significant amount, but it was far, far better than what could have happened; at least, the Scorpions were still in the match. But through the use of the controversial tactic of “block it out for a draw”, the visitors used up nigh on 200 overs to score 118, first-innings top-scorer Adam Lonelet compiling a maiden first-class century at number seven, while Patrick Shotenham fell agonisingly short of another ton. By the time Thomas Strand took the final wicket, only six overs were left in the match, and there was pretty much no point in playing onwards. Another drawn match.

Matchweek Five

Central Sylestone Snakes vs Capital Coyotes @ Halpenley City Oval

Central Sylestone Snakes - 332 (134.2)
J Appleby 72 (197)			J Vilesti 4/75 (31)
A Fihelly 55 (141)			N Norwell 3/71 (31.2)

Capital Coyotes - 200 (64.2)
F Crena 59 (126)			S Halliday 5/63 (26.2)
A Edmundstone 51 (96)			M Marshall 3/44 (13)

Central Sylestone Snakes - 146 (41.1)
S Asaskia 52* (80)			C Elliott 3/16 (5.1)
M Marshall 23 (48)			J Vilesti 3/39 (13)

Capital Coyotes - 236 (62.1)
A Edmundstone 72 (99)			M Marshall 4/56 (19.1)
C Elliott 60 (81)			S Halliday 3/60 (19)

Player of the match: Seth Halliday
Central Sylestone Snakes win by 42 runs

Suffolk Seals vs Freeman Firestorm @ Bolton Oval, Pesfield

Suffolk Seals - 354 (110.3)
L Tiati 162 (282)			W Barnes 5/60 (21.3)
T Strand 50 (91)			A Homburg 2/69 (24)

Freeman Firestorm - 355 (99.5)
K Force 122 (153)			F Stanton 4/84 (27)
E Hosbury 117 (168)			T Mankira 3/67 (22)

Suffolk Seals - 323 (85.2)
L Cocrine 82 (151)			W Barnes 3/67 (14)
M Barff 65 (153)			A Homburg 3/71 (19.2)

Freeman Firestorm - 5/232 (59.4)
A Tasso 81 (117)			G Haines 3/54 (14)
Z Arafase 50* (103)			R Amitt 1/37 (12)

Player of the match: William Barnes
Match Drawn

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

South Sylestone Scorpions - 271 (81.1)
S Creln 61 (80)				S Scron 3/56 (15.1)
N Pistecial 54 (40)			M Poci 2/45 (13)

New Gloucester Jaguars - 4d/513 (149)
C Freehill 243 (433)			E Nosten 2/92 (24)
L Afosha 201* (330)			N Pistecial 1/67 (20)

South Sylestone Scorpions - 159 (58.4)
A Hodel 57 (100)			S Scron 4/41 (16.4)
S Creln 41 (94)				J de Polo 3/36 (25)

Player of the match: Caitlyn Freehill
New Gloucester Jaguars win by an innings and 83 runs

Halfway in, the New Gloucester Jaguars are certainly releasing an aura of “try and beat us”. Despite their shock first-round loss to the Freeman Firestorm, the Chamberley-based state has proceeded to win three of their next four matches, and despite only taking two points out of their encounter with the Snakes in Emacuton, they only appear to be getting better and better. They proved this in a top-of-the-table clash against the South Sylestone Scorpions in Betham, bowling the hosts out on the first day before a mammoth 351-run third-wicket partnership between Caitlyn Freehill (243) and Liam Afosha (201*) stole the show. It led the Jaguars to a score of 4-513 before Afosha declared 242 runs ahead, allowing Samuel Scron and Juan de Polo to steal the show, bowling South Sylestone out for 159 to seal an innings victory, moving seven points ahead of the Central Sylestone Snakes in second place. Was this their season?

The Central Sylestone Snakes achieved second place with a victory over the struggling Capital Coyotes, who could not continue their momentum from their innings victory over the Freeman Firestorm. At Halpenley City Oval, the Snakes took well over a day to compile a first-innings score of 332, the pace bowlers doing most of the damage on a surprisingly green deck. This trend continued throughout the match, Seth Halliday taking a five-for in the Coyotes’ first innings, helping bowl them out for 200 and establish a strong lead. However, Central Sylestone failed to take the game away from the visitors, Samuel Asaskia the only one providing resistance in a calamitous second innings that saw the hosts bundled out for 146, giving the Coyotes a tough but chaseable target of 279 in the final innings of the match. But when the Coyotes tumbled to 6-154 and 8-166, all seemed lost, until Alicia Edmundstone began to hog the strike, passing fifty for the second time in the match and gradually whittling down the runs. However, with only 43 runs needed, she finally went a step too far, edging Malcolm Marshall behind to hand the Snakes second place, while the Capital Coyotes dropped back down into sixth.

That leaves us with the match between the Suffolk Seals and Freeman Firestorm in Pesfield. With the Firestorm in third place and the Seals in sixth, this was a vital game for both if they wanted to go and make a run for the top two. However, the hosts forfeited their main opportunity in the first innings, only making 354 on a good batting surface and keeping the game in the balance. But their bowlers came to the rescue, reducing Freeman to 9-248 despite a century to Erin Hosbury. Kieran Force, though, wasn’t finished, blasting a century to somehow take out first-innings points before being dismissed with the total score on 355, presumably for the lols. With the large part of two days remaining, a result appeared possible and Suffolk continued to push for one, scoring 323 before being bowled out with 65 overs remaining in the match, the Firestorm needing roughly five an over to take home victory on a pitch that wasn’t quite breaking up. Unfortunately for both sides, though, a short rain delay ensured that Freeman would not bother chasing the total, finishing at 5-232 by the time stumps were called. The drawn result meant that Freeman would move up to third, while the Seals were able to jump the Coyotes to move into fifth.

Current Table

* Lavatory Shield               Pld   W  D  T  L  I  LD   Pts
1 New Gloucester Jaguars	  5   3  1  0  1  2  2    28
2 Central Sylestone Snakes	  5   2  1  0  2  1  4    21
3 Freeman Firestorm		  5   2  1  0  2  0  3    17
4 South Sylestone Scorpions	  5   2  1  0  2  0  2    16
5 Suffolk Seals			  5   1  3  0  1  0  2    14
6 Capital Coyotes		  5   1  1  0  3  0  2    13


“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** » Sun May 15, 2022 5:44 pm

LAVATORY SHIELD

Season Two

Matchweek Six

Capital Coyotes vs Suffolk Seals @ Capital Stadium, Avondale

Suffolk Seals - 395 (112.4)
L Tiati 145 (272)			P Wright 4/87 (18.4)
H Gilroy 65 (92)			B Hall 2/64 (22)

Capital Coyotes - 321 (102.5)
B Hall 71* (165)			G Haines 4/63 (22.5)
B Westleford 63 (100)			F Stanton 3/61 (25.2)

Suffolk Seals - 244 (83.5)
L Tiati 112 (165)			B Hall 5/85 (32)
J Menkens 37 (109)			C Elliott 3/60 (23.5)

Capital Coyotes - 5/288 (71)
C Elliott 84 (108)			R Amitt 2/47 (13)
T Monnier 58 (89)			T Strand 2/65 (15)

Player of the match: Luke Tiati
Match Drawn

Central Sylestone Snakes vs South Sylestone Scorpions @ Halpenley City Oval

South Sylestone Scorpions - 141 (52.4)
A Lonelet 40 (55)			S Asaskia 5/48 (21.4)
E Nosten 37 (40)			S Halliday 4/51 (20)

Central Sylestone Snakes - 9d/402 (114.3)
C Cunnings 164 (282)			A Hodel 3/73 (23)
S Knox 78 (132)				L Codrington 2/61 (29)

South Sylestone Scorpions - 185 (64.4)
C Anderson 50 (82)			S Asaskia 3/36 (15)
A Luke 35 (75)				A Hackett 3/36 (13.4)

Player of the match: Cameron Cunnings
Central Sylestone Snakes win by an innings and 76 runs

Freeman Firestorm vs New Gloucester Jaguars @ Freeman Oval, Freeman

Freeman Firestorm - 239 (86.4)
E Hosbury 60 (187)			S Scron 3/33 (13.4)
A Homburg 55 (140)			J de Polo 2/23 (14)

New Gloucester Jaguars - 153 (54.1)
L Luffman 25 (47)			W Barnes 3/31 (12)
L Afosha 21 (40)			A Homburg 3/36 (19)

Freeman Firestorm - 270 (85.4)
S Lake 107 (180)			M Poci 3/41 (14)
K Force 63 (112)			C Freehill 2/8 (6)

New Gloucester Jaguars - 345 (107.1)
L Luffman 112 (238)			A Huntingfield 4/60 (18)
M Poci 77 (80)				A Homburg 2/48 (21)

Player of the match: Sean Lake
Freeman Firestorm win by 11 runs

Remember the insanity of the first round earlier this season? Where the results were anything but what we expected? Yeah, I’m sure you do. But what if I told you that these results were almost identical to those found in the first round? You wouldn’t believe me, would you?

But here you go. Like we did back then, we’ll start from the top and work down. At Capital Stadium, the Capital Coyotes took on the Suffolk Seals to attempt to get their season back on track. However, when the visitors were able to rack up a first-innings score of 395 on the back of a Luke Tiati century, that goal seemed far, far away, particularly on a surface that was doing a bit. They fought back, though, with an excellent tail-end effort from Broughton Hall, scoring his first half-century of the season to place the Coyotes within 74 runs of the Seals’ first innings. But with under two days left in the match, Capital would have to bowl extremely well to keep themselves in with a chance of six points. And despite another century to Sylestonean skipper Luke Tiati - making it twin centuries in the match - Broughton Hall (5-85) and Caitlyn Elliott (3-60) did just that, Suffolk all out for 244, the Coyotes left with 71 overs to score 319 runs. It was a daunting task, but the Seals gave it their best shot, coming within 31 runs of the target by the time stumps were called. For the second time in two games against the Suffolk Seals, the Capital Coyotes had made a final-day charge to fall just short of their target and had to be satisfied with two points.

Then, over in Halpenley, the second-placed Central Sylestone Snakes ensured that they would not be second-placed for much longer, completing the doubles over the South Sylestone Scorpions with their second innings victory this season, both coming against the Snakes’ southern rivals. This time, it was Samuel Asaskia who did the damage with the ball, Chloe Anderson regretting not putting her opposition into bat when the coin fell her way, the Scorpions dismissed for a measly 141 in the first innings of the match. Then, just to rub salt into the wounds, Cameron Cunnings proceeded to score more than that total in a single innings, his 164 making up over 40% of the Snakes’ final score of 9-402, the hosts gaining a 261-run lead before declaring and sending South Sylestone back in for their second innings. However, the Scorpions could only slightly improve on their first innings, Chloe Anderson’s fifty the only highlight as they capitulated to be bowled out for 185, losing by a whopping innings and 76 runs. If they wanted to make it a third straight qualification for the final, they needed to get their shit together, and quickly.

But let’s remove those sorts of thoughts and simply appreciate just how brilliant the final match this round, between the Freeman Firestorm and New Gloucester Jaguars, was. In the first round match between these two states, the Firestorm was able to emerge victorious by five wickets, chasing down a tricky target thanks to a massive opening partnership between Sean Lake and Aiden Tasso. However, at Freeman Oval in the return leg between the two teams, a similar feat appeared unlikely to happen, the Jaguars bowling the hosts out for just 239 on the first day to put themselves well on top. But the Firestorm had other ideas, Will Barnes and Amber Homburg putting on a classic display of swing bowling to bundle New Gloucester out for 153, 86 runs behind. On a pitch that played a lot more hostile than it had originally appeared, Sean Lake proceeded to take the game to the bowlers in Freeman’s second innings, scoring a century to guide his state to a lead of 356 in the final innings. It was a nearly impossible job for the Jaguars to complete and at 7-193 with two sessions still remaining in the day’s play, it appeared thus. However, a counterattack from Milan Poci and graceful strokeplay from Lauren Luffman saw New Gloucester ever closer to their highest run chase in history, but they could not bring it home, falling just eleven runs short of their target in a memorable fightback. But how close they came did not matter - the Jaguars could not take a point out of the match as they fell back down to second place.

Matchweek Seven

Central Sylestone Snakes vs Freeman Firestorm @ Halpenley City Oval

Central Sylestone Snakes - 270 (77.3)
J Appleby 60 (98)			A Homburg 4/97 (21)
A Fihelly 55 (94)			A Barragai 2/50 (13)

Freeman Firestorm - 260 (82.4)
M Stopling 76 (141)			S Asaskia 6/54 (17)
A Tasso 67 (178)			K Sonnel 2/41 (14.4)

Central Sylestone Snakes - 232 (94.5)
C Cunnings 75* (191)			A Huntingfield 4/68 (34.5)
A Fihelly 50 (69)			A Homburg 3/59 (22)

Freeman Firestorm - 100 (36.2)
Z Arafase 33 (74)			K Sonnel 5/36 (15.2)
S Lake 16 (27)				A Hackett 2/15 (5)

Player of the match: Samuel Asaskia
Central Sylestone Snakes win by 142 runs

Suffolk Seals vs New Gloucester Jaguars @ Bolton Oval, Pesfield

Suffolk Seals - 383 (100.4)
J Babbage 119 (177)			J de Polo 4/62 (23)
L Tiati 82 (148)			S Scron 2/50 (14.2)

New Gloucester Jaguars - 346 (96.4)
L Afosha 112 (120)			R Amitt 4/64 (19)
S Cross 55 (114)			J Menkens 2/7 (3)

Suffolk Seals - 383 (113.4)
J Babbage 61 (106)			S Scron 5/84 (30.4)
B Eastwood 56 (144)			M Poci 3/76 (25)

New Gloucester Jaguars - 181 (41.5)
A Stealom 41 (42)			G Haines 4/68 (16.5)
M Stein 36 (45)				T Mankira 3/32 (7)

Player of the match: Jai Babbage
Suffolk Seals win by 236 runs

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

South Sylestone Scorpions - 271 (73.1)
C Anderson 70* (131)			J Vilesti 7/80 (19.1)
E Nosten 47 (81)			P Wright 1/31 (11)

Capital Coyotes - 326 (90)
R Accrington 74 (151)			E Nosten 4/85 (22)
N Norwell 51 (101)			O Lovia 3/93 (33)

South Sylestone Scorpions - 260 (66.2)
N Pistecial 63 (75)			B Hall 4/59 (16)
A Luke 45 (41)				J Vilesti 3/26 (10.2)

Capital Coyotes - 5/210 (41.5)
C Elliott 103 (116)			N Pistecial 2/50 (11)
P Lenton 37 (57)			A Hodel 1/27 (7)

Player of the match: Joshua Vilesti
Capital Coyotes win by five wickets

Following their second straight loss, the New Gloucester Jaguars must be getting a real sense of déjà vu. Last season, they and the Capital Coyotes shot out of the blocks to have a twelve-point buffer to third place by the halfway stage, but somehow the Jaguars dropped that, winning only one game out of five to finish third. And from the looks of this, the same thing is happening again. After falling short of the Freeman Firestorm by eleven runs last week, the Suffolk Seals have handed the second-placed state side a massive hiding, mainly on the back of two brilliant innings’ from Suffolk youngster Jai Babbage. After electing to bat first, Luke Tiati led the way with a classy 82 before the right-handed number seven stole the show with one of his best knocks yet, playing the world-class New Gloucester attack imperiously to guide his state to a first-innings total of 383. In response, a Liam Afosha century provided the backbone of the Jaguars’ innings as they were dismissed for 346, 37 runs behind the Seals with a little under two days remaining in the match. However, the Seals did not let the Jaguars off despite their slender lead, four batters passing fifty in their second innings while the visiting bowlers struggled for rhythm. Only Samuel Scron (5-84), Milan Poci (3-76) and Caitlyn Freehill (2-17) really found theirs as the Seals replicated their first-innings total to perfection, increasing their lead to a mammoth 420. However, the lead meant that the Seals would only have 50 overs or so to bowl the Jaguars out - a next to impossible task. But a combination of good, selfless bowling and shitty batting saw the Jaguars choke an easy two points, the final wicket falling just as daylight was fading. Not that it mattered anyway, considering the surroundings of the Pesfield stadium, but it shows just how blatantly stupid it was of the visitors to score at 4.5 an over and not give two fucks about wickets - the factor that actually mattered.

Fortunately, the other two games did not show signs of the complete and utter stupidity the Bolton Oval was graced with this round. Over in Halpenley, the Central Sylestone Snakes captalised on the Jaguars’ loss, lengthening their position at the top with an 142-run victory over the Freeman Firestorm. Like the match between the Jaguars and the Seals, the game was relatively evenly-matched until the back end, the two states only separated by a mere ten runs after each had their first innings, Central Sylestone barely in the ascendancy thanks to a six-wicket haul by incumbent paceman Samuel Asaskia. But on a wicket getting trickier to bat on by the ball, Cameron Cunnings continued to push for test selection with an unbeaten 75, providing the backbone as the Snakes set Firestorm 242 to win in the final innings. It was here that the sheer brilliance of Cunnings’ innings was uncovered, Kate Sonnel spinning a web around the Freeman batters with 5-36 as they were bowled out for a measly 100, forfeiting a good chance to jump to second place and continue what has been a rather miraculous run so far this season.

But while Freeman failed to take an opportunity to make jumps in the ladder, the Capital Coyotes did, finally emerging from their rut to defeat the South Sylestone Scorpions. Their seven points were achieved mostly on the back of Josh Vilesti’s seven-wicket haul in the first innings of the encounter, Chloe Anderson the one batter to weather the charge with confidence as the Scorpions were bowled out for 271 in Betham. In response, the Capital Coyotes were able to put 326 on the board, extending their lead to 55 before Ethan Nosten picked up the final wicket. Then, in the hosts’ second innings, Vilesti completed his ten-wicket match haul with another three, while Broughton Hall and Norbert Pistecial stole the show with an intriguing battle between bat and ball. The former eventually picked up Pistecial’s wicket, but not before the aggressive left-hander had whacked a 75-ball 63 to keep the game poised in the balance, the Coyotes requiring a slightly tricky 206 to win in the final innings of the match. However, Caitlyn Elliott made it look a whole lot easier than that, belting a 116-ball 103 to assure her state of seven valuable points.

Matchweek Eight

Suffolk Seals vs Central Sylestone Snakes @ Bolton Oval, Pesfield

Suffolk Seals - 314 (94.3)
F Stanton 130* (190)			K Sonnel 5/64 (23)
L Tiati 62 (101)			M Marshall 3/56 (19)

Central Sylestone Snakes - 437 (145.4)
S Asaskia 116 (177)			G Haines 5/103 (44)
S Knox 70* (183)			R Amitt 2/96 (24)

Suffolk Seals - 225 (85)
J Babbage 46* (81)			S Halliday 4/50 (22)
H Gilroy 46 (78)			S Asaskia 3/63 (17)

Central Sylestone Snakes - 2/103 (17.3)
K Nicolls 58* (58)			T Mankira 2/27 (5)
C Cunnings 30* (20)			F Stanton 0/11 (2)

Player of the match: Samuel Asaskia
Central Sylestone Snakes win by eight wickets

New Gloucester Jaguars vs Capital Coyotes @ Chamberley Cricket Ground, Chamberley

New Gloucester Jaguars - 190 (55)
L Afosha 52 (49)			N Norwell 3/56 (22)
C Freehill 49 (61)			B Hall 3/95 (22)

Capital Coyotes - 272 (73)
B Westleford 59 (72)			S Scron 3/54 (17)
F Crena 56 (94)				L Afosha 2/32 (6)

New Gloucester Jaguars - 268 (84.4)
E Cunningham 95 (206)			N Norwell 4/56 (24)
M Stein 72 (151)			P Wright 3/58 (17)

Capital Coyotes - 177 (57.5)
R Accrington 49 (83)			S Scron 5/39 (18)
N Norwell 30* (59)			S Cross 3/29 (7)

Player of the match: Samuel Scron
New Gloucester Jaguars win by nine runs

Freeman Firestorm vs South Sylestone Scorpions @ Freeman Oval, Freeman

Freeman Firestorm - 266 (95.1)
K Force 64 (137)			E Nosten 3/69 (21)
M Stopling 50 (119)			N Lovia 2/6 (4)

South Sylestone Scorpions - 317 (95.5)
A Hodel 106 (170)			A Homburg 5/85 (27)
A Luke 62 (181)				J Campton 2/70 (18)

Freeman Firestorm - 215 (82.2)
A Tasso 99* (261)			L Codrington 6/34 (15.2)
Z Arafase 23 (40)			N Pistecial 2/74 (22)

South Sylestone Scorpions - 3/166 (34.4)
C Anderson 105* (100)			J Campton 2/50 (11.4)
A Luke 31* (63)				A Homburg 1/47 (12)

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

With three matches remaining in the season and both sides in a bit of a rut, the New Gloucester Jaguars and Capital Coyotes were each in dire need of a win to keep their campaigns on track. The Coyotes, defending champions, had had a year to forget so far, simply not concocting a winning formula that could do the job on a regular basis. Meanwhile, the New Gloucester Jaguars had just lost two matches to the Freeman Firestorm and Suffolk Seals respectively, and despite their first-placed status at the halfway stage, they were quickly slipping. A loss here would see them down to third, or worse.

So with both sides desperately wanting to win, the Chamberley groundsman kindly produced a wicket that appeared to heavily favour both swing and spin, a significant feat considering how good the pitch typically is for the batters. Yet, the conditions did not alter Liam Afosha’s choice when the coin fell his way, electing to have the first dig and get runs on the board. However, it was only on him and Caitlyn Freehill that the Jaguars were able to notch up a score at all, the two combining for 101 out of New Gloucester’s 190 runs. So despite the dismal display by the hosts, with an entire session still left on the first day of the match, at least a result seemed likely.

And the Coyotes ensured that in their first innings, scoring at a quick rate to build a significant lead, realising that the pitch was one that could produce an unplayable ball at any time, and there was no point in dilly-dallying. Capital was eventually all out for 272 in just 73 overs, building a strong 82-run lead to take the ascendancy heading into each side’s second innings.

Three early wickets kept the Coyotes in front, knowing that if they could take a few more then a very short run chase was on the cards. But despite the wicket continuing to worsen by the over, Edward Cunningham and Mitchell Stein settled the innings, the former announcing after the match that his knock was the “best he’s ever played, by a long shot.” With balls bouncing everywhere, the pair recovered the innings from 3-18 to 3-150 before Stein was bowled by a mullygrubber. But Cunningham hung in there while teammates fell around him, eventually the seventh out for a brilliant 95, the score 7-211. A vital 46-run ninth-wicket partnership between Samuel Scron and Juan de Polo helped the Jaguars over the 250-mark, a stand characterised by lusty blows and near-misses, but the pair held on long enough to frustrated the Coyote bowlers before Nathan Norwell took two wickets in two balls to wrap up the innings, Capital requiring 187 runs to emerge victorious.

Setting about chasing a tricky target on a spicy pitch, the Jaguars were able to snag regular wickets to keep themselves in the hunt, the Coyotes mimicking Cunningham and Stein’s method of batting, with little foot movement unless playing ultra-aggressive strokes. However, the two Samuel’s - Scron and Cross - proved next to impossible to face, most batters resorting to astute defence against the former, hoping for little variable bounce, and taking down the latter. Neither plan worked very well, and Riley Accrington, Peter Lenton and Nathan Norwell were the only batters to execute their plans with any proper success. At 6-98, the game seemed done and dusted, though, but Norwell and Accrington combined for a game-changing 56-run partnership to alter the momentum. Accrington played so well that he deserved a massive century for his effort… but he had to be satisfied with a heart-wrenching 49 when Scron finally got him as the game was beginning to slip away. 7-154 became 8-167, and then 9-174 when Josh Vilesti had a wild hoick across the line and only succeeded in edging the ball to the keeper.

13 runs were needed for a win. 12 for a tie. Nathan Norwell, 28 not out, at one end, and Phoebe Wright at the other. Norwell was playing well enough to win the game on his own, but Wright was a well-known bunny. Yet, she managed to scamper a single to give her partner the strike, but he could not keep it for long, Wright setting off for a single on the fourth ball of Leo Njata’s next over - one that the left-hander could not turn down. This was New Gloucester’s chance, and take it they did. On the very next ball, Njata’s yorker was too good for Wright’s probing bat, smashing into the stumps. The Jaguars had done it. Second place was consolidated for the time being and with two games to go, another win should seal it all. But for the Coyotes, their season was hanging by a thread. They needed to win their next game against the Freeman Firestorm, who also needed seven points to keep themselves alive following a seven-wicket loss at the hands of the South Sylestone Scorpions, led by centuries to Angelina Hodel and Chloe Anderson, and a six-wicket haul to Leo Codrington to keep themselves in the running, too.

Meanwhile, over in Pesfield, the Suffolk Seals were dealt with a crushing loss by the form team of the shield, the Central Sylestone Snakes, now needing two massive victories to keep themselves in with a chance of a final position. With the Scorpions and Firestorm their next two games, it was a possibility, but the Seals had, once again, not really been at the races this year. This was their chance to turn it on its head. Could they?

Matchweek Nine

Capital Coyotes vs Freeman Firestorm @ Cleorough Stadium, Cleorough

Freeman Firestorm - 119 (44.5)
E Hosbury 42* (102)			N Norwell 4/28 (13.5)
M Stopling 28 (48)			P Wright 3/22 (9)

Capital Coyotes - 8d/416 (168.5)
A Edmundstone 127* (343)		A Huntingfield 3/84 (40.5)
F Crena 70 (224)			A Homburg 3/102 (43)

Freeman Firestorm - 127 (54.2)
A Homburg 38 (65)			J Vilesti 6/41 (23)
Z Arafase 28 (60)			N Norwell 3/27 (15)

Player of the match: Nathan Norwell
Capital Coyotes win by an innings and 170 runs

Central Sylestone Snakes vs New Gloucester Jaguars @ Wagham Stadium, Conton

New Gloucester Jaguars - 343 (88.1)
S Cross 184* (271)			S Asaskia 5/75 (23)
L Afosha 34 (72)			K Sonnel 3/79 (24)

Central Sylestone Snakes - 354 (109)
C Cunnings 187* (356)			L Njata 3/81 (24)
M Marshall 76 (97)			S Scron 3/120 (35)

New Gloucester Jaguars - 326 (74.5)
S Cross 121 (158)			M Marshall 5/85 (20)
L Luffman 68 (97)			A Hackett 2/47 (10)

Central Sylestone Snakes - 4/299 (85)
A Fihelly 152* (273)			S Scron 1/13 (7)
J Appleby 62 (104)			M Poci 1/50 (12)

Player of the match: Samuel Scron
Match Drawn

South Sylestone Scorpions vs Suffolk Seals @ Tutham Oval, Tuthambedon

Suffolk Seals - 229 (69.5)
B Eastwood 62 (111)			A Hodel 7/61 (16)
J Menkens 51 (53)			L Codrington 2/52 (19)

South Sylestone Scorpions - 298 (73.3)
N Lovia 143 (191)			T Mankira 4/75 (15)
A Lonelet 83 (121)			T Strand 3/61 (12.3)

Suffolk Seals - 140 (66.4)
M Barff 30 (53)				O Lovia 3/39 (21)
J Babbage 30 (68)			N Pistecial 3/46 (20)

South Sylestone Scorpions - 3/72 (19.4)
C Anderson 28* (45)			T Mankira 2/27 (9)
S Creln 20 (30)				T Strand 1/21 (5.4)

Player of the match: Angelina Hodel
South Sylestone Scorpions win by seven wickets

As the Lavatory Shield once again heads “regional” for their ninth game of ten this season, two states have had their title hopes whisked away from them in tough losses. The first of these two teams, the Freeman Firestorm, once again succumbed to the Capital Coyotes, handed an innings-defeat by the northern state for the second time this year. Batting first on a tricky Cleorough wicket, Erin Hosbury was the only batter to weather the storm with any proper competency, wickets tumbling around her as she made a defiant, unbeaten 42. Nathan Norwell was the pick of the bowlers with 4-28, while Phoebe Wright also picked up three. Then, in response, the Coyotes took roughly two days to compile their first-innings total, wasting time to ensure that they would only bat once in the encounter. The final score was an exact replica of the Coyotes’ total in the first leg between these two sides, declaring at 8-416, but this time with Alicia Edmundstone the centurion with a dogged 127, coming from a rather ridiculous 343 balls. But despite taking ages to score her runs, she had certainly completed her job, for a target of 297 runs just to make the hosts bat again was always going to be a step too far on days three and four in Cleorough. In fact, the Firestorm could only manage a total of 127, Josh Vilesti picking up 6-41 and Norwell 3-27 to ensure ten points were added to their tally, keeping their hopes of their second consecutive Lavatory Shield title alive.

The other team to be knocked out were the Suffolk Seals, whose loss to the South Sylestone Scorpions in Tuthambedon set up a rather boring, matchweek ten dead rubber against the Freeman Firestorm. After winning the toss and electing to bat first, Angelina Hodel produced her best-ever first-class bowling figures, taking 7-61 in 16 thrilling overs, all of which had a bit of everything in them. Only Brianna Eastwood and Madeline Barff were able to provide the Seals with worthwhile contributions, each making a fifty before succumbing to Hodel’s teasing lengths. In the end, Suffolk were only able to muster 229 on a good batting surface, but proceeded to bowl exceptionally well, Talvin Mankira, Thomas Strand and excellent fielding playing crucial roles in restricting the Scorpions to 5-136 by the time Adam Lonelet joined opener Nicholas Lovia at the crease. However, the new pair put an end to Suffolk domination, Lovia passing a stunning century and Lonelet a crisp fifty as they motored along, passing the Seals’ score and continuing onwards. The partnership was worth a match-changing 147 before Lovia was finally dismissed with the score on 283, a wicket that blew the doors wide open, the visitors taking the final five wickets for a mere 15 runs. Yet, despite the momentum being with the Seals, the 69-run lead boasted by the Scorpions was a significant mountain to climb, and one that the Suffolk batters struggled in traversing, the highest score in their entire second innings being a measly 30. Osten Lovia and Norbert Pistecial led the charge with the ball, each picking up two wickets apiece, while Angelina Hodel and Leo Codrington each took two, the Seals bowled out for 140 in 66.4 overs, the Scorpion batters requiring only 71 runs to take seven pivotal points out of the match. And despite a little top-order fumble that left them at 2-8 in the third over, South Sylestone chased down the runs for the loss of only three wickets, keeping their slim final hopes alive and just as importantly, pleasing the local Tuthambedon crowd to no end.

On the other end of the spectrum, the Central Sylestone Snakes have confirmed their spot in the final following a draw against the second-placed New Gloucester Jaguars in Conton, leaving three states to fight it out for a position in the final. Batting first, the early wicket of Edward Cunningham was less than ideal, but Samuel Cross came out, all guns blazing, as New Gloucester took the ascendancy. However, he failed to find a stable partner throughout the innings, Samuel Asaskia (5-75) and Kate Sonnel (3-79) taking regular wickets to keep the hosts in the game. However, they could not dismiss Cross, the right-hander finishing unbeaten on 184 from 271 balls, the next highest score just 34 as the Jaguars were all out for 343 as the first day arrived at a close. In response, the Snakes took over 110 overs to compile a first-innings total of 354, although it could have been half that if it wasn’t for an 130-run partnership between Cameron Cunnings and Malcolm Marshall for the eighth wicket, and the former’s aggressive intent after Marshall fell for a quickfire, 97-ball 76. From 7-139, the Jaguar bowlers could not finish the job off, the final three wickets worth a mammoth 215 runs, Cunnings finishing unbeaten on 187. His efforts were good enough to surpass the Jaguars’ first-innings total of 343 as the Snakes ensured they would take at least one point out of the game. But the Jaguars refused to let their opponents’ slender 11-run lead give them much of an advantage, Samuel Cross scoring his second century of the match as New Gloucester compiled 326 in their second innings, Lauren Luffman chipping in this time with a handy 68. However, Malcolm Marshall’s 5-85 went a long way in bowling the Jaguars out early on the fourth and final morning for 326, the Snakes needing 316 in 85 overs to take all seven points out of the match and continue their masterful form.

But they could not do it, the Jaguar bowlers sticking to incredibly tight lines and lengths to frustrate the Central Sylestone batters, falling 17 runs short of their target despite a 150 to Alyssa Fihelly and a half-century to Jonah Appleby. Yet, it was still good enough for the Snakes to assure themselves of a first-place finish and a home final, no matter the other results, while New Gloucester (36 points), Capital (33 points) and South Sylestone (30 points) fought it out for the final spot next week. With the Jaguars and Scorpions playing each other in Chamberley and the Coyotes hosting Central Sylestone in Avondale, it will be very interesting to discover who will clinch that second-place spot.

by **Sylestone** » Sun May 15, 2022 5:45 pm

Matchweek Ten

Playing XIs

Cent. Sylestone Snakes
Alyssa Fihelly
Kaitlyn Whittingham
Jonah Appleby (+)
Cameron Cunnings
Samuel Asaskia (c)
Andy Rombigo
Samantha Knox
Seth Halliday
Abbey Kennedy
Angus Hackett
Kate Sonnel

New Gloucester Jaguars
Edward Cunningham
Caitlyn Freehill
Samuel Cross
Liam Afosha (c)
Mitchell Stein
Lauren Luffman
Ashton Stealom (+)
Juan de Polo
Milan Poci
Samuel Scron
Gabrielle Lawrence

Capital Coyotes
Caitlyn Elliott
Taylah Monnier
Brock Westleford (+)
Peter Lenton (c)
Fergus Crena
Riley Accrington
Alicia Edmundstone
Nathan Norwell
Olivia Winston
Broughton Hall
Joshua Vilesti

Sth. Sylestone Scorpions
Samuel Creln
Nicholas Lovia
Patrick Shotenham
Chloe Anderson (c)
Austin Oltin
Angelina Hodel
Adam Lonelet (+)
Norbert Pistecial
Lily Bodenweiser
Leo Codrington
Osten Lovia

Freeman Firestorm
Sean Lake
Aiden Tasso (c)
Maddison Takasuka
Zachary Arafase
Kieran Force (+)
Matthew Stopling
Scarlett Downes
Amber Homburg
Anna Huntingfield
Jason Campton
William Barnes

Suffolk Seals
Luke Tiati (+)
Hannah Gilroy
Brianna Eastwood
Jayden Menkens
Fergus Stanton
Isla Trefl
Jai Babbage
Layla Mackersey
Jesse McMillan
Talvin Mankira (c)
Georgia Haines

Day One
Avondale
Under clear skies in Avondale in a match that was do-or-die for the hosts, Peter Lenton won the toss and did not hesitate in electing to bat. His openers, Caitlyn Elliott and Taylah Monnier, then proceeded to weather the new ball well, but in the eleventh over, Elliott could only edge a sharply-turning Kate Sonnel delivery to slip, the ladder-leading Snakes picking up their first wicket with the score on 21 - an ideal start. However, Brock Westleford arrived and set about his own business, ticking the score over with Monnier, raising the score over 50 and 100 to put the Coyotes on the front foot early in the match. He would eventually fall three short of a deserved fifty, but Peter Lenton made up for that with an even 50 from 97 balls, anchoring the innings with Monnier throughout the afternoon session. By the time tea was called, the left-handed opener was nearing a century, the score 2-199 and the hosts looming ominously. However, a couple of quick wickets after tea to part-time leg-spinner Alyssa Fihelly brought the Snakes back into the game, before a 60-run partnership between Monnier and Riley Accrington took the score up to 282 before the latter was dismissed only a few overs out from stumps. It was in this partnership that Monnier was able to bring up her century, coming from 223 balls, but it was easily one of her best considering the quality of the opposition and the rather tricky nature of the wicket. She ended the day unbeaten on 109, Alicia Edmundstone getting through the second new ball at the other end as the Coyotes finished the day on the pedestal at 5-302. With the ball, it was Sonnel (2-53) and Fihelly (2-31) that provided the most damage, while Samuel Asaskia (1-58) also picked up a scalp.

Capital Coyotes - 5/302 (90)
T Monnier 109* (235)			K Sonnel 2/53 (21)
A Edmundstone 10* (23)			A Hackett 0/59 (17)

Freeman
Like the Coyotes over in the north of the island nation, the Freeman Firestorm has built a platform for a strong first-innings total in their dead-rubber match against the Suffolk Seals, a state in which the southeastern side has had strong success against over the past couple of years. However, after electing to bat first, Aiden Tasso’s top order - including himself - proceeded to crumble against the new ball, Layla Mackersey picking up two wickets while Talvin Mankira and Fergus Stanton chipped in with one to reduce the Firestorm to 4-52 in the 17th over, making Tasso’s decision before play look like a very poor one indeed. But Kieran Force and Matthew Stopling, the last two recognised batters in the Freeman lineup, sought to change that, getting through to lunch unscathed and gradually building their partnership afterwards. Stopling played the more aggressive role out of the two, playing with a free-flowing style representative of his current form, while Force stood stout in defence, but still scoring whenever possible. The fifty-run partnership came up shortly after lunch, and by the time tea came around, the Firestorm were still four wickets down, the score 4-170 and the partnership 118, both batters having passed fifty before the break. However, after tea, with the bowlers tiring, they really began to put the foot on the accelerator, scoring at a rate of four an over as both batters raced towards centuries. Stopling was always going to get there first, though, his ton coming from 167 balls, while Force had to wait until the fifth-last over of the day to reach his milestone, the partnership well over 200 by that stage and the game gradually moving away from the Seals. But despite the heroics the pair had achieved, it was always going to come to an end. Unfortunately for Freeman, that had to happen on what would end up being the final ball of the day, Stopling finding himself run out just as the clock ticked over to 6:00, the 239-run partnership coming to a halt with Stopling’s dismissal for 125, the final score 5-291 as the two teams left the field.

Freeman Firestorm - 5/291 (90.4)
K Force 118* (258)			H Gilroy 0/12 (1.4)
M Stopling 125 (198)			L Mackersey 2/65 (17)

Chamberley
With a “result” wicket being prepared for the second time in two matches in Chamberley, there was no doubt about the fact that whoever won this encounter between the New Gloucester Jaguars and South Sylestone Scorpions would be very likely to progress to the grand final itself and face the Central Sylestone Snakes in Halpenley. In fact, if the Jaguars were able to take seven points out of the match - the first-innings point as well as the six for outright victory - they would finish second, no matter the result over in Avondale. However, a Scorpion victory would blow things wide open… and one of the Coyotes or Scorpions would be playing in Halpenley in a week’s time.
It was the Scorpions who won the toss, but interestingly, they elected to send their opponents, the hosts, in for the first dig. But despite this move raising the eyebrows of some, it paid immediate dividends, the Jaguars finding themselves in a fair bit of trouble at 2-31 in the 14th over when Liam Afosha arrived at the crease. The New Gloucester skipper then rode early luck with a couple of tough chances going down, but following the wicket of Edward Cunningham for a painful 14 at the other end, began to find his groove. While batting partners struggled for rhythm around him, Afosha took the bowling on, scoring at close to a run a ball for his entire innings to keep the game moving. However, with wickets tumbling around him, it was never easy going. 3-85 at lunch became 7-213 at tea, Afosha unbeaten on 112. The only bowler the Jaguar captain did not target was Leo Codrington, the 27-year-old seamer boasting miserly figures of 3-21 from ten overs so far. After tea, Afosha found an ally in Milan Poci, the two putting on a 52-run partnership to take the score past 250. However, Poci and Afosha fell overs apart of each other, and as soon as the centurion was caught behind for 139, the end was nigh. Codrington picked up Gabrielle Lawrence’s wicket to complete his five-wicket haul as New Gloucester were bowled out for 285 in just 68.2 overs, leaving themselves with a rather daunting task of defending that for first-innings points. Yet, Samuel Scron still got the Jaguars off to a good start with two early wickets, before Samuel Creln and Chloe Anderson safely fought the Scorpions through without further loss by the end of the day’s play.

New Gloucester Jaguars - 285 (68.2)
G Lawrence 5 (5)			L Codrington 5/27 (13.2)
S Scron 18* (18)			A Hodel 2/59 (16)

South Sylestone Scorpions - 2/45 (19)
S Creln 25* (51)			J de Polo 0/13 (4)
C Anderson 13* (25)			C Freehill 0/1 (1)

Day Two
Avondale
Resuming the day at 5-302, Taylah Monnier and Alicia Edmundstone got through the first ten overs of play unscathed, continuing to build an ominous platform. But just as things were beginning to get out of hand, Kate Sonnel struck pivotally, dismissing Monnier for a wonderful 126 with the score on 343. She was clapped from the ground by the local fans as well as those of the opposition (a few Snakes players were seen acknowledging the brilliance of her innings, too), but the Coyotes were far from done. Nathan Norwell was no bunny with the bat in hand, and he and Edmundstone proceeded to continue as if nothing had happened, Edmundstone looking to up the ante while Norwell got himself settled in. The Capital number seven passed fifty shortly after but was eventually dismissed by Angus Hackett for 70, the score 412. Olivia Winston provided a brief cameo of 38 from just 30 balls over both sides of lunch before Sonnel picked her up, and completed her five-for soon after with Broughton Hall’s wicket. With figures of 5-77, she was a lone hand in what had realistically been one-and-a-half poor days in the field from the visitors. With Hall’s wicket, Lenton called Norwell in, declaring at 9-468 and putting a draw out of the question. But the Coyotes had to win - if they could not, a final spot would not be theirs.
The hosts began extremely well, too, Nathan Norwell dismissing Alyssa Fihelly on the third ball of the innings, before picking up Kaitlyn Whittingham in his second over and Jonah Appleby in his third, leaving the Snakes reeling at 3-12 inside the first five overs of the innings. The top-order collapse brought Central Sylestone skipper Samuel Asaskia to the crease to join Cameron Cunnings, both of whom appeared immediately assured at the crease, blotting out Norwell’s swing and Vilesti’s pace at the other end. They even looked to attack the right-armed Norwell, using the swing to their advantage with crisp strokeplay, particularly when he dropped slightly short. Tea came and went, but it did not cease the momentum Cunnings and Asaskia were displaying, the 100 coming up in just the 28th over of the innings. Cunnings passed fifty but when he was on 65 and the score on 126 in the 33rd over, Winston broke through to take the pivotal wicket of the in-form Snake. Cunnings’ dismissal brought about a procession of play that continued for the remainder of the final session, where wickets fell at regular intervals. Asaskia fell shortly after Cunnings, but Andy Rombigo and Samantha Knox put the bowlers to the sword in a run-a-ball 60-run partnership before both were dismissed with mere overs remaining in the day’s play. In fact, when Norwell picked up the latter’s wicket, only a single minute and four balls remained, of which Abbey Kennedy blotted out without much issue. But even so, with the score 7-221, the Snakes were a mammoth 247 runs behind the Coyotes and if the tail did not wag, a follow-on seemed incredibly likely.

Capital Coyotes - 9d/468 (126.3)
B Hall 9 (6)				K Sonnel 5/77 (27.3)
N Norwell 38* (94)			C Elliott 0/70 (17)

Central Sylestone Snakes - 7/221 (55)
S Halliday 13* (14)			J Vilesti 1/39 (12)
A Kennedy 0* (4)			B Hall 1/37 (8)

Freeman
After Kieran Force and Matthew Stopling had combined for a stunning, 239-run partnership yesterday, Freeman were on the front foot heading into the second day of the match, the score 5-291 after a shaky start. However, it only took five balls until Force’s new partner, Scarlett Downes, was sent on her way after lobbing a tame return catch to Jesse McMillan, evening the game again and bringing Amber Homburg to the crease. Despite being renowned for her swing bowling, Homburg has shown at various points throughout the season so far that she can hold a bat, and today was no exception. With Force looking to continue with his sublime knock at the other end in the same, calm way he had yesterday, the 21-year-old took it upon herself to increase the tempo of the match with some high-risk but classy strokeplay, again proving that number eight was certainly not a position she should be batting in. In a 108-run stand with Force, Homburg scored 75 runs before her partner was finally dismissed for exactly 150, the partnership once again taking the match away from the Seals. From there, a couple of lusty blows from Homburg and Jason Campton provided the Firestorm with some bonus runs, but by the time Will Barnes became Layla Mackersey’s third victim midway through the second session, Freeman had scored a total of 441 runs and essentially ensured that a loss was not a possibility. Homburg herself had scored a 120-ball 86 and without her crucial innings, Freeman would have been looking at a sub-350 total that kept Suffolk right in the game. Yet, from what things looked like, it appeared that in the end, it did not matter one ounce. For some excellent seam and swing bowling from both Amber Homburg and Jason Campton tore through the Suffolk batting lineup, picking up three and two wickets apiece to place the visitors in a massive hole by the end of the day. Luke Tiati was the only Seal to withstand the heat with any sort of success, top-scoring with 43, but even so, he could not make it through the final few overs of the day as Homburg struck late. By the time stumps were called, Suffolk were reeling at 5-90, and a mammoth partnership between Isla Trefl and Jai Babbage was desperately required if they wanted to maintain any sort of hope.

Freeman Firestorm - 441 (133.2)
W Barnes 4 (14)				L Mackersey 3/83 (25.2)
J Campton 12* (23)			T Mankira 1/117 (31)

Suffolk Seals - 5/90 (41)
I Trefl 2* (5)				A Homburg 3/18 (13)
J Babbage 0* (3)			J Campton 2/30 (13)

Chamberley
Resuming at 2-45 in response to the Jaguars’ 285, Samuel Creln and Chloe Anderson got through a tough stint against Samuel Scron in the first couple of overs before progressively opening up. However, a spanner was thrown in the works when, in his very first over, Samuel Cross picked up the key wicket of the Scorpion skipper, dismissing her for 24 with the score on 65. Her wicket proved to be crucial, for no one else in the South Sylestone middle-order appeared to be up to the challenge. Austin Oltin scratched around for his nine, while Angelina Hodel was undone by an absolute beauty for just one. Adam Lonelet also succumbed with the score on 121, leaving Samuel Creln, 76 not out, to deal with the lower-order and tail. Thankfully for him and the Scorpions, Norbert Pistecial supplied exactly that, batting with his usual counter-attacking style to dominate a 64-run partnership with Creln, allowing the opener to complete a superb century against the tide. When Lily Bodenweiser fell a couple of balls later, the end seemed nigh, but Leo Codrington appeared to disagree, playing a significant role in a 46-run ninth-wicket partnership before Liam Afosha picked up his first wicket of the innings, finally dismissing Creln for 129. A flurry of runs for the tenth wicket gave the Scorpions a boost, but they were ultimately bowled out for 252, 33 runs short of the Jaguars’ first-innings.
But that was completely nullified when Caitlyn Freehill was dismissed first ball, and although Edward Cunningham and Samuel Cross provided an onslaught against the new ball with flashy, aggressive strokeplay, but when Cunningham fell, two others fell with him to Norbert Pistecial, New Gloucester crumbling to 4-46 in the 15th over. With twelve overs left to play in the day, Lauren Luffman joined Cross and proceeded to bat out the rest of the day, finishing at 4-81, Cross unbeaten on 54 and Luffman six.

New Gloucester Jaguars - 285 (68.2)
G Lawrence 5 (5)			L Codrington 5/27 (13.2)
S Scron 18* (18)			A Hodel 2/59 (16)

South Sylestone Scorpions - 252 (79.5)
L Codrington 24 (27)			L Afosha 2/25 (4.5)
O Lovia 12* (18)			G Lawrence 1/51 (15)

New Gloucester Jaguars - 4/81 (27)
S Cross 54* (78)			N Pistecial 3/28 (9)
L Luffman 6* (47)			C Anderson 0/11 (2)

Day Three
Avondale
The Snakes began day three in a hole - chasing a first-innings total of 468 set by the Coyotes, their batters had failed to fire for once and at 7-221, were in dire straits with only the lower-order and tail left to salvage another 48 runs to avoid the follow-on. That possibility seemed incredibly unlikely when Halliday was caught behind, but replays showed that Hall had overstepped, and the youngster was allowed to continue. He was eventually run out for 35 ten overs later, but by then, only eight runs were required to avoid the follow-on. Angus Hackett joined Abbey Kennedy and safely guided the Snakes past that threat, Caitlyn Elliott eventually finishing things off in the 82nd over, the visitors dismissed for 286 just before lunchtime, 182 runs behind on first innings. With only five sessions remaining in the match, Caitlyn Elliott and Taylah Monnier began the innings with aggression, racing along to 0-36 after five overs Samuel Asaskia was the catalyst of a triple blow, the Capital Coyotes losing 3-23 to slump to 3-59 in the tenth over, the Central Sylestone taking all three of the wickets. Fergus Crena, though, was looking good at the crease, driving and cutting with freedom before Angus Hackett picked him up with the score on 81. Recognising that a bit of rebuilding was required, Riley Accrington took his time with the bat, successfully nullifying the rest of the impact with the new ball while Peter Lenton played his natural game at the other end. The Coyote skipper reached a chanceless fifty from 65 balls and even though Accrington was caught at mid-wicket attempting to up the run rate at the other end, Lenton continued on with Alicia Edmundstone, the 30-year-old playing the support role in a 103-run partnership that saw her partner safely past a deserved century. As a declaration loomed, the pair began to hit out, Lenton eventually declaring overnight with the score 6-305, setting the Snakes with an impossible target of 488 in just 90-odd overs. Had the Coyotes declared too late?

Capital Coyotes - 9d/468 (126.3)
B Hall 9 (6)				K Sonnel 5/77 (27.3)
N Norwell 38* (94)			C Elliott 0/70 (17)

Central Sylestone Snakes - 286 (81.5)
K Sonnel 2 (10)				C Elliott 2/21 (7.5)
A Hackett 16* (35)			B Hall 1/53 (14)

Capital Coyotes - 6d/305 (68)
P Lenton 156* (201)			A Fihelly 1/65 (12)
N Norwell 13* (23)			S Asaskia 3/44 (12)

Freeman
Defending a first-innings total of 441, the Freeman Firestorm has made significant inroads to the Suffolk Seals’ batting lineup in a dead rubber match, the visitors crumbling against the swing and seam of Amber Homburg and Jason Campton, reducing them to 5-90 before stumps were called yesterday. A lot rested on Isla Trefl and Jai Babbage, but it was to be too much, Babbage caught at slip of Anna Huntingfield during the very first over of the day. In her next over, Huntingfield also dismissed Layla Mackersey for just four, caught at short-leg and Suffolk were simply digging themselves deeper into their hole, having lost seven wickets for just 95 runs on a pitch with not much in it. Trefl and Jesse McMillan saved some face with a 44-run partnership before Homburg bowled the former and although McMillan began to hit out afterwards, a final total of 166 was never, ever going to be enough. With a deficit of 275 runs, it was an easy decision for Aiden Tasso to send the Seals back in again and with lunch still a few overs away on day three, a consolation innings-victory to the Firestorm was imminent.
But unlike in the first innings, the Suffolk batters opted to actually conserve their wickets and not play ridiculous, rash shots that have no place in any form of cricket. Luke Tiati and Hannah Gilroy carefully built a 50-run opening partnership in roughly 22 overs, but when Kieran Force stumped Gilroy off Huntingfield, Tiati also fell, leaving Brianna Eastwood and Jayden Menkens to rebuild the innings at 2-58 in the 24th over. And that they did, the pair combining for a 129-run partnership before Eastwood became Huntingfield’s third victim, caught behind for 61. Fergus Stanton then joined Jayden Menkens as the young number four began to approach a well-compiled century, but the call of stumps halted him, Suffolk 3-224 and 51 runs behind. Could they somehow get themselves back into this game?

Freeman Firestorm - 441 (133.2)
W Barnes 4 (14)				L Mackersey 3/83 (25.2)
J Campton 12* (23)			T Mankira 1/117 (31)

Suffolk Seals - 166 (59)
G Haines 0 (4)				A Homburg 5/25 (17)
T Mankira 1* (2)			W Barnes 0/24 (8)

Suffolk Seals - 3/224 (67)
F Stanton 22* (34)			S Downes 0/47 (11)
J Menkens 79* (157)			J Campton 0/48 (14)

Chamberley
Having made it through the final hour of yesterday’s play unscathed, Samuel Cross and Lauren Luffman resumed the Jaguars’ innings at 4-81, 114 runs ahead of the Scorpions. Like yesterday, Cross continued to play his usual game, pouncing on anything wide, full or short and putting it away. Luffman took a little while to find her groove but once she was set, she, too, began to play freely, the run-rate six an over as the two New Gloucester batters began to take the match away from the visitors. Cross passed a 130-ball century in the 50th over, before Luffman completed a half-century a couple of overs later, hers coming off a much more relaxed 133 balls, having taken much of the strike throughout the day thus far. But on the stroke of lunch, Luffman found herself beaten by Leo Codrington, caught at mid-off, and was duly dismissed for 51, bringing a prolific 132-run stand to a close.
After lunch, Codrington turned Luffman’s wicket into a double blow, taking a return catch four balls later, Ashton Stealom sent on his way for nought. But Juan de Polo prevented a collapse from occurring, partnering Cross and frustrating the South Sylestone bowlers in a partnership of 87 in 22 overs before Norbert Pistecial picked up the big wicket of Cross, but not before he had essentially batted his state into second place with a glorious 157. With Cross gone, de Polo proceeded to hit out, guiding the Jaguars to an even 300 before he ran out of partners, Osten Lovia wrapping up the tail with 3-60, only bettered by Norbert Pistecial’s 4-80 and Leo Codrington’s 3-57. But even so, these three bowlers had not done enough, for they were now faced with a daunting target of 334 on a crumbling pitch to keep their faint final hopes alive.
With 30 overs remaining to bat out in the day, Samuel Creln and Nicholas Lovia got the Scorpion innings to a promising start, batting out the first hour without loss. As time went on, both players began to increase in confidence, the 50-run partnership coming up in the 18th over of the innings. However, it was not long after that when Samuel Scron captured Creln in front and two overs later, also picked up Lovia’s wicket to leave the Scorpions at 2-62 with two new batters at the crease, one being nightwatchman Leo Codrington. He completed his job well, too, getting through the remainder of the evening with his stout defence while Patrick Shotenham rode his luck at the other end, getting to 20 by the time stumps were called, the Scorpions 2-85, with another 249 runs required in what beckons to be an intriguing final day.

New Gloucester Jaguars - 285 (68.2)
G Lawrence 5 (5)			L Codrington 5/27 (13.2)
S Scron 18* (18)			A Hodel 2/59 (16)

South Sylestone Scorpions - 252 (79.5)
L Codrington 24 (27)			L Afosha 2/25 (4.5)
O Lovia 12* (18)			G Lawrence 1/51 (15)

New Gloucester Jaguars - 300 (84)
G Lawrence 0 (3)			O Lovia 3/60 (17)
J de Polo 64* (112)			L Bodenweiser 0/36 (17)

South Sylestone Scorpions - 2/85 (30)
L Codrington 3* (25)			S Scron 3/29 (9)
P Shotenham 20* (29)			J de Polo 0/10 (4)

Day Four
Avondale
Following Lenton’s overnight declaration that many believed came far too late, Nathan Norwell and Josh Vilesti proceeded to bowl miserly, over after over, so by the time Vilesti had Alyssa Fihelly caught behind in the seventh a single scoring shot - an edge through the slips to the boundary - had been played. From then on, things didn’t get much easier for the batters and by the time lunch had come around, the Snakes were in a rut at 3-61 after 28 overs, their top three batters out and Cameron Cunnings and Andy Rombigo at the crease. The two combined for a 65-run partnership from 15 overs to finally get the scoring rate ticking before Cunnings, on 62, was bowled by Broughton Hall. His dismissal brought out a mini-collapse of 3-2, Central Sylestone falling from 3-122 to 6-122, Andy Rombigo left to deal with the tail with half a day still left in the match. Seth Halliday provided a bit of a nuisance, but following Rombigo’s wicket for 43, it was only going to be a matter of time, the hosts completing victory thanks to Hall (4-28) and Vilesti (4-46) bowling their hearts out and reaping the rewards. The final margin was 291 runs as the Snakes were dealt a massive momentum blow leading into their home final, while the Coyotes maximise their chances of making the final, heaping pressure upon the New Gloucester Jaguars and the now-eliminated Scorpions with a massive 291-run victory. They’d hit their straps, but was it too late?

Freeman
After their shambolic first innings, Fergus Stanton and Jayden Menkens resumed day four at 3-224, 51 runs behind Freeman’s total. The two Suffolk batters played out the opening few overs but just as the new ball loomed, both set batters found themselves back in the pavilion as 3-246 became 6-251, leaving two lower-order batters to deal with the new cherry. Menkens was particularly distraught, having fallen six runs short of a century and left his team in dire straits. But Isla Trefl and Layla Mackersey came to the rescue, seeing off Amber homburg and Jason Campton as the innings-defeat was avoided, before some late blows from skipper Talvin Mankira and Jesse McMillan gave the Firestorm an 81-run target, of which they had two sessions to chase down. It wasn’t much, but at least Suffolk had given themselves a chance, as tiny as it was.
But it would end up being far from enough, Sean Lake and Aiden Tasso completing most of the heavy lifting with a 48-run opening partnership before Maddison Takasuka finished off the job with her captain, the Firestorm finishing their season on a high. All that remained to be seen was whether they would finish fourth or fifth, depending on the Scorpions’ result.

Chamberley
With Patrick Shotenham and Leo Codrington surviving against the fading daylight to keep their state in with a chance of victory last night, the latter proceeded to decide his job as nightwatchman was complete and get out in the first over of the day’s play, essentially giving Samuel Scron his third wicket with a flashy cut shot that only found the gully fielder. His dismissal brought Chloe Anderson to the crease but unfortunately for the visitors, she could not find her rhythm at all, soaking up dot ball after dot ball while Shotenham continued on his merry way at the other end. In their 70-run partnership, the Scorpion captain only scored a measly 10 from 52 balls before Scron made it four from four by trapping her LBW with the total on 156. Meanwhile, at the other end, Shotenham had reached a 61-ball 50 and was continuing to roll along, now 78 not out from only 95 balls. But when Scron picked him up, too, in his next over, the Scorpions were 5-164 and quickly falling off the tracks.
They would never regain their composure, either, Juan de Polo taking over Scron’s role, the leg-spinner taking the final five wickets for next to nothing, bowling the Scorpions out for 194 to secure the Jaguars that spot in the final they’d been fighting for, while the Scorpions dropped to fifth to round out a rather poor season. But they’ll be back, stronger than ever next season, and look to break the drought and secure that maiden title.

Capital Coyotes vs Central Sylestone Snakes @ Capital Stadium, Avondale

Capital Coyotes - 9d/468 (126.3)
T Monnier 126 (270)			K Sonnel 5/77 (27.3)
A Edmundstone 70 (120)			A Fihelly 2/43 (9)

Central Sylestone Snakes - 286 (81.5)
C Cunnings 65 (90)			N Norwell 4/87 (21)
S Asaskia 62 (110)			C Elliott 2/21 (7.5)

Capital Coyotes - 6d/305 (68)
P Lenton 156* (201)			S Asaskia 3/44 (12)
A Edmundstone 33 (60)			K Sonnel 1/47 (18)

Central Sylestone Snakes - 196 (68.4)
C Cunnings 62 (75)			B Hall 4/28 (14)
A Rombigo 43 (77)			J Vilesti 4/46 (18.5)

Player of the match: Peter Lenton
Capital Coyotes win by 291 runs

Freeman Firestorm vs Suffolk Seals @ Freeman Oval, Freeman

Freeman Firestorm - 441 (133.2)
K Force 150 (328)			L Mackersey 3/83 (25.2)
M Stopling 125 (198)			J McMillan 2/86 (27)

Suffolk Seals - 166 (59)
L Tiati 43 (122)			A Homburg 5/25 (17)
J McMillan 42 (72)			J Campton 3/40 (17)

Suffolk Seals - 355 (97.1)
J Menkens 94 (179)			S Downes 4/82 (19.1)
B Eastwood 61 (106)			A Huntingfield 4/98 (25)

Freeman Firestorm - 1/81 (30.4)
A Tasso 35* (87)			T Mankira 1/13 (7.4)
S Lake 31 (49)				J McMillan 0/12 (6)

Player of the match: Kieran Force
Freeman Firestorm win by nine wickets

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

New Gloucester Jaguars - 285 (68.2)
L Afosha 139 (163)			L Codrington 5/27 (13.2)
M Poci 30 (33)				A Hodel 2/59 (16)

South Sylestone Scorpions - 252 (79.5)
S Creln 129 (238)			J de Polo 3/64 (18)
N Pistecial 34 (42)			L Afosha 2/25 (4.5)

New Gloucester Jaguars - 300 (84)
S Cross 157 (190)			N Pistecial 4/80 (21)
J de Polo 64* (112)			L Codrington 3/57 (14)

South Sylestone Scorpions - 194 (62.5)
P Shotenham 84 (101)			J de Polo 5/26 (10.5)
S Creln 35 (63)				S Scron 5/65 (21)

Player of the match: Juan de Polo
New Gloucester Jaguars win by 139 runs

Final Table

* Lavatory Shield               Pld   W  D  T  L  I  LD   Pts
1 Central Sylestone Snakes	 10   5  2  0  3  2  8    48
2 New Gloucester Jaguars	 10   5  2  0  3  2  3    43
3 Capital Coyotes		 10   4  2  0  4  0  6    40
4 Freeman Firestorm		 10   4  1  0  5  0  5    31
5 South Sylestone Scorpions	 10   4  1  0  5  0  4    30
6 Suffolk Seals			 10   2  4  0  4  0  4    24


“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** » Tue May 17, 2022 2:24 pm

LAVATORY SHIELD

Season Two

Final

Well, here we are. Ten weeks of gruelling, desperate, four-day cricket have all come down to this. Here in Halpenley, the Central Sylestone Snakes will take on the New Gloucester Jaguars in an anticipated clash between two sides determined to take out the title, and both for different reasons other than the obvious. For the Snakes, they will be looking to reaffirm themselves as Sylestone’s best longer-format state team following their shambolic season two, where they finished bottom of the table as defending champions. They will also be keen to send off stalwart Malcolm Marshall, retiring after this season due to niggling back issues and family reasons, with another Lavatory Shield title to his name. Meanwhile, the New Gloucester Jaguars have finally broken through to make their first final after last year’s heartbreak and will be desperate to break the curse that has undone them in both Cubicle One-Day Cups so far and record their first title across both formats. But only one can win it. Who will it be?

But one thing is (almost) for sure - there will be a winner, and the match won’t peter out into a draw. Usually a spin haven, the Halpenley City Oval has always been a ground to produce a result, but partly due to an unprecedented amount of rain throughout the dry season, it is now just as conducive for the quicks. With both spinners and pace bowlers favoured in different ways, then life will always be tough for the batters, and if a result does not occur over five days of cricket, then each and every bowler will have failed to live up to expectations.

And this Halpenley strip was no different. It possessed a tinge of green on its surface and thousands of tiny cracks running down it, all threatening to break open at any stage, causing trouble for any batter. Yet, despite this, Samuel Asaskia did not hesitate in batting first after he won the toss, believing that the pitch was at its best and would only worsen. However, Alyssa Fihelly appeared to disagree, playing and missing on half the balls she ended up facing and edging two others to the boundary before Samuel Scron found the edge of her bat in the third over, the chance flying into Edward Cunningham’s safe hands at slip. This brought Jonah Appleby to the crease, who proceeded to play out the new ball while Kyle Nicolls freed his arms at the other end, before the Central Sylestone number three also edged off, leaving his side in a bit of trouble at 2-47 at drinks.

Cameron Cunnings arrived at the crease to join Nicolls and continued to play with the same superior confidence that had netted him upwards of 700 runs so far this season. His left-handed partner went through a couple of troubling periods at the other end but eventually succeeded in fighting through them, the pair hanging in until lunch, the score 2-91. However, just after the break, Juan de Polo netted the Jaguars the big wicket - a ripping leg-break hitting a crack and turning sharply, catching the edge of Cunnings’ bat on the way through to Ashton Stealom, who pouched the ball with delight. The in-form batter of the Shield was out for just 33, and the visitors were on top.

But Kyle Nicolls was still at the crease and looking more comfortable each and every ball he faced. He was joined by his captain and the two continued as if nothing was amiss, guiding the total above 100 and forming a vital partnership. Nicolls passed fifty but just as he seemed set for a big one, debutant Cody Kirkwood, a last-minute replacement for Milan Poci after the 32-year-old tweaker injured his wrist on the eve of the match, fooled him with an arm-ball, trapping the opener LBW for 60, a breaking an ominous partnership of 53. This formed part of a triple strike as the Snakes lost 3-17 from 26 balls just after drinks to fall to 6-166 and all of a sudden, a sub-200 score seemed to be a possibility. Seth Halliday joined Asaskia to see this dreadful concept off, the 18-year-old scoring a pivotal 29 in a 47-run partnership with his captain before Scron picked up Halliday, his second wicket of the innings. When Abbey Kennedy fell soon after to leave the Snakes at 8-225 a few overs after tea, Asaskia began to hit out, scoring 29 of the final 46 runs the Snakes were to compile as they were bowled out for 271 in 74 overs, the hosts’ captain the final wicket to fall, run out by de Polo for 85 - a true captain’s knock. Samuel Scron was the pick of the New Gloucester bowlers, boasting figures of 3-37 from 14 overs, while Juan de Polo (2-62) and Cody Kirkwood (2-34) also took multiple wickets. A total of 271 seemed to be about par for this surface, but we will not find out for sure until the Jaguars bat on it. And with a tricky hour left in the day’s play, the Snakes were in with a chance to really capitalise on the fading light and get themselves on the front foot by stumps.

They began well, too, Samuel Asaskia trapping a struggling Edward Cunningham in front in just the fifth over. However, Samuel Cross looked good right ball one, joining Caitlyn Freehill as the two put the bowlers to the sword with their naturally attacking batting styles, despite the fading light. But with mere minutes remaining, Asaskia somehow managed to hold onto a full-blooded straight drive from Cross, taking the ball at his heels in a feat of insane reflexes. Liam Afosha, captain of the New Gloucester Jaguars, then surprisingly opted against sending a nightwatchman in, instead deciding to lead from the front with his stout defence, the Jaguars finishing the day at 2-54. Afosha, though, did not last long the next morning, edging Kate Sonnel behind to put the Snakes on top. Mitchell Stein and Caitlyn Freehill, though, had other ideas. While Stein defended and defended, Freehill continued to play her flowing, aggressive game, passing fifty and going on with it. With her partner doing literally nothing at the other end, she put the onus upon herself to score runs at a good rate, and completed her job with perfection, keeping the run-rate around three an over. Stein eventually defended one too many balls and was caught at a short point by Malcolm Marshall off Seth Halliday for an 87-ball 18, the Jaguars reduced to 4-122, Freehill 80 not out, on the stroke of lunch.

Half an hour after the break, just as another prolific partnership with brewing, Marshall had Freehill caught at a leg-slip by Abbey Kennedy, dismissing the left-handed opener just nine runs short of a century. At 5-140, the innings appeared poised to break open, but Lauren Luffman and Ashton Stealom, two very competent batters, took their time, combining for a crucial 65-run partnership before Luffman became Asaskia’s third victim. Juan de Polo hung around with Stealom but when the latter fell for 44 with the total 226, the Jaguars lost 3-8, meaning that by the time the last pair of Cody Kirkwood and Leo Njata came together, New Gloucester were still 37 short of their opponents’ total. Kirkwood and Njata proceeded to annoy the Central Sylestone bowlers, even getting through the tough part of the new ball but finally, in the 89th over, Asaskia scraped an accurate yorker past Njata’s bat, castling him for a 35-ball three and taking his fourth wicket of the innings.

The visitors’ final total was 250, leaving them 21 runs behind the Snakes in the first innings. With another 13 overs still remaining in the day’s play, though, a tricky period loomed for the Central Sylestone top order and if they could not get through it, that slender lead would be rendered null.

Alyssa Fihelly and Kyle Nicolls fought through the first ten overs against some high quality pace bowling from Samuel Scron and Leo Njata. But on the very first ball of the eleventh, though, Scron got a ball to move a fraction off the pitch, nicking the outside edge of Nicolls’ bat, just enough to make a faint noise, before travelling through to Stealom’s gloves. Scron and Stealom immediately went up for the appeal and although the umpire wasn’t interested, Afosha was, and sent it upstairs. Video footage confirmed that Nicolls had, in fact, hit the ball and was sent on his way for 7.

Three balls later, nightwatchman Abbey Kennedy became the second Snake back in the shed after Scron castled her, Samuel Asaskia opting against sending another nightwatchman out, Jonah Appleby instead tasked with seeing out the final couple of overs. But even a batter of his calibre could not do it, the 29-year-old rounding out a poor season by edging the third ball of the thirteenth over to Mitchell Stein to become Scron’s third wicket in nine balls, leaving his state in dire straits at 3-22, the lead only 43 runs.

Day three did not start any better for the hosts, either, Alyssa Fihelly capitulating early as Scron picked up his fourth, Central Sylestone in a world of trouble at 4-30. But with Samuel Asaskia joining Cameron Cunnings at the crease, the contest was far from over. In fact, it had only just begun.

The experienced middle-order pair kept Scron and de Polo searching, scoring runs wherever possible and building a partnership. Unfortunately for them, though, they were batting on a pitch that was beginning to crack up and as a result, it was only a matter of time until a wicket ball arrived. Samuel Scron produced this in his twelfth-straight over, Asaskia edging a ball which cut sharply away from him to Cody Kirkwood’s hands in the gully, leaving the Snakes in a hole at 5-55, Scron with all five wickets to his name. Four overs later it became 6-62, Kirkwood trapping Ashley Millen LBW, leaving Cunnings to bat with Andy Rombigo and the tail to attempt to salvage some sort of defendable total. And Rombigo helped his in-form partner achieve that, the two of them combining for the highest partnership of the innings - 27 in ten overs - before Scron took his sixth wicket of the innings with the score on 89. From there, things quickly capitulated, de Polo having Cunnings caught at long-on hitting out and Scron picking up Marshall and Sonnel in consecutive deliveries to complete an astonishing eight-wicket haul, playing the major contributor in bowling the Snakes out for a measly 106 in their second innings, leaving both sides to muse over how they were going to approach this target of 128 set by the hosts over lunch.

Breaths were held all around the stadium as the Halpenley crowd waited in anticipation to discover whether their side could defend this total. And credit to the Snakes - they gave it their best shot. Samuel Asaskia and Malcolm Marshall, bowling in his last-ever innings at domestic level, passed the outside edges of Caitlyn Freehill and Edward Cunningham at various points throughout the opening fifteen minutes, but it took until the sixth over, with the score on 15, that Marshall broke through, Cunningham spooning a simple catch to Kate Sonnel at short mid-wicket from a ball that bounced abnormally. But Samuel Cross refused to allow a collapse to occur, batting sensibly and getting through the new ball, before opening up against the likes of Kate Sonnel and Seth Halliday, ticking the score along with Freehill. Fifty came up for the Jaguars and with only 78 runs required with nine wickets in hand, heads were beginning to go down.

In the 19th over, Kate Sonnel had Caitlyn Freehill caught by Kyle Nicolls at short cover, but that, too, failed to induce a collapse as the New Gloucester skipper, Liam Afosha, steadied the ship. Both Cross and Afosha began to score at a brisk rate as the required runs were whittled down below fifty, the Snakes getting ever more desperate. By the time the tea break came around, the score was 2-96 from only 27 overs, the pair at the crease playing the pitch conditions perfectly as the crowds began to leave the arena. Only a miracle could save their team now.

That miracle did not happen. After the tea break, Cross and Afosha scored at an even faster rate, clearly eager to get the runs knocked off and let the celebrations begin. With twelve needed for the win, Cross broke a personal score of 50, the milestone coming from 85 balls. But at the other end, it wasn’t going to be a perfect finish. With Marshall re-entering the attack, Afosha took a swipe at a full ball and only succeeded in getting clean bowled, allowing Mitchell Stein to take the opportunity to be the hero. But he, too, failed to complete the job, Marshall signalling off his career by trapping the left-hander in front of his stumps second ball, Lauren Luffman arriving at the crease to take his place. She defended Marshall’s first ball to her but then, on the final ball of his over, flicked a half-volley on her pads over square-leg for a maximum to seal the deal. Finally, in the third season of trying, the New Gloucester Jaguars had broken through for their first-ever title in either format.

And what a brilliant way to do it.

Central Sylestone Snakes 1st Innings
Batter                                      R   B  4s  6s   SR
A Fihelly        c Cunningham b Scron       8  10   2   0   80
K Nicolls        lbw b Kirkwood            60 123   5   1   48.78
J Appleby (+)    c Stein b Njata           14  33   2   0   42.42
C Cunnings       c Stealom b de Polo       33  45   5   0   73.33
S Asaskia (c)    run out (de Polo)         85 148  12   1   57.43
A Millen         c&b Cross                  1   9   0   0   11.11
A Rombigo        c de Polo b Kirkwood      10   7   2   0  142.86
S Halliday       c Stealom b Scron         29  44   4   0   65.91
A Kennedy        b Scron                    0   6   0   0    
M Marshall       c Kirkwood b de Polo      12  13   1   1   92.31
K Sonnel         not out                    4   9   0   0   44.44
      EXTRAS     (5 lb, 7 wd, 3 nb)        15
      TOTAL      all out                  271   (74 ov; 3.66 RPO)
               

FOW: 1-8 (A Fihelly, 2.4 overs); 2-47 (J Appleby (+), 12.6 overs); 3-96 (C Cunnings, 28.6 overs); 
     4-149 (K Nicolls, 43.4 overs); 5-155 (A Millen, 46.2 overs); 6-166 (A Rombigo, 47.6 overs); 
     7-223 (S Halliday, 61.1 overs); 8-225 (A Kennedy, 63.1 overs); 9-245 (M Marshall, 68.2 overs); 
     10-271 (S Asaskia (c), 73.6 overs)

New Gloucester Jaguars Bowling
Bowler              Ov   M   R  W   Econ  Ext
S Scron             14   4  37  3   2.64  (2 wd)
C Freehill           9   2  25  0   2.78  
L Njata             12   0  64  1   5.33  (5 wd, 2 nb)
J de Polo           18   3  62  2   3.44  
L Afosha (c)         3   1  10  0   3.33  
C Kirkwood           8   0  34  2   4.25  
S Cross             10   1  34  1    3.4  (1 nb)

New Gloucester Jaguars 1st Innings
Batter                                      R   B  4s  6s   SR
C Freehill       c Kennedy b Marshall      91 134  14   0   67.91
E Cunningham     lbw b Asaskia              1  17   0   0    5.88
S Cross          c&b Asaskia               14  20   2   0   70
L Afosha (c)     c Appleby b Sonnel         5  15   1   0   33.33
M Stein          c Marshall b Halliday     18  87   1   0   20.69
L Luffman        c Cunnings b Asaskia      31  60   4   0   51.67
A Stealom (+)    st Appleby b Sonnel       44  78   7   0   56.41
J de Polo        c Millen b Halliday       13  23   1   0   56.52
S Scron          c Cunnings b Sonnel        5  19   0   0   26.32
C Kirkwood       not out                   12  44   0   1   27.27
L Njata          b Asaskia                  3  35   0   0    8.57
      EXTRAS     (5 b, 6 lb, 2 wd)         13
      TOTAL      all out                  250   (88.4 ov; 2.82 RPO)
               

FOW: 1-12 (E Cunningham, 4.4 overs); 2-51 (S Cross, 12.2 overs); 3-57 (L Afosha (c), 16.1 overs); 
     4-122 (M Stein, 40.4 overs); 5-140 (C Freehill, 47.5 overs); 6-205 (L Luffman, 63.4 overs); 
     7-226 (A Stealom (+), 70.3 overs); 8-233 (J de Polo, 73.1 overs); 9-234 (S Scron, 76.6 overs); 
     10-250 (L Njata, 88.4 overs)

Central Sylestone Snakes Bowling
Bowler              Ov   M   R  W   Econ  Ext
S Asaskia (c)     17.4   6  46  4    2.6  (1 wd)
M Marshall          14   4  33  1   2.36  
S Halliday          17   3  45  2   2.65  
K Sonnel            28   7  68  3   2.43  (1 wd)
A Kennedy           12   1  47  0   3.92  

Central Sylestone Snakes 2nd Innings
Batter                                      R   B  4s  6s   SR
A Fihelly        c Stealom b Scron         15  49   2   0   30.61
K Nicolls        c Stealom b Scron          7  26   1   0   26.92
A Kennedy        b Scron                    0   3   0   0    
J Appleby (+)    c Stein b Scron            2   5   0   0   40
C Cunnings       c Cross b de Polo         38  75   5   0   50.67
S Asaskia (c)    c Kirkwood b Scron        10  24   1   0   41.67
A Millen         lbw b Kirkwood             2  12   0   0   16.67
A Rombigo        c Freehill b Scron        18  38   2   0   47.37
S Halliday       not out                    8   7   1   0  114.29
M Marshall       b Scron                    3   5   0   0   60
K Sonnel         c Njata b Scron            0   1   0   0    
      EXTRAS     (3 lb)                     3
      TOTAL      all out                  106   (40.5 ov; 2.6 RPO)
               

FOW: 1-16 (K Nicolls, 10.1 overs); 2-16 (A Kennedy, 10.4 overs); 3-22 (J Appleby (+), 12.3 overs); 
     4-30 (A Fihelly, 14.3 overs); 5-55 (S Asaskia (c), 22.6 overs); 6-62 (A Millen, 26.2 overs); 
     7-89 (A Rombigo, 36.3 overs); 8-101 (C Cunnings, 39.2 overs); 9-106 (M Marshall, 40.4 overs); 
     10-106 (K Sonnel, 40.5 overs)

New Gloucester Jaguars Bowling
Bowler              Ov   M   R  W   Econ  Ext
S Scron           14.5   6  28  8   1.89  
L Njata              5   2  10  0      2  
C Freehill           1   0   4  0      4  
J de Polo           10   2  32  1    3.2  
C Kirkwood           6   0  19  1   3.17  
S Cross              4   1  10  0    2.5  

New Gloucester Jaguars 2nd Innings   (Target: 128)
Batter                                      R   B  4s  6s   SR
C Freehill       c Nicolls b Sonnel        31  56   4   0   55.36
E Cunningham     c Sonnel b Marshall        2  11   0   0   18.18
S Cross          not out                   55  91   6   1   60.44
L Afosha (c)     b Marshall                36  48   6   0   75
M Stein          lbw b Marshall             0   2   0   0    
L Luffman        not out                    6   2   0   1  300
      EXTRAS     (1 lb, 1 wd)               2
       TOTAL     for 4 wickets            132   (35 ov; 3.77 RPO)
Did not bat:   , , , , 

FOW: 1-15 (E Cunningham, 5.1 overs); 2-57 (C Freehill, 18.6 overs); 3-126 (L Afosha (c), 34.2 overs); 
     4-126 (M Stein, 34.4 overs)

Central Sylestone Snakes Bowling
Bowler              Ov   M   R  W   Econ  Ext
S Asaskia (c)        7   1  23  0   3.29  
M Marshall           9   2  31  3   3.44  
K Sonnel            10   2  29  1    2.9  
S Halliday           6   0  28  0   4.67  (1 wd)
A Kennedy            3   0  20  0   6.67  


Venue: Halpenley City Oval, Halpenley, Sylestone
Toss: Central Sylestone Snakes won the toss and elected to bat
Season/Tournament: Lavatory Shield III
Matchdays: Final
Player of the Match: Samuel Scron
Debut: Cody Kirkwood
Umpires: unknown
TV Umpire: unknown
Reserve Umpire: unknown
Match Referee: unknown
Match Result: New Gloucester Jaguars win by six wickets

by **Sylestone** » Wed Jun 01, 2022 5:12 pm

CRASH N’ SMASH

Season Five

Matchday One

Dunkirk Rovers vs Pesfield Wasps @ Jameson Oval, Dunkirk

Pesfield Wasps - 9/134 (20)
L Tiati 38 (27)				M Boyle 3/17 (3)
P Shotenham 24 (23)			N Pistecial 2/29 (4)

Dunkirk Rovers - 5/135 (15.3)
C Alkina 33 (29)			J Tyrkkekkekklukkekekklukekk 2/28 (3)
H Tumcoweiss 27* (12)			S Scron 1/16 (2)

Player of the match: Hraffinthroquadilamjamhampamsamtamrambamattawakkipurrheliomansthophthanes Tumcoweiss
Dunkirk Rovers win by five wickets with 27 balls remaining

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

Scorching Hot Dodle - 7/162 (20)
C Demoncast 58* (44)			G Haines 2/24 (4)
N Lovia 32 (24)				S Cross 2/36 (4)

Halpenley Lightning - 5/152 (20)
R Hale 54 (49)				A Hackett 2/46 (4)
J Martin 27* (13)			S Petersen 1/24 (4)

Player of the match: Catbug Demoncast
Scorching Hot Dodle win by ten runs

Cleorough Devils vs Avondale Knights @ Cleorough Stadium, Cleorough

Avondale Knights - 8/144 (20)
F Stanton 56* (31)			R Taylor 2/19 (4)
R Bremner 27 (21)			K Sonnel 2/23 (4)

Cleorough Devils - 6/148 (19)
D Fomleya 73 (57)			J Vilesti 3/25 (4)
T Monnier 33 (35)			L Bodenweiser 2/34 (4)

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

Betham Dogs vs Chamberley Giants @ Betham Cricket Ground, Betham

Betham Dogs - 7/186 (20)
O Edwards 54 (25)			O Bowles 4/28 (4)
E Cunningham 47 (39)			B Hall 2/32 (4)

Chamberley Giants - 7/152 (20)
D Goolsby 61* (38)			L yChallril 2/16 (4)
S Dickson 51 (35)			H Cranston 2/17 (3)

Player of the match: Oliver Edwards
Betham Dogs win by 34 runs

To kick off the fifth edition of the Crash n’ Smash, we have had some… results, right from the top to the bottom. Some may have not been close matches, but the enormity of some of those results may spell signs for the season to come. In fact, there were no real nailbiters, but even if that was the case, that should not take away from the fact that we have just been blessed with a very, very interesting round of franchise T20 cricket.

First up, the Dunkirk Rovers hosted the Pesfield Wasps at Jameson Oval to kick off the tournament, the visitors clear favourites to win after last season’s third-placed finish and a big off-season, picking up the likes of Charles McCrory, Samuel Scron and Anna Huntingfield to boost their stocks. However, perhaps due to this tumultuation, perhaps not, the Wasps were simply not up for it today. Having been sent in by Dunkirk skipper Peter Lenton, Luke Tiati and Zachary Arafase got the innings off to a good start with a 44-run opening partnership coming from just 32 balls before Arafase became the first of Miriam Boyle’s three wickets, tamely cutting a slower ball to backward point. From there, proceedings followed a downhill trajectory, the Wasps losing 4-22, including Tiati for a fluent 38, to be 4-66 just after the ten-over mark as the Dunkirk spinners, Milan Poci and Hraffinthroquadilamjamhampamsamtamrambamattawakkipurrheliomansthophthanes Tumcoweiss, spun a web around the Pesfield top- and middle-order. A mini recovery, led by Kaye Newman and Patrick Shotenham gave the Wasps a glimmer of hope, but by the time Tumcoweiss dismissed Newman, the run rate was still under seven an over. It would never break that mark, either, with excellent death bowling from Boyle and Norbert Pistecial restricting the Wasps to 9-134, Boyle taking 3-17, Pistecial 2-29, Poci 2-30 and Tumcoweiss 1-14. The Rovers, though, still could not complete the job with as much ease as they would’ve liked, at one point capitulating to 4-69 in the ninth and then 5-87 in the twelfth before Tumcoweiss whacked three sixes and a boundary in a 12-ball 27 to seal a Dunkirk victory by five wickets with 27 balls remaining. His all-round efforts were sufficient in being awarded player of the match, and rightfully so, too, as the Gruenberger led his team to a shock win first up.

But even that result did not take all of the headlines. No, it has to be something special to beat a match between cross-state rivals, Cleorough and Avondale, particularly when one is the reigning champions, and the other the champions of the season before last. In front of a maximum capacity crowd at the Cleorough Stadium, the Devils were able to grind out an unconvincing victory with an over to spare, chasing down a measly Avondale target for the loss of six wickets, including a late stumble. Having been sent in to bat first, the Knights never really seemed at the races, losing three wickets inside the powerplay and another by the end of the tenth over. Only a late burst from previously out of form all-rounder Fergus Stanton saved the Knights from utter humiliation, the 22-year-old scoring an unbeaten 56 from just 31 balls to propel his franchise to a defendable 8-144, while the likes of Zefixaq Effervescentpyjamas, newcomer Ronald Taylor and Kate Sonnel all took two wickets to help prevent Stanton’s late charge from producing a better final score. But in the end, it did not matter, with Daniel Fomleya, Taylah Monnier and Aiden Tasso providing most of the heavy lifting as the hosts reached 2-131 with three overs remaining. However, a late collapse, including three wickets in an over from Avondale stalwart Josh Vilesti, saw the Knights produce a glimmer of hope, but Brock Westleford kept his head calm despite the collapse at the other end to ensure a four-wicket victory, kicking his club’s season off to a good start.

Meanwhile, over in Betham, the Betham Dogs affirmed that they were, once again, a team that would be very tough to beat. Their match against historic powerhouses Chamberley Giants was always going to be a tough one to kick off the season, but their eventual 34-run win was certainly deserved. After winning the toss and batting first, it was Oliver Edwards who stole the show for the Dogs, coming in with his side in a bit of trouble at 4-78 in the eleventh over, forging a critical 52-run partnership with Edward Cunningham before hitting out, scoring a quickfire 54 from 25 balls to help set Chamberley a target of 187 in 20 overs. For the Giants, it was Oscar Bowles with figures of 4-28 from four overs that led the way, but his efforts were ultimately negligible as Edwards stole the show with his blistering knock. The momentum the hosts gained out of the late burst was simply too much for the Giants to handle, succumbing to 4-54 in the ninth over and from then on in, never truly appeared in the hunt despite a prolific 72-run partnership for the fifth wicket between half-centurions Steven Dickson and Dewayne Goolsby. The latter was especially effective at ensuring a thrashing was not handed to his team, hitting an unbeaten 61 from 38 balls to reduce the deficit to 34 runs before Chamberley’s allocated 20 overs were completed. Yet, it was still a momentous win for Betham as they seek to secure their first-ever Crash n’ Smash title.

With three frantic, energetic games having been played this round, some may be excused of thinking that the match between last edition’s seventh- and eighth-placed franchises would be a non-event. They were wrong. After being sent in to bat first by the Halpenley Lightning, Scorching Hot Dodle found themselves in a bit of trouble early on, Brianna Eastwood finding herself trapped right in front by Catamite Darkcape in the very first over. But Dharmendra Reddy and Nicholas Lovia recovered the innings before Catbug Demoncast took over following the dismissal of Reddy for 13. Demoncast ended up batting through the remainder of the innings for a classy 58, providing the backbone as wickets tumbled around him. As the middle-order collapsed against Georgia Haines and Samuel Cross, he ensured that wickets would not fall from both ends and eventually found stable allies in Ross Amitt and Angus Hackett, who both provided useful cameos as the Scorchers cobbled together a final total of 7-162; a very defendable score on a tricky Halpenley pitch. And eventually, it was a little too much for the Lightning, the hosts finding the going tough right through the entire innings, ex-Scorcher Roderick Hale making the only score of note with a hard-fought, 49-ball 54. A late cameo from Jack Martin gave the hosts a glimmer of hope, but it was too little, too late, as Dodle kicked their season off with a much-needed ten-run win, Demoncast awarded player of the match for his batting efforts.

Matchday Two

Pesfield Wasps vs Chamberley Giants @ Bolton Oval, Pesfield

Chamberley Giants - 139 (18)
L Afosha 39 (30)			S Scron 3/17 (4)
S Monteane 29 (18)			J Tyrkkekkekklukkekklukekk 2/22 (4)

Pesfield Wasps - 4/141 (18)
L Tiati 54 (35)				L Edwards 2/26 (3)
G Umbridge 36* (26)			B Hall 1/16 (3)

Player of the match: Samuel Scron
Pesfield Wasps win by six wickets with twelve balls remaining

Avondale Knights vs Betham Dogs @ Capital Stadium, Avondale

Betham Dogs - 6/201 (20)
S Lake 54 (36)				C Freehill 3/35 (4)
E Cunningham 52 (36)			E Samuel 1/27 (4)

Avondale Knights - 8/180 (20)
R Bremner 60 (32)			E Hillock 2/23 (4)
M Scovell 33 (24)			S Clapiope 2/30 (4)

Player of the match: Richard Bremner
Betham Dogs win by 21 runs

Scorching Hot Dodle vs Cleorough Devils @ Dodle Furnace, Dodle

Cleorough Devils - 5/183 (20)
D Fomleya 75 (53)			S Petersen 1/24 (4)
B Risewell 47* (19)			P Tripathi 1/27 (4)

Scorching Hot Dodle - 183 (19.2)
D Reddy 34 (23)				N Norwell 3/28 (4)
N Lovia 30 (15)				J de Polo 3/43 (4)

Scorching Hot Dodle - 0/9 (1)
S Petersen 7* (5)			R Taylor 0/9 (1)

Cleorough Devils - 0/10 (1)
B Risewell 7* (3)			S Petersen 0/10 (1)

Player of the match: Blaine Risewell
Cleorough Devils win on Super Over

Dunkirk Rovers vs Halpenley Lightning @ Jameson Oval, Dunkirk

Dunkirk Rovers - 7/153 (20)
C Chinama 36 (30)			S Halliday 2/17 (3)
N Pistecial 24* (17)			L Codrington 2/22 (4)

Halpenley Lightning - 1/154 (13.1)
M Stein 81* (50)			H Tumcoweiss 1/26 (3)
C Elliott 57 (25)			J McMillan 0/14 (1)

Player of the match: Mitchell Stein
Halpenley Lightning win by nine wickets with 41 balls remaining

“Heads,” called Daniel Fomleya as Ethanian all-rounder Samuel Petersen flung the coin into the air. Seeing the piece of metal come down on heads, the 36-year-old did not hesitate to announce his intentions as Petersen’s shoulders slumped ever so slightly.

“We’ll bat first.”

And it was a move that paid off, if the opening partnership was anything to go by. Fomleya, opening the innings with Taylah Monnier, got through the new ball before beginning to up the ante against the likes of Angus Hackett and the spinners, the pair putting on a partnership of 67 in 52 balls before Osten Lovia had Monnier caught on the boundary for 38. Then, for the second game in a row for the Devils, a middle-order ensued, the Devils losing 4-35, including 3-9 at one point, to find themselves in dire straits at 4-102 in the 15th over, Dodle well on top despite Fomleya approaching a second half-century of the season at the other end. But Blaine Risewell, promoted up one spot to number six, had other ideas. Batting through the remainder of the innings, the Ko-orenite whacked an unbeaten 47 from just 19 balls, his cameo including two boundaries and a whopping five sixes. The loss of his captain in the penultimate over for 75 did not deter him, the burly right-hander smashing 23 from Angus Hackett’s final over, completely destroying the youngster’s figures as Cleorough finished with 5-183 - an ominous but chaseable total at the Dodle Furnace. A good game beckoned.

But little did everyone know just how good of a game it would turn out to be.

Right throughout the innings, the Scorchers lost regular wickets, as if the hosts were chasing a total much higher than what they really were. Brianna Eastwood was the first to go, dismissed in the first over for the second time in two outings, this time for a four-ball duck. Nicholas Lovia then proceeded to provide some fireworks, whacking a 15-ball 30 to get the chase rolling. Dharmendra Reddy and Catbug Demoncast then took the score to the brink of a ton before both were dismissed balls apart in the tenth over, leaving the middle-order to score the final 82 runs required to win from ten overs. Unfortunately for them, disciplined Cleorough bowling made that very tough to achieve, the Scorchers falling to 6-137 in the 16th over.

They did not, though, give up from there. Victor Stonton smashed a crucial 15 and Angus Hackett five but by the time two overs remained, Dodle only had two wickets left in the sheds, with 16 runs required. Matters were made worse when Panu Tripathi ran himself out for a diamond duck, leaving the last pair of Ross Amitt and Panu Tripathi to somehow salvage victory.

But cometh the hour, cometh the Osten Lovia. Off the second ball of Juan de Polo’s over, the Dodle number eleven squirted a wrong’un away for two, before sweeping the next to the fine-leg boundary. With ten runs now needed from nine balls, Lovia then advanced at de Polo and found the meat of the bat, dispatching a quicker leg-spinner into the stands. Four off eight. The next ball Lovia completely missed and must have flicked the off-stump, but the bails remained stable. With one ball left in the penultimate over, Lovia prodded the ball into the leg-side and set off for two, but failed to ground the bat behind the popping crease in the heat of the moment, two easy runs shortened to one. But the damage was nearly done - Ronald Taylor was faced with a very tough task. Could he get the wicket to win his side the game, or would Ross Amitt get the three runs required for victory?

Neither of those two occurred. The first ball of the over was a slower bouncer, but Amitt was up to it, swatting it back over Taylor’s head for two to tie the scores. Then, knowing that the next ball was do or die, the Ko-orenite fired in a quick yorker with all his might, praying that Amitt would not have the reflexes to deal with it.

The prayers worked, Amitt jamming down on the ball a fraction too late as it slid under his bat and into the pegs. The match was tied, and a Super Over beckoned. Who would hold their nerve the longest?

For Dodle, Samuel Petersen and Nicholas Lovia opened the innings, the captain taking strike against death-over specialist Taylor. He lived up to his name with two dot balls off the first two balls before Petersen cut a slower ball behind point for a boundary to open the scoring. He then scampered a two and a single, before excellent fielding saved two runs off the final ball of the over, the hosts finishing their Super Over at 0-9. It seemed like a small total, but in the heat of the moment, it was not one to be underestimated.

Blaine Risewell opened the Devils’ Super Over innings with Taylor, the former taking strike after his astonishing knock earlier in the evening. But he was only able to ascertain a single off the first ball before Taylor played and missed at the next. He somewhat redeemed himself with a two the next ball, before handing the strike back over the Risewell with two balls remaining and six runs required for victory. However, the 27-year-old could not connect with Samuel Petersen’s penultimate delivery, the crowd going wild, for each and every one of them knew that a nailed yorker would seal the two points. For six runs were required from one ball, and Risewell’s only option was to hit the ball into the stands.

So when Petersen missed his length by a foot, that was what he did, smashing a wide half-volley over the cover boundary for a maximum as the crowd shut up, becoming so quiet you could hear a pin drop while Cleorough players streamed onto the pitch to hail their Anaian heroes. And rightfully so, too, for the pair in the middle had held their nerve against odds uncounted and a ferocious home crowd, and had stolen a victory from the jaws of defeat.

In other results, Mitchell Stein and Caitlyn Elliott led a brilliant Halpenley run chase against the Dunkirk Rovers, chasing down a target of 153 in just 13.1 overs for the loss of a single wicket, Stein hitting an unbeaten 81 from 60 balls and Elliott 57 from 25. Over in Avondale, the Betham Dogs confirmed their status as favourites, their batters shining as they racked up a final total of 6-201 in a grand final rematch from last year, eventually emerging victorious with a 21-run win. And the Chamberley Giants once again failed to click, the Pesfield Wasps dismissing them for a measly 139 before chasing the target down with four wickets to spare, Samuel Scron and Luke Tiati the heroes with 3-17 and 54 respectively.

Matchday Three

Halpenley Lightning vs Pesfield Wasps @ Wagham Stadium, Conton

Pesfield Wasps - 6/158 (20)
C McCrory 49 (40)			L Codrington 3/33 (4)
G Umbridge 31 (26)			C Darkcape 2/22 (4)

Halpenley Lightning - 3/159 (15.1)
C Elliott 78 (41)			A Huntingfield 2/42 (4)
J Martin 32* (14)			J Tyrkkekkekklukkekklukekk 1/28 (3.1)

Player of the match: Caitlyn Elliott
Halpenley Lightning win by seven wickets with 29 balls remaining

Cleorough Devils vs Dunkirk Rovers @ Greenhill Oval, Kirton

Dunkirk Rovers - 5/189 (20)
S Asaskia 63* (28)			J de Polo 2/33 (4)
C Chinama 52 (31)			R Taylor 1/33 (4)

Cleorough Devils - 4/193 (19.5)
R Taylor 78* (37)			M Poci 2/47 (4)
T Monnier 54 (28)			H Tumcoweiss 1/25 (3)

Player of the match: Ronald Taylor
Cleorough Devils win by six wickets with one ball remaining

Betham Dogs vs Scorching Hot Dodle @ Flush Park, Kirkham

Betham Dogs - 5/168 (20)
C Anderson 62* (47)			S Petersen 2/39 (4)
H Cranston 34 (25)			P Tripathi 1/25 (4)

Scorching Hot Dodle - 5/156 (20)
B Eastwood 92* (58)			S Clapiope 3/32 (4)
N Lovia 24 (14)				P Robinson 1/15 (3)

Player of the match: Brianna Eastwood
Betham Dogs win by 12 runs

Chamberley Giants vs Avondale Knights @ Freeman Oval, Freeman

Chamberley Giants - 4/186 (20)
S Monteane 81 (48)			L Bodenweiser 1/5 (2)
L Afosha 36* (23)			J Vilesti 1/28 (4)

Avondale Knights - 7/138 (20)
M Scovell 59 (49)			T Mankira 2/12 (4)
Y Ubuni 46 (37)				B Hall 2/18 (4)

Player of the match: Simon Monteane
Chamberley Giants win by 48 runs

Things are simply going from bad to worse for the defending champions, the Avondale Knights. After losses to the Cleorough Devils and Betham Dogs, this match against the also winless Chamberley Giants was seen as pivotal for both clubs, but in the end, it was the hosts who would turn up the better side. At the Giants’ secondary ground in Freeman, the Knights won the toss and sent their opposition in and for the first twelve overs of the match, that decision seemed like an excellent one, Chamberley slipping to 3-74 after misfires from Lachlan Edwards, Lachlan Cocrine and Steven Dickson. But Simon Monteane was still there and closing in on fifty and with Liam Afosha, the pair upped the run-rate with lusty blows and excellent running between the wickets. Monteane was eventually dismissed in the 16th over for 81, but that only brought Chamberley captain Dewayne Goolsby to the crease, who smashed an unbeaten 33 from just 14 balls to help guide his side to a strong total of 4-186, including a massive 112 runs from the final eight overs. In response, the Knights got off to a good start with an opening partnership of 79 from 63 balls but once Yash Ubuni was dismissed for 46, the Avondale middle-order collapsed, the next highest score in the lineup being Richard Bremner’s five, while Moses Scovell (59) hung around for a while longer to maintain a glimmer of hope. But the Chamberley bowling was disciplined, Talvin Mankira leading from the front with 2-12 from four overs, while spinners Broughton Hall and Oscar Bowles also picked up two apiece, conceding 18 and 22 runs respectively. Avondale’s final total was a rather meek 7-138, falling 48 runs short of the target set by the Giants as they slumped to the bottom of the table. This was not the start the reigning champions were after.

Meanwhile, at the other end of the spectrum, the Betham Dogs were on a rampage. After convincingly beating both the Chamberley Giants and Betham Dogs batting first, Edward Cunningham did not hesitate when the coin fell his way in Kirkham and fifteen minutes later, he and Sean Lake were walking out, prepared to face the music the Dodle bowlers would provide them with. However, it was not either of them and instead Chloe Anderson who held the innings together, hitting an unbeaten 62 after Lake and Quebecois teenager Wanda Hosaka both fell cheaply. She was ably supported by her captain, who batted through the majority of the opening half of the innings for his 31, while Holly Cranston also provided some useful support with a 25-ball 34 before Shaun Clapiope finished the innings with a quickfire 19, the Dogs finishing with an above-par 5-168. Then, as they had in their other games, the Betham bowlers then squeezed, frustrating the Dodle batters with economical lines and lengths. As it had last season, the sheer amount of spin the Dogs used worked in their favour, although it was Shaun Clapiope who provided the most damage with figures of 3-32. Only Brianna Eastwood, though, looked comfortable, batting through the innings for an unbeaten 92, providing a late flurry of runs when all seemed hopeless at 5-80 in the 13th over. The eventual margin of victory for the Dogs was 12 runs, but everyone knew that it could have been much, much more if it weren’t for Eastwood’s heroics.

Keeping pace with the Dogs at the head of the table were the Cleorough Devils, who emerged victorious in another thriller thanks to a blistering innings by Ronald Taylor. Batting first, the Dunkirk Rovers found themselves in a fair bit of trouble at 5-98 in the 14th over, a collapse of 4-38 over six overs halting the momentum Chinwuebo Chinama and Maida Mcleroy were building. Chinama’s dismissal in the 13th over for 52 seemed like a pivotal moment in the match, the Avoragan caught out of his ground by a lightning throw from Blaine Risewell. But as a matter of fact, the Rovers were only getting started, Samuel Asaskia and H Tumcoweiss proceeding to belt the home bowlers all around Greenhill Oval, their partnership worth a mammoth 91 runs from just 40 rocks. Asaskia was the primary destroyer, his 63 coming from just 28 balls, while Tumcoweiss hit his 28 at a strike rate of 200. Dunkirk finished with 5-189, the second-highest score this Crash n’ Smash, and a score that would be very difficult to chase. That fact, though, did not faze the Cleorough openers, who combined for a 72-run opening partnership in just 7.3 overs before Milan Poci had Taylah Monnier stumped for a 27-ball 54. Aiden Tasso fell soon after, but that only brought Ronald Taylor to the crease, who immediately appeared right at home. Soon after the ten-over mark, the Ko-orenite passed Daniel Fomleya’s run tally, the Cleorough captain holding the innings together at one end while his partners took the bowling on. By the time Poci eventually got him for 42, it was the end of the 17th and Taylor was past fifty, the Devils needing 29 runs from the final three overs. Taylor ensured that that would not be an issue, completing the job with a boundary off the penultimate ball to keep pace with the Betham Dogs, moving onto six points, while the Rovers had to be satisfied with hanging down near the bottom following a second consecutive defeat.

We’ve had three very engaging matches that have all been important in their own special ways, but unfortunately, the final match this round was a bit of a non-event. Batting first, the Pesfield Wasps encountered consistent issues against the Halpenley Lightning’s seamers, Charles McCrory top-scoring against his former club before Seth Halliday dismissed him for 49. Chasing 6-158 for victory, Caitlyn Elliott ensured that two points would not be an issue, smashing her second half-century in a row, this time hitting a 41-ball 78 to take out the player of the match award, the hosts passing Pesfield’s total with 29 balls remaining and seven wickets remaining in the sheds.

Matchday Four

Pesfield Wasps vs Avondale Knights @ Chilseamers Park, Chilseamers

Avondale Knights - 3/253 (20)
Y Ubuni 127* (56)			S Irvine 3/42 (4)
M Scovell 89 (50)			K Newman 0/15 (1)

Pesfield Wasps - 176 (19.2)
G Umbridge 53 (35)			E Samuel 2/23 (4)
J Tyrkkekkekklukkekklukekk 32 (15)	M Marshall 2/34 (4)

Player of the match: Yash Ubuni
Avondale Knights win by 77 runs

Scorching Hot Dodle vs Chamberley Giants @ Nordic Stadium, Oslolihul

Chamberley Giants - 3/184 (20)
S Monteane 60 (47)			B Eastwood 1/17 (2)
L Cocrine 59* (33)			O Lovia 1/28 (4)

Scorching Hot Dodle - 7/162 (20)
C Demoncast 56 (37)			D Goolsby 4/26 (4)
D Reddy 53 (37)				B Hall 1/31 (4)

Player of the match: Dewayne Goolsby
Chamberley Giants win by 22 runs

Dunkirk Rovers vs Betham Dogs @ Coastline Showground, Garretty

Betham Dogs - 6/210 (20)
W Hosaka 55 (27)			S Asaskia 2/39 (4)
C Anderson 41 (29)			H Tumcoweiss 2/43 (4)

Dunkirk Rovers - 8/183 (20)
C Alkina 76 (53)			P Robinson 3/33 (4)
C Chinama 47 (27)			L yChallril 2/38 (4)

Player of the match: Wanda Hosaka
Betham Dogs win by 27 runs

Halpenley Lightning vs Cleorough Devils @ Aerorum Oval, Brethonenil

Cleorough Devils - 7/173 (20)
B Westleford 63 (45)			G Haines 3/20 (4)
T Monnier 35 (20)			L Codrington 2/43 (4)

Halpenley Lightning - 5/174 (17.2)
M Stein 59 (41)				N Norwell 2/38 (4)
C Elliott 36 (17)			B Risewell 1/15 (1.2)

Player of the match: Georgia Haines
Halpenley Lightning win by five wickets with 16 balls remaining[

A humongous opening stand between Yash Ubuni and Moses Scovell has finally gotten the Avondale Knights’ season going on their fourth attempt. Batting first in Chilseamers, the Avondale pair put on a record 200 in just 91 balls, smashing each and every bowler that came their way to all parts of Chilseamers Park, much to the horror of the home Pesfield supporters. Eventually, Sharron Irvine picked up Scovell for 89 and the out-of-form Caitlyn Freehill for a golden duck in consecutive balls, but the damage was already done, for Ubuni had already brought up an astonishing century and overs were still remaining. The Avondale keeper-batter finished with an unbeaten 127 from just 56 balls by the time the innings was up, belting a ridiculous fourteen sixes, another Crash n’ Smash record as the Knights equalled the Devils for the highest ever total in the league, recording a massive 3-253 from their 20 overs, Bollonischian leg-spinner Sharron Irvine taking all three wickets. In response, the Wasps never appeared in the hunt, the Avondale bowlers backing up their batters’ otherworldly performance adequately, Pesfield losing their final wicket in the ultimate over of the innings, the score still only 176. Only Gary Umbridge hung around at the crease for an extended period of time, hitting a 35-ball 53, but no one else passed 35 as the Wasps slumped to the toe of the Crash n’ Smash table.

At the opposite end, the Betham Dogs have separated themselves from the rest with a 27-run victory over the Dunkirk Rovers, moving clear in first place thanks to Halpenley’s win over Cleorough in Brethonenil. On an unusually decent batting pitch at the Aerorum Oval, the Devils were able to compile a strong total of 173 on the back of Brock Westleford’s 63, Georgia Haines doing the majority of the damage with the ball, boasting figures of 3-20 from four overs. But the Lightning once again knocked off a decent total with overs to spare, Caitlyn Elliott kicking the innings off with a 17-ball 36 and from there, the victory never really seemed in doubt. It was Halpenley’s third commanding run chase in a row following their opening loss to Dodle as they asserted themselves as a force to be reckoned with.

Meanwhile, Betham’s victory came on the back of Quebecois teenager Wanda Hosaka, who finally broke the shackles in her fourth game, smashing 55 from just 27 balls to lead her side to a first-innings total of 6-210 and eventually ascertain the player of the match award. In response, Connor Alkina and Chinwuebo Chinama kicked off the Dunkirk innings with a 95-run partnership in 59 balls to keep the hosts in the game, but 210 would prove to be too large of a target, overseas spinners Peter Robinson and Lasrewll yChallril picking up key wickets to restrict the Rovers to 8-183, the Dogs keeping their winning streak alive with a 27-run win.

Elsewhere, the Chamberley Giants have strung together their second victory in a row this season, holding Scorching Hot Dodle 22 runs shy of their target due to a disciplined all-round performance. Simon Monteane and Xander Forsheish led the way with a commanding 97-run opening partnership before Lachlan Cocrine stole the show, smashing an unbeaten 59 from just 33 balls to propel the franchise to what proved to be an unassailable total of 3-184. Although half-centuries to Catbug Demoncast and Dharmendra Reddy gave the home Oslolihul crowd something to cheer about, Giant captain Dewayne Goolsby stole the show with an excellent bowling performance that produced a richly deserved four-wicket haul, playing his part in helping his club to an integral 22-run victory, even pipping teammate Lachlan Cocrine for the player of the match award.

Matchday Five

Cleorough Devils vs Pesfield Wasps @ Greenhill Oval, Kirton

Pesfield Wasps - 9/185 (20)
G Umbridge 46 (28)			Z Effervescentpyjamas 3/35 (4)
C McCrory 40 (29)			K Sonnel 2/30 (4)

Cleorough Devils - 3/186 (16.4)
A Tasso 74* (43)			S Irvine 2/31 (3)
R Taylor 45* (18)			S Scron 1/39 (3)

Player of the match: Aiden Tasso
Cleorough Devils win by seven wickets with 20 balls remaining

Betham Dogs vs Halpenley Lightning @ Flush Park, Kirkham

Halpenley Lightning - 7/157 (20)
R Hale 61 (43)				H Cranston 2/17 (4)
M Stein 31 (24)				E Hillock 2/37 (4)

Betham Dogs - 4/161 (17.3)
S Lake 39 (19)				S Cross 2/14 (3)
E Cunningham 35 (38)			J Martin 1/23 (1.3)

Player of the match: Holly Cranston
Betham Dogs win by six wickets with 15 balls remaining

Chamberley Giants vs Dunkirk Rovers @ Freeman Oval, Freeman

Chamberley Giants - 5/175 (20)
S Monteane 109 (68)			S Asaskia 3/27 (4)
X Forsheish 24 (10)			N Pistecial 1/27 (4)

Dunkirk Rovers - 9/157 (20)
M Mcleroy 44 (30)			D Goolsby 4/24 (4)
P Lenton 34 (24)			T Mankira 3/34 (4)

Player of the match: Simon Monteane
Chamberley Giants win by 18 runs

Avondale Knights vs Scorching Hot Dodle @ Town Oval, Hageling

Scorching Hot Dodle - 6/178 (20)
B Eastwood 41 (29)			E Samuel 2/31 (4)
C Demoncast 39 (18)			M Scovell 1/5 (1)

Avondale Knights - 6/179 (20)
Y Ubuni 51 (28)				R Amitt 1/32 (4)
C Freehill 47 (32)			A Hackett 1/34 (4)

Player of the match: Yash Ubuni
Avondale Knights win by four wickets with zero balls remaining

Yeah, Betham have serious intentions this season. In case it wasn’t obvious, that is. Before today, many argued that the Halpenley Lightning, on a win streak of three games, would be the Dogs’ toughest match yet but like all of their other opponents, the Lightning were knocked off in the blink of an eye. Holly Cranston, eventual player of the match, returned figures of 2-17 from four challenging overs to help restrict the visitors to 7-157 after being sent in, keeping half-centurion Roderick Hale in check and not allowing him to take the game away from the Dogs. A blistering 39 from 19 balls from Sean Lake set the tone for the chase, before Edward Cunningham (35 from 38), Cranston (34 not out from 17) and Oliver Edwards (24 not out from 13) ensured a Betham victory by six wickets in the antepenultimate over, the Dogs still yet to drop points after five matches.

But over in Kirton, the Cleorough Devils kept themselves within a win’s reach of the Dogs, keeping the Pesfield Wasps down in eighth spot with a jaw-dropping run chase. Batting first, Pesfield looked set for a 200-plus total at 2-115 at the end of the twelfth over, but some excellent death bowling from Zefixaq Effervescentpyjamas and Ronald Taylor restricted the visitors to 9-185, setting up a tough but manageable chase for the Devils. But Aiden Tasso, Jana Hatfield and Ronald Taylor disagreed, the three doing the bulk of the work after both openers misfired. Tasso top-scored with an unbeaten 74, combining with Hatfield for an 86-run partnership for the third wicket to place their franchise in the box seat. Hatfield’s dismissal for 39 provided the Wasps with a chance to re-enter the match, but Taylor had other ideas, raining boundaries in an insane, 18-ball 45 to seal triumph with 20 balls still remaining. Once again, the Pesfield bowlers were simply not up to the task and things needed to be sorted out in that department. Quickly.

While the Dogs and Devils continued to wrestle each other for that esteemed first place, Avondale and Dodle played out a thriller in Hageling, the Knights eventually emerging on top on the very final ball of the match. Batting first, Scorching Hot Dodle steadily accumulated runs throughout the innings, but the Avondale bowlers contained them towards the back end, no Scorcher really getting away and doing their part in putting a 180-plus score on the board. The Scorchers did come close, though, eventually finishing with 6-178 and setting the Knights with a tricky target if they wanted to record their second victory of the season. Yash Ubuni got the innings off to a good start with a 28-ball 51 before Caitlyn Freehill took over the reins with a controlled 47. Yet, by the time Panu Tripathi had her caught on the boundary on the fourth ball of the fifteenth over, fifty runs were still required for victory. Kieran Force’s dismissal in the eighteenth over did not help matters, but Fergus Stanton and Sophia Locke kept calm under pressure, reducing the margin to two runs from three balls before Locke was fooled by a Samuel Petersen slower-ball. A pair of singles to Malcolm Marshall and Stanton, though, sealed the Knights a crucial two points as Dodle slumped back down towards the bottom of the table following a promising start to their campaign.

Also making their way up the Crash n’ Smash table are the Chamberley Giants, who made it three wins from three with a clinical, 18-run triumph over the Dunkirk Rovers. After being sent in for the first dig, Simon Monteane capitalised on his excellent form, smashing his first century of the season, as well as his third score of sixty or more in a row to move atop the run-scorer list. His 68-ball 109 was pivotal in the Giants reaching an ominous 5-175 from their twenty overs, a target which eventually proved to be too hot for the Rovers to handle. Dewayne Goolsby once again proved a handful with the ball in hand, becoming just the second player to take two four-wicket hauls in consecutive matches in the tournament, picking up figures of 4-24 to back up his 4-26 against Scorching Hot Dodle just a few days back. The other Grearish in the game, Dunkirk batter Maida Mcleroy, returned to form with a crisp 44 from 30 balls, but was unfortunately unable to go on with it as Dunkirk slipped to 9-157 to lose their fourth match on the trot and drop into the bottom two. Only the Pesfield Wasps’ terrible net run-rate kept the Rovers out of the wooden spoon position and with a squad of the calibre the Wasps boast, you can be assured that they will not be remaining there for much longer.

Matchday Six

Pesfield Wasps vs Scorching Hot Dodle @ Bolton Oval, Pesfield

Pesfield Wasps - 7/184 (20)
J Tyrkkekkekklukkekklukekk 90 (36)	S Petersen 2/35 (4)
K Newman 39 (35)			O Lovia 1/35 (4)

Scorching Hot Dodle - 6/163 (20)
C Demoncast 99* (57)			T Strand 4/21 (4)
B Eastwood 22 (20)			K Newman 1/10 (2)

Player of the match: Jett Tyrkkekkekklukkekklukekk
Pesfield Wasps win by 21 runs

Dunkirk Rovers vs Avondale Knights @ Jameson Oval, Dunkirk

Avondale Knights - 6/185 (20)
M Scovell 62 (43)			N Pistecial 2/8 (4)
C Freehill 36 (25)			M Poci 2/22 (3)

Dunkirk Rovers - 8/131 (20)
S Asaskia 33 (21)			F Stanton 4/20 (4)
P Longlege 30 (32)			J Vilesti 2/27 (4)

Player of the match: Fergus Stanton
Avondale Knights win by 54 runs

Halpenley Lightning vs Chamberley Giants @ Halpenley City Oval, Halpenley

Chamberley Giants - 7/195 (20)
L Cocrine 86 (51)			C Darkcape 2/27 (4)
X Forsheish 46 (25)			S Cross 2/35 (4)

Halpenley Lightning - 9/181 (20)
C Cunnings 37 (27)			D Goolsby 3/30 (4)
R Hale 31 (13)				O Bowles 1/13 (2)

Player of the match: Lachlan Cocrine
Chamberley Giants win by 14 runs

Cleorough Devils vs Betham Dogs @ Cleorough Stadium, Cleorough

Betham Dogs - 4/182 (20)
S Lake 54 (32)				B Risewell 1/16 (2)
W Hosaka 46* (30)			Z Effervescentpyjamas 1/31 (4)

Cleorough Devils - 6/183 (19.5)
D Fomleya 58 (30)			L yChallril 2/40 (3.5)
B Westleford 39* (29)			E Hillock 2/55 (4)

Player of the match: Daniel Fomleya
Cleorough Devils win by four wickets with one ball remaining

After all, it can be done. Betham can be beaten. The Cleorough Devils have solved the puzzle on the back of an excellent batting performance, most prominently from openers Daniel Fomleya and Taylah Monnier, backed up by Brock Westleford’s calm head at the death. However, a Cleorough victory did not always appear likely. Edward Cunningham won the toss and elected to bat first, like always, and also like always, himself, Sean Lake and Wanda Hosaka contributed greatly to putting an imposing 4-182 on the board - the sort of score that the Dogs had defended so well all season.

But tonight was different. Instead of the Betham bowlers taking wickets and squeezing their opponents within the six-over powerplay, Daniel Fomleya and Taylah Monnier came out of the blocks flying. Fomleya signalled his intentions in the very first over of the match, smashing Edward Hillock for 21 to set the tone of his innings. 65 runs were scored during the six-over powerplay, Fomleya completing the bulk of the heavy lifting and racing into the forties. By the time Cunningham built up the guts to re-introduce Hillock into the attack, Cleorough were 0-85 in the eighth over and things were unravelling fast for the Bethamites.

How the Dogs managed to get themselves back into the game from there is a mystery no one knows the answer to.

It began with Edward Hillock. In the ninth over of the innings, he dismissed both Fomleya for 58 and Monnier for 28, before Holly Cranston dismissed the dangerous Aiden Tasso two overs later to completely turn the match on its head, the Dogs now slightly behind the required run-rate at 3-98 with nine overs remaining. Brock Westleford and Jana Hatfield settled things, but neither was able to up the tempo as the Devils fell further and further behind the eight-ball. By the time Lasrewll yChallril dismissed Hatfield for nine, 60 runs were still required from only 33 balls.

Cleorough’s only saving grace would be Ronald Taylor, the man walking to the crease to replace the South Newlandian.

He did his job, too. By the time fellow Ko-orenite yChallril sent the ex-Betham left-hander on his way, the required runs had been greatly reduced, 29 now required from 16 balls. It was the exact kind of chase Blaine Risewell, the incoming Devil batter, was so superb at executing.

But he did not fire tonight, departing in the following over for three to leave Westleford and the tail to chase the remaining twenty runs required from nine balls.

It seemed to be a step too far.

Or was it?

Five runs - two twos and a single - were scored off the remaining three balls of the over, Juan de Polo taking strike for the final over, to be delivered by yChallril. He began well, as de Polo swung and missed at the first ball, silencing the local crowd. But they were on their feet following the next ball, it having slipped out of yChallril’s fingers and coming through to the batter at chest height. De Polo did not show mercy, the 28-year-old smashing it to the boundary. Ten were now required from five balls, and the next one would be a free hit.

De Polo could only get the quicker yorker away for a single, leaving Westleford on strike for the final four balls. But even though he’d now been out there for the majority of the chase, yChallril’s wrong’un was too good for him, a dot ball vitally recorded to leave nine runs required from three.

The antepenultimate delivery, though, was right in the slot and Westleford did not need asking twice, slogging it over mid-wicket’s head for a maximum to send the crowd into raptures. Three were now required from two balls, and the pendulum had swung back in the favour of the hosts.

A leg-side wide reduced the target to two from two, but Westleford was not in a mood for messing around, running hard for a two to bring his franchise home with a ball to spare. The victory brought the Devils level on points with their opponents, but was not enough to pip them on net run-rate for first place. But they’d done the impossible, and defeated the side that was thought to be undefeatable.

Anything was possible now.

Like the Halpenley Lightning actually failing in a run chase.

And Pesfield winning a game.

Matchday Seven

Betham Dogs vs Pesfield Wasps @ Betham Cricket Ground, Betham

Betham Dogs - 124 (19.1)
H Cranston 31 (27)			S Irvine 2/20 (4)
S Clapiope 27 (18)			S Scron 2/20 (4)

Pesfield Wasps - 7/126 (13.4)
C McCrory 50 (19)			E Hillock 3/26 (3)
P Shotenham 29* (20)			P Robinson 1/16 (2)

Player of the match: Charles McCrory
Pesfield Wasps win by three wickets with 38 balls remaining

Chamberley Giants vs Cleorough Devils @ Chamberley Cricket Ground, Chamberley

Chamberley Giants - 3/222 (20)
S Monteane 158* (73)			Z Effervescentpyjamas 1/38 (4)
L Cocrine 20 (20)			K Sonnel 1/40 (4)

Cleorough Devils - 6/162 (20)
A Tasso 71* (47)			L Afosha 2/20 (2)
B Risewell 31 (20)			B Hall 2/22 (4)

Player of the match: Simon Monteane
Chamberley Giants win by 60 runs

Avondale Knights vs Halpenley Lightning @ Capital Stadium, Avondale

Avondale Knights - 6/190 (20)
R Bremner 48 (29)			S Halliday 2/31 (4)
M Scovell 39 (22)			C Darkcape 2/42 (4)

Halpenley Lightning - 7/190 (20)
C Elliott 48 (36)			M Marshall 3/23 (3)
J Martin 46 (18)			J Vilesti 1/31 (4)

Halpenley Lightning - 0/9 (1)
C Elliott 6* (3)			E Samuel 0/9 (1)

Avondale Knights - 2/4 (0.4)
R Bremner 4 (2)				S Cross 2/4 (0.4)

Player of the match: Samuel Cross
Halpenley Lightning win on Super Over

Scorching Hot Dodle vs Dunkirk Rovers @ Dodle Furnace, Dodle

Dunkirk Rovers - 4/179 (20)
C Alkina 53 (35)			S Petersen 2/50 (4)
H Tumcoweiss 34* (14)			P Tripathi 1/21 (3)

Scorching Hot Dodle - 6/165 (20)
Z Charlton 59* (36)			H Tumcoweiss 2/30 (4)
D Reddy 29 (29)				J McMillan 2/36 (3)

Player of the match: Hraffinthroquadilamjamhampamsamtamrambamattawakkipurrheliomansthophthanes Tumcoweiss
Dunkirk Rovers win by 14 runs

To round out the first half of the tournament, we have had a thrilling set of matches that have left us scratching our heads about where the hell to start. Records were broken, we had our second tied game of the season and perhaps most surprisingly of all, the Betham Dogs are no longer in first place.

Yes, you’ve read that correctly. The Dogs have been toppled from their throne.

But how?

Well, it involved two things occurring - the Dogs losing convincingly to the Pesfield Wasps and the Chamberley Giants slaughtering the Cleorough Devils. After winning the toss and electing to bat for the umpteenth time this season, no Dog batter could get their innings going, the Wasps taking regular wickets and never letting their foot off the hosts’ throat. They bowled so well that Betham could not even bat out their twenty overs, only cobbling together 124 before Thomas Strand dismissed Edward Hillock on the first ball of the twentieth over. With only 125 required for two points, Charles McCrory decided to get the job done in a quick fashion, scoring one of the quickest half-centuries in Crash n’ Smash history, taking only 17 balls to bring up the milestone. However, when he was dismissed in the sixth over with the score 71, things quickly fell apart, the Wasps losing 5-17 to give the Dogs a sniff at victory. However, Patrick Shotenham quashed that with a calm, unbeaten 29 to guide Pesfield home by three wickets with 38 balls still remaining, giving themselves a much-needed boost to their net run rate.

But it’s the Chamberley-Cleorough game that we really want to talk about, thanks to the efforts of Simon Monteane for the home team. Having been sent in to bat first, the 27-year-old made Daniel Fomleya regret his decision with a blistering 158, recording the highest-ever score in the history of the tournament as the Giants clocked up a mammoth 3-222. In response, the Cleorough Devils could only muster 6-162 despite Aiden Tasso’s 47-ball 71, their net run rate taking a significant hit as a result of the eventual 60-run loss. But for the Chamberley Giants, this win was a massive boost as they jumped the Dogs for first place with their fifth victory in a row - a stark contrast from last year, where they struggled to string two wins together. How long could they continue this momentum, though?

But we’ll leave that thought there, for there are other pressing matters to discuss.

As for the second time this season, a Super Over has been required.

With seven runs to win and one ball remaining, two points was, for now, out of Ashton Stealom’s reach. Earlier in the game, Richard Bremner’s return to form was critical in the Avondale Knights compiling a commanding total of 190, but an opening partnership of 95 from 64 balls meant that the Halpenley Lightning were never out of the match. However, a mini-collapse of 4-32 inside 26 balls put the ball firmly in the Knights’ court, before Jack Martin shifted the momentum with a startling 46 from just 18 balls, meaning that with 13 balls remaining, Halpenley would only need sixteen runs. But seven dot balls in a row - including the wickets of Martin and Seth Halliday - followed, meaning that the same total would be required off the final over. Joshua Vilesti’s first ball was a wide, but he nailed the second one, his yorker falling just inside the wide line. Dot ball. Two twos to Stealom followed, before the keeper-batter flicked an attempted yorker over short fine-leg to the boundary to leave the visitors needing seven runs from two balls to take out an unlikely victory. But Vilesti held his nerve with an excellent yorker, putting victory out of Stealom’s reach… for now.

Yet, he kept the game alive and sent the Halpenley half of the stadium into raptures, sending Vilesti’s final ball into the stands to tie the match, setting it up for the second Super Over of the season. Fifteen minutes later, Stealom once again found himself in the middle of Capital Stadium with Caitlyn Elliott, the latter facing Emmie Samuel as the two franchises locked horns in the one-over playoff. The teenaged Elliott cracked the first ball back over the Grearishman’s head for a boundary, but the pair could not muster another boundary as Samuel rounded out the over well conceding just the nine. He’d done his job - could the Avondale batters do theirs?

No. Richard Bremner sent the opening ball of Samuel Cross’ over to the fence, sending the home crowd into raptures, but that would be the hosts’ only highlight. The very next ball, Bremner attempted to seal the deal with a lusty swing, but did not connect and was bowled. New batter Sophie Locke played and missed at the third ball of the over, before skying the fourth, sending it down Seth Halliday’s throat. For the first time in Crash n’ Smash history, two wickets had fallen inside the Super Over and the Knights had blown their big chance to jump into the top four. Still, they were able to ascertain themselves a point from the fixture, moving clear of the Pesfield Wasps to take the final playoff spot. For now.

Current Table

* Crash n' Smash          Pld   W  T  L   NRR   Pts
1 Chamberley Giants         7   5  0  2  +0.783  10
2 Betham Dogs               7   5  0  2  +0.443  10
3 Cleorough Devils          7   5  0  2  -0.239  10
4 Halpenley Lighting        7   4  0  3  +0.617  8
5 Avondale Knights          7   3  1  3  +0.359  7
6 Pesfield Wasps            7   3  0  4  -0.717  6
7 Dunkirk Rovers            7   2  0  5  -0.826  4
8 Scorching Hot Dodle       7   1  1  5  -0.429  3

by **Sylestone** » Tue Jun 07, 2022 3:56 am

CRASH N’ SMASH

Season Five

Matchday Eight

Pesfield Wasps vs Dunkirk Rovers @ Bolton Oval, Pesfield

Dunkirk Rovers - 6/152 (20)
P Longlege 41 (33)			S Scron 2/30 (4)
H Tumcoweiss 36* (17)			J Tyrkkekkekklukkekklukekk 2/31 (4)

Pesfield Wasps - 6/154 (17.1)
J Tyrkkekkekkekklukkekklukekk 43* (25)	S Asaskia 2/34 (3.2)
G Umbridge 29 (18)			J McMillan 2/30 (3)

Player of the match: Jett Tyrkkekkekklukkekklukekk
Pesfield Wasps win by four wickets with 17 balls remaining

Scorching Hot Dodle vs Halpenley Lightning @ Dodle Furnace, Dodle

Scorching Hot Dodle - 4/195 (20)
N Lovia 69 (36)				G Haines 2/32 (4)
B Eastwood 56 (44)			C Darkcape 1/41 (4)

Halpenley Lightning - 6/139 (20)
J Martin 38 (27)			S Petersen 3/28 (4)
R Hale 38 (38)				A Hackett 2/20 (4)

Player of the match: Nicholas Lovia
Scorching Hot Dodle win by 56 runs

Avondale Knights vs Cleorough Devils @ Capital Stadium, Avondale

Avondale Knights - 6/231 (20)
R Bremner 83 (47)			Z Effervescentpyjamas 2/40 (4)
S Locke 46* (15)			D Fomleya 1/15 (1)

Cleorough Devils - 8/184 (20)
J Hatfield 78 (46)			L Bodenweiser 3/30 (4)
R Taylor 33 (27)			C Freehill 1/14 (2)

Player of the match: Richard Bremner
Avondale Knights win by 47 runs

Chamberley Giants vs Betham Dogs @ Chamberley Cricket Ground, Chamberley

Betham Dogs - 3/188 (20)
C Anderson 65* (29)			B Hall 1/9 (4)
W Hosaka 45 (27)			L Njata 1/27 (4)

Chamberley Giants - 2/192 (18.4)
L Cocrine 89* (45)			P Robinson 1/26 (4)
S Monteane 43 (29)			E Hillock 1/47 (3.4)

Player of the match: Lachlan Cocrine
Chamberley Giants win by eight wickets with eight balls remaining

A clinical performance from Chamberley’s top-order has seen them nail down first place, asserting themselves in that position in a top-of-the-table clash against the Betham Dogs. Despite the visiting Bethamites putting on a display after electing to bat first, Chloe Anderson and Wanda Hosaka especially impressive with 65 and 45 respectively, it was Lachlan Cocrine who stole the show to the delight of the home crowd. Ironically, though, many believed it was Broughton Hall’s figures of 1-9 from four overs that changed the course of the game, the young but experienced mystery spinner opening the bowling for the Giants for the first time all season and reaping the rewards. Conceding only two runs an over in a match where only five wickets and an average of 9.83 runs per over was scored, Cocrine’s unbeaten 89 was the only thing that stopped him from being awarded player of the match in one of the highest run chases of the season. The victory also extended Chamberley’s win streak to six and all but asserted them a position in the finals, but there’s still a whole lot of cricket to play, and anything can happen.

Another form side of the tournament, the Avondale Knights, have extended their run without a loss to five games with their second blistering batting performance this tournament, compiling an astonishing 6-231 on the back of Tumbran Richard Bremner’s 83. The Knights were particularly brutal towards the back end of the innings, Sophia Locke starring with an unbeaten 46 from just 15 balls, including six huge sixes, while Fergus Stanton’s 11-ball 27 was just as entertaining. No bowler was spared during the onslaught, although Zefixaq Effervescentpyjamas continued his stellar campaign, returning the acceptable figures of 2-40 from his four overs. In response, South Newlandian Jana Hatfield recorded herself a new Crash n’ Smash high score with a 46-ball 78, but other than her, no Devil was able to put the Avondale bowlers to the sword for a significant amount of time. If one had, then Cleorough would have certainly made more than their eventual 184, but credit must be given to the bowlers, for they maintained their lines and lengths and fully deserved every bit of their club’s eventual 47-run victory.

Elsewhere, Scorching Hot Dodle have climbed off the bottom of the table with a commanding, 56-run triumph over the Halpenley Lightning, the desert franchise succumbing to their second defeat to the Scorchers. Dodle’s win was fuelled by Nicholas Lovia (69 from 36) and Brianna Eastwood (56 from 44), who both made commanding half-centuries to help their side compile 4-195. Halpenley were never really in the match from then on, Samuel Petersen and Angus Hackett particularly effective, sharing figures of 5-48 from eight overs between them. Dodle’s climb from the wooden-spoon position on the ladder was also the product of a Pesfield win over Dunkirk, the previously-struggling Wasps climbing back into the knockout positions with their third win on the trot. This particular victory was led by Gruenberger all-rounder Jett Tyrkkekkekklukkekklukekk, who returned figures of 2-31 with the ball to play a crucial role in restricting Dunkirk to 6-152, before finishing things off with an unbeaten 43, guiding his side home with 17 balls still remaining.

Matchday Nine

Chamberley Giants vs Pesfield Wasps @ Chamberley Cricket Ground, Chamberley

Chamberley Giants - 6/169 (20)
L Afosha 43 (25)			S Irvine 3/24 (4)
S Dickson 34 (28)			J Tyrkkekkekklukkekklukekk 1/23 (4)

Pesfield Wasps - 4/173 (19.4)
L Tiati 71 (41)				T Mankira 3/47 (4)
C McCrory 36 (27)			O Bowles 1/16 (3)

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

Betham Dogs vs Avondale Knights @ Betham Cricket Ground, Betham

Avondale Knights - 5/136 (20)
K Force 55* (43)			L yChallril 2/18 (4)
C Freehill 19 (19)			H Cranston 1/20 (4)

Betham Dogs - 4/140 (14.3)
E Cunningham 55 (35)			E Samuel 2/24 (2.3)
C Anderson 28 (19)			M Marshall 1/28 (2)

Player of the match: Lasrewll yChallril
Betham Dogs win by six wickets with 33 balls remaining

Cleorough Devils vs Scorching Hot Dodle @ Cleorough Stadium, Cleorough

Scorching Hot Dodle - 6/177 (20)
B Eastwood 95* (61)			J de Polo 1/22 (4)
S Petersen 22 (17)			K Sonnel 1/28 (4)

Cleorough Devils - 5/167 (20)
J Hatfield 53 (31)			S Petersen 2/27 (4)
B Westleford 32 (24)			R Amitt 1/27 (4)

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

Halpenley Lightning vs Dunkirk Rovers @ Halpenley City Oval, Halpenley

Halpenley Lightning - 6/151 (20)
M Stein 75 (52)				M Boyle 2/29 (4)
R Hale 26 (15)				C Chinama 1/11 (2)

Dunkirk Rovers - 2/153 (16.4)
C Chinama 83* (54)			C Elliott 1/18 (2)
M Mcleroy 40 (32)			L Codrington 1/26 (3)

Player of the match: Chinwuebo Chinama
Dunkirk Rovers win by eight wickets with 20 balls remaining

And all of a sudden, boom, the Pesfield Wasps are in third place, only two points off the very top of the table. It’s been a remarkable turnaround from the Suffolk franchise, who, four games back, were down in eighth spot with an atrocious net run rate. Their current form is something to be marvelled at, though, as they extended their win streak to four matches as well as ending the six-game run of victories the Chamberley Giants boasted. Luke Tiati, returning to form with a classy 71, was the main culprit in chasing down the 169 set for victory and despite a couple of middle-order failures, Charles McCrory held the innings together until Jett Tyrkkekkekklukkekklukekk and Jai Babbage recorded the winning runs with two balls to spare.

Chamberley’s loss opened the doorway for the Betham Dogs to jump back on level terms with the Giants, something they did with a clinical thrashing of the Avondale Knights. After the visitors elected to bat first, the Dogs never let them off the hook with tight bowling all the way through the innings, restricting them to 4-62 in the ninth over and never letting them get away after that. Kieran Force’s hard-fought half-century was a sole highlight for the Knights, while Fergus Stanton got completely bogged down with a sluggish 27-ball 19, which certainly didn’t help Avondale’s bid to reach a defendable total. However, the Dogs’ bowlers - in particular, Ko-orenite Lasrewll yChallril - were sublime and did not deserve to concede any more than the 136 the Knights scored. So with a target of 137, Betham set about chasing down the runs in quick time, Edward Cunningham leading the way with a brisk, 35-ball 55. Around him, Sean Lake, Chloe Anderson and Holly Cranston all posted scores of note as the Knights’ bowlers were smashed all around the park, the hosts passing the target for the loss of only four wickets with 33 balls still remaining. Despite Cunningham’s half-century, yChallril was deservedly awarded player of the match, the Ko-orenite’s outstanding 2-18 from four overs adjudged to be more important to Betham’s cause.

While yChallril was pivotal in his club’s victory, fellow Ko-orenite Ronald Taylor was the exact opposite. Chasing 177 against Scorching Hot Dodle, Taylor arrived at the crease with the score 4-125 in the 14th over, meaning 53 runs were required from only 39 balls for a Cleorough victory. Taylor was replacing Jana Hatfield, who had just recorded her second half-century in two matches with a stylish 53, including six fours and a six from 31 balls. But Taylor, despite being the Devils’ designated “finisher”, could not replicate the heroics that had earned him fame across the nation over the past two years, cobbling together a measly 15 from 22 balls, his side falling ten runs short of their target. Brock Westleford and Blaine Risewell did their best around him, but Taylor’s inability to find the middle of the bat essentially handed the Scorchers two points as they dodged a massive blow, allowing Brianna Eastwood’s unbeaten 95 in the first innings not to be in vain.

Down at the tail end of the table, the Dunkirk Rovers also recorded victory alongside Dodle, Avoragan opener Chinwuebo Chinama going on a blitz to see his side safely to two points. In the first innings, Mitchell Stein’s 75 provided a platform for the Halpenley Lightning, but disciplined death bowling ensured that the Lightning would not record any more than 6-151 - a total the Rovers did not have a problem chasing on the back of a 102-run second-wicket partnership between Chinama and Maida Mcleroy en route to an eight-wicket win with twenty balls in hand.

Matchday Ten

Pesfield Wasps vs Halpenley Lightning @ The ‘Tato, Tartantaton

Halpenley Lightning - 8/155 (20)
M Stein 68* (55)			S Scron 3/21 (4)
R Hale 39 (30)				K Newman 3/24 (4)

Pesfield Wasps - 2/157 (15.4)
L Tiati 102* (52)			G Haines 1/46 (4)
Z Arafase 36 (29)			J Martin 0/13 (1)

Player of the match: Luke Tiati
Pesfield Wasps win by eight wickets with 26 balls remaining

Dunkirk Rovers vs Cleorough Devils @ Evergreen Arena, Emacuton

Dunkirk Rovers - 6/183 (20)
C Alkina 97* (55)			R Taylor 3/31 (4)
S Asaskia 36 (24)			N Norwell 2/25 (4)

Cleorough Devils - 5/176 (20)
B Risewell 49* (28)			H Tumcoweiss 2/13 (4)
R Taylor 48* (31)			M Boyle 2/43 (4)

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

Scorching Hot Dodle vs Betham Dogs @ Eastern Sylestone Cricket Ground, Marbury

Betham Dogs - 7/164 (20)
C Anderson 56 (39)			R Amitt 3/26 (4)
W Hosaka 45 (34)			S Petersen 2/28 (4)

Scorching Hot Dodle - 6/168 (18)
D Reddy 103* (56)			C Latour 2/8 (2)
N Lovia 22 (20)				L yChallril 2/40 (4)

Player of the match: Dharmendra Reddy
Scorching Hot Dodle win by four wickets with 12 balls remaining

Avondale Knights vs Chamberley Giants @ Heritage Stadium, Avondale

Chamberley Giants - 8/162 (20)
X Forsheish 39 (32)			F Stanton 4/41 (4)
B Hall 38* (17)				J Vilesti 2/30 (4)

Avondale Knights - 9/132 (20)
Y Ubuni 60 (35)				O Bowles 4/21 (4)
S Locke 12 (8)				B Hall 3/38 (4)

Player of the match: Broughton Hall
Chamberley Giants win by 30 runs

After being downed by the Pesfield Wasps a few days ago, the Chamberley Giants have returned to their winning ways, capitalising on Betham’s loss to Dodle to once again move clear of their competition at the head of the Crash n’ Smash table. On a volatile pitch at the Heritage Stadium in Avondale, the Avondale Knights were on the front foot early, Josh Vilesti dismissing Simon Monteane and Lachlan Cocrine for golden ducks to leave the favourites reeling at 2/0 two balls in. However, Xander Forsheish and the middle-order settled things somewhat, but even so, by the time Broughton Hall found himself walking out to bat at number eight in the 16th over, only 101 runs were on the board. However, Hall, in his best T20 innings of his career, completely changed that with a mind-blowing 38 from 17 balls, making the pitch look like a road when everyone else had played it like a minefield. His cameo was enough to set the Knights a target of 163, trumping Fergus Stanton’s four-wicket haul as the visitors took the advantage into the second half of the match. Despite Yash Ubuni’s quickfire 60, no other Knight was able to get going, the next highest score being Sophia Locke’s twelve. As the batting became increasingly thin and vulnerable as a result of Broughton Hall and Oscar Bowles’s tidy spin bowling, victory became ever more doubtful, Avondale eventually finishing 30 runs short at 9-132.

Betham’s aforementioned loss to Dodle, on the back of an unbeaten century from Dharmendra Reddy, also allowed the Pesfield Wasps to move equal on points with them, the northeastern franchise recording their fifth win in a row. A disciplined bowling performance from the Wasps - in particular Samuel Scron (3-21) and Kaye Newman (3-24) set off a middle-order collapse after Mitchell Stein and Roderick Hale were on the verge of explosion in the 13th over. From 1-105, seven wickets fell in 45 balls for only fifty runs, the Lightning only managing an abysmal 8-155 from their twenty overs. That kind of total was never a problem for the Wasps, who, on the back of a Luke Tiati century, chased the target down in 15.4 overs for the loss of just two wickets.

Meanwhile, Ronald Taylor has come under the pump yet again for his finishing capabilities, the Ko-orenite failing to finish off a tricky job along Blaine Risewell for the Cleorough Devils in Emacuton. However, unlike the relatively straightforward task he was faced with against the Scorchers, this game was firmly in the hands of the Dunkirk Rovers by the time he came to the crease. Earlier in the match, Connor Alkina’s 97 not out led the hosts to a challenging 6-183, before a top-order saw the Devils succumb to 4-73 in the tenth over, leaving the middle- and lower-order to score at over ten an over in order to record victory. Two overs later it became 5-82, leaving the Ko-orenite pair of Taylor and Risewell to score 102 runs from 50 balls. And despite what Cleorough fans and critics may believe, full credit goes to the pair for scoring 95 runs, even reducing the margin to a gettable 20 runs from the final over. Unfortunately for the Devils, though, Miriam Boyle kept her cool, only conceding twelve to play her part in helping her franchise to their second straight win.

Matchday Eleven

Avondale Knights vs Pesfield Wasps @ Town Oval, Hageling

Avondale Knights - 5/173 (20)
M Scovell 62 (42)			J Tyrkkekkekklukkekklukekk 3/26 (4)
C Freehill 62 (43)			T Strand 1/13 (2)

Pesfield Wasps - 3/174 (17.2)
L Tiati 72 (55)				M Marshall 1/22 (3)
G Umbridge 49* (25)			C Freehill 1/28 (3)

Player of the match: Gary Umbridge
Pesfield Wasps win by seven wickets with 16 balls remaining

Chamberley Giants vs Scorching Hot Dodle @ Katham Oval, Katham

Scorching Hot Dodle - 7/130 (20)
C Demoncast 44* (46)			T Mankira 2/14 (3)
B Eastwood 23 (21)			L Njata 2/24 (4)

Chamberley Giants - 6/133 (17)
L Afosha 40* (30)			O Lovia 2/30 (4)
S Monteane 36 (27)			R Amitt 1/18 (3)

Player of the match: Talvin Mankira
Chamberley Giants win by four wickets with 18 balls remaining

Betham Dogs vs Dunkirk Rovers @ Tutham Oval, Tuthambedon

Betham Dogs - 6/152 (20)
W Hosaka 42 (41)			M Boyle 2/24 (4)
O Edwards 38 (30)			N Pistecial 2/39 (4)

Dunkirk Rovers - 4/153 (16)
C Chinama 74* (49)			L yChallril 3/17 (3)
M Mcleroy 34 (21)			E Hillock 1/35 (4)

Player of the match: Chinwuebo Chinama
Dunkirk Rovers win by six wickets with 24 balls remaining

Cleorough Devils vs Halpenley Lightning @ The Showground, Chisbuton

Halpenley Lightning - 5/199 (20)
C Elliott 68 (38)			K Sonnel 5/25 (4)
J Martin 40* (21)			N Norwell 0/33 (4)

Cleorough Devils - 7/200 (20)
A Tasso 94 (53)				S Cross 4/54 (4)
J Hatfield 36 (22)			G Haines 0/21 (4)

Player of the match: Aiden Tasso
Cleorough Devils win by three wickets with zero balls remaining

What on earth is happening to the Betham Dogs? Just a few weeks ago, they were up in the clouds, with five wins from five matches and not putting a single foot wrong. Since then, though, they have fallen out of top spot, having recorded a single win in their last six games. To make matters worse, today’s loss to the Dunkirk Rovers allowed the Pesfield Wasps to jump them, chasing down a tricky target of 174 with overs to spare thanks to Luke Tiati’s 72 and Gary Umbridge’s quickfire 49, helping their franchise to a seven-wicket thrashing of the defending champions. But although Pesfield’s victory with fifteen balls remaining looked like a good old thrashing, the Rovers’ was even more convincing, passing the Dogs’ total of 152 with four overs still left. After winning the toss and electing to bat, disciplined bowling from the visitors made the going tough, Licentian quick Miriam Boyle leading the way with figures of 2-24 from four overs - an excellent return from a death bowler. Wanda Hosaka showed she was capable of building an innings with a steady 42, but other than that and Oliver Edwards’ 38, no one was able to give the innings its needed oomph. Defending 152 was always going to be tough and without Lasrewll yChallril’s 3-17 that halted a middle-order surge, the margin of victory could have been much more drastic. Chinwuebo Chinama, though, stuck to his guns and batted through the innings, finishing with 74 from 49 balls in one of his best T20 innings yet.

Elsewhere, the Dogs’ loss has allowed the Chamberley Giants to strengthen their lead at the head of the table with a clinical, if unconvincing, four-wicket triumph over Dodle in Katham. On a pitch well-known for its volatility, the Scorchers found batting tough right from the get go. At no point did a total beyond 130 look likely, as the Giants took regular wickets to contain Dodle’s batters. 7-130 was the final total, Catbug Demoncast having batted through most of the innings for a painful 44 at a strike rate below 100, while no bowler other than Liam Afosha (0-10) conceded seven runs an over, or more. In response, Simon Monteane played the pitch perfectly, racing to 36 before Osten Lovia had him caught on the long-on boundary. His dismissal left Chamberley at 4-66 in the ninth over, but Liam Afosha’s unbeaten 40 ensured that Dodle would not record an upset victory, the Giants eventually passing the target with three overs remaining.

But while we’ve been discussing what this round has meant for those in the knockout positions, we have had a lower-table thriller that ranks well up there in the best games this season. After being sent in to bat, Caitlyn Elliott produced one of her classic knocks, smashing a 38-ball 68 to get the Halpenley Lightning off to a flier against the Cleorough Devils, helping lead her franchise to an eventual score of 5-199. This score was also boosted by a late slaughter from Jack Martin (40 from 21) and Ashton Stealom (31 from 11), who, between them, scored a massive 59 runs from the final four overs. Interestingly, all five wickets were taken by teenage leg-spinner Kate Sonnel, who returned the splendid figures of 5-25 from her allocated overs.

On pretty much any day in any game, a first-innings total of 199 is unchaseable. But the Cleorough Devils disagreed with that and set about chasing it down with serious intent. Despite the early wicket of Daniel Fomleya, Aiden Tasso appeared set at the crease, raining boundaries alongside Jana Hatfield upon the local Chisbuton crowd in a 71-run third-wicket partnership. When Hatfield was caught on the boundary of Samuel Cross, seventy runs were required from six overs, but with Tasso still at the crease. However, Hatfield’s dismissal only urged Tasso on, helping smash 49 runs from the next 21 balls up until his wicket fell, falling six runs short of three figures. With 21 required from 15 balls, Nathan Norwell reduced that to four from one before slashing the final ball of the innings back over Samuel Cross’s head to the boundary, sealing a thrilling, three-wicket victory and resetting the record for the highest chase in the season.

Matchday Twelve

Pesfield Wasps vs Cleorough Devils @ The ‘Tato, Tartontaton

Cleorough Devils - 3/172 (20)
T Monnier 49 (35)			S Irvine 1/14 (3)
D Fomleya 47 (33)			K Newman 1/26 (4)

Pesfield Wasps - 8/176 (20)
K Newman 84* (46)			R Taylor 3/37 (4)
J Tyrkkekkekkekklukkekklukekk 32 (32)	A Tasso 1/15 (2)

Player of the match: Kaye Newman[/b]
Pesfield Wasps win by two wickets with zero balls remaining

Halpenley Lightning vs Betham Dogs @ Wagham Stadium, Conton

Halpenley Lightning - 7/171 (20)
C Elliott 39 (20)			L yChallril 2/29 (4)
A Stealom 32* (24)			H Cranston 2/31 (4)

Betham Dogs - 4/175 (17.4)
W Hosaka 50 (23)			C Darkcape 1/20 (3)
S Lake 50 (38)				S Halliday 1/29 (4)

Player of the match: Wanda Hosaka
Betham Dogs win by six wickets with 14 balls remaining

Dunkirk Rovers vs Chamberley Giants @ Evergreen Arena, Emacuton

Chamberley Giants - 6/170 (20)
S Monteane 58 (52)			J McMillan 2/19 (4)
L Cocrine 52 (32)			M Poci 1/29 (4)

Dunkirk Rovers - 4/174 (18.1)
H Tumcoweiss 43* (23)			L Afosha 2/28 (4)
S Asaskia 39* (22)			O Bowles 2/26 (3)

Player of the match: Jesse McMillan
Dunkirk Rovers win by six wickets with eleven balls remaining

Scorching Hot Dodle vs Avondale Knights @ Eastern Sylestone Cricket Ground, Marbury

Avondale Knights - 4/161 (20)
C Freehill 35 (31)			A Hackett 2/34 (4)
M Scovell 27 (19)			P Tripathi 1/27 (4)

Scorching Hot Dodle - 138 (19)
S Petersen 38 (29)			J Vilesti 3/35 (3)
B Eastwood 34 (36)			F Stanton 2/17 (2)

Player of the match: Emmie Samuel
Avondale Knights win by 23 runs

For the first time in what seems like an aeon, the Chamberley Giants have been handed defeat. Against an in-form Rovers side, they could not finish the job after the Chamberley batters compiled 6-170 on a docile Emacuton surface, Dunkirk rallying to chase down the total with eleven balls to spare. However, two points was not always assured for the hosts, who were, at point, 4-95 in the twelfth over before Samuel Asaskia and H Tumcoweiss combined for a 79-run partnership in just 37 balls to bring home their fourth win in a row. However, it was neither of them who ended up with the player of the match award, Jesse McMillan instead stealing those honours with figures of 2-19, greatly restricting the Chamberley Giants and ensured they would not post a far larger target.

Elsewhere, the Pesfield Wasps have increased their winning streak to a ridiculous seven matches, Kaye Newman delivering her franchise a stunning, last-gasp win in Tartontaton against the Cleorough Devils. After the visitors put a tricky 3-172 on the board, slumping to 5-40 inside the first five overs, with Luke Tiati, Zachary Arafase, Charles McCrory, Gary Umbridge and Patrick Shotenham all back in the sheds. But alongside Kaye Newman, Jett Tyrkkekkekklukkekklukekk helped to rebuild the innings, the pair sharing a 52-run partnership to save the Wasps from utter humiliation. However, by the time Tyrkkekkekklukkekklukekk edged behind, 81 runs were still required from only 42 balls and with only four wickets remaining in the sheds, Pesfield appeared down and out. But Newman disagreed, reaching fifty and carrying on with the onslaught, seemingly oblivious to the wickets falling at the other end. By the time Anna Huntingfield was caught at mid-off from a Ronald Taylor slower-ball, 13 runs were required from five balls, Newman 69 not out and on strike.

The South Newlandian skipper clubbed Taylor’s next ball for four, before moving across her stumps and ramping the third of the over for a maximum. All of a sudden, Newman had swung the game on its head and only three runs were required from three balls. But Taylor held his nerve, only conceding a single apiece from the next two balls, before bringing the field in for the final delivery of the innings, for Pesfield only required a single run from the final ball of the innings. But in the end, Taylor’s field changes did not matter, as Newman drove his attempted wide yorker over point to the boundary, sealing a two-wicket win from the dead. If they could bounce back from 5-40 to chase down 172 in bloody Tartontaton, could anyone stop the Pesfield Wasps?

Elsewhere in the Crash n’ Smash, the Betham Dogs have finally returned to their winning ways, triumphing by six wickets over the Halpenley Lightning on the back of a Wanda Hosaka blitzkrieg. Her 23-ball 50 essentially sealed the deal after the Lightning set Betham 172 for victory, the Dogs chasing down the target with fourteen balls still remaining. Additionally, the Avondale Knights have also been able to record a victory after multiple rounds without one, emerging 23-runs ahead of Scorching Hot Dodle after Josh Vilesti, Emmie Samuel and Fergus Stanton ran through their batting lineup to dismiss them for 138. It was a comprehensive win for Avondale, and it was one that allowed them to keep their finals hopes alive, too.

Matchday Thirteen

Scorching Hot Dodle vs Pesfield Wasps @ Dodle Furnace, Dodle

Pesfield Wasps - 6/233 (20)
C McCrory 118 (55)			S Petersen 2/58 (3)
Z Arafase 31 (23)			O Lovia 1/23 (4)

Scorching Hot Dodle - 119 (15.5)
R Rombigo 22 (16)			A Huntingfield 3/29 (3)
B Eastwood 19 (13)			J Tyrkkekkekklukkekklukekk 3/31 (3.5)

Player of the match: Charles McCrory
Pesfield Wasps win by 114 runs

Avondale Knights vs Dunkirk Rovers @ Capital Stadium, Avondale

Avondale Knights - 8/140 (20)
R Bremner 38 (40)			H Tumcoweiss 2/20 (4)
C Freehill 29 (20)			M Boyle 2/21 (3)

Dunkirk Rovers - 0/142 (12.2)
C Chinama 77* (42)			M Marshall 0/16 (1)
C Alkina 63* (33)			F Stanton 0/18 (1)

Player of the match: Chinwuebo Chinama
Dunkirk Rovers win by ten wickets with 46 balls remaining

Chamberley Giants vs Halpenley Lightning @ Chamberley Cricket Ground, Chamberley

Halpenley Lightning - 7/127 (20)
C Cunnings 56 (43)			T Mankira 3/16 (4)
M Stein 37 (37)				B Hall 1/17 (4)

Chamberley Giants - 4/128 (11.4)
X Forsheish 32 (18)			L Codrington 2/15 (2)
L Afosha 31* (16)			G Haines 1/16 (2)

Player of the match: Talvin Mankira
Chamberley Giants win by six wickets with 50 balls remaining

Betham Dogs vs Cleorough Devils @ Betham Cricket Ground, Betham

Betham Dogs - 8/132 (20)
H Cranston 49 (35)			K Sonnel 4/26 (4)
O Edwards 25 (26)			R Taylor 1/22 (4)

Cleorough Devils - 7/134 (17.3)
R Taylor 32* (20)			H Cranston 3/23 (4)
J Hatfield 24 (20)			E Hillock 3/31 (3.4)

Player of the match: Kate Sonnel
Cleorough Devils win by three wickets with 15 balls remaining

After all this season has given us so far, we have unfortunately arrived at a point where there is no doubt over who will be progressing to the knockouts. The top two teams - the Chamberley Giants and Pesfield Wasps - have no doubt deserved their place in the top two, where they will have a second chance should they come out second best in the Qualifier. Meanwhile, Dunkirk, Betham and Cleorough have found themselves fighting it out for third, fourth and fifth spots, with no chance of missing the playoffs altogether. That leaves the Avondale Knights, Halpenley Lightning and Scorching Hot Dodle out of the playoffs this year, leaving them to ponder possible changes for next season.

This round, there have also been multiple significant individual performances that are worth acknowledging. First up is Pesfield’s Charles McCrory, whose 55-ball 118 is well up there within Esportiva’s best-ever T20 knocks, the Tumbran playing a crucial role in his franchise’s massive 233 in the Suffolk derby. In response, Dodle could only manage 119, the Wasps winning their eighth match in a row and recording the highest victory margin of the tournament - 114 runs. Meanwhile, in Dunkirk, Chinwuebo Chinama (77 not out from 42) and Connor Alkina (63 not out from 33) chased down Avondale’s 8-140 for the loss of no wickets and with 46 balls to spare, recording one of their most significant triumphs. Then, on the bowling side of things, Talvin Mankira’s 3-16 was pivotal in holding the Halpenley Lightning to a mediocre 127 in Chamberley - a target the home club was able to chase down in just 11.4 overs. And finally, Kate Sonnel’s 4-26 was excellent enough to reap the player of the match award in Cleorough’s do-or-die fixture against Betham, the teenage leg-spinner playing a major role in restricting Betham to only 8-132; a target the Devils chased down for the loss of seven wickets in the 18th over.

Matchday Fourteen

Pesfield Wasps vs Betham Dogs @ Bolton Oval, Pesfield

Pesfield Wasps - 4/192 (20)
L Tiati 62 (47)				L yChallril 1/22 (4)
C McCrory 57 (21)			H Cranston 1/27 (4)

Betham Dogs - 9/174 (20)
W Hosaka 69 (34)			K Newman 2/33 (4)
S Lake 29 (15)				S Irvine 2/44 (4)

Player of the match: Charles McCrory
Pesfield Wasps win by 18 runs

Cleorough Devils vs Chamberley Giants @ Cleorough Stadium, Cleorough

Chamberley Giants - 4/175 (20)
L Cocrine 75 (43)			J de Polo 2/24 (4)
S Monteane 59 (40)			R Taylor 1/37 (4)

Cleorough Devils - 6/178 (18)
A Tasso 59 (43)				L Njata 3/39 (4)
B Westleford 31 (21)			L Afosha 1/23 (3)

Player of the match: Lachlan Cocrine
Cleorough Devils win by four wickets with 12 balls remaining

Halpenley Lightning vs Avondale Knights @ Halpenley City Oval, Halpenley

Halpenley Lightning - 4/194 (20)
J Martin 101* (44)			L Bodenweiser 2/24 (4)
S Cross 27* (20)			J Vilesti 1/27 (4)

Avondale Knights - 8/176 (20)
M Scovell 62 (42)			S Halliday 2/25 (4)
K Force 30 (21)				G Biscoe 2/32 (4)

Player of the match: Jack Martin
Halpenley Lightning win by 18 runs

Dunkirk Rovers vs Scorching Hot Dodle @ Jameson Oval, Dunkirk

Scorching Hot Dodle - 4/149 (20)
N Lovia 56 (40)				N Pistecial 2/27 (4)
A Tozer 37 (32)				M Boyle 2/42 (4)

Dunkirk Rovers - 5/150 (16.5)
P Longlege 36 (24)			S Petersen 2/20 (3)
C Chinama 31 (20)			L Milerum 1/19 (2.4)

Player of the match: Norbert Pistecial
Dunkirk Rovers win by five wickets with 19 balls remaining

So it is confirmed. It will be the Pesfield Wasps hosting the Chamberley Giants in the Crash n’ Smash qualifying final at Bolton Oval and from there, the winner will progress to host the final. Chamberley’s four-wicket loss to Cleorough opened this door for the Wasps to climb through, Charles McCrory putting on a show at the top of the Pesfield order after the Betham Dogs sent them in for the first dig. His 21-ball 57 set the tone for a mammoth Pesfield total of 4-192 - a total the Betham Dogs eventually fell sixteen runs short of in spite of Wanda Hosaka’s 69, giving the Dogs some hope. Meanwhile, in Chamberley, half-centuries to world-class duo Simon Monteane and Lachlan Cocrine provided the backbone in the Giants’ final score of 4-175, but up against a Cleorough side desperate for a win and a home eliminator final, defending it would not be easy. Aiden Tasso’s 59 was integral in the Devils’ eventual victory with two overs to spare, while Leo Njata’s 3-39 went in vain.

Meanwhile, the Dunkirk Rovers have completed a miracle comeback from last to third with their sixth win on the trot, Norbert Pistecial and Miriam Boyle taking two wickets apiece to restrict Scorching Hot Dodle to a mere 4-149, albeit it was against a side that contained many second-string players. But that did not stop the Rovers from attacking the target with ferocity, losing regular wickets but scoring at a clinical run-rate to achieve victory with over three overs to spare for the loss of five wickets.

Finally, the Halpenley Lightning have finally broken their nine-match streak without a win inside twenty overs, achieving a consolation victory over the Avondale Knights on the back of a surreal century from Jack Martin. Coming to the crease with his side in trouble at 3-51 in the eighth over, he belted an eye-watering 101 from just 44 balls, bringing up three figures on the final ball of the innings with a slog for four. His partnership with Samuel Cross was worth an unbeaten 130 in just 57 balls… and Cross only scored 27 of them. In response, Moses Scovell provided the defending champions with a glimmer of hope but ultimately, the Lightning were just too good, Avondale falling short by 18 runs. After being a favourite after winning last year’s Crash n’ Smash, the Knights simply could not pull together a winning formula, only achieving eleven points and finishing in sixth place. But next season was a new season.

What could they do to resurrect themselves?

Final Table

* Crash n' Smash          Pld   W  T  L   NRR   Pts
1 Pesfield Wasps           14  10  0  4  +0.534  20
2 Chamberley Giants        14   9  0  5  +0.770  18
3 Dunkirk Rovers           14   8  0  6  +0.201  16
4 Cleorough Devils         14   8  0  6  -0.196  14
5 Betham Dogs              14   7  0  7  +0.082  14
6 Avondale Knights         14   5  1  8  -0.271  11
7 Halpenley Lightning      14   5  0  9  -0.499  10
8 Scorching Hot Dodle      14   4  1  9  -0.601  9

First Eliminator: Cleorough Devils vs Betham Dogs @ Cleorough Stadium, Cleorough

Qualifier: Pesfield Wasps vs Chamberley Giants @ Bolton Oval, Pesfield

Second Eliminator: Dunkirk Rovers vs First Eliminator winner @ Jameson Oval, Dunkirk

Challenger: Qualifier loser vs Second Eliminator winner @ TBA

Grand Final: Qualifier winner vs Challenger winner @ TBA

by **Sylestone** » Sun Jun 12, 2022 5:37 pm

CRASH N’ SMASH

Season Five

First Eliminator

Cleorough Devils vs Betham Dogs @ Cleorough Stadium, Cleorough

Betham Dogs - 6/158 (20)
W Hosaka 61* (47)			R Taylor 2/23 (3)
S Lake 37 (27)				J de Polo 2/34 (4)

Cleorough Devils - 8/151 (20)
D Fomleya 56 (55)			L yChallril 3/23 (4)
R Taylor 42 (23)			E Hillock 2/35 (4)

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

What a way to begin the knockouts. In front of a packed house in Cleorough, the stadium full to its 57,500 capacity, the hosts fell heartbreakingly short of triumph in a thrilling match. After winning the toss and batting first, the Betham Dogs reached a platform 1-58 in the ninth over but a collapse of 3-19 left the Dogs in a world of trouble at 4-77 in the twelfth over, leaving 18-year-old Wanda Hosaka to rally the lower-order against superior bowling. Oliver Edwards played his part with an important 21 but once he was dismissed in the 17th over with the score 111, Hosaka went on a late blitz, scoring the majority of the 47 runs scored in the final four overs of the innings. Her unbeaten 61 from 47 balls was excellent and under-rated on a volatile Cleorough deck that should have significantly favoured the Devils’ spinners, but she played them with such confidence that their impact was rather negligible.

Yet, a final total of 6-158 was always going to be tough to defend, even on a tricky batting surface. But Betham disagreed, with wickets to Lasrewll yChallril, Holly Cranston and Edward Hillock restricting the Devils to 4-43 in the ninth over, leaving them needing ten an over from the last 70 balls of the innings in order to achieve progression to the Second Eliminator. An 84-run partnership from 51 balls kept those hopes alive, Daniel Fomleya and Ronald Taylor pleasing the crowd to no end with their extravagant strokeplay. However, all good things must come to an end. Just when victory was in sight with 32 runs required from 19 balls, Peter Robinson had Taylor caught on the long-off boundary for 42 and in the following over, Fomleya was bowled by Hillock for a 55-ball 56. Blaine Risewell kept Cleorough in with a sniff with a couple of boundaries but his efforts were not enough, the Devils falling seven runs short of their target, sending the Dogs through to the Second Eliminator, where they would meet the Dunkirk Rovers at Jameson Oval. yChallril was awarded player of the match for his three wickets.

Qualifier

Pesfield Wasps vs Chamberley Giants @ Bolton Oval, Pesfield

Chamberley Giants - 8/127 (20)
L Cocrine 48 (54)			J Tyrkkekkekklukkekklukekk 3/24 (4)
S Monteane 20 (23)			S Irvine 1/18 (4)

Pesfield Wasps - 4/129 (14.4)
L Tiati 48 (37)				T Mankira 3/14 (2.4)
Z Arafase 48 (41)			B Hall 1/26 (3)

Player of the match: Jett Tyrkkekkekklukkekklukekk
Pesfield Wasps win by six wickets with 32 balls remaining

A clinical thrashing of the Chamberley Giants has sent the Pesfield Wasps propelling into the Grand Final, leaving their opponents to try and beat one of the Betham Dogs or Dunkirk Rovers in the Challenger final. The Bolton Oval in Pesfield, well known for being a batting paradise, seemed to be anything but that from the way the Giants played it. No batter, not even the world-class Lachlan Cocrine, who hung around for 54 balls for a painful 48, was able to read the pitch. This was particularly alien considering how docile the strip appeared before the match and although no one argued that the Pesfield bowling was exceptional - Jett Tyrkkekkekklukkekklukekk leading the way with otherworldly figures of 3-24 from four overs - perhaps this pitch was an anomaly. Even so, if it was, Chamberley was going to have a hard time defending 127 in front of a crowd hoping for an easy win and a home final.

And a pair of 48s from Luke Tiati and Zachary Arafase got them there, the two sharing a gigantic 108-run partnership following the early wicket of Charles McCrory to take the Giants out of the game. Despite both of them falling with the score on 109 and 111 respectively, the damage was done, Pesfield achieving victory with 31 balls remaining for the loss of only four wickets. The fans had what they wanted - a home final - and after their shambolic opening five games, the Wasps had outright won their last ten games.

With home advantage, it’s pretty clear who the favourites are to take out the title.

Second Eliminator

Dunkirk Rovers vs Betham Dogs @ Jameson Oval, Dunkirk

Betham Dogs - 5/149 (20)
E Cunningham 52 (37)			S Asaskia 2/22 (4)
W Hosaka 49 (43)			M Poci 1/31 (4)

Dunkirk Rovers - 8/150 (18.3)
N Pistecial 44* (25)			S Clapiope 3/41 (4)
H Tumcoweiss 28 (20)			P Robinson 2/15 (3)

Player of the match: Norbert Pistecial
Dunkirk Rovers win by two wickets with nine balls remaining

Cricket’s a funny game, isn’t it? Just when one side seems down and out, they can come back within a matter of minutes, if not seconds, to keep themselves right in contention for victory. And when one Twenty-20 game has multiple of those moments in the bloody knockout stage of a tournament, it will always go down as an instant classic.

This was one of those games. In the second Eliminator of the fifth season of the Crash n’ Smash, the Dunkirk Rovers hosted the Betham Dogs at the Jameson Oval to see who would progress to take on the Chamberley Giants in the Challenger final. Edward Cunningham of the Dogs won the toss and elected to take the first dig. Sean Lake fell early but that did not faze the skipper, who passed his fifty in the eleventh over with Wanda Hosaka providing a useful supporting role at the other end. At 1-88 after 11 overs, the Dogs were poised for a back-end surge to guide them towards 180 or 200, but the dismissals of Cunningham for 52 and Chloe Anderson five balls apart brought those plans to a grinding halt. Excellent bowling from the spinners kept Hosaka and Oliver Edwards at bay, the pair only putting on 36 in 30 balls to leave the possibility of a sub-150 score a real possibility by the time the Quebecois teenager was dismissed for 49. Edwards lost his stumps the following over and while Holly Cranston and Mary Geach did their best to cream a couple of lusty blows, Betham had to be satisfied with 5-149, losing 4-60 in the final nine overs to waste a sublime position. But despite the home crowd thinking they had the game in the bag, Jameson Oval is still famous across the nation for being well-suited to all kinds of bowling and as a result, the Dogs were still right in this match.

And they got their bowling innings off to an excellent start. The dangerous Chinwuebo Chinama was back in the pavilion in just the second over of the innings and Maida Mcleroy in the third, leaving Dunkirk in a worrisome position in 2-14 from 2.2 overs. That became 3-26 when Shaun Clapiope had Connor Alkina caught at fine-leg, and 4-47 in the eighth over to put the hosts in a whole world of trouble. A promising partnership between Peter Longlege and Samuel Asaskia blossomed but when both were dismissed by midway through the twelfth over, Dunkirk were left in dire straits, needing 73 runs from 53 balls… with only four wickets in the sheds.

Even so, Norbert Pistecial and H Tumcoweiss weren’t quite done yet. The two lower-order hitters combined for a crucial seventh-wicket stand of 42 from 30 balls before Tumcoweiss was caught in the deep for 28, but the Rovers fans were still clinging onto hope. Pistecial continued to hit out and Miriam Boyle joined him in doing so, the two decreasing the required runs to just eight before Boyle skied a simple chance to Oliver Edwards. But the Dogs would not rejoice for long, Pistecial creaming Edward Hillock’s next ball for a towering six before pushing the next through the infield for a two, sending the home crowd into raptures. Dunkirk had come back from 6-77 to chase down a total of 149, a feat that should have theoretically bordered on impossible. But Norbert Pistecial had, once again, proven that he was a man to complete those kinds of missions. So it would be the Dunkirk Rovers who would face the Chamberley Giants in Chamberley and if they could win there, fight the Pesfield Wasps for the crown itself.

Challenger

Chamberley Giants vs Dunkirk Rovers @ Chamberley Cricket Ground, Chamberley

Chamberley Giants - 9/147 (20)
S Dickson 41 (37)			N Pistecial 4/21 (4)
L Cocrine 28 (19)			S Asaskia 2/22 (4)

Dunkirk Rovers - 9/113 (20)
C Chinama 33 (24)			B Hall 4/23 (4)
M Poci 25* (16)				D Goolsby 2/18 (4)

Player of the match: Broughton Hall
Chamberley Giants win by 34 runs

Defending a measly 9-147 at the Chamberley Cricket Ground is never, ever an easy job. Especially in a Challenger final against a side coming off seven straight wins, including their latest one, where they were down and out until Norbert Pistecial resurrected a memorable comeback from nowhere. However, following a blistering bowling performance from the Dunkirk Rovers - led by Norbert Pistecial (4-21) and Samuel Asaskia (2-22) - this was the task that the Chamberley Giants were faced with as they ran out onto the field to the cheers of their home crowd. They were giving it their all - many had already assumed that it would be Dunkirk playing the Pesfield Wasps in the Grand Final and were prepared to pack their bags and head off.

Little did anyone there know just how good of a performance their side would produce to not only win the match… but to emerge victorious by the significant margin of 34 runs.

Every single Giant bowler - Talvin Mankira, Leo Njata, Dewayne Goolsby, Oscar Bowles and Broughton Hall - took a wicket in their allocated four overs, Goolsby taking two for 18 runs and Hall 4-23. Right from the beginning, those five made the going tough, dismissing the dangerous Connor Alkina early and never, ever letting Chinwuebo Chinama and Maida Mcleroy off the hook. Chamberley’s disciplined lines and lengths were simply outstanding and for the entire run chase, the Rovers appeared to be well and truly on the back foot. Not even Norbert Pistecial could produce an innings of the vein he had the other evening at Jameson Oval, dismissed for just one run in the 16th over as one of Broughton Hall’s four scalps. Milan Poci’s quickfire 25 at the death ensured that his franchise would not fall short of the hundred mark, but it was not by much, Dunkirk still recording the lowest score of the season with 9-113 from their twenty overs. While their batting was an issue heading into the Grand Final, the Chamberley Giants had just achieved a stupendous bowling performance and as a result, will certainly be in with a strong chance to end Pesfield’s ridiculous win streak.

Could they?

Grand Final

The Chamberley Giants were done and dusted. Thanks to Kaye Newman bowling Dewayne Goolsby on the final ball of the 15th over and Sharron Irvine now capturing the key wicket of Liam Afosha, the Pesfield Wasps’ first Crash n’ Smash title was on the horizon and their fans were going crazy for it. Neither of the two new bats - Eli Hunniford nor Broughton Hall - had faced a ball yet, and their freshness at the crease, facing bowlers with their tails up, was never going to help their cause. Even the live predictor broadcasted through Sylestone and the multiverse showed a pie graph covered in green - the Pesfield Wasps had a 100% chance of winning this match, the Chamberley Giants zilch.

And that prediction seemed just about right. While the game was at Bolton Oval in the treetop city of Pesfield, a significant portion of the stadium was filled with Chamberley supporters, eager to witness their franchise finally end this dystopian win streak of ten matches their opponents boasted. But now, with 29 legal deliveries remaining in the innings and a mammoth 73 runs still required for victory, even they were streaming out of the stadium faster than you could blink. At home, Giants supporters were flicking off their televisions, having seen enough of their team’s batting fail for the third match in a row.

But Hunniford and Hall did not know this. If they had, who knows what would’ve happened but one thing is for sure - the end result would not have been it.

Earlier in the match, Kaye Newman’s 49-ball 75 led her club to a strong but chaseable total of a 6-174 on a docile track, not dissimilar to the one that these two sides had battled it out on in the Qualifier final a week ago. Since then, though, Chamberley’s batters had once again made it look like a minefield, Xander Forsheish falling for nought on the fifth ball of the innings to begin the rot. Jett Tyrkkekkekklukkekklukekk’s key wickets of Lachlan Cocrine (15 from 8 balls) and Simon Monteane (33 from 31) were also integral considering the form of the pair, while Liam Afosha and Steven Dickson had looked good for their 27 and 18 runs respectively. However, none of them were able to go on with their starts and as a result, the Giants were staring down the barrel of another heavy defeat at the hands of the Pesfield Wasps at 6-102 in the 16th over.

Eli Hunniford and Broughton Hall weren’t just about to give up, though. Nine runs - including a six - were scored off the rest of Sharron Irvine’s third over, meaning 64 were required from the final four. Kaye Newman delivered the next one, the Pesfield skipper looking to finish things off herself, but she was also punished, going for fifteen as the remaining Chamberley fans within the crowd began to increase in noise. Then came the killer. With Eli Hunniford on strike, Thomas Strand proceeded to concede a massive 24 runs from his single over, Hunniford whacking two sixes and Broughton Hall a six and a four to place their team right back in the game, needing only 22 runs from the final twelve balls of the innings as televisions began to flick back on all over the city located on Sylestone’s western seaboard. In the end, Hunniford and Hall only required eight of those twelve balls, Hunniford smashing a four and a six to complete an astonishing victory. As Giants players and fans swarmed the field, Pesfielders sat in the stands, completely and utterly bemused, wishing they were in a dream. Alas, they were not. The nightmare had come true, and from their side needing to defend 73 runs in 29 balls, they had lost with four of those still remaining.

“Crazy scenes” would have been a significant understatement.

Pesfield Wasps Batting
Batter                                                                     R   B  4s  6s   SR
L Tiati (+)                   c Hunniford (+) b Mankira                   13  14   1   0   92.86
C McCrory                     c Afosha b Njata                             7   4   0   1  175
G Umbridge                    lbw b Bowles                                32  24   2   1  133.33
K Newman (c)                  b Njata                                     75  49   4   4  153.06
P Shotenham                   run out (Forsheish)                          1   4   0   0   25
J Tyrkkekkekklukkekklukekk    st Hunniford (+) b Hall                     22  19   0   1  115.79
J Babbage                     not out                                     10   5   2   0  200
A Kennedy                     not out                                      1   1   0   0  100
            EXTRAS            (2 b, 5 lb, 6 wd)                           13
             TOTAL            for 6 wickets                              174   (20 ov; 8.7 RPO)
Did not bat:                S Scron, T Strand, S Irvine

FOW: 1-10 (C McCrory, 1.1 overs); 2-49 (L Tiati (+), 5.6 overs); 3-57 (G Umbridge, 7.3 overs); 
     4-81 (P Shotenham, 10.2 overs); 5-143 (J Tyrkkekkekklukkekklukekk, 17.3 overs); 6-173 (K Newman (c), 19.5 overs)

Chamberley Giants Bowling
Bowler                           Ov   M   R  W   Econ  Ext
T Mankira                         4   0  32  1      8  
L Njata                           4   0  41  2  10.25  
D Goolsby (c)                     3   0  29  0   9.67  
L Afosha                          2   0  15  0    7.5  
O Bowles                          3   0  23  1   7.67  
B Hall                            4   0  27  1   6.75  

Chamberley Giants Batting   (Target: 175)
Batter                                                                     R   B  4s  6s   SR
S Monteane                    c Shotenham b Tyrkkekkkekklukkekklukekk     33  31   3   0  106.45
X Forsheish                   c Newman b Scron                             0   4   0   0    
L Cocrine                     lbw b Tyrkkekkekklukkekklukekk              15   8   2   1  187.5
S Dickson                     c Kennedy b Scron                           18  18   0   1  100
L Afosha                      c Kennedy b Irvine                          27  21   4   0  128.57
D Goolsby (c)                 b Newman                                     7   9   0   0   77.78
E Hunniford (+)               not out                                     45  16   3   4  281.25
B Hall                        not out                                     23  10   2   2  230
            EXTRAS            (3 lb, 3 wd, 1 nb)                           7
             TOTAL            for 6 wickets                              175   (19.2 ov; 9.05 RPO)
Did not bat:                O Bowles, L Njata, T Mankira

FOW: 1-1 (X Forsheish, 0.5 overs); 2-19 (L Cocrine, 3.1 overs); 3-68 (S Monteane, 9.6 overs); 
     4-69 (S Dickson, 10.2 overs); 5-102 (D Goolsby (c), 14.6 overs); 6-102 (L Afosha, 15.1 overs)

Pesfield Wasps Bowling
Bowler                           Ov   M   R  W   Econ  Ext
S Scron                         3.2   1  30  2      9  
A Kennedy                         1   0  13  0     13  
J Tyrkkekkekklukkekklukekk        4   0  23  2   5.75  
T Strand                          3   0  36  0     12  
S Irvine                          4   0  42  1   10.5  
K Newman (c)                      3   0  24  1      8  
C McCrory                         1   0   4  0      4  

Venue: Bolton Oval, Pesfield, Sylestone
Toss: Pesfield Wasps won the toss and elected to bat
Season/Tournament: Crash n' Smash V
Matchday: Grand Final
Player of the Match: Eli Hunniford
Match Result: Chamberley Giants win by four wickets with four balls remaining

Team of the Tournament

1. Luke Tiati (+)

(Pesfield Wasps)
2. Simon Monteane

(Chamberley Giants)
3. Lachlan Cocrine

(Chamberley Giants)
4. Chinwuebo Chinama

(Dunkirk Rovers)
5. Wanda Hosaka

(Betham Dogs)
6. Kaye Newman (c)

(Pesfield Wasps)
7. Jett Tyrkkekkekklukkekklukekk

(Pesfield Wasps)
8. Samuel Petersen

(Scorching Hot Dodle)
9. Lasrewll yChallril

(Betham Dogs)
10. Edward Hillock

(Betham Dogs)
11. Kate Sonnel

(Cleorough Devils)

12th man: Brianna Eastwood

(Scorching Hot Dodle)

by **Sylestone** » Sat Jun 18, 2022 6:40 pm

CUBICLE ONE-DAY CUP

Season Three

Matchday One

Suffolk Seals vs New Gloucester Jaguars @ Bolton Oval, Pesfield

New Gloucester Jaguars - 7/241 (50)
A Stealom 66* (76)			T Mankira 3/56 (10)
L Afosha 61 (67)			T Strand 2/48 (10)

Suffolk Seals - 2/244 (38.4)
L Cocrine 75* (73)			S Cross 1/34 (6)
B Eastwood 68* (77)			M Poci 1/46 (6.4)

Player of the match: Lachlan Cocrine
Suffolk Seals win by eight wickets with 68 balls remaining

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

Freeman Firestorm - 220 (47.4)
E Hosbury 60 (97)			S Halliday 3/47 (8.4)
C Latour 35 (56)			K Sonnel 2/37 (10)

Central Sylestone Snakes - 5/223 (35)
K Nicolls 122* (107)			A Huntingfield 2/30 (7)
S Asaskia 44 (51)			A Homburg 2/42 (8)

Player of the match: Kyle Nicolls
Central Sylestone Snakes win by five wickets with 90 balls remaining

Capital Coyotes vs South Sylestone Scorpions @ Capital Stadium, Avondale

South Sylestone Scorpions - 5/402 (50)
P Shotenham 174 (138)			N Norwell 2/82 (8)
C Anderson 115 (69)			B Hall 1/51 (10)

Capital Coyotes - 8/233 (50)
P Lenton 64 (81)			A Hodel 3/32 (10)
T Monnier 48 (79)			N Pistecial 2/44 (10)

Player of the match: Patrick Shotenham
South Sylestone Scorpions win by 169 runs

Having emerged as champions of the Lavatory Shield a couple of weeks before interstate cricket took a hiatus for the Crash n’ Smash to take place, the New Gloucester Jaguars have been dealt a reality check by the Suffolk Seals with an eight-wicket drumming on the opening day of the Cubicle One-Day Cup. After Talvin Mankira sent the visitors in at Pesfield’s Bolton Oval, New Gloucester were in early trouble at 2-22 before Mitchell Stein joined his skipper, Edward Cunningham, for a 70-run third-wicket partnership. After both were dismissed agonisingly short of fifty, Liam Afosha and Ashton Stealom took over the reins, Afosha making 61 before he became Thomas Strand’s first victim, while Stealom batted through for an unbeaten 66. However, the scoring rate had been an issue all innings and due to the late fall of wickets, no real boost was given, the Jaguars having to defend only 7-241 if they wanted to begin their campaign with a victory. And from the moment Luke Tiati and Hannah Gilroy opened with a 76-run partnership at better than a run a ball, New Gloucester’s victory hopes were quenched. After Tiati eventually fell for 60 in the 17th over, Brianna Eastwood and Lachlan Cocrine ensured the Seals would reach home without further loss with a 140-run partnership from 135 balls to seal two points with 68 balls still remaining. Lachlan Cocrine was awarded player of the match for his 75, but Eastwood’s 68 and Tiati’s 60 were just as pivotal to Suffolk’s case, and all deserved to be rewarded.

Meanwhile, the defending Cubicle One-Day Cup champions have been dealt a major blow 169-run shellacking at the hands of the South Sylestone Scorpions, the visitors completing an all-round astonishing performance. With the bat, Patrick Shotenham (174 from 138) and Chloe Anderson (115 from 69) blew the home crowd away after a strong start from openers Samuel Creln and Nicholas Lovia. Then, in response, the Coyotes barely even tried to chase down the total, losing Caitlyn Elliott early. Taylah Monnier scratched around for 48 and while Peter Lenton appeared accomplished for his stylish 64, it was at a pace that was far inferior to that required. But Angelina Hodel and Norbert Pistecial in particular were effective in taking regular wickets, never giving the Coyotes a chance and playing a crucial role in South Sylestone’s 169-run victory after the Capital innings fell away. Alas, though, it would be Patrick Shotenham who would become player of the match for his 174 as the Scorpions sent a warning signal to the rest of the competition - they are the team to beat this season.

With two scarcely believable results to open the third season of the Cubicle One-Day Cup, the Central Sylestone Snakes have returned a sense of normality, clinically beating the Sylestonean whipping boys, the Freeman Firestorm, in a dominant performance. After Aiden Tasso won the toss and batted first, strong all-round bowling from the Snakes ensured that the visitors would not score more than 220 runs before Seth Halliday took his third wicket of the innings, returning figures of 3-47 from 8.4 overs. In response, Central Sylestone found themselves in a hint of trouble at 3-80 in the 12th over, but Kyle Nicolls and Samuel Asaskia steadied the ship with a century stand for the fourth wicket before the hosting captain was trapped in front by Amber Homburg. Kyle Nicolls passed a deserved century a short time later and wrapped the innings up by the end of the 35th over, he was 122 not out and nailed down his spot at the top of the order for the time being.

Matchday Two

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

New Gloucester Jaguars - 8/283 (50)
C Freehill 146 (153)			O Lovia 3/43 (10)
S Scron 32* (11)			L Codrington 2/40 (10)

South Sylestone Scorpions - 6/287 (47.3)
C Anderson 85 (68)			M Poci 2/57 (9)
S Creln 55 (76)				C Freehill 1/34 (7)

Player of the match: Caitlyn Freehill
South Sylestone Scorpions win by four wickets with 15 balls remaining

Freeman Firestorm vs Capital Coyotes @ Freeman Oval, Freeman

Capital Coyotes - 8/292 (50)
P Lenton 77 (103)			A Huntingfield 2/30 (10)
B Westleford 60 (55)			A Homburg 2/56 (9)

Freeman Firestorm - 7/294 (47.3)
K Rombice 102 (70)			B Hall 2/55 (9)
S Lake 41 (28)				C Elliott 2/64 (10)

Player of the match: Kevin Rombice
Freeman Firestorm win by three wickets with 15 balls remaining

Suffolk Seals vs Central Sylestone Snakes @ Bolton Oval, Pesfield

Suffolk Seals - 7/290 (50)
F Stanton 89 (67)			A Hackett 2/57 (10)
L Tiati 60 (70)				S Asaskia 2/58 (9)

Central Sylestone Snakes - 2/293 (39.5)
C Cunnings 103* (74)			F Stanton 1/36 (7)
J Appleby 78* (75)			T Mankira 1/73 (6.5)

Player of the match: Cameron Cunnings
Central Sylestone Snakes win by eight wickets with 61 balls remaining

Talk about an unusual start to the season. It’s not very often that both of last season’s finalists lose both of their opening two matches and find themselves at the bottom of the table, and it shouldn’t take anyone by surprise when I say that this is the first time this has occurred in three seasons of the tournament. But thanks to South Sylestone’s four-wicket victory over the New Gloucester Jaguars and Freeman’s three-wicket triumph over the Capital Coyotes, it has occurred. However, unlike both finalists’ opening fixtures, these games were genuinely close and could have gone either way. In Chamberley, Caitlyn Freehill’s 146 formed the backbone of her state’s total of 8-283, but fifties to Chloe Anderson and Samuel Creln kept the Scorpions slightly ahead of the match. However, a mini-collapse saw the visitors fall to a perilous 6-239 with 40 balls remaining, but Adam Lonelet and Norbert Pistecial remained calm to guide their side home with 15 balls to spare. The Freeman Firestorm were also able to chase down Capital’s 8-292 with the same number of balls remaining, albeit for the loss of one more wicket, the hero 21-year-old Kevin Rombice for his 70-ball 102.

Meanwhile, the Central Sylestone Snakes have continued to express their dominance with a ridiculously easy win over the Suffolk Seals, who were thrown back to Esportiva with an eight-wicket shellacking - the same margin of defeat they had handed to the New Gloucester Jaguars just a few days beforehand. After Fergus Stanton’s 89 from only 67 balls played an integral role in assuring the Seals would finish with a formidable 7-290 from their fifty overs, a century stand between Alyssa Fihelly (54) and Kyle Nicolls (50) provided the foundation for a massive Central Sylestone victory, before Jonah Appleby and Cameron Cunnings’ unbeaten 170-run stand completed the job with over ten overs remaining, Cunnings bringing up the victory with the boundary that also saw him reach three figures. It was a dominant batting display from the Snakes and if they could keep the good work up, they could certainly be a threat to take out their first One-Day title.

Matchday Three

Central Sylestone Snakes vs New Gloucester Jaguars @ Wagham Stadium, Conton

New Gloucester Jaguars - 273 (44.4)
S Cross 61 (44)				S Asaskia 3/43 (6.4)
C Freehill 54 (48)			K Sonnel 2/55 (9)

Central Sylestone Snakes - 9/239 (50)
J Appleby 46 (60)			S Scron 4/28 (9)
C Cunnings 40 (43)			J de Polo 2/38 (10)

Player of the match: Samuel Scron
New Gloucester Jaguars win by 34 runs

Capital Coyotes vs Suffolk Seals @ Cleorough Stadium, Cleorough

Capital Coyotes - 8/266 (50)
B Westleford 64 (70)			H Gilroy 3/30 (7)
T Monnier 56 (91)			F Stanton 1/30 (6)

Suffolk Seals - 8/261 (50)
L Tiati 84 (93)				B Hall 2/44 (10)
B Eastwood 53 (81)			N Norwell 2/49 (8)

Player of the match: Broughton Hall
Capital Coyotes win by five runs

South Sylestone Scorpions vs Freeman Firestorm @ Tutham Oval, Tuthambedon

Freeman Firestorm - 286 (48.4)
K Rombice 101 (82)			N Pistecial 4/30 (10)
S Lake 87 (84)				E Nosten 3/59 (10)

South Sylestone Scorpions - 263 (49.3)
C Anderson 79 (87)			A Homburg 5/46 (10)
A Luke 70 (85)				J Campton 3/53 (10)

Player of the match: Kevin Rombice
Freeman Firestorm win by 23 runs

As the Cubicle One-Day Cup moves “regional” for round three, we have witnessed our first true thriller of a match played out in Cleorough between the Capital Coyotes and Suffolk Seals. Having been sent in, half-centuries to Brock Westleford (64) and Taylah Monnier (56) leading the way on a tricky batting surface. A couple of strong rearguard performances ensured that an extra fifty runs were added to the Coyotes’ total, turning a below-par total into one slightly above-par, helping rebuild following a Hannah Gilroy-induced collapse to allow Capital to reach 8-266. However, despite Gilroy’s early wicket in Suffolk’s chase, Luke Tiati and Brianna Eastwood were able to rebuild, placing their state into prime position at 1-145 in the 30th over before Tiati fell for a fine 84. But Lachlan Cocrine took over Tiati’s role, ticking the strike over as Eastwood reached fifty before being run out with 87 runs required from 74 balls. But Cocrine, nor new batter Fergus Stanton, were able to really increase the strike-rate and by the time Cocrine was caught by Riley Accrington for an agonising 49, 42 runs were required from 24 balls. 33 were scored from the next three overs, leaving Broughton Hall to defend nine from the final over, the game perfectly in the balance. The first ball conceded nothing and the second sent Ross Amitt packing, turning the game completely on its head. Then came the crushing blow - the wicket of James Hemingway for 20 and barring a miracle, Broughton Hall had completed the impossible. He finished off in style, too, only leaking three runs from the final three balls to lead his side to their first victory of the season.

Elsewhere, fellow season two finalists New Gloucester have also put themselves on the table with a confident, 34-run beating of the ominous Central Sylestone Snakes. However, victory was far from assured after the first innings was completed, the Jaguars rueing a couple of missed chances with the bat that meant that they were unable to pass 300. Their final total was 273 all out in 44.4 overs, Samuel Cross top-scoring with a quickfire 61, while Samuel Asaskia was the best of the bowlers with figures of 3-43. But whatever New Gloucester may have missed out on with the bat, they made up with the ball. On a good batting strip in Conton, no host batter was able to pass fifty, Jonah Appleby top-scoring with 46. In one of the most disciplined bowling efforts thus far in the tournament, barely any Jaguar conceded more than six an over, with some conceding under four. Samuel Scron, boasting figures of 4-28 from nine overs, reaped player of the match honours for his invaluable contribution in restricting Central Sylestone to 9-239 from their fifty overs.

But while New Gloucester and Capital each recorded their opening victories in the tournament, 21-year-old Freeman batter Kevin Rombice has recorded his second century in two games, hitting an 82-ball 101 alongside the rest of the tail to get his side from 7-164 to 10-286 in the blink of an eye, helping set up an eventual 23-run victory against the South Sylestone Scorpions in Tuthambedon. The result meant that Norbert Pistecial’s spectacular 4-30 went in vain as Freeman’s young gun carted the hosts all over the park to set up a strong first-innings total. And despite a pair of seventies from middle-order duo Amber Luke and Chloe Anderson, Amber Homburg’s 5-46 and Jason Campton’s 3-53 proved decisive for the Firestorm, bowling the Scorpions out for 263 in the final over of the innings to achieve a highly unlikely victory as they, for quite possibly the first time ever, moved into the top two slots in the One-Day Cup table.

Matchday Four

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

Freeman Firestorm - 221 (49)
A Homburg 77 (59)			L Njata 3/37 (10)
C Latour 50 (71)			J de Polo 2/34 (10)

New Gloucester Jaguars - 2/224 (36.3)
E Cunningham 105* (109)			C Latour 2/36 (5)
C Freehill 91 (82)			A Tasso 0/19 (3)

Player of the match: Edward Cunningham
New Gloucester Jaguars win by eight wickets with 81 balls remaining

Suffolk Seals vs South Sylestone Scorpions @ Bolton Oval, Pesfield

Suffolk Seals - 8/281 (50)
L Cocrine 71 (82)			C Anderson 2/31 (5)
L Tiati 58 (75)				O Lovia 2/39 (9)

South Sylestone Scorpions - 274 (46.4)
S Creln 72 (79)				G Haines 4/36 (9)
A Lonelet 48 (24)			R Amitt 3/61 (9)

Player of the match: Georgia Haines
Suffolk Seals win by seven runs

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

Capital Coyotes - 8/294 (50)
F Crena 87 (90)				A Kennedy 3/56 (9)
P Lenton 54 (58)			S Halliday 3/68 (10)

Central Sylestone Snakes - 6/287 (50)
C Cunnings 76 (83)			C Elliott 2/42 (10)
J Appleby 46 (54)			N Norwell 1/31 (6)

Player of the match: Fergus Crena
Capital Coyotes win by seven runs

Not for the first time this season, we have seen identical results across two matches in the same round, the Suffolk Seals and Capital Coyotes triumphing by exactly seven runs over the South Sylestone Scorpions and Central Sylestone Snakes respectively. And to make things even weirder, New Gloucester’s eight-wicket thumping of the Freeman Firestorm has seen each of the Cubicle One-Day Cup’s six state sides have equal records, each boasting two wins and two losses in an event that has never been seen before. To kick off the round, the Freeman Firestorm learnt that their position in the top two was not going to remain for long, with some excellent new-ball bowling from Leo Njata and Samuel Scron restricting them to 4-24 early in the innings. From there, they never truly recovered, although a thrilling 103-run stand between Chelsea Latour (50 from 71) and Amber Homburg (77 from 59) saved grace for the visitors, finishing with a semi-respectable total of 221 all out. But the Jaguars did not see it that way, with an opening 168-run partnership between Caitlyn Freehill (91 from 82) and Edward Cunningham (105 not out from 109) putting themselves in an unlosable position and by the time the 222 runs required for victory were knocked off, only two wickets had fallen inside 37 overs in one of the most dominant performances of the tournament.

Then we get to our two seven-run wins. Or losses, depending on who you are. The first of the two occurred at Pesfield’s Bolton Oval, where steady contributions throughout the Suffolk batting lineup saw them reach 8-281 from their 50 overs, slightly beneath par for such a brilliant batting deck. But despite Samuel Creln’s stylish 72 and Adam Lonelet’s late cameo, it proved to be enough for victory, Georgia Haines the main destroyer with figures of 4-36 from nine overs. It was Talvin Mankira who took the wicket of Osten Lovia in the 47th over to finish proceedings, calming bowling him to secure his side a seven-run triumph.

In our other match where the difference was exactly seven runs, the Central Sylestone Snakes fell just short of Capital’s tough first-innings total of 294, hitting 6-287. They really should have won it though, but some disciplined bowling and some scratchy lower-order batting from the hosts in Halpenley ensured that would not be the case, although Seth Halliday gave them a right scare with an unbeaten 37 from just 16 balls when all seemed lost, his and Cameron Cunnings’ 76 going in vain as the defending champions took out both points. For the Coyotes, Fergus Crena was the hero with a classy 87, finding his touch once again to help post an above-par first-innings total that would eventually prove to be too much for the Snakes to chase down.

Matchday Five

Capital Coyotes vs New Gloucester Jaguars @ Capital Stadium, Avondale

New Gloucester Jaguars - 289 (47.5)
E Cunningham 75 (80)			P Wright 3/51 (9)
A Stealom 59 (37)			J Vilesti 2/43 (8.5)

Capital Coyotes - 4/293 (43.4)
C Elliott 108* (114)			S Cross 2/65 (8.5)
P Lenton 75 (70)			M Poci 1/43 (5)

Player of the match: Caitlyn Elliott
Capital Coyotes win by six wickets with 38 balls remaining

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

Central Sylestone Snakes - 4/258 (50)
J Appleby 84 (105)			L Codrington 2/37 (10)
S Asaskia 68* (70)			O Lovia 1/45 (10)

South Sylestone Scorpions - 8/259 (49.4)
S Creln 92 (114)			K Sonnel 3/46 (10)
N Lovia 73 (96)				S Asaskia 3/48 (9.4)

Player of the match: Samuel Creln
South Sylestone Scorpions win by two wickets with two balls remaining

Freeman Firestorm vs Suffolk Seals @ Freeman Oval, Freeman

Freeman Firestorm -3/261 (50)
S Lake 116 (141)			T Mankira 2/64 (10)
A Tasso 96 (132)			F Stanton 1/44 (10)

Suffolk Seals - 9/254 (50)
L Tiati 133 (129)			J Campton 4/26 (10)
F Stanton 51 (96)			A Homburg 2/39 (10)

Player of the match: Jason Campton
Freeman Firestorm win by seven runs

What is it with the seven-run results? We had two last round and now, here at the Freeman Oval, we have had another one. After electing to bat first on a pitch that was only going to worsen as time passed, Sean Lake and Aiden Tasso cautiously built the highest opening partnership in Cubicle One-Day Cup history - a mammoth 212 in 42 overs before the Freeman skipper was caught inches short of his century hitting out. But as the wicket became harder to bat on, neither Lake nor new batter Kevin Rombice could get the bowling away, 49 runs only being scored from the final eight overs of the innings as the Firestorm finished at 3-261. Then, the Seals found themselves in a world of trouble at 3-4 in the fourth over of the innings, Amber Homburg and Jason Campton ripping through the top-order without mercy. But over the next 28 overs, Luke Tiati and Fergus Stanton rebuilt the innings with a 137-run partnership, both passing fifty before Stanton was trapped in front by Homburg for 51. Tiati passed his century relatively soon afterwards but as wickets fell around him, it became increasingly obvious that everything was reliant upon him if Suffolk were to chase down the 262 runs required for victory. So when Angara Barragai had him caught at cover in the 46th over with 41 runs still required, the Seals seemed done and dusted, with just the tail remaining to score at ten an over. A couple of fine drives from Thomas Strand kept the Seals in the match, but the visitors ultimately fell short by seven runs, Jason Campton player of the match with figures of 4-26 from ten overs.

Meanwhile, the Central Sylestone Snakes and South Sylestone Scorpions also played out a thriller in Halpenley, after the Snakes were sent in to bat and compiled an average total of 4-258 on the back of three middle-order half-centurions. In response, Scorpion openers Samuel Creln and Nicholas Lovia compiled a formidable opening stand of 174 in 201 balls before both were dismissed in consecutive overs, leaving the game wide open. But while the Snakes dominated from then on in, South Sylestone never truly let them get away, keeping the run-rate ticking along despite the consistent loss of wickets. With an over to spare, the Scorpions were 7-256 and with Angelina Hodel on strike but when Samuel Asaskia took a sharp return catch on the first ball of that over, the game was once again right in the balance. But Lily Bodenweiser and Leo Codrington remained calm, striking the three runs for victory with a trio of singles to guide their side home and into first place on the table with two balls remaining.

So while we’ve had two brilliant matches to mark the halfway mark of the Cubicle One-Day Cup, the match between both of last year’s finalists proved to be anything but. Having been sent in by Capital skipper Peter Lenton, the New Gloucester Jaguars rallied to hit a total of 10-289, bowled out in the antepenultimate over going for big runs. At the Capital Stadium in Avondale, a target of 290 is often too much, but today it was far from that. Playing an uncharacterised supporting role, Caitlyn Elliott batted through the innings for 108 while Lenton and Brock Westleford both went for carnage around her, the Jaguars cause not helped by giving away thirty extras. Even so, the Coyotes’ eventual six-wicket win with 38 balls left was totally deserved as they climbed to third place, below the South Sylestone Scorpions and the… Freeman Firestorm.

Current Table

* Cubicle One-Day Cup           Pld   W  D  L   NRR    Pts
1 South Sylestone Scorpions       5   3  0  2  +0.644    6
2 Freeman Firestorm               5   3  0  2  -0.491    6
3 Capital Coyotes                 5   3  0  2  -0.539    6
4 Central Sylestone Snakes        5   2  0  3  +0.431    4
5 Suffolk Seals                   5   2  0  3  +0.006    4
6 New Gloucester Jaguars          5   2  0  3  -0.048    4

by **Sylestone** » Sat Jun 25, 2022 7:30 pm

CUBICLE ONE-DAY CUP

Season Three

Matchday Six

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

New Gloucester Jaguars - 191 (45)
E Cunningham 50 (91)			T Mankira 3/43 (8)
J de Polo 44 (36)			F Stanton 2/30 (9)

Suffolk Seals - 9/192 (47.2)
F Stanton 49 (72)			C Freehill 4/34 (7.2)
J Hemingway 38 (48)			S Cross 2/21 (6)

Player of the match: Caitlyn Freehill
Suffolk Seals win by one wicket with 16 balls remaining

Freeman Firestorm vs Central Sylestone Snakes @ Freeman Oval, Freeman

Freeman Firestorm - 6/304 (50)
K Force 90 (75)				A Hackett 2/56 (10)
Z Arafase 77 (82)			A Kennedy 2/70 (8)

Central Sylestone Snakes - 285 (49.1)
S Knox 84 (69)				J Campton 4/57 (9.1)
A Kennedy 37 (45)			A Barragai 3/74 (10)

Player of the match: Kieran Force
Freeman Firestorm win by 19 runs

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

South Sylestone Scorpions - 7/216 (50)
C Anderson 61 (75)			B Hall 2/23 (10)
A Luke 37 (63)				N Norwell 2/26 (8)

Capital Coyotes - 5/219 (45.5)
C Elliott 70 (86)			A Hodel 2/55 (10)
B Westleford 68 (89)			N Pistecial 1/26 (10)

Player of the match: Caitlyn Elliott
Capital Coyotes win by five wickets with 25 balls remaining

No one ever thought they’d seen the day… but it’s happened. The Freeman Firestorm are atop the Cubicle One-Day Cup table, with four wins from their six games and a semi-decent net run-rate getting them there. They were second at the halfway point of the season but thanks to a 19-run home triumph over the Central Sylestone Snakes, top spot is now theirs. After Aiden Tasso won the toss and elected to take the first dig, Kieran Force and Zachary Arafase recovered a worrisome beginning with a 152-run middle-order partnership, setting the innings up for a late flurry. The Firestorm’s final total was an above-par 6-304 and despite Samantha Knox’s 84, it would prove to be a step too far for the Snakes, who lost their final wicket in the 50th over with the run-rate well out of control. And as the South Sylestone Scorpions, the state above Freeman on the table, lost to the Capital Coyotes, Freeman’s win saw the southwestern state move into number one spot. However, the Coyotes were hot on their tail, the two sides only separated by a minor difference in net run-rate. It sets up an intriguing top-of-the-table clash in Avondale in a few days' time, where we will truly see how prepared Freeman is to defend their position.

Elsewhere, the New Gloucester Jaguars have been forced to remain at the bottom of the table, narrowly defeating the Suffolk Seals in a competition to see which side could bat the worst. On a relatively lucid Chamberley wicket, the Seals were able to take regular Jaguar wickets, no one really looking assured at the crease for any proper period of time. Even the top-scorers, Edward Cunningham and Juan de Polo, didn’t really appear comfortable, Cunningham using 91 balls to score his 50, while de Polo decided to hit out, scoring quick runs with no real care for his wicket. Even so, from the way the first ten overs of the Suffolk innings played out, New Gloucester’s total of 191 appeared to be rather decent, the visitors losing their powerful top-order while only scoring 28 runs. However, a middle-order revival catalysed by Brianna Eastwood and Fergus Stanton brought the Seals back into the game and with only fifty runs required, five wickets were still remaining. But that was when Caitlyn Freehill made her mark on the match, taking four wickets over the course of the next ten or so overs to leave the Seals needing eight runs from six overs, but with only a single wicket remaining.

But despite supreme bowling from Freehill and Samuel Scron, Georgia Haines and Ross Amitt were able to remain calm, defending and leaving the good balls but swinging at the bad ones, connecting on the majority to gradually bring the required runs down. The winning runs came from an outside edge from Amitt’s bat off Freehill, the ball falling just wide of Cunningham at slip and running away to the boundary, the batter emitting a cheeky grin, fully aware just how lucky he and his team were.

Sometimes, though, everyone deserves a slice of luck, even in the most forlorn of situations.

Matchday Seven

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

South Sylestone Scorpions - 8/295 (50)
C Anderson 98 (94)			S Scron 3/42 (8)
A Hodel 92 (77)				S Cross 2/52 (8)

New Gloucester Jaguars - 5/298 (48)
C Freehill 133 (139)			N Pistecial 2/46 (10)
M Stein 55 (69)				A Hodel 2/52 (9)

Player of the match: Caitlyn Freehill
New Gloucester Jaguars win by five wickets with 12 balls remaining

Capital Coyotes vs Freeman Firestorm @ Capital Stadium, Avondale

Freeman Firestorm - 221 (48.2)
K Force 89 (121)			N Norwell 5/44 (10)
A Tasso 27 (43)				J Vilesti 4/43 (9.2)

Capital Coyotes - 5/224 (41)
C Elliott 71 (91)			C Latour 3/46 (10)
P Lenton 45 (48)			A Huntingfield 2/47 (8)

Player of the match: Nathan Norwell
Capital Coyotes win by five wickets with 54 balls remaining

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

Suffolk Seals - 9/210 (50)
B Eastwood 75 (94)			K Sonnel 3/34 (10)
J Hemingway 35 (39)			A Fihelly 2/30 (6)

Central Sylestone Snakes - 7/214 (38.5)
K Nicolls 77 (63)			T Mankira 2/42 (7)
S Asaskia 51 (59)			H Gilroy 1/24 (3.5)

Player of the match: Kate Sonnel
Central Sylestone Snakes win by three wickets with 67 balls remaining

It seems as though Freeman’s time at the head of the Cubicle One-Day Cup table is not going to last, sacrificing their precarious position there with a five-wicket loss at the hands of the previously second-placed Capital Coyotes, extending their win streak to an enviable five games. After sending the Firestorm into bat, Nathan Norwell and Joshua Vilesti then proceeded to take nine of Freeman’s ten wickets, Norwell picking up career-best figures of 5-44, while Vilesti bowled just as well for his 4-43. Only Kieran Force seemed competent against their masterful control of pace bowling, scoring a 121-ball 89 while teammates fell around him. Without his contribution, the Firestorm would not have been able to conjure the 221 runs they did, keeping themselves in the match with a semi-defendable total. However, it was not to be today, with Caitlyn Elliott, Peter Lenton and Fergus Crena all making useful scores to bring their team home with nine overs remaining.

Elsewhere, the New Gloucester Jaguars have climbed from the bottom of the table with a dominant batting performance, chasing down a tricky 8-295 at the South Sylestone’s Betham Cricket Ground. Caitlyn Freehill was the star of the chase with a sublime 133 after Chloe Anderson and Angelina Hodel had both recorded scores in the nineties in the first innings. It was a game where the bowlers didn’t have too much luck, Samuel Scron the only player to take more than two wickets, a surprising fact considering the nature of the BCG’s regular surface. In other news, the Central Sylestone Snakes have recorded an unconvincing three-wicket victory in Halpenley over Suffolk, chasing down 211 with 67 balls still in hand thanks to half-centuries from Kyle Nicolls and skipper Samuel Asaskia.

Matchday Eight

New Gloucester Jaguars vs Central Sylestone Snakes @ Evergreen Arena, Emacuton

Central Sylestone Snakes - 8/185 (50)
A Kennedy 43* (56)			L Njata 4/36 (10)
J Appleby 38 (71)			J de Polo 2/52 (10)

New Gloucester Jaguars - 1/188 (22.2)
S Cross 93* (56)			K Sonnel 1/35 (5.2)
C Freehill 65* (58)			A Kennedy 0/20 (2)

Player of the match: Samuel Cross
New Gloucester Jaguars win by nine wickets with 166 balls remaining

Suffolk Seals vs Capital Coyotes @ Dodle Furnace, Dodle

Suffolk Seals - 215 (44.1)
L Cocrine 71 (75)			B Hall 3/41 (9.1)
H Gilroy 39 (69)			J Vilesti 2/43 (8)

Capital Coyotes - 6/217 (34.3)
C Elliott 108* (101)			R Amitt 2/43 (6.4)
M Oldacre 47 (42)			F Stanton 2/49 (8)

Player of the match: Caitlyn Elliott
Capital Coyotes win by four wickets with 93 balls remaining

Freeman Firestorm vs South Sylestone Scorpions @ Ketonley Town Oval, Ketonley

Freeman Firestorm - 8/257 (50)
K Force 66 (83)				L Codrington 3/59 (10)
E Hosbury 49 (56)			N Pistecial 3/63 (10)

South Sylestone Scorpions - 3/258 (44.1)
N Lovia 107 (108)			M Takasuka 1/31 (5)
P Shotenham 97 (97)			A Tasso 1/35 (6)

Player of the match: Nicholas Lovia
South Sylestone Scorpions win by seven wickets with 35 balls remaining

The Capital Coyotes truly are in a rich vein of form, aren’t they? With a clinical bowling performance, led by Broughton Hall’s 3-41 and Josh Vilesti’s 2-43, the Suffolk Seals were bowled out for only 215 on a flat Dodle track. Defending that would be a tricky task but when the Coyotes found themselves in a hole at 5-88 in the 20th over, it seemed possible. But Caitlyn Elliott was still at the crease and in the end, her unbeaten 108 would prove to be the difference. Mariam Oldacre joined the 19-year-old at the crease, the pair combining for a partnership of 114 before Oldacre was trapped in front three short of a deserved half-century. Even so, she’d completed her job and guided her team to safety, where they were able to cross the finish line with 93 balls still left.

If you thought that the Seals’ batting display was inept, though, think again. After electing to bat first at Emacuton’s Evergreen Arena, where any score below 300 is considered to be bad, the Central Sylestone Snakes flopped in one of the most embarrassing ways possible, recording a measly 8-185, only saved by Abbey Kennedy’s 43 from recording a score below 150. But little did anyone know just how terrible that score was, until Samuel Cross and Caitlyn Freehill smashed an unbeaten, 159-run partnership to complete the slaughter in only 22.2 overs for the loss of a single wicket.

So while two batting havens produced two rather abysmal batting performances, the volatile Ketonley Town Oval decided to do almost the exact opposite. While Freeman’s total of 8-257 wasn’t necessarily a big score, it was well above par for the surface and if they could defend it, they would climb back up into second place. But it was not to be, as Nicholas Lovia’s 107 and Patrick Shotenham’s 97 led the Scorpions to a resounding seven-wicket victory with six overs to spare, keeping them right in the contest for a finals berth.

Matchday Nine

Freeman Firestorm vs New Gloucester Jaguars @ Freeman Oval, Freeman

New Gloucester Jaguars - 8/332 (50)
L Afosha 86 (92)			A Huntingfield 3/40 (8)
M Stein 68 (69)				J Campton 2/47 (8)

Freeman Firestorm - 8/262 (50)
K Rombice 81 (80)			S Scron 3/44 (8)
M Takasuka 54 (75)			J de Polo 2/32 (10)

Player of the match: Liam Afosha
New Gloucester Jaguars win by 70 runs

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

South Sylestone Scorpions - 7/287 (50)
C Anderson 113 (117)			H Gilroy 2/43 (8)
A Luke 79 (85)				T Mankira 2/47 (9)

Suffolk Seals - 9/240 (50)
J Babbage 56 (63)			L Bodenweiser 4/46 (10)
L Cocrine 46 (57)			O Lovia 2/42 (10)

Player of the match: Chloe Anderson
South Sylestone Scorpions win by 47 runs

Capital Coyotes vs Central Sylestone Snakes @ Capital Stadium, Avondale

Central Sylestone Snakes - 9/292 (50)
S Asaskia 118 (122)			J Vilesti 4/55 (10)
A Fihelly 70 (76)			R Accrington 1/20 (5)

Capital Coyotes - 229 (43.2)
B Westleford 87 (100)			A Fihelly 3/41 (7.2)
R Accrington 60 (69)			K Sonnel 3/44 (9)

Player of the match: Samuel Asaskia
Central Sylestone Snakes win by 63 runs

Well, things have now truly become interesting. With the Capital Coyotes’ six-game winning streak being broken by the Central Sylestone Snakes and the New Gloucester Jaguars defeating the Freeman Firestorm, the matchup between Coyotes and Jaguars now provides the winner with a free slot into the final, while the loser must rely upon other results to go their way if they wish to take that position. However, as that match is the first game of the three, other teams will know exactly what they need to do in order to qualify. Freeman, whose sixty-run loss to New Gloucester despite Anna Huntingfield’s 3-40 and Kevin Rombice’s 81, are still technically in with a chance if they can beat the suffering Seals by, like, 300 runs. But the favourites have to be the South Sylestone Scorpions, for all they need is a victory over the Central Sylestone Snakes on the final day and they’ll make it. They achieved this with a 47-run victory over Luke Tiati’s Suffolk Seals, Chloe Anderson and Amber Luke anchoring the Scorpions with a 158-run partnership to 7-287, a total that would eventually be a step too far for their opponents.

So while the Jaguars and Scorpions gave themselves the best possible chance of making the final, the Capital Coyotes wasted their first chance of two to finish in the top two, falling 63 runs short of the Central Sylestone Snakes after Samuel Asaskia’s classy century took the visitors to 9-292. Then, leg-spinners Kate Sonnel and Alyssa Fihelly took three wickets apiece to wrap up the match, bundling the Coyotes out for a meagre 229, Asaskia also continuing his excellent day with two wickets, too.

Matchday Ten

New Gloucester Jaguars vs Capital Coyotes @ Chamberley Cricket Ground, Chamberley

New Gloucester Jaguars - 242 (47.5)
L Afosha 69 (97)			C Elliott 4/37 (6.5)
E Cunningham 63 (84)			B Hall 3/52 (9)

Capital Coyotes - 5/244 (46.4)
T Monnier 93 (111)			S Scron 3/48 (9.4)
B Westleford 69 (88)			M Poci 1/40 (9)

Player of the match: Caitlyn Elliott
Capital Coyotes win by five wickets with 20 balls remaining

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

South Sylestone Scorpions - 2/332 (50)
S Creln 140* (146)			S Asaskia 1/56 (10)
P Shotenham 113 (107)			K Sonnel 1/64 (10)

Central Sylestone Snakes - 9/308 (50)
C Cunnings 121 (86)			L Codrington 3/42 (10)
A Fihelly 93 (123)			N Pistecial 2/62 (10)

Player of the match: Samuel Creln
South Sylestone Scorpions win by 24 runs

Suffolk Seals vs Freeman Firestorm @ Bolton Oval, Pesfield

Suffolk Seals - 8/244 (50)
J Hemingway 65* (83)			C Latour 3/52 (10)
B Eastwood 54 (86)			A Homburg 2/43 (8)

Freeman Firestorm - 8/245 (41)
E Hosbury 101 (98)			G Haines 4/47 (10)
K Force 40 (55)				R Amitt 2/55 (8)

Player of the match: Erin Hosbury
Freeman Firestorm win by two wickets with 54 balls remaining

With a polished five-wicket triumph against the New Gloucester Jaguars, the Capital Coyotes have assured themselves of first place and a home final, giving themselves the best possible chance to defend their title. After spin duo Caitlyn Elliott and Broughton Hall took seven wickets between them to bring New Gloucester’s innings to a grinding halt, a century stand for the second wicket between Taylah Monnier (93) and Brock Westleford (69) ensured that the Coyotes always had their heads in front, eventually jumping over the line with twenty balls to spare. Then, joining them in the final would be the South Sylestone Scorpions, whose first-innings total of 2-332 would be too much for the Central Sylestone Snakes in Halpenley, Samuel Creln awarded player of the match for his unbeaten 140. Patrick Shotenham also made a century for the hosts, while Cameron Cunnings’ blistering 121 from 86 balls was in vain as the Snakes fell just short, finishing their allocated overs at 9-308. Leo Codrington was particularly lethal with the ball in hand, taking 3-42 on a surprisingly good batting track and without him, the New Gloucester Jaguars may have been the ones to progress to the final. But it was not to be, and last year’s runners-up had to be satisfied with third place.

That leaves us with the dead rubber match between the Suffolk Seals and Freeman Firestorm. While the end result was a two-wicket win for the Firestorm, indicating it was quite a close game, there was nothing truly exciting about it and as a result, I can’t be fucked to give you more information than that.

See you for the final in Avondale!

Final Table

* Cubicle One-Day Cup           Pld   W  D  L   NRR    Pts
1 Capital Coyotes                10   7  0  3  -0.026   14
2 South Sylestone Scorpions      10   6  0  4  +0.455   12
3 New Gloucester Jaguars         10   5  0  5  +0.410   10
4 Freeman Firestorm              10   5  0  5  -0.428   10
5 Central Sylestone Snakes       10   4  0  6  +0.067    8
6 Suffolk Seals                  10   3  0  7  -0.478    6

by **Sylestone** » Sat Jun 25, 2022 8:35 pm

Capital Coyotes Batting
Batter                                                 R   B  4s  6s   SR
T Monnier           b Pistecial                        0   4   0   0    
C Elliott           c Hodel b Pistecial               15   7   2   1  214.29
B Westleford (+)    c Codrington b Hodel             108 125   8   1   86.4
P Lenton (c)        lbw b Bodenweiser                 23  40   1   0   57.5
R Accrington        c Lonelet (+) b Anderson          34  48   1   1   70.83
F Crena             b Bodenweiser                      1   4   0   0   25
M Oldacre           not out                           87  60   5   4  145
N Norwell           st Lonelet (+) b Bodenweiser       0   3   0   0    
B Hall              c&b Hodel                          1   3   0   0   33.33
P Wright            run out (Lonelet (+))              4   6   0   0   66.67
J Vilesti           not out                            0   0                
       EXTRAS       (1 lb, 7 wd)                       8
        TOTAL       for 9 wickets                    281   (50 ov; 5.62 RPO)
                  

FOW: 1-0 (T Monnier, 0.4 overs); 2-15 (C Elliott, 2.2 overs); 3-59 (P Lenton (c), 14.3 overs); 
     4-132 (R Accrington, 30.5 overs); 5-133 (F Crena, 31.3 overs); 6-247 (B Westleford (+), 44.4 overs); 
     7-248 (N Norwell, 45.2 overs); 8-258 (B Hall, 46.4 overs); 9-281 (P Wright, 49.6 overs)

South Sylestone Scorpions Bowling
Bowler                 Ov   M   R  W   Econ  Ext
N Pistecial             9   2  35  2   3.89  (1 wd)
L Codrington            8   0  65  0   8.13  (2 wd)
A Hodel                10   1  49  2    4.9  (2 wd)
L Bodenweiser          10   1  52  3    5.2  
O Lovia                 7   0  45  0   6.43  (1 wd)
C Anderson (c)          4   1  24  1      6  (2 wd)
N Lovia                 2   0  10  0      5  

South Sylestone Scorpions Batting   (Target: 282)
Batter                                                 R   B  4s  6s   SR
S Creln             c Lenton b Vilesti                 5  13   1   0   38.46
N Lovia             c Lenton b Hall                   25  40   3   0   62.5
P Shotenham         c Lonelet (+) b Vilesti            2   6   0   0   33.33
C Anderson (c)      c Monnier b Hall                  56  64   4   1   87.5
A Luke              c&b Hall                           0   1   0   0    
A Hodel             not out                           89 101   9   1   88.12
A Lonelet (+)       c Wright b Elliott                31  40   4   0   77.5
N Pistecial         lbw b Hall                         4   3   1   0  133.33
L Bodenweiser       b Accrington                       6   4   1   0  150
L Codrington        c Westleford (+) b Accrington      0   3   0   0    
O Lovia             c Oldacre b Accrington             0   1   0   0    
       EXTRAS       (4 lb, 3 wd, 1 nb)                 8
        TOTAL       all out                          226   (45.5 ov; 4.93 RPO)
                  

FOW: 1-15 (S Creln, 5.1 overs); 2-21 (P Shotenham, 7.1 overs); 3-51 (N Lovia, 13.2 overs); 
     4-51 (A Luke, 13.4 overs); 5-134 (C Anderson (c), 28.5 overs); 6-204 (A Lonelet (+), 42.4 overs); 
     7-209 (N Pistecial, 43.2 overs); 8-225 (L Bodenweiser, 45.1 overs); 9-226 (L Codrington, 45.4 overs); 
     10-226 (O Lovia, 45.5 overs)

Capital Coyotes Bowling
Bowler                 Ov   M   R  W   Econ  Ext
N Norwell              10   1  44  0    4.4  
J Vilesti               9   1  45  2      5  (1 wd)
P Wright                8   0  48  0      6  (1 nb, 1 wd)
B Hall                 10   1  46  4    4.6  
C Elliott               8   0  38  1   4.75  
R Accrington          0.5   0   1  3      2  (1 wd)

Venue: Capital Stadium, Avondale, Sylestone
Match number: 
Toss: Capital Coyotes won the toss and elected to bat
Season/Tournament: Cubicle One-Day Cup III
Matchdays: Grand Final
Player of the Match: Mariam Oldacre
Series result: 
Debut: none
Umpires: unknown
TV Umpire: unknown
Reserve Umpire: unknown
Match Referee: unknown
Match Result: Capital Coyotes win by 55 runs

by **Sylestone** » Sun Sep 04, 2022 9:22 pm

SEASON SEVEN: PART ONE

AFC Droves

Overview:

City: Betham
Stadium: Burger Oval (cap. 26,000)
Team Colours: Red and White
Nickname: The Burgers
Rivalries: Betham FC, Whitepool
Previous Seasons: 14th - 2nd (Poo) - 5th (Poo)
Play Style: Defensive
Formation: 5-2-1-2
Predicted Finish: 10th
Manager: Tahlia Dawson (F) - 49

Starting XI:

GK: Timothy Jameson (M) - 26 
LB: Charlotte Mee (F) - 26 
LCB: Lucy Mills (F) - 31 
CB: Zac Irwin (M) - 27 
RCB: James Isobar (M) - 27 
RB: Isabel Aberdeen (F) - 33 
LM: Seth Wilson (M) - 32 
RM: Jamie Wells (M) - 24 
CAM: Koby McNeil (M) - 31 
CF: Riley Strathfield (M) - 23 
CF: Evan Strathfield (M) - 23

Reserves:

GK: 
GK: Bianca Ding (F) - 21 
LB: Kivash Moreton (M) - 27 
LCB: Ella Whitford (F) - 23 
CB: June Gilbert (F) - 24 
RCB: Alicia Dowie (F) - 17 
RB: Amelia Lundie (F) - 25 
LM: Jesse Wetherspoon (M) - 23 
RM: Jeremy Duras (M) - 26 
CAM: Isaac Black (M) - 29 
CF: Sienna Robinson (F) - 30 
CF: Seth Game (F) - 27

For many not quite keeping up with the return of Sylestonean football, AFC Droves’ fall back to the Poo League seems inevitable. But with Tahlia Dawson making a conscious effort to use a rather limited budget - over five times less than the likes of Capitol Athletic, Pesfield Trees and cross-town rivals Betham FC - they are a far better squad than they were four years ago. The Burgers’ defence is something to really be marvelled at, particularly due to the club’s complete lack of international players. In goals, former Under-21 international Timothy Jameson has improved exponentially since domestic football was last played in Sylestone and with the key signings of Lucy Mills, Zac Irwin and Isabel Aberdeen joining Charlotte Mee and James Isobar, Dawson has been able to change an average back line into arguably one of the Toilet League’s best. With Isobar currently in career-best form and Mee still performing close to her best at 32 years of age, it will be a tough task for any forward line to break this tight-knit group at the back.

But it hasn’t only been the Burgers’ five-strong back line that Dawson has poured money and effort into building. In the midfield, 24-year-old Jamie Wells - formerly a midfielder for Chromatika’s University of the Islands - will join the hard-working, determined Seth Wilson, while the Strathfield twins will rejoin their home club after three years with Vreton City in the Twin Premier League. At only 23 years of age, both players are AFC Droves’ star players and an injury to either of them will cost their club dearly. Both have the ability to sit in the box and wait for crosses to come in from wing-backs Charlotte Mee or Isabel Aberdeen, and have the dribbling skills to break past many a central defender. As twin brothers, they have worked together for their entire lives - an attribute Dawson is keen to exploit in the Burgers’ upcoming Toilet League bid.

From being ecstatic with surviving in the Toilet League last season thanks to a final-day triumph over Chamberley City and defeating FC Conton across two legs in the playoff series, AFC Droves could well and truly have a top-half finish in their sights if they can gel together and play their best football. This is the reason why Tahlia Dawson is considered to be one of Sylestone’s best managers, and the Burgers are fully aware of their fortune, the 49-year-old a die-hard supporter of her club. Despite being one of the poorer clubs in the Toilet League, there is nothing suggesting that this hardy group of players can not become a title force just a few years down the track.

Avondale Beach

Overview:

City: Avondale
Stadium: Connolly Oval (cap. 29,000)
Team Colours: Cyan and Orange
Nickhame: The Pigeons
Rivalries: Avondale City, Capitol Athletic, Pilbury Eaton
Previous Seasons: 10th - 13th - 12th
Play Style: Balanced
Formation: 4-3-3
Predicted Finish: 12th
Manager: Norman Selby (M) - 69

Starting XI:

GK: Charlie Barrett (M) - 29 
LB: Leon Mazza (M) - 21 
CB: Richard Hill (M) - 24 
CB: Steve Shephard (M) - 36 
RB: Lesley Keller (F) - 23 
LM: Twater Harring (M) - 28 
CM: Isla Bradfield (F) - 23 
RM: Marvin Harland (M) - 31 
LW: Amelia Northmore (F) - 23 
RW: Zachary Griffiths (M) - 24 
CF: Cassidy Dwyer (F) - 27

Reserves:

GK: Brooke Evenden (F) - 24 
GK: Jonathan Beet (M) - 29 
LB: Caleb Dakin (M) - 22 
CB: Melissa Morris (F) - 28 
CB: Gabriel Oldaker (M) - 18 
RB: Hudson Moreton (M) - 20 
LM: Toby Smith (M) - 26 
CM: Daniel Stedman (M) - 19 
RM: Toby Mackey (M) - 25 
LW: Charlie May (M) - 26 
RW: Jess Hale (F) - 32 
CF: Sophia Buchanan (F) - 22

After a fifth-placed finish in the third season of the Toilet League, Avondale Beach has not been able to deliver on that hype ever since, falling back down to the lower end of the table, occasionally even battling against the possibility of relegation. With another season down at the bottom looming after Norman Selby’s failure to make big signings during football’s hiatus in Sylestone, there are increasing calls for a managerial change to try and turn the Pigeons’ fortunes around in the years to come. In stark contrast to AFC Droves, Avondale Beach’s back line appears to be their largest issue, with only one predicted starter over 25 years of age… and he’s 36. Despite securing South Newlandian young gun Leon Mazza on a free transfer in the days leading up to the beginning of the season, Steve Shephard is well past his best and Richard Hill is largely unproven, meaning that almost any quality centre-forward should be able to break through them, leaving a mountain of work for Charlie Barrett to clean up between the posts. Only the meteoric rise of Lesley Keller over the past four years may be able to save the Pigeons at the back, with her pace and tackling skills useful for making both last-ditch attempts to save goals and creating counter-attacks.

With a series of injuries to right-midfielder Marvin Harland making him a lot slower than in his prime, Keller will be heavily relied upon to create opportunities down the right side, linking up with Zachary Griffiths on the right wing. On the left, midfielder Twater Harring is certainly a handful to deal with and will form a formidable partnership with Leon Mazza’s pace and Amelia Northmore’s ball skills, the latter another Pigeon youth product to really step up her game over the past couple of years and develop the skills required to become a useful left-winger. She and Zachary Griffiths will be attempting to cross the ball in towards Cassidy Dwyer in the centre whenever possible, a player currently in her prime at 27 years of age. If Avondale Beach is to stave off relegation for another year, a lot will rely on her to slot balls home whenever possible and probably finish with 15-plus goals by the time the 30-game mark eventuates.

With a back line far from ideal strength, particularly in the centre, the Pigeons will be relying on the midfield three of Twater Harring, Isla Bradfield and Marvin Harland to provide balls for the front three to attack with, with Selby attempting to provide an environment where Northmore, Dwyer and Griffiths can continually press an opposition’s defensive unit. If that doesn’t work, the side can always fall back on using their left- and right-backs to make runs and feed the wingers but unlike many other Toilet League clubs, Avondale Beach’s defence simply isn’t sturdy enough to play a counterattacking game. The road ahead for this Pigeons outfit will not be easy, but if the squad can gel together well, they might certainly be capable of pushing for a top-half finish. We saw glimpses of it four years ago when this club completed a double over title contenders Betham FC, including a 7-0 victory on the opening day and most unexpectedly, defeating Kirkham Appliances, Avondale City, Pesfield Trees and Chamberley City en route to their inaugural SFA Cup title. But without the assuring presence of Flavovespians Nigel Humphries and Dean Alfred and Savannah Edwards on the wing, it’s hard to see this squad coming close to replicating those feats.

Avondale City

Overview:

City: Avondale
Stadium: Kitchener Stadium (cap. 65,000)
Team Colours: Lime Green and Yellow
Nickname: The Lime Greens
Rivalries: Capitol Athletic, Avondale Beach
Previous Seasons: 2nd - 3rd - 3rd
Play Style: Aggressive
Formation: 4-2-2-2
Predicted Finish: 4th
Manager: John Lawson (M) - 52

Starting XI:

GK: Edward Khan (M) - 22 
LB: Isabella Cross (F) - 24 
CB: Olivia Nambucca (F) - 27 
CB: Gillian Lang (F) - 30 
RB: Aoi Kyouka (F) - 23 
LM: Amelia Stanton (F) - 26 
RM: Jack Lawson (M) - 20 
LAM: Kyle Miller (M) - 31 
RAM: Zara Wheals (F) - 24 
CF: Harrison Reynolds (M) - 29 
CF: Amelia Ascott (F) - 23

Reserves:

GK: Arlo Cameron (M) - 29 
GK: Jett Gibbes (M) - 22 
LB: Isabel Matthews (F) - 32 
CB: Mia Holt (F) - 32 
CB: Patrick Maynard (M) - 26 
RB: Brynn Gibson (M) - 28 
LM: Maya Whiddon (F) - 21 
RM: Mikayla Ramsden (F) - 29 
LAM: Charlotte Eastwood (F) - 19 
RAM: Max Lonsdale (M) - 23 
CF: Cooper Hill (M) - 30 
CF: Taylah Fitzpatrick (F) - 24

After the heartbreak of losing to Mid-Capital on the final day in season six to hand their cross-town rivals, Capitol Athletic, the Toilet League, John Lawson has had to spend the last four years desperately scavenging his supporters back again, with many turning their back on the club after yet another failure to snatch the title. But while he’s done that successfully, beating Capitol Athletic 2-0 at Kitchener Stadium two weeks ago, the squad he has assembled this season simply does not appear to be the one he had before the league’s hiatus - both literally and figuratively. While he has been able to sign key figures such as repatriating Isabella Cross and Amelia Stanton as well as bringing in three internationals, if football was played on paper, this Avondale City squad would struggle to reach the IFCF Challengers’ Cup, let alone challenge for the title. The Lime Greens’ revenue is partly to blame for that, for despite the club being one of Sylestone’s most successful, it is a far cry beneath that boasted by Capitol Athletic and Pesfield Trees or even Betham and Cleorough. It is only on John Lawson’s shrewd shoulders that Avondale City have remained title-challengers for the past few seasons.

That being said, though, Avondale City are still a team that can challenge the very best and are realistically only one or two victories away from re-affirming their status as one of the Toilet League’s most celebrated clubs. Their opening match against an ever-improving AFC Droves will kick off the Lime Greens’ season, with a full house expected at Kitchener Stadium. They will be eager to see how new goalkeeper Edward Khan plays and how a slightly altered formation will play out, with Lawson electing to play with two wider attacking midfielders to cut down attacks on the wings, but still employ the 4-2-2-2 formation that made him domestically famous. Like the last few seasons, both the left and right wing-backs will be making runs up the wing and sometimes into the box but with Kyle Miller and Zara Wheals playing less centrally, they will not be relied upon as much. Still, both Isabella Cross and Chromatik Aoi Kyouka have it in them to complete those runs and will remain assets to the club. In the midfield, new signing Amelia Stanton and Jack Lawson will play slightly on the defensive side and quite close together, letting Wheals and Miller attack more up ahead of them.

While all of those departments appear relatively stable, the forward duo the Lime Greens appear likely to start with appears to be rather dubious at best. At least, compared to their old pair, Sloane Walsh and Wanar-Sevet Opu - two players that linked up almost perfectly and caused chaos for opposing defensive lines. Nothing against Harrison Reynolds, Amelia Ascott and their understudies, but they just don’t seem to be anywhere near as fearsome. Tikariotian Reynolds will certainly be a handful to deal with, no doubt about that, but Ascott’s an unknown force at only 23 years of age. But oppositions beware - if John Lawson’s starting her, then she must have rare quality.

Betham FC

Overview:

City: Betham
Stadium: The Bay Reserve (cap. 68,420)
Team Colours: Red and Orange
Nickname: The Pandas
Rivalries: AFC Droves, Halpenley United
Previous Seasons: 6th - 2nd - 7th
Play Style: Aggressive
Formation: 3-3-4
Predicted Finish: 7th
Manager: Arjun Kohli (M) - 53

Starting XI:

GK: Jonah Hickson (M) - 34 
LB: Sofia Gunson (F) - 24 
CB: Sophia Pearson (F) - 29 
RB: Aidan Poole (M) - 28 
LM: Jayden Higgins (M) - 29 
CM: Leslie Black (F) - 28 
RM: Kate Fullers (F) - 26 
LW: Marie-Louise Ayotte-Beaudin (F) - 32 
RW: Max MacIntosh (M) - 29 
CF: Kieran Satis (M) - 27 
CF: Destiny Arias (F) - 33

Reserves:

GK: Madison Mitchell (F) - 30 
GK: Luca Yali (M) - 20 
LB: Owen Ewing (M) - 28 
CB: Bethany Johns (F) - 27 
RB: Liam Kernot (M) - 23 
LM: Amber Woodward (F) - 27 
CM: Jake Swain (M) - 26 
RM: Ben Lloyd (M) - 30 
LW: Elliot Nicholson (M) - 30 
RW: Alexis Middleton (F) - 25 
CF: Rose Kane (F) - 30 
CF: Ryan Lloyd (M) - 32

With a strong first XI, many Betham fans are expecting their team to challenge for IFCF contention this season, after a slightly disappointing sixth-placed finish last season before the Toilet League went on hiatus. However, as soon as you delve beneath the likes of Sophia Pearson and Kate Fullers and Max MacIntosh and Destiny Arias, there is a significant gap to the Pandas’ second XI, meaning that injuries to key players will leave Arjun Kohli’s side in disarray. If Betham are lucky, then by all means, they have the ability to become title contenders but if not, then a mid-table finish seems likely.

Yet again, Arjun Kohli has employed an aggressive tactic, exploiting a 3-3-2-2 or 3-3-4 formation to continually press an opposition’s defensive lines. However, in the weeks leading into the season, Kohli opted to provide a little more emphasis on defence, signing Sophia Pearson back to her homeland from Chatswood in Nephara, and goalkeeper Jonah Hickson from Ko-oren. With Pearson currently in her prime at 29 years of age, her skills in the central defence will be key to Betham’s push for the top four and with Sofia Gunson and Aidan Poole improving exponentially on both sides of her, the Pandas’ defence is not so easily penetrated. The role for those three will be to move the ball quickly up the field, either over the top to the forwards and wingers or to the midfield three of Jayden Higgins, Leslie Black and Kate Fullers, all of whom have the pace and ball skills to successfully move the ball onward. But while both of those departments are relatively strong, it is Betham’s forward line that makes them such a formidable force under Arjun Kohli. Wingers Marie-Louise Ayotte-Beaudin and Max MacIntosh are expected to play right out on the sidelines for the majority of the time and cross the ball in towards Destiny Arias and Kieran Satis waiting in the middle, both players excellent, deadly finishers. But while this attacking strategy may net the Pandas a pile of goals, with only three backs and three midfielders supporting them, the side are even more reliant on them to perform at their best day in, day out.

And if they cannot do that adequately, then Betham may concede four or five goals in a match, in similar vein to some of their losses last season, most notably a 7-0 opening day demolition at the hands of the Pigeons. But with Sophia Pearson back in Sylestone and better than ever, if she can remain uninjured and strong, perhaps this may be Betham’s season.

Breakfast Bowl FC

Overview:

City: Kirkham
Stadium: Sentient Oval (cap. 29,275)
Team Colours: Beige and Red
Nickname: The Breakfast Bowls
Rivalries: Fridge FC, Kitchen Sink FC, Kirkham Sentients, Kirkham Appliances
Previous Seasons: 12th - 12th - 2nd (Poo)
Play Style: Balanced
Formation: 4-3-3
Predicted Finish: 14th
Manager: Whiteboard Marker

Starting XI:

GK: Cabinet 
LB: Ironing Board 
CB: Pizza Stone 
CB: Bookshelf 
RB: Tarpaulin 
LM: Kitchen Sink 
CM: Breakfast Bowl 
RM: Spiderwebs 
LW: Bathtub 
CF: Wristwatch 
RW: Spatula

Reserves:

GK: Ladder 
GK: House 
LB: Cup 
CB: Desk 
CB: Cardboard Box 
RB: Wine Glass 
LM: Workbook 
CM: Tissue Box 
RM: Window 
LW: Front Door 
CF: Soap 
RW: Back Door

When Breakfast Bowl FC, Kitchen Sink FC and Fridge FC were originally handed over to Vdaran furniture corporation Kitchen Sink, there was much relief across Sylestone, but particularly in Kirkham, that the trio of clubs would stop spiralling downward.

But all in all, it’s only exacerbated that downward trend. While Fridge FC have been able to reaffirm themselves in the top flight, it took two underwhelming seasons to reach that point and neither Kitchen Sink FC nor Breakfast Bowl FC have appeared particularly convincing. With laws by the Sentient Football Association of Sylestone (SFAS) currently stating that no species other than a Sentient Object may join any of the five Kirkham-based clubs, this restricts transfers between those teams and for the Breakfast Bowls, it’s pretty darn obvious that they’ve drawn the short straw. Although teams around them have been weakened by the Toilet League’s hiatus, if Kitchen Sink wanted to make Breakfast Bowl FC a force to be reckoned with, they would have had to buy players off the Appliances and Sentients - and neither were budging, as both knew they had a squad to challenge for the title. As a result, the Breakfast Bowls have been left in what appears to be yet another battle for relegation as they attempt to make it three seasons straight in the top flight.

One of Breakfast Bowl FC’s largest problems is that despite having a Whiteboard Marker as manager, they don’t seem to have any clear, underlying plans, with all players playing for themselves rather than the team as a whole. While many of their victories come when the back line holds the ball for extended periods of time, wearing down the opposition before launching counterattacks, the likes of the Ironing Board on the left and the Pizza Stone in the centre like to move the ball onwards a little too much, the former in particular due to its brilliant speed and dribbling skills. However, with the Whiteboard Marker employing a 4-3-3 formation with the Bathtub and Spatula playing out wide up front, there is only so much the Ironing Board can do on the left, much to its frustration at times. However, despite the occasional lack of teamwork, the Breakfast Bowl midfield is certainly not one to relax on, with capped internationals in the Kitchen Sink and Spiderwebs on each side of the, uh, Breakfast Bowl in the centre. At its heart, these three are going to be the ones that define Breakfast Bowl FC’s season. If they perform, then a top-half finish is possible but if not, relegation will be on the cards.

Capitol Athletic

Prev. Capital FC

Overview:

City: Avondale
Stadium: Avondale International Sports Stadium (cap. 86,500)
Team Colours: Maroon and Black
Nickname: The Maroons
Rivalries: Avondale City, Avondale Beach, Pesfield Trees
Previous Seasons: 1st - 1st - 2nd
Play Style: Balanced
Formation: 4-1-3-2
Predicted Finish: 1st
Manager: Brain Murphy (M) - 52

Starting XI:

GK: Callum Holmes (M) - 28 
LB: Gabriel van Brabant (M) - 22 
CB: Joseph Tasserton (M) - 33 
CB: James Heagney (M) - 32 
RB: Luke Mitchell (M) - 35 
CDM: Jason Williams (M) - 30 
LM: Aaron Dodge (M) - 32 
CM: Bianca Barkman (F) - 25 
RM: Jeremy Smith (M) - 31 
CF: Levin Voigt (M) - 18 
CF: Alyssa Hightower (F) - 30

Reserves:

GK: Oscar Murray (M) - 30 
GK: Anthony Leggo (M) - 22 
LB: Alexander Stable (M) - 29 
CB: Mary Levy (F) - 27 
CB: Xavier Watson (M) - 28 
RB: Kayla Johnstone (F) - 22 
CDM: Morgan Ferris (M) - 32 
LM: Amy Eaton (M) - 35 
CM: Noah Smythe (M) - 17 
RM: Arizhel Illioth (F) - 28 
CF: Nicholas Holder (M) - 18 
CF: Ethan Everest (M) - 32

Another season, another year for Brian Murphy to work his magic and form a ridiculously strong team. When the Toilet League went on hiatus, almost all football fans around the nation were praying that it would halt Capitol Athletic’s ridiculous strength, the Maroons beginning to climb head and shoulders above the rest of their competition - particularly those wearing the green and yellow of Avondale City. But no, Murphy has not budged and let other teams threaten his club’s seat at the head of the Sylestonean football pyramid, exploiting their money - the most of anyone in the Toilet League - to sign some of Sylestone’s biggest names. Somehow, he’s managed to convince not one, not two, but [i]three of Sylestone’s best to repatriate themselves to their homeland, resigning Joseph Tasserton, Aaron Dodge and Alyssa Hightower from overseas, while also stealing Luke Mitchell from Halpenley United. Even then, that’s not all, for Tikariotian left-back Gabriel van Brabant has signed on for the season, while 18-year-old striker Levin Voigt from South Newlandia will be joining Hightower up front.

And around that, there are pretty much no weak links. Although not many of the remaining players are too close to national team contention, all have been around the clubs for what seems like an era, earning Murphy’s trust with their skills. That’s another thing he and Capitol Athletic have done so well - they have managed to retain the hard-working players vital to their dominance before the Toilet League’s hiatus. That fact is what makes them a truly great team in Sylestonean football - they have the stars that produce game in, game out, but also the gritty, determined players that are arguably even more consistent.

This is why Capitol Athletic have been able to utilise such an ominous, counterattacking style under Murphy. Their back line is sturdy enough to confidently pass the ball around with little error and with Jason Williams in the defensive midfield, the Maroons almost play with three centre-halves at times. On the right, Luke Mitchell is still able to make decisive runs up the wings at 35 years young, another key tactic as the club does not deploy wingers, instead opting to allow the wing-backs to cross balls in towards Hightower and Voigt, while Capitol’s four-strong midfield line also provides a way of reaching the front pair through the centre, Aaron Dodge, Bianca Barkman and Jeremy Smith preferring to play tightly and pass the ball up or out whenever possible.

With such a gloriously balanced squad, it will be very difficult to stop Capitol Athletic this year. Will anyone have it in them to halt a seemingly straightforward trot towards a hat-trick of titles?

Chamberley City

Overview:

City: Avondale
Stadium: Chamberley Institute of Sport (cap. 109,300)
Team Colours: Blue and Green
Nickname: The Stars
Rivalries: Katham, Northampton Olympic
Previous Seasons: 8th - 8th - 5th
Play Style: Aggressive
Formation: 4-2-4
Predicted Finish: 6th
Manager: Heldir Zaman (M) - 63

Starting XI:

GK: Steven Heinrich (M) - 29 
LB: Juan Francois (M) - 30 
CB: Janelle Oliver (F) - 33 
CB: John Hedley (M) - 29 
RB: Lilah Buchanan (F) - 28 
LCM: Max Paterson (M) - 29 
RCM: Joel Clemons (M) - 30 
LW: Samosa Man (M) - 27 
RW: Kaiden Courtney (M) - 32 
CF: Great White Shark (X) - 28 [QMI]
CF: Hayden Blamey (M) - 23

Reserves:

GK: Sarina Stone (F) - 31 
GK: Matthew de Kerilleau (M) - 22 
LB: Jack Kitson (M) - 30 
CB: Archie Kleeberg (M) - 26 
CB: Bella McElhone (F) - 27 
RB: Oakley Adamson (M) - 29 
LCM: Jack Hainsworth (M) - 34 
RCM: Andrew Casey (M) - 25 
LW: Jack Ryland (M) - 20 
RW: Alannah Ulm (F) - 25 
CF: Madeline Bostock (F) - 19 
CF: Riley Howard (M) - 32

For a side with lots of money, a good manager and a determined squad, it’s a bit of a mystery why Chamberley City have never made it into the top four of the Toilet League and as a result, are still yet to partake in the IFCF. They came closest in to the Challengers’ Cup in season four with a fifth-placed finish and came even closer four years back in the SFA Cup, only missing out in a goal-filled thriller against Avondale Beach on penalty kicks. But coming back with a side just as strong as the one they left the Toilet League with and many of their rivals weakened due to the hiatus, there is no better time than now for the Stars to shine… quite literally. Not only has Confederate manager Heldir Zaman made big-name signings such as improving the midfield with Max Paterson in the left, but he has also improved that side of the pitch with Juan Francois from Paulsen FC in Abanhfleft at left-back - another big signing that has captured attention. However, Zaman has also proved to be devious too, quietly signing Emacuton United youth product Hayden Blamey to more than account for the retirement of Stephanie Georges up front and further enhancing the Stars’ defensive unit with Tikariotian goalkeeper Steven Heinrich.

Overall, it is a team that has the potential to challenge the Toilet League title. But with two rather unproven wingers in Kaiden Courtney and Samosa Man and John Hedley looking likely to start in a centre-back role, there are certain weak links around all of Zaman’s big-name players. And at its core, that’s the difference between the squads boasted by Capitol Athletic and Chamberley City - they both have their star players, but Chamberley simply does not have the quality, hard-workers the Maroons do.

But despite that, Zaman still has a plan, and a plan that has worked rather well over the years he’s been in charge of the New Gloucester state’s best club. Utilising a 4-2-4 formation rarely seen in modern football, much of his game plan hinges on defenders procuring long balls over the top, with only two centre-midfielders between the defensive and forward lines. Both of them - Max Paterson and Joel Clemons - will have a huge role to play if Chamberley wishes to push for IFCF contention, for if the long balls do not work, the Stars are hinging on them being able to remain composed on the ball and set up attacking opportunities. In future seasons, this area is certainly one that Zaman will be putting every ounce into to improve considering its importance to many aspects of his game plan. Having quality forwards, wingers and full-backs are one thing, but when you only have two midfielders, you must ensure that both players are world-class.

Cleorough

Overview:

City: Cleorough
Stadium: Carson Stadium (cap. 80,000)
Team Colours: Yellow and Orange
Nickname: The Toucans
Rivalries: Freeport, Mid-Capital, Pesfield Trees, Western Avondale
Previous Seasons: 11th - 11th - 14th
Play Style: Aggressive
Formation: 4-3-3
Predicted Finish: 9th
Manager: Elias Hammerschmidt (M) - 49

Starting XI:

GK: Benjamin Chapman (M) - 32 
LB: Josh Pearson (M) - 28 
CB: Adrian Ferguson (M) - 34 
CB: James Porree (M) - 25 
RB: Lucas Jabberee (M) - 34 
LM: Dalah Oder (M) - 23 
CM: Harper Weiss (M) - 26 
RM: Rose McCaughey (F) - 27 
LW: Oscar Sheppard (M) - 20 
RW: Abigail McNair (F) - 30 
CF: Ryan Mitchell (M) - 30

Reserves:

GK: Brooke Brabyn (F) - 23 
GK: Sophie Burdett (F) - 27 
LB: Harrison Curmi (M) - 18 
CB: Dorian Levine (M) - 31 
CB: Tahlia Freeling (F) - 18 
RB: Antonio Jordan (M) - 24 
LM: Jade Davies (F) - 30 
CM: Matthew Threlfall (M) - 20 
RM: Shoka Chang (F) - 27 
LW: Barbara Kittens (F) - 31 
RW: Isla Ives (F) - 28 
CF: Samuel Quinn (M) - 19

If there was an award that went to the eleventh-placed team in the Toilet League, Cleorough would have a chock-full trophy cabinet. Despite boasting the fourth-largest revenue in the Toilet League as of right now, Elias Hammerschmidt from Zeta Reka and Hugeltaldom has not been able to exploit that since Douglas Gill’s sacking and although he was surprisingly welcomed back into the club with open arms, it appears doubtful that this will be the year Cleorough turns it around. The signing of Abigail McNair on the right wing displayed the pull the Rekan has, as did that of Dalah Oder from Chromatika and Josh Pearson from Dunkirk Athletic but other than that, there’s been little to celebrate for the Toucans. Benjamin Chapman in goals and Ryan Mitchell up front appear as possible weak links, while Cleorough’s back two - Adrian Ferguson and James Porree - instil next to no one with confidence. Yes, they’re both hard workers and are not easy to break through, but neither have the quality to challenge the forward line of top teams consistently.

However, on the left and right of the back line, Josh Pearson and Lucas Jabberee have quite the opposite effect. After Dunkirk Athletic finally let him go following their relegation to the Poo League, Pearson has been in career-best form over the scarce number of games he’s been able to play over the past few years and with the Toilet League returning, this is his chance to push for national team selection. Meanwhile, while Jabberee is past his best at 34 years of age, he’s still quick as lightning up the wings and has excellent ball control to go along with it, too. If he can link up with Abigail McNair well, then opposition defensive units will have a lot to deal with.

In the midfield, Harper Weiss will also look to press his case for national team selection, having improved mightily over the past four years to become one of the league’s best central midfielders. He will be joined by Chromatik 23-year-old Dalah Oder on the left and Rose McCaughey, another player to have shot onto the scene over the past couple of years, on the right, forming a middle three whose main task will be to feed the forwards under Hammerschmidt’s counter-attacking style. And then come the forwards. Up front is Ryan Mitchell, a player who was never really able to deliver on the quality he possessed as a youth and unless he performs supremely well, relegation to the second XI next season appears to be likely. Flanking him on the wings are 20-year-old Oscar Sheppard and Abigail McNair, two players known for their pinpoint crossing skills and if Mitchell can convert in the centre, the Toucans might just become a force to be reckoned with.

Can they do it?

by **Sylestone** » Sat Sep 10, 2022 4:25 pm

SEASON SIX: PART TWO

Fridge FC

Overview:

City: Kirkham
Stadium: Sentient Oval, Kirkham (cap. 29,275)
Team Colours: Green and Dark Green
Nickname: The Fridges
Rivalries: Breakfast Bowl FC, Kitchen Sink FC, Kirkham Sentients, Kirkham Appliances
Previous Seasons: 2nd (Poo) - 5th (Poo) - 16th
Playstyle: Aggressive
Formation: 3-4-3
Predicted Finish: 13th
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

After two years in the Poo League, it will be a bit of a shock for Fridge FC to be facing genuine, quality teams again. Their two years outside of the Toilet League were rather nerve-wracking for supporters of the club with a catchment area in the suburban west of Kirkham, with the club only coming fifth in season five after being widely expected to earn direct promotion straight back to the Sylestonean top flight. Even last season, just before the Toilet League’s hiatus, they still struggled to finish inside the top two, leaving it until matchday twenty-nine to seal a top-three finish before a 55th-minute equaliser against Conton confirmed a top-two spot, staving off their opponents by a single point to assume automatic promotion.

With a side containing Sentient players such as the Fridge, Washing Machine, Table and Dishwasher, you would expect the Fridges to be one of Sylestone football’s most revered sides. But outside of them and possibly the trio of Fork, Knife and Spoon, there is not much to this Fridge FC side. Unlike the Kirkham Appliances, Kirkham Sentients or even Kitchen Sink FC, the side that used to be known as Kirkham Suburbs simply lacks depth - a well-known to many an opponent. Ultimately, that was what cost the Fridges over the past three seasons, performing well beneath expectations and putting the Garbage Bin on the verge of sackage. However, thanks to that 1-1 draw against FC Conton, it has kept its job but if Fridge FC find themselves battling for relegation once again, then its days at the club may be over.

And if that happens, it will certainly be a sad day for Sylestonean football. While the Garbage Bin might be smelly, its controversial but innovative employment of a 3-4-3 has created intriguing football, the Fridges always dominating the midfield even when they lose heavily. Even in that famous 10-1 loss to Capitol Athletic back in season four, Fridge FC still came close to dominating possession; their defensive unit simply lost it. So if their forwards can find a bit of form this year, then perhaps this plucky club might find themselves back in the top half of the Toilet League, but if not? Participating in an unenviable relegation battle seems the only way forward.

Katham FC

Overview:

City: Katham
Stadium: Katham Oval (cap. 13,000)
Team Colours: Burgundy and Black
Nickname: The Chickens
Rivalries: Chamberley City, North Chamberley, Westminster
Previous Seasons: 13th - 1st (Poo) - 3rd (Poo)
Play Style: Defensive
Formation: 5-2-1-2
Predicted Finish: 15th
Manager: Maynerd Donald (M) - 40

Starting XI:

GK: Victoria Baxter (F) - 30 
LB: Quincy Hambleton (M) - 35 
LCB: Michael Hunt (M) - 31 
CB: Sean Wallace (M) - 25 
RCB: Clemency Wright (F) - 35 
RB: Zacharias Andrade (M) - 28 
LM: Earleen Tupper (F) - 32 
RM: Isabella McLaren (F) - 28 
CAM: Paige Sievier (F) - 23 
CF: Malcolm Bilby (M) - 32 
CF: Kerry Bennett (M) - 31

Reserves:

GK: Scarlett Vallis (F) - 28 
GK: Lincoln Kroger (M) - 26 
LB: Zoe Jessop (F) - 21 
LCB: Lily Holdsworth (F) - 29 
CB: Logan Persse (M) - 17 
RCB: Caitlyn Loveless (F) - 27 
RB: Eva Cockburn (M) - 29 
LM: Brian Bay (M) - 29 
RM: Natalie Bowden (F) - 22 
CAM: Zara Cranswick (F) - 20 
CF: Ryder Bailey (M) - 21 
CF: Gilbert Wright (M) - 26

After surviving last season and finishing thirteenth in their first season back in the Toilet League, Katham have simply not been able to sign any actual quality players and as a result, seems destined for relegation. While they have developed their offence with the signings of Paige Sievier from Southern Beaches and Malcolm Bilby from Dunkirk Athletic, Maynard Donald’s squad appears significantly weaker than it did four years ago, with the remaining key players all likely to be past their best. But with the Chickens exploiting a determined 5-2-1-2 formation and playing a slow, possession-based brand of football, it will not be easy to break through and score. But with no true attacking threats up front and a weak midfield, oppositions will not be scared to pressurise the back five and force them into making mistakes, opening up goal-scoring opportunities.

And that, at its core, is why Katham is likely to fail to shine this season. Unfortunately for them, one look at their lineup gives the impression of a Poo League team - a solid one at that but nevertheless, still a Poo League team. It will take a lot of excellent management and some good luck for the Chickens to stay up and while it’s a possibility, it is by no means likely. And if Katham has an exceptionally poor season, then down the drain Maynard Donald will go as this plucky yoyo club realises that it may well be confined to multiple straight seasons in the Sylestonean second division. In fact, one of the only things that are keeping this club afloat is its youth program but even there, it has nowhere near enough impetus to maintain Katham in the Toilet League for too long.

Kirkham Appliances

Overview:

City: Kirkham
Stadium: Sentient Oval (cap. 29,275)
Team Colours: Purple and Black
Rivalries: Kirkham Sentients, Kitchen Sink FC, Fridge FC, Breakfast Bowl FC
Nickname: The Appliances
Previous Seasons: 3rd - 4th - 6th
Play Style: Defensive
Formation: 5-1-2-1-1
Predicted Finish: 3rd
Manager: Loudspeaker

Starting XI:

GK: Brick Wall 
LB: Nokia 
LCB: Microwave 
CB: Television 
RCB: Egg Timer 
RB: Boiler 
CDM: Air Conditioner 
LM: Alarm Clock 
RM: Telephone 
CAM: Mixer 
CF: Heater

Reserves:

GK: Oven 
GK: Freezer 
LB: Vacuum Cleaner 
LCB: Water Heater 
CB: Electric Blanket 
RCB: Waffle Iron 
RB: Printer 
CDM: Food Processor 
LM: Juicer 
RM: Electric Knife 
CAM: Coffee Maker 
CF: Water Cooler

Over the past four years, Kirkham Appliances have simply gone from strength to strength - there’s no other way of putting it. Back in the sixth season of the Toilet League, the Appliances kept their hopes of a second title alive right until the very final round, albeit relying on two other results to go their way in order to achieve the title with a victory. And while it didn’t happen and Kirkham’s best side had to be satisfied with third place and a Challengers Cup spot, it definitely boded an excellent sign for things to come. With the Loudspeaker keeping ahold of every player bar the Soap (pun intended) and signing the Mixer from Kohnhead’s Swisston City as an attacking midfielder or support striker, the Appliances have gone from strength to strength and seem destined to participate in what is shaping up for a three-way tussle for the title with Capitol Athletic and Pesfield Trees.

Under the Loudspeaker, Kirkham plays a very defensive, possession-based game but is not afraid to counter-attack straight down the middle or out the wings via the Nokia and Boiler. With five at the back, goals are going to be difficult to score, so expect lots of 1-0 wins or losses for the Appliances. However, with the Mixer and Heater up front, you can also expect Kirkham to press on the attack and cause a fair amount of trouble. Their only weakness really is the midfield but with the Air Conditioner playing on the defensive side and the Alarm Clock and Telephone on the left and the right respectively, what the Appliances lack in numbers is made up for with quality.

Overall, it’s a team that should be able to push for the title; there’s no doubt about that. How deep can they take it?

Kirkham Sentients

Overview:

City: Kirkham
Stadium: Sentient Oval (cap. 29,275)
Team Colours: Beige and Orange
Nickname: The Sentients
Rivalries: Kirkham Appliances, Kitchen Sink FC. Fridge FC, Breakfast Bowl FC
Previous Seasons: 5th - 9th - 11th 
Play Style: Balanced
Formation: 4-3-3
Predicted Finish: 5th
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

While the Kirkham Appliances are almost undoubtedly the best Kirkham club, the Kirkham Sentients are not far off that. The rivalry between the two clubs owned by the Sentients Football Federation (SFF) is one of the most heated in Sylestonean football, up there with that between Capitol Athletic and Avondale City, or Betham FC and AFC Droves. Hell, many would even argue matches between the two sides are some of the most entertaining domestic sport out there. There really is just something about watching 22 Sentient Objects battle it out, their only target to put a ball between two goalposts.

The Kirkham Sentients play a very balanced style of football under the Puzzle Board, utilising a 4-3-3 formation with equal emphasis on attack and defence. The club are often characterised with their slightly slow brand of play and often relying on crossing to score their goals. Hence, the likes of the Scissors and Kettle on the wings can often be found right out on the edge of the playing field and it is common to have them completely unmarked, too. If the Sentients can score multiple goals through this tactic with the Tumble Dryer waiting in the middle as they did at the start of last season four years ago, then perhaps another flying start awaits the club.

But unlike four years ago, if the Sentients truly wish to push for top four status, they’re going to need to maintain their form. With four players with caps for their nation - the Sofa, Drawer, Bar Stool and Tumble Dryer - and multiple others pushing for selection, reaching the IFCF for the first time is certainly within their reach. But over the years, it’s been teamwork that has become the Sentients’ greatest issue. No one’s really sure why and for some reason, the SFF hasn’t really done anything about it and neither has the Puzzle Board. Will this be the season where they finally figure it out and take it deep?

Kitchen Sink FC

Overview:

City: Kirkham
Stadium: Kitchen Sink Land (cap. 12,500)
Team Colours: Blue and White
Nickname: The Sinks
Rivalries: Fridge FC, Breakfast Bowl FC, Kirkham Sentients, Kirkham Appliances
Previous Seasons: 9th - 7th - 1st
Play Style: Balanced
Formation: 4-1-2-1-2
Predicted Finish: 11th
Manager: Light Bulb

Starting XI:

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

Reserves:

GK: Mansion 
GK: Headphones 
LB: Maths Textbook 
CB: Pestle and Mortar 
CB: Mattress 
RB: Sleeping Bag 
CDM: Tea Towel 
LM: Dressing Gown 
RM: Silestone 
CAM: Slippers 
CF: Milk Carton 
CF: Shopping Bag

After winning season four of the Toilet League thanks to some excellent teamwork and a blistering season from the AC Vent, Kitchen Sink FC has fallen into the unknown over the past couple of seasons, failing to gel together as they had previously and possibly because of their new, Vdaran ownership. Before last season, the Sinks were known as Kirkham City and had achieved significant success under that name but now, after being bought out of the SFF to be run by Kitchen Sink (hence the name), they, alongside Breakfast Bowl FC and Fridge FC, have done nothing but struggle.

So while Kitchen Sink is likely a significant reason why the Sinks have been poor, a gap of four years between seasons six and seven of the Toilet League has given the Vdaran furniture corporation time to consider what to do next. And from what we’ve seen, they’ve put in some hard work to make the Sinks the power they used to be, motivating them to strive to achieve and backing the group they already have, the only change being the integral signing of the AC Vent, returning from Kohnhead on a three-year deal.

So all signs point to a rejuvenated club side, ready to push again for IFCF spots, right?

Not so fast.

In the recently completed Sentient Cup - a single round-robin competition contested between the five Kirkham club sides in the month leading up to the start of the Toilet League - Kitchen Sink FC appeared absolutely abhorrent. Only a hard-fought 3-2 victory over the Kirkham Sentients’ B team saved them from going 0-0-4 but despite that, the Sinks still found themselves at the bottom of the table, beneath both the Breakfast Bowls and Fridges - the former a club they had never finished beneath in five seasons of the competition. It would only get worse from there, the Sinks succumbing to a 4-0 defeat and then, worst of all, losing 1-0 at home to Marbury, a mid-table Poo League club and both with their first team.

With the Light Bulb running out of ideas and the season still not having kicked off, the pressure is on for it and the club as a whole. While it is likely that the Sinks will bounce back and recreate some of their best football at some point throughout the season, it is by no means a certainty and if not, relegation may be on the cards. Finally, teams have been able to exploit the Light Bulb’s 4-4-2 diamond formation to their own advantage and if they can continue to do that, perhaps a change in mentality may be required.

But first, the players have got to rediscover their form, and fast, before it is too late.

Mid-Capital

Overview:

City: Kirton
Stadium: Walgabba Dome (cap. 39,000)
Team Colours: Orange and Black
Nickname: The Trains
Rivalries: Cleorough, FC Conton
Previous Seasons: 7th - 5th - 9th
Playstyle: Aggressive
Formation: 3-3-2-2
Predicted Finish: 8th
Manager: Manny Weasel (M) - Age 42

Starting XI:

GK: Thike Saleh (M) - 31  
LB: Vic Richardson (M) - 29 
CB: Grace Larkham (F) - 32 
RB: Jordan Simonetti (M) - 30 
LM: Rachel Doyle (F) - 22 
CM: Bethany Cunningham (M) - 25 
RM: Lucas Jackson (M) - 26 
LW: Victoria Korner (F) - 18 
RW: Rose Evans (F) - 34 
CF: Harrison Gilchrist (M) - 27 
CF: Melissa Houghton (F) - 27

Reserves:

GK: David Clarke (M) - 27 
GK: Luca Dodgshun (M) - 24 
LB: Jayden Brassey (M) - 23 
CB: Jude Nugan (M) - 28 
RB: Blake Moore (M) - 32 
LM: Cooper Lane-Poole (M) - 24 
CM: Riley Parry (M) - 32 
RM: Austin de Satg (M) - 20 
LW: Xavier Farleigh (M) - 26 
RW: Lincoln Delamothe (M) - 21 
CF: Alexandra Zadow (F) - 29 
CF: Audrey de Lissa (F) - 22

Compared to the rest of the Toilet League, Mid-Capital and their manager Manny Weasel are a spark of aggression amongst a tide or overwhelming defence. Studies from a few years ago showed that the Toilet League had one of the lowest numbers of goals scored per game - 2.39 - and with many teams retaining their managers, another total like that appears supremely likely. But with Mid-Capital, using a 3-3-2-2 formation verging on a 3-3-4 with two wingers, Manny Weasel will undoubtedly be playing some attractive, high-risk football but if it pays off, the rewards will be great.

However, many - including Mid-Capital fans - are concerned that Weasel has emphasised attack a little too much. Despite signing Harrison Gilchrist and Melissa Houghton up front to form one of the deadliest forward partnerships of the season and investing in both Rachel Doyle and Bethany Cunningham in the midfield, the defence has received next to no impetus. After all, when your best full-back is literally Vic Richardson, you know you’re in serious trouble. But when he’s paired with Grace Larkham and Jordan Simonetti - the latter of whom has never played in the Toilet League before - you really have to wonder how they’re not going to concede fifty-plus goals this season, even if none make runs down the wings.

Ultimately, Mid-Capital’s defence looks as though it is going to cost them a title charge. If things turn to shit too quickly, it’s entirely possible that Weasel is going to have to pull Cunningham back from the midfield to play as a centre-half and try a 4-2-3-1 formation or even 4-2-4. His 3-3-4 formation is also heavily reliant on excellent performances from wingers Rose Evans and Victoria Korner, the latter just 18 years of age and juggling duties between the U-21 team and the top flight. Although she’s been listed as a starter for both final squads of 23, it is expected that someone is going to have to cover for her in the youth competition. After all, you don’t want to overplay an 18-year-old with an immense future, do you?

Northampton Olympic

Prev. North Chamberley

Overview:

City: Chamberley
Stadium: Northampton Gardens (cap. 42,000)
Team Colours: Green and White
Nickname: The Steel
Rivalries: Chamberley City, Westminster, Katham
Previous Seasons: 1st (Poo) - 15th - 10th
Playstyle: Balanced
Formation: 4-3-3
Predicted Finish: 16th
Manager: Danni Armstrong (F) - 48

Starting XI:

GK: Kai Fletcher (M) - 35 
LB: Brodie Chippendale (M) - 26 
CB: Kai Shinsui (M) - 25 
CB: Elijah Richardson (M) - 31 
RB: Jayden Berry (M) - 36 
LM: Quinn Reynolds (M) - 32 
CM: Keith Fletcher (M) - 33 
RM: Archie Kellow (M) - 30 
LW: Tim Boston (M) - 37 
RW: Jason Boston (M) - 28 
CF: Brianna Herzog (F) - 33

Reserves:

GK: Zakaria Owen (M) - 27 
GK: Sophie Younger (F) - 24 
LB: Isabel Nerli (F) - 21 
CB: Conor Spencer (M) - 37 
CB: Edward Miller (M) - 26 
RB: Madison Hayes (F) - 18 
LM: Sophia Burgoyne (F) - 27 
CM: Elijah Grosse (M) - 29 
RM: Logan Walsh (M) - 27 
LW: Annabelle Taplin (F) - 26 
RW: Otto Murphy (M) - 29 
CF: Kris Russell (F) - 32

After taking the Poo League by storm last season with seventy points in only thirty games, Northampton Olympic appeared prime to ensure that their stay in the Toilet League would not be short and sweet. However, after losing the likes of Mukkhali Ratnasingham, Leslie Black and Ambroas de Montgomery over the SFL’s hiatus, the Steel appears to no longer be a side with the capability to comfortably stay in the top flight. While Xannerian right-winger Jason Boston is in his prime, his brother Tim on the left is 37 years of age and it shows. Even new signing Brianna Herzog from Capitol Athletic is 33 years of age and past her peak and with so much relying on her to convert chances into goals as the lone centre forward, it certainly feels Danni Armstrong has gotten that one wrong. However, Northampton Olympic’s avid fanbase is still expecting much from their team and if relegation turns out to be a likely prospect, this may be Armstrong’s last season in charge.

And if she is sacked, then overall, that will likely be for the good of the club. With eight of the Steel’s starting XI aged at thirty years or over, Northampton Olympic is in need of someone not afraid to begin anew. With erstwhile right-back Jayden Berry, left-winger Tim Boston and goalkeeper Kai Fletcher all stating their intentions to retire after this season, they need to get business done, and fast, before they are thrown into the middle of the Poo League with no real hope of promotion. This seems to be a particular likelihood due to the rise of clubs such as both Emacuton teams, Whitepool and Marbury, so with such an uncertain future, perhaps the Steel might be a club to follow.

As for Armstrong’s tactics, she prefers to implement a typical 4-3-3 formation, with three tight-ish midfielders and a back two, with the left- and right-backs feeding the wingers. Heavily reliant on crossing, a lot of pressure will be on Brianna Herzog and even ex-Betham midfielder Keith Fletcher to deliver in the box. If they can do so, then perhaps this outfit from Northampton Gardens might survive the season and successfully rebuild into a stronger club but realistically, is that likely?

No.

Pesfield Trees

Overview:

City: Pesfield
Stadium: The Trees (cap. 62,000)
Team Colours: Lime Green and Blue
Nickname: The Trees
Rivalries: Capitol Athletic, Cleorough, Western Avondale, Dodle
Previous Seasons: 4th - 6th - 4th
Playstyle: Balanced
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Predicted Finish: 2nd
Manager: Gordon Henry (M) - 63

Starting XI:

GK: Ryan Macleay (M) - 21 
LB: Eden Holt (F) - 26 
CB: Liney Vano (M) - 31 
CB: Alana Faucett (F) - 20 
RB: Eleanor Rose (F) - 27 
LDM: Annabelle Larkins (F) - 30 
RDM: Joshua Angliss (M) - 22 
LW: Luisa Johnson (F) - 19 
CAM: Gemma Rodway (F) - 25 
RW: Valentine Cocher (M) - 34 
CF: Theofilos Stearas (M) - 21

Reserves:

GK: Jesse Symons (M) - 27 
GK: Emma Zimpel (F) - 17 
LB: Elliot West (M) - 28 
CB: Alexander Nutt (M) - 22 
CB: Liam Strutt (M) - 18 
RB: Jasmine Prior (F) - 28 
LDM: Sebastian James (M) - 33 
RDM: Kai Henderson (M) - 20 
LW: Claudia Hynes (F) - 18 
CAM: Daniel du Plessis (M) - 31 
RW: Joel Pearson (M) - 29 
CF: Ryan Paschke (M) - 23

After treading on the edge of IFCF qualification for the few seasons before the Toilet League and the remainder of football competitions under the SFL pyramid went on hiatus, Pesfield Trees and their manager, Gordon Henry, have once again assembled a title-challenging team. Alongside Capitol Athletic and Kirkham Appliances, the Trees appear destined to challenge for their second Toilet League title and will have their sights set on halting the Maroons’ charge to a historic hat-trick. However, despite the quality Henry has been able to assemble, the road he has set his squad on is a very tricky one and one wrong move may spell an end to their hopes. But with eight under-21 players in their official team of 23, the Trees will be back next season, and the ones after that. Surely, one of them will be theirs.

As well as coaching players to get the absolute best out of them, Henry has made some big signings, as well as a couple of sneaky ones. Five years after letting Valentine Cocher go, Henry has resigned him as the winger ages, warding off interest from the likes of Mid-Capital and Avondale City. He’s also been able to repatriate Annabelle Larkins from Krytenia and Gemma Rodway from StrayaRoos, but Henry’s greatest achievements must be signing South Newlandian teenager Luisa Johnson and Tikariotian 21-year-old Theofilos Stearas, bolstering the Trees’ offence and converting them into a truly powerful club.

The players Henry has been able to assemble together fit into his style like an enzyme into a substrate, too. Like many other teams in the Toilet League, Pesfield’s left- and right-backs are expected to feed the wingers with runs up the line and sure enough, both Eleanor Rose and Eden Holt are lightning fast. Many even believe that the latter is the fastest in the Toilet League, however, the accuracy of those claims is yet to be discovered for certain. However, while having four players out wide - two on each wing - much of the Trees’ attack is going to come down the middle. Annabelle Larkins and Joshua Angliss are both proven defensive midfielders and while Gemma Rodway isn’t familiar with the attacking midfielder role, she’s shown versatility before and she certainly has it in her to become a genuine goalscoring threat. If she can feed Stearas up front and thread the ball through with her exquisite passes, then the goals will come.

It’s only really the two centre-backs fans and pundits are concerned about. Liney Vano is experienced but other than him, the next oldest is 22 years of age, so much will be reliant on him to perform and teach his skills to his descendants in the role. It appears likely that young gun Alana Faucett will partner him come the start of the season but with so many talented players coming through, a rotation-based plan is likely to be employed.

by **Sylestone** » Fri Sep 16, 2022 12:18 am

SEASON SEVEN

Dodle FC

Overview:

City: Dodle
Stadium: Fiery Stadium (cap. 37,500)
Team Colours: Aqua and Green
Nickname: The Mountaineers
Rivalries: Acondo FC, Pesfield Trees, Western Avondale
Previous Seasons: 9th - 16th (Toilet) - 1st
Play Style: Balanced
Formation: 4-3-3
Predicted Finish: 4th
Manager: Harry Sanderson (M) - 58

Reserves:

GK: Stella Mason (F) - 24 
GK: Timothy Gerstaecker (M) - 27 
LB: Jacob Kater (M) - 22 
CB: Lillian Kirkpatrick (F) - 25 
CB: Oliver Owen (M) - 22 
RB: Madeline Ansell (F) - 17 
LM: Darcy Hayman (M) - 23 
CM: Thomas Hellyer (M) - 17 
RM: Sarah Kennedy (F) - 33 
LW: Riley Kelly (M) - 27 
RW: Mitchell Taylor (M) - 34 
CF: Annabelle Beck (F) - 26

Starting XI:

GK: Vera McKinnon (F) - 24 
LB: Caleb O’Brien (M) - 36 
CB: Trevor Hove (M) - 35 
CB: Isabel Beahan (F) - 27 
RB: Ella Lowe (F) - 25 
LM: Luke Marshall (M) - 32 
CM: Spencer Waddell (M) - 28 
RM: Savannah Murray (F) - 29 
LW: Daniel Foreman (M) - 34 
RW: Emmanuel Butler (M) - 29 
CF: Sofia Arnold (F) - 24

With the advent of the Under-21 Potty League, Dodle has now earned the peculiar bragging rights of being the only non-Sentient team to ever play in the Toilet League without having the revenue to have an official youth team. With a budget nearly twice as small as that of FC Conton, Halpenley United, Whitepool and Dunkirk Athletic, it’s somewhat of a massive surprise that they’re genuine promotion contenders. Even with manager Joel Grander retiring, new manager Harry Sanderson has looked to spend his money smartly and build a strong squad, bringing in Vera McKinnon from San Ortelio, Trevor Hove from the Burgers and winger Emmanuel Butler from Betham FC. While keeping the core of the team together, these changes appear to be just what the Mountaineers need to bounce back from a disappointing ninth-placed finish last year.

Dunkirk Athletic

Overview:

City: Dunkirk
Stadium: Ground of Dunkirk (cap. 43,000)
Team Colours: Blue and Black
Nickname: The Wolves
Rivalries: Grafton Albion, Avondale Beach, Emacuton FC, Emacuton United
Previous Seasons: 16th (Toilet) - 14th (Toilet) - 13th (Toilet)
Play Style: Balanced
Formation: 4-1-2-1-2
Predicted Finish: 2nd
Manager: Marietta Stevenson (F) - 48

Reserves:

GK: Edward Hickney (M) - 26 
GK: Annabelle Fenner (F) - 29 
LB: Abbey Woodhouse (F) - 26 
CB: Brock Ferrari (M) - 18 
CB: Sean Keating (M) - 25 
RB: Scarlett Copland (F) - 25 
CDM: Gabriel McGrath (M) - 25 
LM: Ella Haritos (F) - 26 
RM: Ryan Armit (M) - 24 
CAM: Eve Geach (M) - 28 
CF: Max Imlay (M) - 22 
CF: Karen Crowley (F) - 31

Starting XI:

GK: James Mattison (M) - 37 
LB: Austin Newmann (M) - 23 
CB: Fiona Edwards (F) - 29 
CB: Ralph Manga (M) - 28 
RB: Holly Statton (F) - 17 
CDM: Lauren Taylor (F) - 27 
LM: Jamieson Wilson (M) - 31 
RM: Alexandra Cayley (F) - 22 
CAM: Trinity Colburt-Veil (M) - 33 
CF: Tristan Fullers (M) - 37 
CF: Charlie Dry (M) - 21

After being relegated for the first time after their astonishing rise from the Flush League to the top of the Toilet League, Dunkirk Athletic manager Marietta Stevenson has conducted some much-needed business in order to ensure the Wolves’ stay in the Poo League will not be long. Considered lucky by many to remain in her job, immediate promotion back to the Toilet League will certainly earn back the favour of Dunkirk’s fans but if not, then she may be shown the door. It’s happened before - Fridge FC are a prime example - but this squad really is lower Toilet League calibre and there’s no doubt about that. Add that to some exemplary teamwork skills and hard work and you never know what could happen.

Emacuton FC

Overview:

City: Emacuton
Stadium: Evergreen Arena (cap. 15,000)
Team Colours: Blue and Red
Nickname: The Stripes
Rivalries: Emacuton United, Dunkirk Athletic, Grafton Albion
Previous Seasons: 10th - 12th - 12th
Playstyle: Defensive
Formation: 5-1-2-1-1
Predicted Finish: 5th
Manager: Billy Wallace (M) - 60

Reserves:

GK: Lucy McGrath (F) - 32 
GK: Lily Fielding (F) - 27 
LB: Grace Bowen (F) - 28 
LCB: Benjamin Moreton (M) - 22 
CB: Piper Horrocks (F) - 21 
RCB: Brandon Burton (M) - 27 
RB: Stella Atkinson (F) - 20 
CDM: Ashton Browning (M) - 20 
LM: Samantha Green (F) - 32 
RM: Maddy Latimer (F) - 20 
CAM: Cameron Jackson (M) - 28 
CF: Imogen Sheppard (F) - 24

Starting XI:

GK: Hugo Ramsay (M) - 31 
LB: Jett Cooper (M) - 35 
LCB: Eloise Collins (F) - 29 
CB: Annabelle Lynes (M) - 25 
RCB: Audat Agani (F) - 28 
RB: Nia Bates (F) - 31 
CDM: Fraser Chamber (M) - 34 
LM: Emilia Roberts (F) - 30 
RM: Savannah Harris (F) - 33 
CAM: Maya Young (F) - 28 
CF: Callum Beauchamp (M) - 25

After spending years as a bottom-dwelling Poo League club, the Stripes have suddenly become a force to be reckoned with after developing some of their young guns into genuine players. While many are still officially listed as reserves, expect them to play more and more prominent roles as the season goes on. With over half of the first team aged thirty or over, this looks particularly likely, especially when compounded with Billy Wallace’s preferred 5-1-2-1-1 formation requiring many players to cover much of the pitch. With a bit of a bleak history, it will be interesting to see how this improved club will go with some expectations weighed upon them.

Emacuton United

Overview:

City: Emacuton
Stadium: Bucketts Dome (cap. 9,800)
Team Colours: Brown and White
Nickname: The Cogs
Rivalries: Emacuton FC, Grafton Albion, Dunkirk Athletic
Previous Seasons: 4th - 10th - 14th
Playstyle: Defensive
Formation: 5-3-2
Predicted Finish: 9th
Manager: Mikayla Barnsley (F) - 46

Reserves:

GK: Logan Mirams (M) - 33 
GK: Daniel Brett (M) - 24 
LB: Leah Petherick (F) - 24 
LCB: Abbey Elphinstone (F) - 19 
CB: Angus Dearth (M) - 25 
RCB: Dominic Kruttschnitt (M) - 28 
RB: Laura Male (F) - 29 
LM: Audrey Hardie (F) - 29 
CM: Finn Chabrillian (M) - 32 
RM: Blake Neitenstein (M) - 26 
CF: Ryder Sayers (M) - 32 
CF: Lucy Maconochie (F) - 23

Starting XI:

GK: Harrison Bracy (M) - 24 
LB: Gary Markers (M) - 27 
LCB: Phoebe Vogt (F) - 32 
CB: Savannah Edkins (M) - 34 
RCB: Leo Lansell (M) - 26 
RB: Ethan David (M) - 21 
LM: Brianna Hobbs (F) - 26 
CM: Mitchell Lee (M) - 22 
RM: Jesse Miethke (M) - 34 
CF: Jonah Sweetapple (M) - 35 
CF: Eva Estell (F) - 26

After seeming to be destined for another mid-table finish last season, Emacuton United got something to click together and somehow, found themselves racking up 51 points in thirty matches, finishing fourth and for a period of time, genuinely challenging for promotion. However, the Cogs’ form was stalled by the SFL’s hiatus and now, it’s back to the drawing board for Mikayla Barnsley’s players. Even so, the squad she has assembled is still one that can push promotion again, particularly with the likes of Harrison Bracy, Ethan David, Brianna Hobbs and Eva Estell in the lineup. If those four can perform, then another promotion push may be on the cards but realistically, a mid-table finish appears more than likely.

FC Conton

Overview:

City: Conton
Stadium: Ebril Gardens (cap. 13,000)
Team Colours: Red and Black
Nickname: The Bombers
Rivalries: Halpenley United, Mid-Capital
Previous Seasons: 3rd - 15th - 16th (Toilet)
Play Style: Balanced
Formation: 4-2-1-3
Predicted Finish: 8th
Manager: Zoe Sanders (F) - 42

Reserves:

GK: Brigham Love (M) - 36 
GK: Bryce Cole (M) - 31 
LB: Ellie Espie (F) - 25 
CB: Olivia Woodd (F) - 21 
CB: Andrew Campbell (M) - 32 
RB: Jack Goodchap (M) - 29 
LM: Isabelle Bentham (F) - 25 
RM: Nathan Webb (M) - 23 
CAM: Ashlea Young (F) - 26 
LW: Indiana Cockram (F) - 27 
RW: Poppy Cuming (F) - 23 
CF: David O’Meara (M) - 25

Starting XI:

GK: Matthew Hope (M) - 29 
LB: Jesse Rose (M) - 23 
CB: Hayden Cook (M) - 33 
CB: James Davey (M) - 24 
RB: Connor Connell (M) - 24 
LM: Elliot Wilson (M) - 26 
RM: James Turner (M) - 36 
CAM: Harold Laxton (M) - 33 
LW: Angus Stainforth (M) - 27 
RW: Steve Walker (M) - 29 
CF: Poppy Piers (F) - 37

One of the Poo League’s more prestigious clubs, FC Conton seems to be another club set for a gradual demise over the next few years unless they can rejuvenate themselves now. And ultimately, the team that new manager Zoe Sanders has built does not seem up to the task. While the signings of Angus Stainforth, Matthew Hope and Poppy Piers show tactical shrewdness, the impact of those players is not what Conton needs it to be if they wish to bounce back from a 1-0 playoff loss to AFC Droves that condemned them to a third straight season out of the Toilet League. The change of manager might give the Bombers a bit of a kickstart to the season but don’t be surprised if they finish mid-table. While they brushed it off last season, finishing in 15th place after being relegated from the Toilet League is going to take ages to completely remove from thought.

Freeman City

Overview:

City: Freeman
Stadium: Parliament Arena (cap. 4,700)
Team Colours: Yellow and Black
Nickname: The Battleships
Rivalries: Ketonley Town, Piltonmouth, Southern Beaches
Previous Seasons: 11th - 6th - 4th
Playstyle: Counterattacking
Formation: 4-3-3
Predicted Finish: 13th
Manager: Violet McAlister (F) - 43

Reserves:

GK: Ryan Mathews (M) - 30 
GK: George Lay (M) - 29 
LB: Vincent Monson (M) - 32 
CB: Flynn Hopwood (M) - 26 
CB: Paige Nibbi (F) - 17 
RB: Jesse Allwood (M) - 25 
LM: Hamish Ward (M) - 31 
CM: Edward Nevile (M) - 24 
RM: Rory Mansfield (M) - 24 
LW: Ashley Lemmon (F) - 21 
RW: Aaron Hood (M) - 30 
CF: Ben Irvine (M) - 29

Starting XI:

GK: Hayden Riggs (M) - 30 
LB: Mason Campbell (M) - 34 
CB: Madeline Holt (F) - 26 
CB: Caleb Taylor (M) - 28 
RB: Riley Harvey (M) - 32 
LM: Evan Shaw (M) - 33 
CM: Harrison Crowe (M) - 32 
RM: Lucas Craig (M) - 32 
LW: Scott Henderson (M) - 30 
RW: Levi Gilnour (M) - 28 
CF: Miles Duff (M) - 31

After performing rather well for a few straight seasons, it appears as though the Battleships might find themselves in a relegation fight once again. The players that have served Freeman City so well in the Poo League over the years are finally aging, or in the case of Zac Irwin, have transferred to a better club in order to pursue a bright footballing future. Theoretically, the Battleships should be too good of a team to be relegated to the Flush League but if the likes of Ketonley Town, Pilbury Eaton and Westminster can perform, the road ahead for the Battleships and their counterattacking gameplay under Violet McAlister may be a rocky one.

Freeport

Overview:

City: Cleorough
Stadium: Industry Reserve (cap. 24,000)
Team Colours: Green and Gold
Nickname: The Lions
Rivalries: Cleorough, Chilseamers Town, Western Avondale
Previous Seasons: 8th - 14th - 7th
Playstyle: Aggressive
Formation: 4-3-3
Predicted Finish: 10th
Manager: Emily Powell (F) - 61

Reserves:

GK: Aryan Allison (M) - 32 
GK: Jayden Cox (M) - 32 
LB: Audrey Craven (F) - 25 
CB: Amelia Callaghan (F) - 31 
CB: Blake Boland (M) - 32 
RB: Alyssa Connal (F) - 20 
LM: Michael Stobie (M) - 25 
CM: Isaac Cessnock (M) - 22 
RM: Tadgh Henry (M) - 29 
LW: Brian Donnellan (M) - 26 
RW: Scarlett Barnes (F) - 30 
CF: Ava Strangways (F) - 25

Starting XI:

GK: Harris Hay (M) - 31 
LB: Harrison Charles (M) - 26 
CB: Sarah Alleyne (F) - 23 
CB: Victor Larkham (M) - 29 
RB: Sienna Hearn (F) - 23 
LM: Paddy Hanlon (M) - 34 
CM: Rohan Crowbar (M) - 35 
RM: Kara Harrington (F) - 33 
LW: Richard Carolyn (M) - 31 
RW: Blair Clark (M) - 32 
CF: Jackson Fangle (M) - 33

Like many other Poo League clubs, Freeport is facing a rather serious issue as many of their best players fall out of their primes as they hit the thirty-year mark. However, with a B team nearly as good as the A team, the issue facing the Lions is nowhere near as severe as it is at other clubs. Freeport has also been able to develop a good young crop coming through - including many reportedly at a Toilet League quality - an excellent achievement considering that the Lions are non-participants in the Potty League. Although only few are listed here as most are still outside of the Cleorough club’s best 23, expect to see their names pop up in coming years as Freeport push for consistent top-half results in the Poo League under Emily Powell’s determined, aggressive playstyle.

Grafton Albion

Prev. Dunkirk FC

Overview:

City: Dunkirk
Stadium: Fretson Gardens (cap. 7,600)
Team Colours: Pink and Black
Nickname: The Pink Phoenixes
Rivalries: Dunkirk Athletic, Emacuton United, Emacuton FC, Southern Avondale
Previous Seasons: 13th - 7th - 10th
Playstyle: Aggressive
Formation: 4-2-4
Predicted Finish: 13th
Manager: Sara Ogg (F) - 49

Reserves:

GK: Benjamin Coode (M) - 27 
GK: Mayank Honda (M) - 32 
LB: Anna Moyes (F) - 26 
CB: Austin Wolfe (M) - 27 
CB: Ryan Cartwright (M) - 29 
RB: Alex Mansell (M) - 33 
LM: Austin Fink (M) - 22 
RM: Anthony Hann (M) - 34 
LW: Jett Gerrard (M) - 27 
RW: Mitchell Pugliese (M) - 20 
CF: Seth Kennif (M) - 32 
CF: John Monahan (M) - 17

Starting XI:

GK: Olivia Plunkett (F) - 25 
LB: Aidan Backhouse (M) - 29 
CB: Hunter Alpine (M) - 33 
CB: Hamish Malcolm (M) - 30 
RB: Bella Muskett (F) - 37 
LM: Hugo Colquhoun (M) - 33 
RM: Jeremy Onus (M) - 18 
LW: Lucy Buttrose (F) - 31 
RW: Zac Morehead (M) - 28 
CF: Jessica Heagney (F) - 26 
CF: Abigail Fraser (F) - 30

Probably the most mercurial side in the Poo League, it’s hard to know what Grafton Albion are going to do on any given day. Sometimes they can defeat top teams, but they also have it in them to lose 2-0 or 3-0 to some random club like Ketonley Town. Realistically, the Pink Phoenixes are currently too good of a club to face relegation to the Poo League but if young stars such as Jeremy Onus and John Monahan are attracted by other, more prominent clubs, then the years ahead for Dunkirk’s second-best club are looking dire. They’re a solid mid-table team now, but unless Sara Ogg can make some key signings over the next couple of seasons, the Grafton Albion’s future is indeed uncertain.

Halpenley United

Prev. Halpenley City

Overview:

City: Halpenley
Stadium: Sunlife Stadium (cap. 52,000)
Team Colours: Purple and Violet
Nickname: The Royals
Rivalries: FC Conton, AFC Droves, Betham FC, Damminton Sands
Previous Seasons: 15th (Toilet) - 10th (Toilet) - 8th (Toilet)
Play Style: Defensive
Formation: 5-3-2
Predicted Finish: 1st
Manager: Andrew Burnside (M) - 59

Reserves:

GK: Jett Pearse (M) - 31 
GK: Mohammad Bull (M) - 33 
LB: Jay Owen (M) - 30 
LCB: Owen Wade (M) - 29 
CB: Georgia Buring (F) - 21 
RCB: Maybury Charleston (F) - 29 
RB: Seth Baldwinson (M) - 18 
LM: Aidan Ross-Watt (M) - 28 
CM: Tony Antonieff (M) - 30 
RM: Ali Harrell (M) - 30 
CF: Flynn Scratchley (M) - 19 
CF: Sophie Piguenit (F) - 20

Starting XI:

GK: Michayla Paxton (F) - 29 
LB: Thomas White (M) - 30 
LCB: Brett Fraser (M) - 33 
CB: Mitchell Lynn (M) - 25 
RCB: Aaron Watson (M) - 31 
RB: Harriet Zezoni (F) - 26 
LM: Marcus Brongue (M) - 37 
CM: Violet Bolton (M) - 34 
RM: Brock Sayers (M) - 18 
CF: Mukkhali Ratnasingham (M) - 27 
CF: Elyse Harding (F) - 31

After their shock demotion from the Toilet League last season, Halpenley United have faced a rather harsh reality check surrounding 78-year-old manager Nicole May, who was sacked on the spot following the Royals’ final matchday loss to Capitol Athletic. With four years to build an ideal squad, Andrew Burnside’s been actively involved in transfers, securing Mukkhali Ratnasingham and Elyse Harding to account for some key losses up front, while also grabbing hold of Michayla Paxton, Mitchell Lynn and Harriet Zezoni for Halpenley’s defensive unit. On paper, it’s definitely a squad of Toilet League calibre, but we all know that football is certainly not played on paper. With all the changes, it’s not hard to see things going wrong for the desert city’s best team, so keep an eye on this club if you’re a neutral supporter.

Ketonley Town

Prev. Freeman Province

Overview:

City: Ketonley
Stadium: Ketonley Town Oval (cap. 6,000)
Team Colours: Magenta and Dark Blue
Nickname: The Magentas
Rivalries: Freeman City, Piltonmouth
Previous Seasons: 15th - 16th - 15th
Playstyle: Defensive
Formation: 4-1-2-1-2
Predicted Finish: 16th
Manager: Evie Rudd (F) - 56

Reserves:

GK: Michael Arida (M) - 32 
GK: Declan Nagle (M) - 27 
LB: Hamish Belz (M) - 23 
CB: Nicholas Friar (M) - 31 
CB: Alice Grimwade (F) - 29 
RB: Eva Dunkley (F) - 19 
CDM: Edward Bock (M) - 21 
LM: Katie Becher (F) - 22 
RM: Laura McEachern (F) - 28 
CAM: Mackenzie Grainger (F) - 21 
CF: Harvey Atkinson (M) - 29 
CF: Tayla Denham (F) - 25

Starting XI:

GK: Tristan Levy (M) - 30 
LB: Levi Angelo (M) - 29 
CB: Olivia Agnew (F) - 32 
CB: Audrey Bauer (F) - 26 
RB: Piper McClemens (F) - 29 
CDM: Hannah Clendinnen (F) - 33 
LM: Lola Nguyen (F) - 25 
RM: Dominic Macauley (M) - 29 
CAM: Blake Hargraves (M) - 31 
CF: Christopher Huxley (M) - 34 
CF: Philip Summer (M) - 33

Honestly speaking, it’ll be an impressive feat for Ketonley Town to stay up in the Poo League, let alone challenge for a mid-table position. The only thing that has saved the Magentas over the past few years is the lack of a third division but now that the Flush League has been reinstated, dark days are ahead for supporters of the plucky club. Quite literally, their only hope is signing Philip Summer and if he cannot perform out of his skin, another disappointing season awaits. Can they achieve the impossible and manage to stay up?

Marbury FC

Overview:

City: Marbury
Stadium: Marbury Stadium (cap. 31,000)
Team Colours: Green and Black
Nickname: The Cockatoos
Rivalries: Oslolihul City
Previous Seasons: 7th - 8th - 11th
Playstyle: Defensive
Formation: 5-1-3-1-0
Predicted Finish: 7th
Manager: Piper Brombie (F) - 42

Reserves:

GK: Abby Rouse (F) - 28 
GK: Maddison Woodhouse (F) - 23 
LB: Charlie Phocas (M) - 33 
LCB: Olive Resch (F) - 28 
CB: Madeline Bisdee (F) - 25 
RCB: Caitlin Creed (F) - 28 
RB: Ella Kirkhope (F) - 25 
CDM: Dean Cabena (M) - 21 
LM: Abigail Hinder (F) - 25 
CM: Bailey Hussain (M) - 25 
RM: Jack Moseley (M) - 17 
CAM: Gordon Bowes (M) - 24

Starting XI:

GK: Lola Dollery (F) - 33 
LB: Ryan McDonald (M) - 21 
LCB: Zachary Lay (M) - 27 
CB: Milla Hemmant (F) - 28 
RCB: Donald Dean (M) - 30 
RB: Clarissa Boyle (F) - 30 
CDM: Amy Lycett (F) - 29 
LM: Jacob O’Dermot (M) - 31 
CM: Kath St George (M) - 32 
RM: James Barclay (M) - 19 
CAM: Clarence Harris (M) - 31

It’s honestly amazing that a team like that can actually score goals. With five defenders, a defensive midfielder, three typical midfielders and a lone attacking midfielder, literally all of Marbury’s goals either come from spectacular long shots or set pieces and they have for the years they have been playing under Piper Brombie. However, despite kind of prioritising building a brick wall at the back, the Cockatoos have been able to make some tactical goalscoring manoeuvres, such as developing 19-year-old James Barclay into a player with an excellent long-range shot, and signing attacking midfielder and set-piece wizard Clarence Harris from Katham. So, you know, if they’re lucky Marbury might actually score five goals this season. If they’re lucky.

Pilbury Eaton

Prev. Southern Avondale

Overview:

City: Avondale
Stadium: Wauchope Reserve (cap. 17,000)
Team Colours: Orange and Black
Nickname: The Warriors
Rivalries: Balinmone, Hageling Town
Previous Seasons: 16th - 9th - 8th
Playstyle: Balanced
Formation: 4-3-3
Predicted Finish: 15th
Manager: Anna Rosser (F) - 61

Reserves:

GK: Louis Reeves (M) - 30 
GK: Dylan Curmi (M) - 17 
LB: Thomas Bell (M) - 32 
CB: Ivy Redding (F) - 25 
CB: Brooke Hoffnung (F) - 28 
RB: Cara James (F) - 24 
LM: Taj Pryke (M) - 28 
CM: Kiara Banvard (F) - 24 
RM: Sofia Laing (F) - 25 
LW: Georgia Dean (F) - 19 
RW: Lachlan Thomson (M) - 29 
CF: Kieran Powell (M) - 31

Starting XI:

GK: Sienna Fitzgerald (F) - 25 
LB: John Russell (M) - 27 
CB: Elizabeth Poole (F) - 32 
CB: Molly Taylor (F) - 33 
RB: Hamish Williams (M) - 31 
LM: Chelsea Monahan (F) - 27 
CM: Vinod Jadeja (M) - 25 
RM: Alexandra Kennedy (F) - 27 
LW: Ashton Ryans (M) - 25 
RW: Michael Harris (M) - 24 
CF: Archer Weaver (M) - 33

After finishing sixteenth last season, a decent mid-table Poo League club in the form of Pilbury Eaton has crumbled under the pressure of improving opponents, predicted this season to flunk again and before long, find themselves down in the Flush League. The retirement of key figure Tristan Russell does not help things, the winger unlucky not to attract Toilet League interest throughout his career despite his pinpoint crossing and ball skills. A lot now rests on the shoulders of the Warriors’ best player, right-midfielder Alexandra Kennedy, to deliver if Pilbury Eaton and manager Anna Rosser wish to stay up. But at least they have a player to rely upon, unlike - ahem - Ketonley Town.

Southern Beaches

Overview:

City: Tuthambedon
Stadium: Macquarie Park (cap. 19,453)
Team Colours: Aqua and Yellow
Nickname: The Palms
Rivalries: Piltonmouth
Previous Seasons: 14th - 4th - 16th
Playstyle: Defensive
Formation: 4-1-2-1-2
Predicted Finish: 12th
Manager: Evelyn Arnold (F) - 52

Reserves:

GK: Rae Thomas (F) - 32 
GK: Daniel Clow (M) - 27 
LB: Adam Creswick (M) - 24 
CB: Lara Caldie (F) - 30 
CB: Matilda Norway (F) - 24 
RB: Elijah Oppen (M) - 23 
CDM: Madeleine Collins (F) - 29 
LM: Alexis Wade (F) - 19 
RM: Rory Humphrey (M) - 17 
CAM: Thea Burke (F) - 28 
CF: Phoebe Noble (F) - 25 
CF: Jonathan Tennant (M) - 21

Starting XI:

GK: Ella Samuel-Gilbert (F) - 33 
LB: Billie Nicholson (F) - 27 
CB: Isabella Cox (F) - 31 
CB: Olivia Hotchin (F) - 28 
RB: Reuben Dowey (M) - 28 
CDM: Kayla Allen (F) - 36 
LM: Addison Butler (F) - 32 
RM: Isla Fox (F) - 35 
CAM: Penelope Flanagan (F) - 30 
CF: Holly Hood (F) - 26 
CF: Tara Bell (F) - 24

Aside from an outstanding season six years ago, Southern Beaches have been dwelling down towards the tail of the Poo League for some time now, with relegation seeming almost inevitable. But while they are certainly in danger, it appears that the Palms might stay up this season, with the likes of Billie Nicholson, Ella Samuel-Gilbert, Penelope Flanagan and Holly Hood carrying the side. However, as the old guard begins to approach retirement, the Southern Beaches are likely to pay the cost of a small youth program and eventually find themselves in the Flush League, if not worse. It’s a bit of a sad reality for a well-coached club such as this and is compounded by the fact that their logo is kinda sick.

Western Avondale

Overview:

City: Pesfield (no this is not a typo)
Stadium: Fart Stadium (cap. 10,069)
Team Colours: Grey and Yellow
Nickname: The Poopers
Rivalries: Pesfield Trees, Freeport, Cleorough, Dodle
Previous Seasons: 6th - 3rd - 13th
Playstyle: Aggressive
Formation: 3-4-3
Predicted Finish: 5th
Manager: Grumpy Oldman (M) - 95

Reserves:

GK: Sam Mendelsohn (M) - 30 
GK: Sophia Ewen (F) - 21 
LB: Sophie Kane (F) - 30 
CB: Ethan Ingamella (M) - 31 
RB: Old Fart (M) - 51 
LM: James Beach (M) - 18 
CM: Kaitlyn Soubeiran (F) - 18 
CM: Reynold Roberts (M) - 31 
RM: Michael Nettleton (M) - 21 
LW: Stanley Bennett (M) - 33 
RW: Logan Pollard (M) - 30 
CF: Joe Marmer (M) - 23

Starting XI:

GK: James Hedley (M) - 32 
LB: Jesse Rose (M) - 23 
CB: Wayne Kerr (M) - 30 
RB: Niamh Murphy (F) - 28 
LM: Trinity Gore (F) - 34 
CM: Joe Fagan (F) - 27 
CM: Cornelius Boote (M) - 28 
RM: Russell Glover (M) - 32 
LW: Zachary Horny (M) - 25 
RW: Noel Morales (M) - 28 
CF: Poopoo Bumbum (M) - 28

Ever since their exile from the Toilet League way back in season one, Western Avondale has been one of the Poo League’s better teams bar the season they finished thirteenth, but have simply not found the formula for promotion. However, you can’t help but feel as though the Poopers’ 95-year-old manager Grumpy Oldman is on the verge of something with this outfit and although this season may not be the one, it’s coming in the near future. Under Oldman, Western Avondale, a club actually located in eastern Pesfield, play a very aggressive style of play, the side often completely removing all defence to go after goal. In a defensive league such as this, the Poopers are a shining light for those who enjoy watching intriguing goal-fests but ultimately, clubs like this are few and far between.

Westminster

City: Chamberley
Stadium: Westminster Stadium (cap. 39,000)
Team Colours: Grey and Black
Nickname: The Thunder
Rivalries: Northampton Olympic, Katham, Excelsior
Previous Seasons: 12th - 13th - 6th
Playstyle: Aggressive
Formation: 3-1-3-1-2
Predicted Finish: 14th
Manager: Kaleb Arther-Rickson (M) - 54

Reserves:

GK: Brittany Shaw (F) - 29 
GK: Jason Jones (M) - 32 
LB: Archie Thornton (M) - 19 
CB: Kate Marshall (F) - 25 
RB: Molly Harrison (F) - 29 
CDM: Jennifer Hayes (F) - 24 
LM: Ethan Anton (M) - 22 
CM: Dylan Cox (M) - 25 
RM: Kate Clemence (F) - 26 
CAM: Allan McPherson (M) - 30 
CF: Clarence King (M) - 31 
CF: Chloe Akhtar (F) - 22

Starting XI:

GK: Piper Caplan (F) - 28 
LB: Arthur Morgan (M) - 22 
CB: Kayla Williamson (F) - 25 
RB: Calvin Middleton (M) - 30 
CDM: Vincent Stewart (M) - 34 
LM: Ben Duncan (M) - 30 
CM: Jonathan Stonehouse (M) - 26 
RM: April Houston (F) - 34 
CAM: Nathan Pelzer (M) - 25 
CF: Rebecca Hunter (F) - 34 
CF: Quincy Hooter (M) - 33

Another aggressive team, Westminster manager Kaleb Arther-Rickson certainly prefers to attack when possible, convincing his defenders to play very high at times and often, a little too high. But it’s a risk Arther-Rickson is willing to take with high quality, if old forwards such as Rebecca Hunter and Quincy Hooter, two players who were pushing their club towards the Toilet League in their primes. However, with both of them not the players they were and the Thunder still relying upon them to perform, another poor season looms for the Chamberley club. Perhaps, if they do not shine and Arther-Rickson fails to show a willingness to alter tactics, Westminster may find themselves in the Flush League come this time next year.

Whitepool

Overview:

City: Betham
Stadium: Gordon Stadium (cap. 28,565)
Team Colours: Grey and White
Nickname: The Whirlwinds
Rivalries: AFC Droves, Betham FC, Betham Park
Previous Seasons: 5th - 11th - 9th
Playstyle: Defensive
Formation: 5-2-3
Predicted Finish: 3rd
Manager: Hugo Porter (M) - 64

Reserves:

GK: Tyler Monk (M) - 32 
GK: Madeline Morres (F) - 23 
LB: Jacob Cook (M) - 33 
LCB: Erin Gardner (F) - 29 
CB: Lola Talbot (F) - 18 
RCB: Cameron Bentley (M) - 27 
RB: Mohammad Lloyd (M) - 25 
LM: Rosie Finch (F) - 27 
RM: Claudia Johnston (F) - 28 
LW: Oscar Booth (M) - 18 
RW: Raphael Smith (M) - 26 
CF: Ryder Thompson (M) - 29

Starting XI:

GK: Georgia Reid (F) - 25 
LB: Samuel Torrance (M) - 24 
LCB: Lauren Wall (F) - 31 
CB: Kennedy Farrell (M) - 25 
RCB: Aliyah McEwen (F) - 24 
RB: Lauren Archer (F) - 23 
LM: Jude Hills (M) - 26 
RM: Christian Wilson (M) - 30 
LW: Ryan Eastern (M) - 29 
RW: Anthony Brookes (M) - 27 
CF: Charlie Adams (M) - 26

Despite being the richest club in the Poo League, Whitepool has never really been able to come close to promotion to the Toilet League but with manager Hugo Porter obtaining some classy players and the Whirlwinds also establishing a team in the Under-21 Potty League, it only seems to be a matter of time. In fact, it could even be this season if a few things go their way, although with Dunkirk Athletic and Halpenley United possessing better squads, they would be in luck. But if Porter can undergo some solid business time around, who knows? After all, he’s already built a solid base in the defence with the likes of Samuel Torrance, Aliyah McEwen and Lauren Archer and has signed winger Ryan Eastern from The Trees. With one or two more quality players, then the Whirlwinds will become a favourite as they look to become the third Betham club in the top flight.

by **Sylestone** » Sun Sep 18, 2022 12:55 am

SFA CUP

First and Second Preliminary Rounds

As football returned to Sylestone for the first time in four years, people from all over the nation flocked to their local arenas to see their club take on others in the first and second preliminary rounds of the expanded SFA Cup, the rounds serving as a final tune-up before the start of the official season. While many sides, particularly those in the Toilet and Poo Leagues, opted to use their reserves side in order to rest up their key players, shock results and blowouts still occurred with some frequency, setting up an enticing final 32 in the competition.

While the first preliminary round only contained the sixty teams from the Flush, U-bend and Sewer Leagues and as a result, is kind of irrelevant, noteworthy results still occurred. The Cricketers’ Union of Sylestone, a side composed of quality cricketers across the nation, got their first feel for how challenging they would find the season down in the Sewer League. Over two legs, they got thumped by the U-bend League’s Rockefeller Promontory 13-0, including an 8-0 blowout at home in Avondale. Meanwhiles, Maleholes United got wrecked almost as badly by the Flush League’s Betham Rascals, who beat the Suffolk-based side 10-0 over two legs. In two other individual games, ten goals were scored, the first between the Sewer League’s Bumfuck Nowhere and the Flush League’s Masaltonton, of which the latter won 7-3, and the second between Terraville of the U-bend League and Piltonmouth of the Flush League, of which the final result was a 6-4 away victory.

But enough of that, and onto the Second Preliminary Round, where some of the most shocking results occurred. First of all is Halpenley United’s steadfast refusal to back down in cup games carrying over the hiatus to this round, Andrew Burnside’s side defeating an astonished Avondale City 3-0, a deficit too difficult to overturn in the return leg. Elsewhere, the Betham Rascals from the Flush League arose to the occasion against Northampton Olympic, sending the Toilet League club packing after defeating them on penalty kicks, 4-3, at the Northampton Gardens in Chamberley. Meanwhile, Holly Hood of the Southern Beaches played one of the games of her career against Cashambe in the U-bend League, refusing to give mercy after gaining a 3-0 lead away from home. Although the scoreline was tied nil-all 45 minutes in, it only took Hood 37 minutes to compile a hat-trick to complete another 3-0 victory, sending an early statement to their rivals as they seek to survive the battle against relegation. Her hat-trick was the only one of the round, although Blair Clark of Freeport came inches away from also notching one when he hit the post in the 86th minute against The Lakes. Those were the main highlights of the round, although FC Aerorum’s victory over Grafton Albion sparked joyous celebrations, while Bolton Eagles and Freeman City came incredibly close to snatching a Third Preliminary Round berth off Betham’s two best clubs - AFC Droves and Betham FC - respectively.

Matchdays 1-5

It’s been four years in the making but finally, the Toilet League has returned. With people from all over the nation bustling to stadiums in anticipation, it began with probably the most boring result of all. Yes, while many Sylestoneans love their nil-all draws, to have the first game of the season be between Northampton Olympic and Katham - two sides who appear destined for relegation - finish that way was not exactly good for revenues. However, what was to follow was far more interesting.

While there was nothing of the scale of Betham FC 0-7 Avondale Beach, a few results were still noteworthy in their own ways although, ultimately, only one seemed truly unexpected. AFC Droves, after surviving relegation before the Toilet League’s hiatus by the literal skin of their teeth, came out firing against a struggling Avondale City side. Although the Lime Greens pulled themselves back into it twice during the first half, they could do nothing after Charlotte Mee’s 72nd-minute header put the Burgers 3-2 up at Kitchener, Tahlia Dawson’s players sealing an improbable first-up victory to kickstart their season early.

But other than that, there was nothing that out of the ordinary. Capitol Athletic made a grand statement against fellow title challengers in the Kirkham Appliances with two goals within the opening sixteen minutes, while Pesfield Trees achieved the same with two stoppage time goals breaking a 1-1 deadlock. Ryan Paschke’s strike from outside the box was particularly deadly, the 23-year-old substitute nailing one past Thike Saleh to put the Trees 2-1 up. It was the goal of the round - nothing else could get a loving home crowd going as much as that strike did.

Either AFC Droves are just genuinely good or Kirkham Appliances are having another poor start to the season. Which one it is, or whether it’s realistically a mix of the two, is something no one exactly knows but one thing is for sure and that is that the Burgers had a blinder at home against the title challengers. After defeating Avondale City at Kitchener Stadium, they backed it up with a 1-0 triumph thanks to Jamie Wells’ 44th-minute goal as they moved up into fourth with a perfect record. Meanwhile, the Appliances dropped to sixteenth as the only team to have not grabbed points but with Avondale Beach up next, that record did not appear to remain for long.

Elsewhere, Avondale City’s poor start to the season continued with a 1-1 draw against the Pigeons and it could have been worse if it wasn’t for Harrison Reynolds’ goal two minutes into second-half stoppage time. But as they dropped behind the eight-ball, cross-town rivals Capitol Athletic charged onwards with a 2-0 victory over Cleorough propelling them into second place. Keeping pace with them are the Pesfield Trees, who made another serious statement with a 3-0 demolishment of the Kirkham Sentients to jump into first.

But at the other end of the table, Katham and Northampton Olympic were both dealt with brutal blows as they search to stave off relegation. While both clubs were able to grab a crucial point at the Northampton Gardens the week before, Chamberley City and Breakfast Bowl FC put three past them respectively as they fell back down towards the end of the table they deserved to be at. It’s blunt, yes, but it’s fact.

After matchday two, four teams still possessed a perfect, 2-0-0 record. After matchday three, that number is now only one. And what a statement to make while completing that, too. While their rivals all failed to grab three points, the Pesfield Trees absolutely tore Northampton Olympic to shreds in a clinical 6-0 annihilation, the visitors not receiving any mercy, even when they were 4-0 down at the 45-minute mark. Perhaps the Trees were just making up for the failures of Capitol Athletic, Fridge FC and AFC Droves or, more likely, they just wanted to prove that they were truly titleworthy.

But while many will say Capitol Athletic have failed, they are still the only team in the entire Toilet League not to have conceded after 270 minutes. The signings of Gabriel van Brabant, Joseph Tasserton and Luke Mitchell have all performed outstandingly and whenever broken, Callum Holmes has always been there to clean it up. However, against Chamberley City, the Maroons simply could not score despite dominating play and possession as the Stars kept them to a draw, but at least it was better than the results Fridge FC and AFC Droves obtained.

With both sides brimming with confidence following an excellent start to their respective seasons, they were given a bit of a reality check. At Sentient Oval against Mid-Capital, the Fridges were stomped over, three goals to none. To make things worse, the Trains played the majority of the game with just ten players and an even weaker defensive line following Vic Richardon’s red card in the 32nd minute but even so, they still somehow managed to keep a clean sheet. Meanwhile, the Burgers could be considered unlucky not to have drawn or won their encounter with Cleorough away from home, the Toucans scoring both of their goals in the only two times they had a genuine chance. On the right wing, Abigail McNair had an absolute blinder and was a constant threat but with two players on her at all times, she was hard-pressed to create chances.

Finally, the Kirkham Appliances have returned. After diddling around at the bottom of the table after two opening losses, they have returned to form with a solid 2-0 victory at home against Avondale Beach. While the result only sticks them up to eleventh, their performance was promising and many will be hoping it is a sign for things to come.

For the third time in four games, the Pesfield Trees have scored three goals as their attack line continues to run rampant against opposition defences. This time, it was the poor Breakfast Bowls who had to try and withstand the carnage - with a 60th-minute goal to the Bathtub against the run of play their only positive in a crushing 3-1 defeat. However, despite the result continuing the Trees’ run of dominance, it was not that result that caught the eyes of many.

No, instead it was Avondale City. After an uncharacteristically poor start to the season, with just two points from three matches, they have burst back to life at the Walgabba Dome against a Mid-Capital side without key defender Vic Richardson, watching on from the sidelines due to suspension. And while the Trains’ last opponent, Fridge FC, could not find a way to score against the Toilet League’s worst defensive line, Avondale City made up for that. Dominating possession, the hosts’ gun forward line was kept at bay for the entire game bar a short spell of dominance early on in the second half before Aoi Kyouka roamed free just beyond the hour mark to score the Lime Greens’ fourth. However, they weren’t quite done yet, Max Lonsdale wrapping things up with a fifth in the 85th minute. Avondale City was back and were, once again, a force to be reckoned with.

Elsewhere, Capitol Athletic kept a victory away from the Pesfield Trees with yet another ninety-minute shutout, defeating a hapless Katham 1-0 at Katham Oval, while Northampton Olympic recorded their first triumph of the season with a shock 2-0 win over the Kitchen Sinks. The result moves the Steel up into twelfth with four points as their opponents joined Katham in the red zone with a mere two points from four games. Somehow, they just weren’t clicking and if they could not soon, then the Light Bulb would be on the way out.

After an outstanding start to the season with victories at Kitchener Stadium and back home against the Kirkham Appliances, AFC Droves have been thoroughly put in their place by a pulsating Capitol Athletic, the Maroons putting three past one of the strongest defences in the Toilet League. With eight goals and none conceded in about eight hours of football, the three-time champions are looking like a serious threat yet again as they move level on points with early standouts Pesfield Trees, who scored less than three goals for the first time in the season against the struggling Chickens. And to make matters worse for the Trees, it was Katham who put two past them to go 2-0 up in the first half before a blitz early on in the second saw them equalise. However, despite numerous close calls, they could not take three points out of the encounter as the home fans went home, disappointment written plain on their faces. Yet, it was not enough to sacrifice first place but at this stage in the season, all that matters is that points are coming at you, thick and fast.

But while the Pesfield Trees and Capitol Athletic move clear for what beckons to be an enthralling title race, Kirkham Sentients and Betham FC have moved quietly up into third and fourth respectively, each on ten points with three wins, a draw and a loss. Well, that is, before now. The Kirkham Sentients have truly burst onto the stage this round with an absolute destruction of an Avondale City squad brimming with confidence after their 5-0 victory in Kirton, defeating them 4-0 at Kitchener with two goals to the Tumble Dryer the highlight for the Sentient club.

But where are the other title contenders, the Kirkham Appliances? Dwelling down in thirteenth with just four points from five games. Sure, they haven’t exactly had an easy start to the season, but losses to AFC Droves and Betham FC really hurt them, as did a 2-2 draw at Sentient Oval against Mid-Capital. Already nine points behind the Trees and Maroons, it’s tough to see the Appliances making any sort of comeback. They have it in them, sure, but whether they can pull it out with pressure heaped upon them is a different matter altogether.

   Toilet League           Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts   Form
 1 Pesfield Trees            5    4   1   0    17    4  +13    13   DWWWW     IFCF Champions League
 2 Capitol Athletic          5    4   1   0     8    0   +8    13   WWDWW     IFCF Challengers Cup
 3 Kirkham Sentients         5    3   1   1     8    4   +4    10   WWDLW     IFCF Challengers Cup
 4 Betham FC                 5    3   1   1     7    5   +2    10   WWDLW     IFCF Challengers Cup
 5 Chamberley City           5    1   4   0     6    3   +3     7   DDDWD
 6 Fridge FC                 5    2   1   2     6    8   −2     7   DLLWW
 7 AFC Droves                5    2   1   2     5    8   −3     7   LDLWW
 8 Avondale City             5    1   2   2    10   10    0     5   LWDDL
 9 Breakfast Bowl FC         5    1   2   2     4    5   −1     5   DLDWL
10 Cleorough                 5    1   2   2     3    4   −1     5   LDWLD
11 Mid-Capital               5    1   2   2     7   11   −4     5   DLWDL
12 Northampton Olympic       5    1   2   2     4   10   −6     5   DWLLD
13 Kirkham Appliances        5    1   1   3     5    7   −2     4   DLWLL
14 Avondale Beach            5    0   3   2     3    6   −3     3   DDLDL     Toilet League Playoff
15 Katham                    5    0   3   2     2    6   −4     3   DLDLD     Relegation to Poo League
16 Kitchen Sink FC           5    0   3   2     1    5   −4     3   DLDDL     Relegation to Poo League

Matchdays 1-5

   Poo League            Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Dunkirk Athletic        5    4   1   0     7    2   +5    13     Promotion to Toilet League/Liga B Champions Trophy
 2 Pilbury Eaton           5    3   1   1     6    4   +2    10     Promotion to Toilet League/Liga B Champions Trophy
 3 Halpenley United        5    3   0   2     5    2   +3     9     Toilet League Playoff/Liga B Champions Trophy
 4 Dodle                   5    2   2   1     8    5   +3     8
 5 Ketonley Town           5    2   2   1     7    6   +1     8
   Whitepool               5    2   2   1     7    6   +1     8
 7 Western Avondale        5    2   1   2     6    5   +1     7
 8 Emacuton United         5    2   1   2     3    4   −1     7
 9 FC Conton               5    2   1   2     6    7   −1     7
10 Marbury FC              5    2   1   2     2    3   −1     7
11 Freeport                5    2   0   3     3    5   −2     6
12 Westminster             5    1   2   2    12   11   +1     5
13 Freeman City            5    1   2   2     8    9   −1     5
14 Emacuton FC             5    1   1   3     4    7   −3     4     Poo League Playoff
15 Southern Beaches        5    1   1   3     3    7   −4     4     Relegation to Flush League
16 Grafton Albion          5    0   2   3     3    7   −4     2     Relegation to Flush League

Lower Leagues

   Flush League           Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Cleorough Fire           5    5   0   0    10    1   +9    15     Promotion to Poo League
 2 Felton Island            5    5   0   0     9    1   +8    15     Promotion to Poo League
 3 Hageling Town            5    4   1   0     7    0   +7    13     Poo League Playoff
 4 Betham Park              5    4   0   1    10    5   +5    12
 5 Bayville                 5    3   1   1    15   10   +5    10
 6 Oslolihul City           5    3   0   2     3    2   +1     9
 7 Piltonmouth              5    2   1   2     2    2    0     7
 8 Tartontaton              5    2   1   2     8    9   −1     7
 9 Chilseamers Town         5    2   1   2     4    6   −2     7
10 Acondo FC                5    2   1   2     6    9   −3     7
11 Betham Rascals           5    2   0   3     5    5    0     6
   Paradise Coast           5    2   0   3     5    5    0     6
13 Bunbury                  5    2   0   3     2    3   −1     6
14 Excelsior                5    1   2   2     2    3   −1     5
15 Exninley                 5    1   1   3     3    6   −3     4
16 Pesfield Bees            5    1   1   3     2    5   −3     4
17 Bolton Eagles            5    1   1   3     4    8   −4     4
18 Copeland AFC             5    1   1   3     1    5   −4     4     Relegation to U-bend League
19 Balinmone                5    0   2   3     5   11   −6     2     Relegation to U-bend League
20 Garretty Wanderers       5    0   0   5     3   10   −7     0     Relegation to U-bend League

   U-bend League              Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Damminton Sands              5    4   0   1    17    6  +11    12     Promotion to Flush League
 2 FC Aerorum                   5    4   0   1    11    4   +7    12     Promotion to Flush League
 3 Hatford                      5    3   2   0    11    2   +9    11     Promotion to Flush League
 4 Salisbury                    5    3   1   1     8    6   +2    10
 5 Rockefeller Promontory       5    3   0   2    14    5   +9     9
 6 Marbury Athletic             5    2   3   0    11    8   +3     9
 7 Watrid-Farinle               5    2   2   1     4    6   −2     8
 8 Stapleton Albion             5    2   1   2    11    9   +2     7
 9 Botesbury                    5    1   4   0     8    6   +2     7
10 Mount Vermont                5    2   1   2     7    6   +1     7
11 Carrington                   5    1   4   0     7    6   +1     7
12 Terraville                   5    2   1   2     5    5    0     7
13 Milneford FC                 5    2   1   2     7    9   −2     7
14 South Cable                  5    1   3   1     8   10   −2     6
15 Pali                         5    2   0   3     4    7   −3     6
16 Gordon                       5    1   1   3     6   13   −7     4
17 The Lakes                    5    0   3   2     4   10   −6     3
18 Cashambe                     5    1   0   4     4   11   −7     3     Relegation to Sewer League
19 Percival Coast               5    0   1   4     8   16   −8     1     Relegation to Sewer League
20 Rangers AFC                  5    0   0   5     5   15  −10     0     Relegation to Sewer League

   Sewer League                       Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Jeaniara                             5    5   0   0    23    1  +22    15     Promotion to U-bend League
 2 Tarminra                             5    5   0   0    10    1   +9    15     Promotion to U-bend League
 3 Mutiyara                             5    4   0   1    14    2  +12    12     Promotion to U-bend League
 4 Cliford City                         5    4   0   1    12    1  +11    12
 5 Boronia                              5    4   0   1    14    8   +6    12
 6 Harbourside                          5    4   0   1    10    4   +6    12
 7 Midford City                         5    3   1   1    10    4   +6    10
 8 Vildomia                             5    2   2   1     8    4   +4     8
 9 Mossman United                       5    2   2   1     6    6    0     8
10 Sutherland-Hursham                   5    2   1   2    14    6   +8     7
11 Hornsby Tigers                       5    1   3   1     8    7   +1     6
12 Cricketers' Union of Sylestone       5    2   0   3     3    9   −6     6
13 Halton                               5    1   2   2     3    5   −2     5
14 Chistone FC                          5    1   1   3     4   16  −12     4
15 Pesfield City Rovers                 5    0   3   2     1    4   −3     3
16 Mulgoa                               5    1   0   4     4    8   −4     3
17 Banksia FC                           5    0   2   3     1    7   −6     2
18 Masaltonton                          5    0   1   4     4   14  −10     1
19 Maleholes United                     5    0   0   5     0   20  −20     0
20 Bumfuck Nowhere                      5    0   0   5     0   22  −22     0

Potty League

  Potty League Eastern Division  Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
1 Betham FC U21                    5    4   1   0    10    3   +7    13
2 Pesfield Trees U21               5    3   2   0     8    3   +5    11
3 Western Avondale U21             5    2   1   2     7    9   −2     7
4 Cleorough U21                    5    2   0   3     4    4    0     6
5 AFC Droves U21                   5    1   2   2     2    3   −1     5
6 Halpenley United U21             5    1   2   2     6    9   −3     5
7 Whitepool U21                    5    1   1   3     2    5   −3     4
8 FC Conton U21                    5    1   1   3     2    5   −3     4

  Potty League Western Division  Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Capitol Athletic U21             5    4   1   0     9    2   +7    13
2 Avondale Beach U21               5    3   1   1     6    3   +3    10
3 Avondale City U21                5    2   2   1     8    4   +4     8
4 Mid-Capital U21                  5    2   1   2     3    6   −3     7
5 Katham U21                       5    1   3   1     4    4    0     6
6 Northampton Olympic U21          5    1   1   3     4    7   −3     4
7 Chamberley City U21              5    1   0   4     3    6   −3     3
8 Dunkirk Athletic U21             5    0   3   2     5   10   −5     3

by **Sylestone** » Fri Sep 23, 2022 11:57 pm

SFA CUP

Third Preliminary Rounds

If anyone had said that five Flush League teams were going to make the fourth preliminary round of the SFA Cup before the start of the season, they would have been completely wiped out of existence by literally every other football fan in the entire nation. Poof. And especially if you’d gone on to mention that none of Felton Island, Excelsior, Bunbury or Cleorough Fire was going to be there.

But believe it or not, it has happened. Five Flush League sides have made the final 16 in the SFA Cup but for each and every one of them, a squad far better than their own stands in their way. Paradise Coast and Betham Rascals seem to have the easier draws, playing against Halpenley United and Katham respectively, but realistically, neither are necessarily good. Interestingly, neither the Pesfield Trees nor Capitol Athletic - the two sides that appear destined to fight it out for the Toilet League title - appear in the final 16, although neither played a full-strength team and appeared to experiment in their matchups against Kirkham Sentients and Chamberley City - two quality teams in their own right. However, the true surprise of the round came when Betham FC was defeated by Katham over two legs. Yes, they might’ve been mainly using their second XI but even so, to lose 2-1 both home and away was not expected. With some of the Cup favourites already eliminated, it paves the way for two-time champions Kirkham Appliances to bounce back from their abhorrent start to the Toilet League with a Cup victory.

Matchdays 6-10

You could tell immediately that it was going to be a goalfest. With wing-backs Eden Holt and Eleanor Rose rested but the Pesfield forward line popping off like never before, both sides scoring three or four seemed like a genuine possibility. But a 6-4 win to Pesfield? Yes, offence was going to dominate, but no one could’ve guessed by that much. The Trees were led by a Valentine Cocher hat-trick, the winger leading a fightback from 3-1 down midway through the first half, drawing even by half-time and launching onwards in the final 45. It was a much-needed result for Pesfield, maintaining top spot after a draw with Katham and warding off yet another Capitol Athletic masterclass, the Maroons slaughtering Avondale Beach 4-0 at Connolly as the two clubs continued to move clear of any competition.

In other results, Kirkham Sentients continued their superb start to the season with their third win in a row, defeating a lacklustre Appliances side at Sentient Oval to move three points clear of the trio of teams on ten points. Meanwhile, over in Katham, AFC Droves returned to their winning ways with a solid, 1-0 victory to reignite their season, while Avondale City’s topsy-turvy run continued with a 3-0 hammering of Northampton Olympic as they jumped back into the top eight.

It’s taken opposition teams 632 minutes and seven matches to do it but finally, finally, Capitol Athletic have conceded. With the opportunity to jump the Pesfield Trees for first place after their 1-1 draw with Fridge FC, the Maroons threw it all away in stoppage time with a deadly Joseph Tasserton mistake costing his side three points. With draws to both of the Toilet League’s top two teams, it paves the way for Kirkham Sentients, with five wins and a draw from seven games and a four-game win streak, to break through and also become title challengers. Even AFC Droves are looming ominously as Tahlia Dawson’s players recorded their second 1-0 triumph in two games to climb into fourth spot despite boasting a negative goal difference.

Other than that, though, there wasn’t really much in the way of surprises. On an individual level, Eden Holt scored her third of the season - an impressive effort for a left-back at this stage in the season as she continues to push for national selection in World Cup 93. Yes, you heard that right. After years upon years of segregation, there are talks about Sylestone’s next World Cup squad including both Sentients and humans.

When it rains, it pours. Or, at least, it does when Capitol Athletic are involved. After conceding their first goal of the season in stoppage time against the Pandas, Mid-Capital did not hesitate to expand on that, putting three past Callum Holmes in one of their famous offensive efforts. And somehow, despite the Maroons possessing the likes of Alyssa Hightower and Levin Voigt up front, the Trains did not concede. With a 3-0 victory, Mid-Capital were back and firing and ultimately, the Kirton-based club had essentially paved a path for the Pesfield Trees to jump clear at the top of the Toilet League once again.

It was a path that they did not hesitate to take. Despite facing Avondale City, the Trees dominated absolutely, with goals to Gemma Rodway and Claudia Hynes sealing a superb 2-0 triumph as they moved three points clear of Capitol Athletic and second place. For Kirkham Sentients also failed to garner points out of their matchup with Chamberley City at Sentient Oval, losing 4-1 thanks to 23 minutes of madness that saw the Great White Shark, Lilah Buchanan and Kaiden Courtney all net goals.

And finally, an early Riley Strathfield goal has sealed AFC Droves a stunning 1-0 win at the Bay Reserve, the Burgers defeating their cross-town rivals in a stunning display of gritty, dogged, defensive football as their remarkable season continues with a third 1-0 victory in three games. The result takes the Droves up to sixteen points, only ranked fourth due to their goal difference. With a key match against Mid-Capital up next and Capitol Athletic playing the Kirkham Sentients, it is not impossible to fathom seeing the Bethamites jump into third place - if not second - by the time we travel forward one more week.

Taking our eyes away from the emerging title race for a moment, let’s head over to Chamberley for the Chamberley derby at the nation’s largest sporting arena, in the heart of the Chamberley Institute of Sport. While Chamberley City are a solid mid-table team and Northampton Olympic are the literal definition of a yo-yo club, Chamberley derbies never disappoint. And this one was no different. Once again, the Stars emerged victorious, with the Great White Shark taking out the honours with a hat-trick, albeit one that included two vicious penalty kicks. After going 1-0 up inside three minutes, Kai Shinsui’s red card after a poor tackle inside the box paved the way for another five to be scored as the hosts finished with a massive 6-2 victory, taking them into fourth place on 17 points.

Believe it or not, that was not the only goalfest Sylestonean crowds were treated with. Although the majority of footballing fans in the nation prefer their defensive, nil-all draws or 1-0 results, there’s something about an entertaining game of football where goals are always on the horizon. And that’s exactly what happened at Connolly in the match between Avondale Beach and Betham FC. Four years onwards from that 7-0 shellacking the Pigeons handed out at the Bay Reserve, the Pandas appeared to be getting their own back, leading 4-1 at the end of regular time, with only five minutes of stoppage added on. However, Avondale Beach was not about to give up, the Pigeons scoring two goals and coming unbearably close to drawing even in the last play of the game. Even so, it was not enough, as they remained down at the foot of the Toilet League table with just four points and no wins.

Now, back to the title race. Another loss to the Kirkham Sentients, this one at the hands of Capitol Athletic, has seen them drop out of the top four but interestingly, another party has crept up on the Trees and Maroons fighting it out at the top. With their fourth triumph in a row, AFC Droves are looming ominously, now only two points behind Pesfield in first place thanks to the ladder-leaders’ 1-1 draw with Kirkham Appliances. However, the Burgers will be hard-pressed to stay there with an away match against the Sentients up next, with a loss likely to send them spiralling outside of the IFCF positions for the time being, although there is still a lot of time remaining for Tahlia Dawson and her club.

Just as it seemed as though AFC Droves were really getting going and joining the battle for first place, they have been knocked out of the prestigious top four slots with a Bar Stool “header” late in the second half, ending a worrisome two-game losing streak for the Kirkham Sentients. Pouncing on this opportunity, Chamberley City secured a breathtaking come-from-behind victory against Breakfast Bowl FC as their two-strong midfield shone, sharing all three goals between the two of them as they climbed up into third. Two other teams capitalising on the Burgers’ loss are the two ladder leaders, with Capitol Athletic thumping Northampton Olympic 5-1 while Pesfield undid Cleorough, just one goal to none, as they moved clear once again at the head of the table. It marks another underwhelming start to the season for one of the Toilet League’s richest clubs, as the Toucans dwell down in twelfth with just eight points in ten games and if they cannot get their act together, another season of possible relegation beckons.

Elsewhere, Avondale City’s unpredictable season has continued in a rather startling 3-0 loss at the hands of Fridge FC of all teams. An early goal to the Spoon saw the Fridges go 1-0 up at Sentient Oval but from then all the way through to second-half stoppage time, the visitors dominated processions but somehow, could not find a way past the Table between the posts. And then, to add insult to injury, the Knife and Sunglasses each slotted home in that stoppage time as the Sentient club received a much-needed boost to jump five points clear of the Breakfast Bowls and nail down tenth spot for the time being. A couple more good results, and the top four would be in sight.

But surrounding all of this, no one has seemed to be talking about Chamberley City or Kirkham Appliances. Over the last five games, the Stars have had the most successful record, better than Pesfield Trees, Capitol Athletic or AFC Droves, with four wins and a draw, including a current streak of three victories in a row. Meanwhile, it seems as though the Appliances have cut their shackles, too, with ten points from the last four matches to climb up into ninth after an abysmal first couple of months of the season. On the other end of the spectrum, though, the Breakfast Bowls are currently staring down four losses in a row, while Avondale Beach and Katham still haven’t got a win, although both boast numerous draws. With a third of the season gone, that is a serious issue.

   Toilet League           Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts   Form
 1 Pesfield Trees           10    7   3   0    28   10  +18    24   WDWDW     IFCF Champions League
 2 Capitol Athletic         10    7   2   1    21    6  +15    23   WWLDW     IFCF Challengers Cup
 3 Chamberley City          10    5   5   0    22    9  +13    20   WWWDW     IFCF Challengers Cup
 4 Kirkham Sentients        10    6   1   3    15   11   +4    19   WLLWW     IFCF Challengers Cup
 5 AFC Droves               10    6   1   3    10    9   +1    19   LWWWW
 6 Betham FC                10    5   2   3    14   12   +2    17   WWLDL
 7 Mid-Capital              10    4   3   3    13   14   −1    15   WLWDW
 8 Avondale City            10    4   2   4    16   16    0    14   LWLWW
 9 Kirkham Appliances       10    4   2   4    10   10    0    14   WDWWL
10 Fridge FC                10    3   4   3    10   11   −1    13   WDDDL
11 Breakfast Bowl FC        10    2   2   6     8   11   −3     8   LLLLW
12 Cleorough                10    2   2   6     4    9   −5     8   LWLLL
13 Northampton Olympic      10    2   2   6     8   26  −18     8   LLWLL
14 Kitchen Sink FC          10    1   4   5     7   14   −7     7   LLDWL     Poo League Playoff
15 Katham                   10    0   5   5     3   11   −8     5   LDDLL     Relegation
16 Avondale Beach           10    0   4   6     7   17  −10     4   LLDLL     Relegation

Matchdays 6-10

   Poo League            Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Dunkirk Athletic       10    6   1   3    12   10   +2    19     Promotion to Toilet League/Liga B Champions Trophy
 2 Halpenley United       10    6   0   4    10    4   +6    18     Promotion to Toilet League/Liga B Champions Trophy
 3 FC Conton              10    5   1   4    15   14   +1    16     Toilet League Playoff/Liga B Champions Trophy
 4 Freeport               10    5   1   4     9    8   +1    16
 5 Western Avondale       10    5   1   4     9    8   +1    16
 6 Westminster            10    4   3   3    22   17   +5    15
 7 Whitepool              10    4   3   3    11    8   +3    15
 8 Dodle                  10    4   3   3    15   13   +2    15
 9 Pilbury Eaton          10    4   3   3    13   12   +1    15
10 Marbury FC             10    4   3   3     4    4    0    15
11 Ketonley Town          10    4   2   4    12   16   −4    14
12 Freeman City           10    3   4   3    11   11    0    13
13 Emacuton United        10    3   2   5     5    9   −4    11
14 Emacuton FC            10    3   1   6    10   12   −2    10     Poo League Playoff
15 Southern Beaches       10    2   2   6    14   20   −6     8     Relegation to Flush League
16 Grafton Albion         10    1   4   5     9   15   −6     7     Relegation to Flush League

Lower Leagues

   Flush League           Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Cleorough Fire          12   10   0   2    26   10  +16    30     Promotion to Poo League
 2 Hageling Town           12    8   3   1    14    2  +12    27     Promotion to Poo League
 3 Felton Island           12    7   3   2    23   13  +10    24     Poo League Playoff
 4 Bunbury                 12    6   3   3    11    5   +6    21
 5 Acondo FC               12    6   3   3    20   17   +3    21
 6 Betham Park             12    6   2   4    20   15   +5    20
 7 Pesfield Bees           12    6   2   4    10    7   +3    20
 8 Bayville                12    5   4   3    27   20   +7    19
 9 Betham Rascals          12    6   0   6    17   13   +4    18
10 Excelsior               12    5   3   4    11    7   +4    18
11 Oslolihul City          12    5   2   5     8    9   −1    17
12 Paradise Coast          12    4   2   6    12   15   −3    14
13 Piltonmouth             12    4   2   6    11   16   −5    14
14 Bolton Eagles           12    4   1   7    17   26   −9    13
15 Tartontaton             12    3   3   6    14   22   −8    12
16 Copeland AFC            12    3   3   6     4   13   −9    12
17 Garretty Wanderers      12    3   1   8    15   21   −6    10
18 Chilseamers Town        12    2   3   7     5   14   −9     9     Relegation to U-bend League
19 Exninley                12    2   3   7     6   18  −12     9     Relegation to U-bend League
20 Balinmone               12    1   5   6     8   16   −8     8     Relegation to U-bend League

   U-bend League              Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Damminton Sands             12   10   1   1    39   13  +26    31     Promotion to Flush League
 2 Hatford                     12    7   4   1    20    7  +13    25     Promotion to Flush League
 3 FC Aerorum                  12    8   0   4    18    9   +9    24     Promotion to Flush League
 4 Salisbury                   12    7   2   3    25   17   +8    23
 5 Terraville                  12    7   2   3    24   16   +8    23
 6 Rockefeller Promontory      12    6   4   2    22   10  +12    22
 7 Mount Vermont               12    5   3   4    32   21  +11    18
 8 Cashambe                    12    6   0   6    13   18   −5    18
 9 Milneford FC                12    5   2   5    28   21   +7    17
10 Stapleton Albion            12    5   2   5    24   21   +3    17
11 Pali                        12    5   2   5    12   12    0    17
12 Watrid-Farinle              12    4   4   4    12   15   −3    16
13 Marbury Athletic            12    3   6   3    19   17   +2    15
14 Botesbury                   12    2   7   3    16   22   −6    13
15 Gordon                      12    3   3   6    20   22   −2    12
16 Carrington                  12    2   6   4    13   15   −2    12
17 South Cable                 12    2   4   6    21   38  −17    10
18 The Lakes                   12    2   3   7    12   28  −16     9     Relegation to Sewer League
19 Rangers AFC                 12    1   2   9    15   40  −25     5     Relegation to Sewer League
20 Percival Coast              12    0   3   9    12   35  −23     3     Relegation to Sewer League

   Sewer League                       Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Jeaniara                            12   11   1   0    57    6  +51    34     Promotion to U-bend League
 2 Mutiyara                            12    8   2   2    36    7  +29    26     Promotion to U-bend League
 3 Mossman United                      12    8   2   2    26   15  +11    26     Promotion to U-bend League
 4 Tarminra                            12    8   1   3    18   12   +6    25
 5 Boronia                             12    7   2   3    30   21   +9    23
 6 Sutherland-Hursham                  12    7   1   4    27   14  +13    22
 7 Cliford City                        12    6   3   3    27   13  +14    21
 8 Vildomia                            12    6   3   3    17   12   +5    21
 9 Hornsby Tigers                      12    5   5   2    27   16  +11    20
10 Chistone FC                         12    6   2   4    20   24   −4    20
11 Midford City                        12    5   4   3    23   17   +6    19
12 Halton                              12    5   3   4    12   11   +1    18
13 Harbourside                         12    5   2   5    15   16   −1    17
14 Masaltonton                         12    3   3   6    13   24  −11    12
15 Cricketers' Union of Sylestone      12    3   1   8    10   36  −26    10
16 Banksia FC                          12    2   3   7    11   22  −11     9
17 Pesfield City Rovers                12    1   5   6    12   17   −5     8
18 Bumfuck Nowhere                     12    1   1  10     3   43  −40     4
19 Mulgoa                              12    1   0  11     8   26  −18     3
20 Maleholes United                    12    0   0  12     3   43  −40     0

Potty League

  Potty League Eastern Division  Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Betham FC U21                   10    7   3   0    17    6  +11    24
2 Pesfield Trees U21              10    6   2   2    17    8   +9    20
3 Cleorough U21                   10    6   0   4     8    5   +3    18
4 Western Avondale U21            10    4   1   5    13   19   −6    13
5 Halpenley United U21            10    3   3   4    12   13   −1    12
6 AFC Droves U21                  10    3   2   5     4    6   −2    11
7 FC Conton U21                   10    2   2   6     6   11   −5     8
8 Whitepool U21                   10    2   1   7     3   12   −9     7

  Potty League Western Division  Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Capitol Athletic U21            10    6   3   1    14    3  +11    21
2 Mid-Capital U21                 10    6   1   3    12   12    0    19
3 Avondale City U21               10    4   4   2    12    7   +5    16
4 Katham U21                      10    3   6   1     8    5   +3    15
5 Avondale Beach U21              10    3   2   5     7   10   −3    11
6 Chamberley City U21             10    3   2   5     8   12   −4    11
7 Northampton Olympic U21         10    1   4   5     6   11   −5     7
8 Dunkirk Athletic U21            10    1   4   5     8   15   −7     7

by **Sylestone** » Wed Oct 19, 2022 10:28 pm

SFA CUP

Fourth Preliminary Round

We said before the start of the round that there was absolutely no way a single one of the five Flush League clubs was making it to the SFA Cup quarterfinals.

We were wrong.

Up against arguably the toughest opponent of the ones their fellow Flush League compatriots were faced with, the Pesfield Bees have defied all odds and logic to defeat the Kirkham Sentients while Tartontaton, Piltonmouth, Paradise Coast and Betham Rascals were sent home. However, for the Bees, it wasn’t just one insane performance that saw them through, it was two very strong performances in a row. They were widely applauded throughout the nation for holding the Sentients to a draw at Sentient Oval in the first leg, but as a matter of fact, the Pesfield club were only getting started. While a successful Kettle penalty put the Toilet League club early on, the Bees had equalised before half-time and with fifteen minutes remaining, the Music Stand was booked for a second time, leaving the Bees with an opening with the favourites down to ten.

And boy, did they take it. Ten minutes later, the hosts were 3-1 up and with the home crowd in raptures, they held on against swathe after swathe of attack to secure a 4-2 aggregate triumph and progress to the quarterfinals.

However, that was not the only interesting matchup of the round. While that produced the shock result, Avondale Beach and Kitchen Sink FC played out a thrilling 180 minutes that saw thirteen goals scored, with both sides still in it in the moments leading up until the final whistle. In the first leg, a late penalty to the Milk Carton broke a 3-3 deadlock at Connolly Oval to put the Sinks 4-3 up on aggregate, but after a 74th-minute Maths Textbook own goal from an Amelia Northmore cross gifted the Pigeons a third in the return fixture, all was even at 6-6 in aggregate, the scoreline 3-2 at Sentient Oval.

And that was how it remained… until stoppage time came. In the very first minute of the five, the Silestone found some space at the edge of the box and shot, evading Jonathan Beet in goals, hitting the post and rebounding over the line. The Sinks were through to the quarterfinals, and the defending champions were out.

But other than those two results, there really wasn’t that much. Chamberley City proved themselves to be one of the most destructive teams in the Toilet League with a 10-2 aggregate demolishment of Tartontaton, while AFC Droves, Mid-Capital, Katham and Halpenley United all prevailed in strong defensive efforts against significantly weaker clubs. Lastly, the Kirkham Appliances continued their good form with a win and draw against Cleorough to progress to the final eight, joining another five Toilet League clubs and a single representative from the Poo and Flush Leagues.

Matchdays 11-15

It’s matchday eleven and finally, a club has reported its first managerial sacking. Following the Pigeons’ 3-0 home loss to the Kirkham Sentients - a side that was defeated by a Flush League team in the SFA Cup - Avondale Beach’s owners took no time in sacking 69-year-old manager Norman Selby and are searching for a replacement. From some of the likely candidates they’ve secured so far, it appears that the owners at Connolly Oval are keen to replace Selby with a manager that employs a similar aggressive style of play, with former Douglas Gill, a man who led Cleorough for multiple seasons before the Toilet League’s hiatus, amongst those who appear to be keen to take up the job. There is even talk of possibly waiting until a manager from a foreign league - such as the Tumbran Premier Division - becomes available, although arriving in Sylestone is a significant backwards step for a vast majority of possible candidates and hence, Selby’s successor is likely to come from within the island nation.

With Avondale Beach finally giving in and sacking Selby, it may not be long until a few other clubs follow suit. Avondale City is one of those, the Lime Greens falling to a new low by losing to Katham at home, the Chickens recording their first victory of the season with Zacharias Andrade’s tap-in in the 64th minute easing some of the pressure on head coach Maynerd Donald. However, considering what John Lawson has done on a relatively low budget in the past, the ownership at Kitchener Stadium is likely to give him at least another season to build the squad he wants. Katham’s result sees Northampton Olympic fall down into 15th place as pressure piles on Danni Armstrong to deliver, while Cleorough, Breakfast Bowl FC and Kitchen Sink FC may all cut ties with their managers if their respective form ruts continue. There are even reports of some tensions at Mid-Capital as much of the blame has been placed upon Manny Weasel after the Trains’ 5-1 drumming at the Bay Reserve after some quizzical substitutions that included taking Harrison Gilchrist and Bethany Cunningham - two of the club’s best players - off at half-time with the score 2-0 to the Pandas.

In other results, we’ve had a change at the head of the Toilet League with Pesfield Trees and Chamberley City playing out a tame 1-1 draw, the league’s two undefeated teams not willing to risk losing that record. And it had its consequences, with Pesfield giving up top spot to Capitol Athletic with the Maroons’ 1-0 triumph over the Breakfast Bowls, while the Stars dropped out of the top four for the time being with Kirkham Sentients and AFC Droves winning their encounters. But it’s still early on in the season and at this point, one point is unlikely to make much of a difference.

Right on cue, the new manager bounce has hit Avondale Beach. Following the sacking of Norman Selby after three seasons in charge, it has taken the Pigeons’ owners no time at all to lure in Keira Walcott, who managed Capitol Athletic for a season and a half in the early days of the Toilet League. After searching for a job for years and failing due to her preference for aggression in a defensive league, Avondale Beach have finally come to her rescue. And did it pay off. While the Pigeons were up against Northampton Olympic in a 15th vs 16th matchup, goals to Zachary Griffiths and Marvin Harland at Northampton Gardens - as well as 70% possession - saw the Pigeons completely outplay their opponents in what was far and away their strongest performance of the season, with their 1-1 draw with Avondale City the only result rivalling it. Yet, Avondale Beach remained down at the foot of the table but if they continued to pull out performances like this one, then it will not be long until they’re back up in mid-table.

Elsewhere, Capitol Athletic have lengthened their lead at the top of the Toilet League table by handing fellow title challengers, Pesfield Trees, their first loss of the season in a classy performance, putting two goals past young Ryan Macleay in the first half to confirm the 2-0 victory. As well as providing a four-point buffer, the result sees the Trees back on level terms with Chamberley City, AFC Droves and Kirkham Sentients. With the Burgers hosting Pesfield next weekend, there is a distinct possibility that if they can play as they have done recently, then the Trees may well be facing a fall out of the top two.

As soon as the AC Vent tapped home the Stove’s cross in the 40th minute, a collective sigh emanated from the 80,000 fans in the Avondale International Sports Stadium as they began to pack their bags, leaving the ground in droves. With nine wins, two draws and just one loss to kick off their campaign, each and every one of those clad in maroon and black would have arrived expecting their club to knock off their opponents - Kitchen Sink FC, struggling down in eleventh place with just ten points - with ease.

What no one was expecting was the Sinks to go 4-0 up inside those 40 minutes, starting with an awful Gabriel van Brabant tackle in the 11th minute netting the Tikariotian a booking and the Sentient club a spot kick at Oscar Murray. The AC Vent, a former Sylestonean forward, did not miss as the visitors took an early 1-0 lead.

That 1-0 lead would become 2-0 just seven minutes later when a blistering Water Bottle strike saw the ball curl into the corner of the net, and then 3-0 when a misjudged header from Mary Levy found the netting despite an acrobatic effort from the Maroons’ second-choice goalkeeper. After all of this, next to no one was surprised when the Stove’s cross from the edge of the penalty box somehow found its way past Arizhel Illioth, Jason Williams and Joseph Tasserton and into the AC Vent, who only needed to deflect the ball in to make it a fourth.

So 4-0 it was and by the time Alyssa Hightower made the pass back to Bianca Barkman to restart play, the stadium capacity had reduced by half, with many more seemingly packing up.

By the time the referee blew the whistle thrice a little over an hour later, each and every one of those 50,000 people who gave up on their team would have vowed to never do it again.

It all started with Alyssa Hightower, the Capitol Athletic forward finding room in the 43rd minute and slotting the ball home, before Aaron Dodge broke through after a Jason Williams clearance to put a second past the Aluminium Foil on the brink of half-time. The Maroons’ third came from a decisive Joseph Tasserton penalty, the Maroon captain nailing the ball into the top corner of the net to reduce the deficit to just one.

With the way the Maroons were playing, it was only a matter of time before the equaliser came, for thirty minutes still remained in the match - an eternity for the Sinks to hold out for. Credit to them - they lasted fifteen - but Levin Voigt was simply too good as Jeremy Smith’s cross arrived directly at his feet, the South Newlandian tapping the ball home to make it four. But Capitol Athletic were not about to stop there as they built wave after wave of attack, Joseph Tasserton eventually rewarded by putting another spot kick into the net to signify a remarkable comeback, coming from 4-0 down to a 5-4 lead in just 45 minutes of football.

To add insult to injury, Kayla Johnstone’s header deep into stoppage time added a sixth to the Avondale club’s tally but by then, the game was over. The visitors had nothing left in the tank and it was only through sheer luck the result was only 6-4, not 7-4 or even 8-4.

A pretty solid comeback, don’t you think?

Three weeks on from when Avondale Beach sacked Normal Selby, Kitchen Sink FC and Northampton Olympic have become the next two clubs to follow suit and send their managers on their way after disastrous starts to each of their seasons. For the Sinks, the move to send the Light Bulb packing is a momentous one considering that just a few seasons ago, the Sentient led the club to their only Toilet League title but ever since, nothing has clicked. And this season has been even worse than usual. With only ten points from thirteen games, the Sinks desperately needed a home victory over this season’s surprise packets AFC Droves if the Light Bulb wanted to remain in charge - that much was clear. But after a promising first half, two killer Riley Strathfield goals sunk the Sinks and from there, the decision at the Kitchen Sink was immediate. The Light Bulb was out and the search for a replacement is underway.

Meanwhile, over at Northampton Gardens, a stoppage-time winner from Bethany Cunningham sealed a 1-0 triumph for the Trains as the hosts fell to their sixth loss in a row. Despite Danni Armstrong’s applaudable efforts in the Poo League last season, before the hiatus of the SFL, it was clear that she hadn’t tried to conduct enough business leading into the start of the season and has been punished for it. With Katham managing to scrape out another draw, this one against Kirkham Sentients, the north Chamberley side has dropped down into sixteenth spot and no one was surprised when the club released a statement the following day, announcing the termination of Armstrong’s contract. For now, the assistant coach will take over but reports are that the Olympic ownership is searching for a new manager.

Meanwhile, Avondale Beach has been flung back down to earth after Keira Walcott guided them to two victories in a row, Pesfield handing them a 3-0 loss at the Trees. With Capitol Athletic failing to take three points out of their encounter with Fridge FC, the Trees are now within reach of the three-time champions as they continue to hunt them down, with Kirkham Sentients in third now four points behind second. With the Avondale derby up next for Capitol Athletic and Betham FC Pesfield’s next opponents, it’s possible that the Trees may find themselves ahead of their adversaries at the halfway mark of the season.

Oh, Pesfield are going to be kissing the arses of Avondale City. While it’s only the halfway mark of the season, to be top of the table heading into the final fifteen matches is certainly a huge confidence booster. And thanks to the Lime Greens’ putting on a hell of a performance at the AISS against Capitol Athletic, the Trees were able to do just that. All four goals in the match came in the first half as two to Amelia Ascott and one to Harrison Reynolds led the visitors to a 3-1 lead at half-time. However, with memories of what the Maroons did to the Sinks just a few weeks back at the same ground, Avondale City had to be wary. But while Athletic improved drastically following the break, John Lawson’s squad held firm at the back, before substitute Charlotte Eastwood brought some much-needed attacking manoeuvres, the 19-year-old coming incredibly close to scoring within the final twenty minutes on a couple of occasions. The result saw the hosts lose just their second game of the season as they squandered top spot to their bitter rivals over in Suffolk, the Trees coming from behind at the Bay Reserve to defeat the Pandas 3-1 to move onto 34 points, one ahead of Capitol Athletic. Three points behind are Kirkham Sentients on thirty, the club finally gelling together for the first time in a very long time, if not forever, to push their title case. Then, on 29 points, are wild cards AFC Droves as they continue their meteoric rise under Tahlia Dawson. If they can keep up the good work, then an IFCF berth is far from out of the question.

However, while the table at the halfway mark of the Toilet League is the talk of the nation, we have had yet another insane comeback, this one at the Walgabba Dome by Breakfast Bowl FC. After a Victoria Korner hat-trick saw the Trains go 3-0 up inside 25 minutes, the Sentient club did not give in, fighting right till the death. A Jayden Brassey own goal saw the visitors claw it back to 3-1 before two late goals - one from the Back Door and the other the Breakfast Bowl - completed the comeback as the 18-year-old’s hat-trick was rendered null and void. If it wasn’t for Capitol Athletic’s epic comeback against the Sinks, this may well have gone down in the record books but now, it is simply a formality.

   Toilet League           Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts   Form
 1 Pesfield Trees           15   10   4   1    37   14  +23    34   WWWLD     IFCF Champions League/CEdC
 2 Capitol Athletic         15   10   3   2    32   14  +18    33   LDWWW     IFCF Challengers Cup
 3 Kirkham Sentients        15    9   3   3    21   12   +9    30   WDWDW     IFCF Challengers Cup
 4 AFC Droves               15    9   2   4    15   11   +4    29   WWLDW     IFCF Challengers Cup
 5 Chamberley City          15    6   9   0    27   13  +14    27   DDDWD
 6 Betham FC                15    7   4   4    24   18   +6    25   LDWDW
 7 Avondale City            15    6   4   5    28   24   +4    22   WDDWL
 8 Mid-Capital              15    6   4   5    20   24   −4    22   DWLWL
 9 Kirkham Appliances       15    6   3   6    14   16   −2    21   DLWLW
10 Fridge FC                15    4   6   5    13   15   −2    18   LDDWL
11 Cleorough                15    4   3   8    11   16   −5    15   WWDLL
12 Breakfast Bowl FC        15    2   5   8    13   20   −7    11   DDLDL
13 Avondale Beach           15    2   5   8    15   26  −11    11*  DLWWL
14 Kitchen Sink FC          15    2   5   8    15   26  −11    11*  DLLLW     Toilet League Playoff
15 Katham                   15    1   6   8     5   15  −10     9   LDLLW     Relegation to Poo League
16 Northampton Olympic      15    2   2  11     8   34  −26     8   LLLLL     Relegation to Poo League

* Avondale Beach ahead of Kitchen Sink FC on fair play (0  to 1 )

Matchdays 11-15

   Poo League            Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Dunkirk Athletic       15    9   3   3    22   11  +11    30     Promotion to Toilet League/Liga B Champions Trophy
 2 Western Avondale       15    8   2   5    24   11  +13    26     Promotion to Toilet League/Liga B Champions Trophy
 3 Whitepool              15    7   4   4    19   13   +6    25     Toilet League Playoff/Liga B Champions Trophy
 4 Dodle                  15    7   4   4    23   18   +5    25
 5 Halpenley United       15    7   3   5    12    5   +7    24
 6 FC Conton              15    7   2   6    21   19   +2    23
 7 Freeport               15    6   4   5    14   13   +1    22
 8 Marbury FC             15    5   5   5     5    6   −1    20
 9 Pilbury Eaton          15    5   5   5    16   24   −8    20
10 Ketonley Town          15    5   3   7    16   26  −10    18
11 Emacuton FC            15    4   5   6    16   17   −1    17
12 Westminster            15    4   4   7    27   31   −4    16
13 Emacuton United        15    4   4   7     7   12   −5    16
14 Grafton Albion         15    4   4   7    18   23   −5    16     Poo League Playoff
15 Southern Beaches       15    4   4   7    18   24   −6    16     Relegation to Flush League
16 Freeman City           15    3   6   6    17   22   −5    15     Relegation to Flush League

Lower Leagues

   Flush League           Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Cleorough Fire          19   15   2   2    33   11  +22    47     Promotion to Poo League
 2 Hageling Town           19   11   3   5    18    7  +11    36     Promotion to Poo League
 3 Felton Island           19   10   4   5    36   26  +10    34     Poo League Playoff
 4 Acondo FC               19   10   4   5    32   22  +10    34
 5 Bunbury                 19   10   4   5    15    7   +8    34
 6 Excelsior               19    9   5   5    19   10   +9    32
 7 Bayville                19    9   5   5    37   29   +8    32
 8 Betham Park             19    9   2   8    26   21   +5    29
 9 Betham Rascals          19    8   4   7    24   18   +6    28
10 Piltonmouth             19    7   4   8    19   22   −3    25
11 Tartontaton             19    7   4   8    22   29   −7    25
12 Pesfield Bees           19    6   5   8    16   18   −2    23
13 Oslolihul City          19    7   2  10    11   15   −4    23
14 Garretty Wanderers      19    7   2  10    26   30   −4    23
15 Bolton Eagles           19    7   2  10    28   37   −9    23
16 Copeland AFC            19    5   6   8     9   20  −11    21
17 Balinmone               19    5   5   9    15   25  −10    20
18 Paradise Coast          19    5   4  10    17   22   −5    19     Relegation to U-bend League
19 Chilseamers Town        19    3   5  11    10   24  −14    14     Relegation to U-bend League
20 Exninley                19    2   4  13     7   27  −20    10     Relegation to U-bend League

   U-bend League              Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Damminton Sands             19   15   2   2    65   23  +42    47     Promotion to Flush League
 2 Hatford                     19   11   6   2    37   11  +26    39     Promotion to Flush League
 3 FC Aerorum                  19   11   3   5    27   16  +11    36     Promotion to Flush League
 4 Rockefeller Promontory      19    9   7   3    40   30  +10    34
 5 Salisbury                   19    9   6   4    37   25  +12    33
 6 Mount Vermont               19    9   5   5    43   26  +17    32
 7 Terraville                  19    9   5   5    35   26   +9    32
 8 Watrid-Farinle              19    9   5   5    23   18   +5    32
 9 Stapleton Albion            19    8   4   7    37   26  +11    28
10 Milneford FC                19    8   4   7    40   30  +10    28
11 Cashambe                    19    8   4   7    16   20   −4    28
12 Gordon                      19    5   6   8    35   38   −3    21
13 Pali                        19    6   3  10    16   26  −10    21
14 Marbury Athletic            19    3  10   6    26   33   −7    19
15 Botesbury                   19    3  10   6    20   35  −15    19
16 The Lakes                   19    5   4  10    20   39  −19    19
17 Carrington                  19    3   7   9    21   28   −7    16
18 South Cable                 19    3   5  11    25   50  −25    14     Relegation to Sewer League
19 Rangers AFC                 19    2   4  13    23   60  −37    10     Relegation to Sewer League
20 Percival Coast              19    1   6  12    18   44  −26     9     Relegation to Sewer League

   Sewer League                       Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Jeaniara                            19   15   4   0    77   10  +67    49     Promotion to U-bend League
 2 Mutiyara                            19   12   5   2    56   12  +44    41     Promotion to U-bend League
 3 Boronia                             19   12   3   4    52   32  +20    39     Promotion to U-bend League
 4 Tarminra                            19   11   4   4    29   21   +8    37
 5 Cliford City                        19   11   3   5    40   18  +22    36
 6 Chistone FC                         19   10   3   6    44   39   +5    33
 7 Midford City                        19    9   5   5    39   20  +19    32
 8 Sutherland-Hursham                  19    9   4   6    36   22  +14    31
 9 Mossman United                      19    9   4   6    41   30  +11    31
10 Harbourside                         19    9   3   7    30   27   +3    30
11 Hornsby Tigers                      19    7   6   6    42   36   +6    27
12 Masaltonton                         19    7   6   6    25   29   −4    27
13 Vildomia                            19    7   6   6    19   28   −9    27
14 Banksia FC                          19    6   5   8    24   27   −3    23
15 Halton                              19    6   4   9    19   35  −16    22
16 Mulgoa                              19    6   0  13    30   35   −5    18
17 Cricketers' Union of Sylestone      19    3   2  14    12   55  −43    11
18 Pesfield City Rovers                19    1   6  12    15   43  −28     9
19 Bumfuck Nowhere                     19    2   2  15    13   69  −56     8
20 Maleholes United                    19    0   1  18    10   65  −55     1

Potty League

  Potty League Eastern Division  Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Pesfield Trees U21              14   10   2   2    25   10  +15    32     Qualification to Potty League One
2 Betham FC U21                   14    8   4   2    19   12   +7    28     Qualification to Potty League One
3 Cleorough U21                   14    8   1   5    11    7   +4    25     Qualification to Potty League One
4 Western Avondale U21            14    7   1   6    24   24    0    22     Qualification to Potty League One
5 AFC Droves U21                  14    4   2   8     5    9   −4    14     Qualification to Potty League Two
6 FC Conton U21                   14    4   2   8     8   15   −7    14     Qualification to Potty League Two
7 Halpenley United U21            14    3   4   7    12   17   −5    13     Qualification to Potty League Two
8 Whitepool U21                   14    3   2   9     4   14  −10    11     Qualification to Potty League Two

  Potty League Western Division  Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Capitol Athletic U21            14    8   5   1    21    5  +16    29     Qualification to Potty League One
2 Mid-Capital U21                 14    7   2   5    15   17   −2    23     Qualification to Potty League One
3 Avondale City U21               14    6   4   4    16   10   +6    22     Qualification to Potty League One
4 Avondale Beach U21              14    6   2   6    11   11    0    20     Qualification to Potty League One
5 Chamberley City U21             14    5   3   6    10   14   −4    18     Qualification to Potty League Two
6 Katham U21                      14    3   7   4     8   11   −3    16     Qualification to Potty League Two
7 Dunkirk Athletic U21            14    3   5   6    12   18   −6    14     Qualification to Potty League Two
8 Northampton Olympic U21         14    2   4   8     9   16   −7    10     Qualification to Potty League Two

by **Sylestone** » Thu Oct 27, 2022 5:50 pm

SFA CUP

Quarterfinals

Finally, the Pesfield Bees have been beaten. Despite chugging along in mid-table in the Flush League, the Bees have put up another splendid performance to challenge Chamberley City, particularly in the leg at the nation’s largest football stadium - the Chamberley Institute of Sport. Only a Jack Ryland goal could break the two teams after the first leg, but unfortunately for the underdogs, their home leg cost them. With pressure mounting, the Flush League side crumbled beneath the pressure as Hayden Blamey scored a brace en route to a 5-1 victory for the Stars, confirming Chamberley’s biggest club a spot in the SFA Cup semifinals. Could they finally break the drought and through the Cup Winners’ Cup, become the first club from their city to achieve an IFCF berth?

However, they will have to continue to improve. While the Pesfield Trees and Capitol Athletic are both out after focussing on their respective Toilet League title bids, Chamberley’s next opponent - Mid-Capital - has sent a massive statement to their opponents that they are a club to be feared, demolishing Andrew Burnside’s defensive-minded Halpenley City 3-1 and 5-0 in two of their best performances of the season, although their 3-0 triumph over the Maroons must take the cake. But while this matchup beckons to be intriguing, it is nothing compared to a classic Kirkham derby.

While the Sinks may be hanging onto dear life in the Toilet League, they have managed to complete an extra-time victory over Katham to make the final four in the SFA Cup, possibly rejuvenating them for a push back up the table. However, in between them and the final is another struggling Kirkham club - Kirkham Appliances. Despite being touted as title challengers, the Appliances simply have not clicked following the hiatus and are down in ninth place, with just 21 points from 15 matches. While relegation is not in consideration, many are concerned that the Appliances’ struggles indicate that as Sylestone’s human players begin to increase in quality and foreign internationals arrive, perhaps the age of Sentient clubs dominating the Toilet League is over. But to reach the semifinals, the Appliances had to defeat a rejuvenated AFC Droves and considering the way they’re playing at the moment, that is no mean achievement.

Matchdays 16-20

Avondale City has made a frightening statement to kick off the second half of the Toilet League, demolishing the fourth-placed Burgers with a 4-1 victory thanks to an otherworldly performance from their forwards and attacking midfielders. From start to finish, the Lime Greens dominated as they jumped Betham for sixth place, now just four points away from top four. The result relieves the pressure on Avondale City manager John Lawson, although reports seemed to indicate that a sacking was not likely considering previous performances at Kitchener. Sixteen rounds in, only Norman Selby of Avondale Beach, the Light Bulb of Kitchen Sink FC and Danni Armstrong of Northampton Olympic remain the only head coaches to lose their jobs, with the Light Bulb’s replacement - an oversized container of Dishwashing Detergent - starting his tenure at the helm on the right foot. Away at the Bay Reserve against a quality Betham lineup, goals to the AC Vent and Stove sealed a shock 2-1 triumph as they jumped a crucial spot up the ladder into thirteenth. There was still a long way to go, but if you can defeat Betham at home, you can defeat almost anyone.

At least, that’s what they said to Avondale Beach after their famous 7-0 win at Merindah four years ago. They still finished tenth.

Elsewhere, Cleorough have continued to fight back after their treacherous opening few months to the season, handing Chamberley City their first loss in sixteen games to go alongside six victories and a whopping nine draws, a Samuel Quinn 89th-minute worldie sending shockwaves through the Chamberley Institute of Sport, turning a game seemingly destined for a draw into a Cleorough success. But where it really matters - at the head of the Toilet League - both the Pesfield Trees and Capitol Athletic refused to budge with solid 1-0 wins, over Mid-Capital and Kirkham Appliances respectively. It lengthens that gap to third place to five points and if the two clubs can keep it up, no one will be catching them anytime soon. But the Toilet League is not necessarily a two-team league and there are clubs who can beat either on their day.

Two of those clubs are Cleorough and Kirkham Sentients. With Capitol Athletic and Pesfield Trees beginning to lengthen their lead, those two clubs have decided to put in the stops and grind their runs to a halt. At Carson Stadium, Abigail McNair’s goal directly from a corner in the third minute immediately sent Maroon hearts into overdrive, the visitors only able to scrape a point out of the match via Jeremy Smith’s finish from an Aaron Dodge cross. Unfortunately for them, the point was not enough to overtake the Trees as they succumbed to a shock 1-0 loss at home to the Kirkham Sentients as they continued to stake a claim for their first-ever top-four finish. And only three points off their opponents in first, it’s not unfathomable that they could make a late title charge.

In other news, after a long process of convincing, Douglas Gill has finally been appointed as Danni Armstrong’s successor at Northampton Olympic with the club staring down the barrel of relegation. His tenure will begin next week against Pesfield Trees, a club that is determined to cement the top spot after a disappointing loss to the Sentients. Another team with a new head coach, Kitchen Sink FC, have kicked off the second half of the season with two wins in two, this one a 1-0 triumph at Sentient Oval against Kirton’s Mid-Capital. The result puts them up in eleventh place - still a sorry sight for a club steeped in history - but nevertheless, it’s a start.

“It’s really gut-wrenching, you know. Obviously, the boys and girls put in the shift today to stay where we are on the table, but to be confined to the bench and watching them go about their business hurts. They’re a lovely group of players and I want nothing more than to spend time with them on the football pitch, doing what I love. These next few months are going to be really hard for me, but I know that as soon as the doctor gives me the thumbs up I’ll be out there again. Success here in Pesfield really means a lot to me so getting back out there as soon as possible will be the first thing on my mind.”

The forlorn words of trailblazing 21-year-old Theofilos Stearas, playing his first season with the Pesfield Trees and playing away from his native Tikariot for the first time, cast a shadow on the club’s 5-0 thumping at Northampton Gardens, with Gemma Rodway particularly penetrative with two late goals sealing the slaughter. However, in the opening minutes of the clash, Stearas pulled up chasing a long ball from Eleanor Rose, clutching his upper leg in agony. Later scans showed a rather serious hamstring tear, putting the forward - who has scored eight goals in sixteen appearances for the first team and five in five for the under-21’s - out until the final few rounds of the season. Without one of their main strike forces, the Trees will have an uphill battle ahead of them in order to maintain top spot against a rampaging Capitol Athletic. However, as they showed against Northampton Olympic to kick Douglas Gill’s tenure as head coach off to a shocking start, they’re certainly capable.

Meanwhile, Katham have finally given in on manager Maynerd Donald after an uninspiring home 1-0 loss to the Breakfast Bowls, never truly looking in the match despite the visitors’ status as one of the weaker clubs in the Toilet League. With only nine points from eighteen encounters, Donald was never looking likely to stay, with the call widely regarded as the correct decision, for the 40-year-old simply was not willing to change a failing system that only really worked with Amelia Turnbull controlling the midfield. And now she’s in the Squornshelan Remnant States, there’s really no glue holding the players together.

But that, too, should not override some sensational games of football we were fortunate enough to experience. At Kirton’s Walgabba Doma, a second-half comeback from Fridge FC saw Mid-Capital nearly choke yet another home match against a Sentient club, raising a few concerns about their stamina as a team, or Manny Weasel’s ability to substitute the correct players on and off. But over at the Burger Oval in northern Betham, a late burst from the hosts saw the AFC Droves overcome a rejuvenated and valiant Cleorough side, Isabel Aberdeen’s stoppage-time winner breaking the deadlock as the season’s surprise packets moved back into the top four, edging ever closer to an unprecedented IFCF berth.

What a place the Toilet League can be. We all remember how Avondale City kicked off their season with a 5-0 victory in Kirton against Mid-Capital on matchday four and arriving at Kitchener Stadium, home fans were obviously expecting something of similar quality from their struggling group of players, who have found maintaining performance quality throughout the season to be very tough indeed. And unfortunately for the home fans, this would be another one of those off days Kitchener had come to know rather well. Despite Harrison Reynolds and Amelia Ascott finding acres of space behind the Mid-Capital defensive line last time the two teams faced off, the opposite was true this time. Olivia Nambucca and Gillian Lang simply had a day off in the first half despite the efforts of wingbacks Isabella Cross and Aoi Kyouka, resulting in both being replaced to kick off the second half. But the damage was already done as the Lime Greens capitulated to a 4-1 defeat, fans leaving the stadium early in pure disgust.

Meanwhile, Northampton Olympic have successfully bounced back from a harsh 5-0 defeat against a classy Pesfield Trees squad, Douglas Gill’s employment of a high defensive line and consistent pressure working very well indeed for the Chamberley side, away at Sentient Oval against the Sinks. The controversial dropping of the Boston brothers from Xanneria - who have simply been nowhere to be seen throughout the season on the wings - finally paved the way for a dominant Northampton performance, a Briann Herzog hat-trick leading the way en route to a 4-1 triumph to move just one point behind fourteenth and two behind complete safety. Finally, things were looking up at Northampton.

But Kitchen Sink FC were not the only failing Sentient club. Despite the positive movements the Appliances were making a few weeks ago, just one point from their last four matches has left fans questioning the commitment of their players and manager. However, in a statement released by the Sentient Football Federation (SFF), the Loudspeaker was in no danger of losing its job - after all of the success it had brought the club, abandoning it now was simply not being considered.

At this stage in the Toilet League, the dropping of any sort of points could be detrimental for both the Pesfield Trees and Capitol Athletic, or even Kirkham Sentients if they continue to hang in there. And that’s exactly what happened to the Maroons, giving their fierce rivals a two-point gap at the head of the table. At Burger Oval, AFC Droves held the Avondale club to a hard-fought 0-0 draw, their tight back three of Lucy Mills, Zac Irwin and James Isobar completely shutting down Alyssa Hightower and Levin Voigt, Timothy Jameson in goals merely cleaning up anything that passed through. It paved the way for the Trees to climb clear of Capitol Athletic, something they achieved with a 1-0 victory at Katham, which would’ve almost certainly been more if not for the injury to Theofilos Stearas, the offence simply not looking as penetrative and dangerous. Yet, it was still enough to garner three much-needed points to secure a little bit of a buffer heading into the final few months of the season.

Elsewhere, Betham FC has been steadily making their way up the Toilet League table, with a 2-0 victory over Cleorough jumping them into fourth spot, ahead of their bitter rivals in northern Betham on goal difference. It marks an ominous run of ten points in just four games and might just be the kind of thing they need to put an end to this stop-start business and emerge as true IFCF contenders. They’ve left it a little too late to challenge for the title as they did back in season five of the Toilet League, but there’s no reason why the latter half of this season cannot lead into the next as they look to regain entry to IFCF placements. However, in order to achieve that, they’re going to either need to pass the Kirkham Sentients - something that’s looking unlikelier every day - or ward off stiff competition from AFC Droves and Chamberley City. Sure, they’re capable, but with such an unstable style of play, nothing is truly set in stone just yet.

   Toilet League           Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts   Form
 1 Pesfield Trees           20   14   4   2    45   15  +30    46   WWWLW     IFCF Champions League/CEdC
 2 Capitol Athletic         20   13   5   2    39   17  +22    44   DWWDW     IFCF Challengers Cup
 3 Kirkham Sentients        20   12   5   3    27   14  +13    41   WDWWD     IFCF Challengers Cup
 4 Betham FC                20   10   5   5    33   23  +10    35   WWDWL     IFCF Challengers Cup
 5 AFC Droves               20   10   5   5    18   16   +2    35   DDWDL
 6 Chamberley City          20    7  11   2    31   18  +13    32   DDLWL
 7 Mid-Capital              20    8   5   7    29   30   −1    29   WWDLL
 8 Avondale City            20    7   6   7    35   32   +3    27   LLDDW
 9 Fridge FC                20    5   8   7    19   23   −4    23   WDDLL
10 Cleorough                20    6   4  10    20   23   −3    22   LWLDW
11 Kirkham Appliances       20    6   4  10    16   24   −8    22   LLLDL
12 Avondale Beach           20    4   7   9    21   33  −12    19   DLWDW
13 Kitchen Sink FC          20    4   6  10    21   35  −14    18   DLLWW
14 Breakfast Bowl FC        20    3   8   9    19   26   −7    17   DLWDD     Toilet League Playoff
15 Northampton Olympic      20    4   3  13    15   43  −28    15   LWLDW     Relegation to Poo League
16 Katham                   20    1   6  13     6   22  −16     9   LLLLL     Relegation to Poo League

Matchdays 16-20

   Poo League            Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
 1 Dunkirk Athletic       20   13   4   3    29   11  +18    43     Promotion to Toilet League/Liga B Champions Trophy
 2 Halpenley United       20   11   4   5    18    6  +12    37     Promotion to Toilet League/Liga B Champions Trophy
 3 Dodle                  20   10   6   4    31   19  +12    36     Toilet League Playoff/Liga B Champions Trophy
 4 Whitepool              20   10   5   5    26   16  +10    35
 5 Western Avondale       20   10   2   8    31   16  +15    32
 6 FC Conton              20   10   2   8    24   24    0    32
 7 Marbury FC             20    8   5   7     9    9    0    29
 8 Freeport               20    8   4   8    18   20   −2    28
 9 Emacuton FC            20    7   6   7    21   20   +1    27
10 Westminster            20    6   4  10    38   39   −1    22
11 Emacuton United        20    6   4  10    12   17   −5    22
12 Grafton Albion         20    6   4  10    24   29   −5    22
13 Freeman City           20    5   6   9    21   32  −11    21
14 Ketonley Town          20    6   3  11    20   36  −16    21     Poo League Playoff
15 Pilbury Eaton          20    5   5  10    17   32  −15    20     Relegation to Flush League
16 Southern Beaches       20    5   4  11    21   34  −13    19     Relegation to Flush League

Lower Leagues

   Flush League           Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
 1 Cleorough Fire          26   17   6   3    38   15  +23    57     Promotion to Poo League
 2 Hageling Town           26   16   4   6    24    9  +15    52     Promotion to Poo League
 3 Felton Island           26   15   5   6    58   35  +23    50     Poo League Playoff
 4 Excelsior               26   13   7   6    26   12  +14    46
 5 Acondo FC               26   13   5   8    39   33   +6    44
 6 Bunbury                 26   12   6   8    19   11   +8    42
 7 Bayville                26   11   8   7    51   41  +10    41
 8 Garretty Wanderers      26   12   3  11    44   38   +6    39
 9 Piltonmouth             26   10   7   9    29   29    0    37
10 Pesfield Bees           26   10   6  10    22   21   +1    36
11 Betham Park             26   11   3  12    33   33    0    36
12 Betham Rascals          26   10   5  11    27   25   +2    35
13 Tartontaton             26    9   7  10    29   36   −7    34
14 Copeland AFC            26    7   9  10    15   25  −10    30
15 Bolton Eagles           26    9   3  14    36   51  −15    30
16 Oslolihul City          26    8   4  14    17   24   −7    28
17 Balinmone               26    7   7  12    23   35  −12    28
18 Paradise Coast          26    5   6  15    21   33  −12    21     Relegation to U-bend League
19 Chilseamers Town        26    5   6  15    16   40  −24    21     Relegation to U-bend League
20 Exninley                26    4   5  17    15   36  −21    17     Relegation to U-bend League

   U-bend League              Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
 1 Damminton Sands             26   21   2   3    86   27  +59    65     Promotion to Flush League
 2 Hatford                     26   14   9   3    48   19  +29    51     Promotion to Flush League
 3 Watrid-Farinle              26   14   6   6    36   24  +12    48     Promotion to Flush League
 4 Milneford FC                26   14   5   7    54   37  +17    47
 5 FC Aerorum                  26   13   7   6    36   22  +14    46
 6 Terraville                  26   13   6   7    53   34  +19    45
 7 Salisbury                   26   11   7   8    44   36   +8    40
 8 Rockefeller Promontory      26    9  12   5    51   47   +4    39
 9 Cashambe                    26   11   5  10    23   28   −5    38
10 Stapleton Albion            26   11   4  11    49   37  +12    37
11 Mount Vermont               26    9   8   9    47   40   +7    35
12 Pali                        26    9   5  12    25   38  −13    32
13 Botesbury                   26    6  13   7    33   39   −6    31
14 The Lakes                   26    7   7  12    27   46  −19    28
15 Marbury Athletic            26    4  13   9    33   44  −11    25
16 Gordon                      26    6   7  13    47   59  −12    25
17 Carrington                  26    5   8  13    26   35   −9    23
18 South Cable                 26    4   8  14    39   68  −29    20     Relegation to Sewer League
19 Percival Coast              26    3   8  15    26   57  −31    17     Relegation to Sewer League
20 Rangers AFC                 26    4   4  18    28   74  −46    16     Relegation to Sewer League

   Sewer League                       Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
 1 Jeaniara                            26   22   4   0   114   16  +98    70     Promotion to U-bend League
 2 Mutiyara                            26   17   6   3    78   19  +59    57     Promotion to U-bend League
 3 Cliford City                        26   15   5   6    51   19  +32    50     Promotion to U-bend League
 4 Boronia                             26   14   6   6    63   45  +18    48
 5 Sutherland-Hursham                  26   14   5   7    48   25  +23    47
 6 Tarminra                            26   13   6   7    36   28   +8    45
 7 Harbourside                         26   12   7   7    49   32  +17    43
 8 Chistone FC                         26   13   4   9    59   51   +8    43
 9 Midford City                        26   12   6   8    48   25  +23    42
10 Masaltonton                         26   10   9   7    34   36   −2    39
11 Mossman United                      26   10   7   9    44   40   +4    37
12 Vildomia                            26   10   7   9    28   36   −8    37
13 Hornsby Tigers                      26    9   8   9    48   52   −4    35
14 Halton                              26    9   5  12    35   48  −13    32
15 Mulgoa                              26   10   1  15    39   43   −4    31
16 Banksia FC                          26    8   6  12    36   51  −15    30
17 Pesfield City Rovers                26    2   8  16    22   57  −35    14
18 Cricketers' Union of Sylestone      26    3   2  21    14   73  −59    11
19 Bumfuck Nowhere                     26    3   2  21    18   97  −79    11
20 Maleholes United                    26    0   4  22    15   86  −71     4

Potty League

  Potty League One            Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
1 Avondale City U21             5    3   1   1     6    4   +2    10     Qualification for IFCF Rising Stars Cup (U19)
2 Pesfield Trees U21            5    3   0   2     9    5   +4     9
3 Avondale Beach U21            5    2   2   1     5    6   −1     8
4 Capitol Athletic U21          5    2   1   2     7    6   +1     7
5 Betham FC U21                 5    1   3   1     4    3   +1     6
6 Cleorough U21                 5    1   2   2     3    4   −1     5
7 Western Avondale U21          5    1   2   2     3    6   −3     5
8 Mid-Capital U21               5    1   1   3     6    9   −3     4

  Potty League Two            Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Northampton Olympic U21       5    4   1   0     6    1   +5    13
2 Chamberley City U21           5    3   1   1     7    2   +5    10
3 Katham U21                    5    3   1   1     5    4   +1    10
4 AFC Droves U21                5    2   1   2     4    4    0     7
5 Whitepool U21                 5    1   3   1     1    3   −2     6
6 FC Conton U21                 5    1   2   2     3    4   −1     5
7 Halpenley United U21          5    0   2   3     1    5   −4     2
8 Dunkirk Athletic U21          5    0   1   4     1    5   −4     1

by **Sylestone** » Mon Nov 14, 2022 4:14 am

SFA CUP

Semifinals

After only taking one point out of their last five Toilet League matches, things have gone from bad to worse for the Kirkham Appliances, losing their final chance for international football after being knocked out by Kitchen Sink FC in the SFA Cup semifinals. Despite dominating both legs and only drawing the first due to an AC Vent penalty in the dying moments, they simply could not convert the chances into goals. But for the Sinks, who are staring down the possibility of relegation for the first time in their esteemed history, the victory is a much-needed one to instil belief into their camp. They had to fight for it against better opposition over 180 minutes, but no one will doubt that they deserved it through sheer grit and determination.

But it’s the other matchup, between Mid-Capital and Chamberley City, that really needs talking about. With both clubs playing sides close to full strength in both legs, the matchup between two of the Toilet League’s mid-table clubs was always going to be intriguing, with both fighting to gain bragging rights over the other. In both legs, the result was a 3-1 victory to the hosts after going down early before fighting back through both sides’ attractive football styles. At a nearly packed Chamberley Institute of Sport, the match would go to extra time, with Chamberley City dominating with the crowd getting behind their Stars, urging them on with every move they made. However, ultimately, it would be the Trains from Kirton that emerged triumphant, Bethany Cunningham slotting home her club’s fifth spot kick to confirm Mid-Capital’s qualification for the SFA Cup final.

All that stood in their way was a struggling Kitchen Sink FC. Was this, finally, the opportunity Mid-Capital was waiting for to affirm themselves a spot in international football for the very first time?

Matchdays 21-25

Only one-tenth of the way through the final third of the Toilet League, and Betham FC have reduced their deficit to the Kirkham Sentients by a half. Continuing their excellent form from the last month or so, the Pandas shocked the 90,000 spectators that turned up at the Chamberley Institute of Sport in Chamberley with a dominant 4-1 victory, playing in such a manner that even the likes of Capitol Athletic or Pesfield Trees would have a hard time taking points off them. With AFC Droves unable to score against a spirited Katham defence, it provides the club from the seaside suburb of Merindah with an important two-point buffer to fifth place but more importantly, it leaves them just one win away from catching the Kirkham Sentients. Despite losing to the Sinks in heartbreaking fashion midweek during the SFA Cup, the Kirkham Appliances were unwilling to let that get to them, emerging victorious in a 1-0 win between the two clubs controlled by the SFF - one of the most bitter sporting rivalries nationwide. With Capitol Athletic and Pesfield Trees both dominating Avondale Beach and Kitchen Sink FC respectively, it lengthens the gap between second place and third to five points, the likelihood of anyone catching either club diminishing by the minute.

Over at Kitchener Stadium, Avondale City had their arses saved by South Newlandian goalkeeper Edward Khan, the 22-year-old pulling out all of the moves to prevent Brianna Herzog, Annabelle Taplin and Keith Fletcher from netting the ball and miraculously, keeping a clean sheet. The Lime Greens did eventually emerge 2-0 winners, but without Khan, a similar result was not likely in what was really a shocking outfield performance for a club with such credentials against another fighting to stave off relegation. Even if it was enough to remain comfortably inside the top half, improved performances are a must if Avondale City wishes to make a late charge for the IFCF spots or even simply build momentum. Football is a team sport and at the moment, they’re eleven individuals, not one team.

While John Lawson isn’t under too much threat at the moment, he needs a big transfer window and a comeback next season if he wants to remain at the helm.

Capitol Athletic might still be second to the Pesfield Trees, but boy have they made a huge statement. In a crucial match that could have seen the Trees unveil a clear path to the Toilet League trophy, the Avondale club pulled out their best performance of the season so far, bringing the Pandas’ six-game streak without a loss to an abrupt halt. It was an extraordinary 4-1 demolition, with only a late goal from Kieran Satis preventing an even nastier result as Alyssa Hightower and Levin Voigt stealthily evaded the Betham back three with ease, time and time again. But if they want to reach unprecedented heights with their third straight Toilet League championship, they would have to produce these kinds of results, game after game after game. One slip up, and it’s out of their reach.

But for the Pesfield Trees, their two-point buffer leaves them far from immune from slip-ups. If it wasn’t for Gemma Rodway continuing her breakout season with a pair of late assists for Eden Holt and Valentine Cocher, they may well already be in second place. With ten minutes remaining in regular time, Fridge FC were 2-1 up at Bolton Oval, the home crowd glued to their seats like mannequins, praying for a late comeback. So when Cocher’s strike rustled the netting midway through stoppage time, all of Pesfield rose as one, releasing a deafening roar not unequal to the recent explosion of the Rothetnesbu volcano in the east of the nation.

Yet, despite the importance of that comeback, it does not come anywhere near to rivalling the sheer intensity of the match at the Walgabba Dome the day after. With Mid-Capital and Chamberley City having played out a supernatural cup semifinal mere weeks before, with only penalties separating the two teams, the Stars were eager to bounce back from the miserable defeat away from home and show that they were still a club fighting for a top four spot. The opening half was inconspicuous, sure, but it was after the break that the shackles broke free, setting the two aggressive-minded clubs against each other, both with a spring in their step. It was Hayden Blamey who began the chaos with goals in the 53rd and 56th minutes to put the visitors 2-0 up, sliding through the weak Mid-Capital defence like a knife through butter. And it didn’t stop there. After Melissa Houghton pulled the Trains back one with a 65th minute penalty, it only took Blamey four minutes to seal a hat-trick, the game bursting to life as if it were a balloon. With four goals in sixteen minutes, many would be excused for thinking that the fun was over.

It had barely even started. For in just five more minutes’ time, the Walgabba Dome was rocking, with Bethany Cunningham and Alexandra Zadow scoring stunning goals a minute apart to equalise the two teams as the small portion of Chamberley City supporters in the stands waited with baited breath, afraid to even open their eyes and capture their surroundings. Eventually, though, they would want to. Their club wasn’t quite done yet, and thanks to a piece of Jack Ryland magic as well as an unlucky deflection, Chamberley would clamber up into sixth spot and back into contention for their inaugural IFCF berth.

For the very first time in Capitol Athletic’s history, they will be thrilled by the abilities of their bitter rivals in lime green and particularly the efforts of Amelia Stanton and Cooper Hill. With the Maroons holding firm against a determined Mid-Capital squad at Avondale’s Capital Stadium in Draxon Bay, all eyes were on the game between Avondale City and the Pesfield Trees to see if the visitors could maintain their two-point lead at the head of the Toilet League. Rumours indicated that multiple players - including Levin Voigt, Ethan Everest, Jason Williams and Gabriel van Brabant - were seen at the game ten kilometres away in the central Avondale suburb of Kitchener, all adorned with Avondale City jerseys. However, with only five minutes of stoppage time remaining, the quartet’s efforts appeared in vain as Luisa Johnson’s brace all but sealed a 2-1 victory for the Trees, leaving Athletic in a perilous situation, where any sort of points drop would see them spiral away from their adversaries.

But that’s where a rare piece of Amelia Stanton magic saved the day for those in maroon. Gliding past Josh Angliss, Joel Pearson and Jasmine Prior in the space of mere seconds is not an easy task, yet the 26-year-old midfielder made it appear as if it were a piece of cake. And not only that - the cross was pinpoint as well, with Prior bearing down on her from behind. As the ball flew from substitute Cooper Hill’s head and nestled in the back of the net, the crowd erupted as one - not caring that Hill’s goal had propelled their fiercest rivals one step closer to their third Toilet League crown in as many seasons - but out of sheer joy that finally, something clicked in what had been a season to forget. Ten points behind fourth place, Avondale City were surely out of the first time in four seasons, but could they finally build a late resurgence, bringing them some kind of form heading into the next season, where fans will be expecting a return to IFCF football?

From a seemingly confirmed top four spot just four rounds ago, Kirkham Sentients are now on the verge of choking the position, with only one point from the past four games. Now, Betham FC have jumped them on goal difference and with both Chamberley City and AFC Droves nipping at their heels, the Sentients’ current form is far from where it needs to be if they wish to hang on for the first-ever top four finish in seven seasons of the Toilet League. Their latest loss comes at the hands of Capitol Athletic at Sentient Oval, the visitors dominating the entire game en route to a 2-0 victory, maintaining their pressure on Pesfield Trees, who also kept themselves in first place, if only on goal difference, against Kirkham Appliances. With Theofilos Stearas out with injury still, Ryan Paschke was pivotal in the Trees’ win, scoring the second goal and assisting the first, portraying the depth Pesfield’s biggest club boasted. Hell, even with their second XI, they would theoretically be able to defeat some of the Toilet League’s weaker clubs rather convincingly.

Elsewhere, Avondale City have maintained their form over the course of two games for the first time in who knows how long, with two goals to Amelia Stanton and Harrison Reynolds paving the way for a 5-1 slaughtering of Kitchen Sink FC. Wingback Isabella Cross also showed her worth with the Campionato Esportiva approaching - marking Sylestone’s first international appearance in the sport of football in almost a decade - continuing to ask questions of the selectors and further complicating that left-back role, with Eden Holt, Thomas Davis, the Ironing Board and herself all fighting over two or three spots. The other team to win big this round was Fridge FC, slaughtering a disheartened Katham 4-1 - a team who are all but relegated from the Toilet League, having only achieved ten points from 24 matches all season. Indeed, the change of manager has not worked and as a result, there will be a few players - including Paige Sievier and Malcolm Bilby - looking to transfer come the conclusion of the season.

Just when you thought that both the Pesfield Trees and Capitol Athletic were invincible, both of them showed that even they can fall against weaker Toilet League opposition. However, fortunately for the Trees, it would be them who would stave off their opposition and secure the three points after Abigail McNair’s eighth goal of the season, the winger continuing her fine form while her fellow attackers struggled for rhythm and consistency. While a 2-1 win against one of the Trees’ fiercest rivals in Cleorough doesn’t exactly assert dominance, at least they didn’t draw to a relegation-bound club such as Northampton Olympic. Despite the aggressive-minded nature of Douglas Gill’s tactics, it was their defence of Isabel Nerli, Kai Shinsui, Elijah Richardson and Jayden Berry that emerged as the villains at the Avondale International Sports Stadium, the four of them keeping the Maroons at bay as they warded off waves of attack after attack. It was truly an inspiring performance from the Steel, certainly living up to their nickname in style. Could they make a last-minute push for survival, or are they too deep into the relegation zone?

With AFC Droves and Kirkham Sentients drawing each other at Burger Stadium and Chamberley City suffering a shock home loss to Breakfast Bowl FC, Betham FC were able to provide a useful four-point buffer for themselves from fifth place leading into the final five matches of the season. They achieved this through a 1-0 home win against Katham and although the statistical difference was unconvincing, the way the Pandas have been playing recently is certainly cause for comfort for their large fanbase as they seek to secure their second IFCF berth in three seasons.

However, despite the fact that there seems to be a three-way battle between Kirkham Sentients, Chamberley City and AFC Droves for the final IFCF Challengers’ Cup place, Avondale City are also making a late run with some hot form. Although they’re still six points behind the Sentients in fourth, you cannot count them out of it just yet, although the chances of a top four berth for John Lawson’s players is still very unlikely. Their most recent victory has come against a fired up Fridge FC, coming off a dominant 4-1 win at Katham Oval and despite a late scare due to the Knife’s brace, the Lime Greens would emerge will all three points as the Fridges wasted their chance to make an unprecedented jump into the top eight of the Toilet League, with a far superior goal difference to their Kirton-based rivals, who also slumped to a new low with a 3-0 savaging at the hands of the Pigeons.

   Toilet League           Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts   Form
 1 Pesfield Trees           25   18   5   2    58   21  +37    59   WWDWW     IFCF Champions League/CEdC
 2 Capitol Athletic         25   17   6   2    50   18  +32    57   DWWWW     IFCF Challengers Cup
 3 Betham FC                25   13   6   6    40   28  +12    45   WDWLW     IFCF Challengers Cup
 4 Kirkham Sentients        25   12   7   6    29   20   +9    43   DLLDL     IFCF Challengers Cup
 5 Chamberley City          25   10  11   4    39   27  +12    41   LWWWL
 6 AFC Droves               25   11   8   6    21   19   +2    41   DDLWD
 7 Avondale City            25   10   7   8    47   38   +9    37   WWDLW
 8 Mid-Capital              25    9   6  10    34   41   −7    33   LDLLW
 9 Fridge FC                25    7   9   9    31   32   −1    30   LWWLD
10 Kirkham Appliances       25    8   6  11    18   26   −8    30   WLDDW
11 Breakfast Bowl FC        25    6  10   9    24   27   −3    28   WWDWD
12 Cleorough                25    7   5  13    23   28   −5    26   LLWDL
13 Avondale Beach           25    6   8  11    25   37  −12    26   WDWLL
14 Kitchen Sink FC          25    5   6  14    25   48  −23    21   LLLWL     Toilet League Playoff
15 Northampton Olympic      25    4   5  16    15   47  −32    17   DLLDL     Relegation to Poo League
16 Katham                   25    1   7  17     7   29  −22    10   LLLLD     Relegation to Poo League

Matchdays 21-25

   Poo League            Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
 1 Dunkirk Athletic       25   17   4   4    35   13  +22    55     Promotion to Toilet League/Liga B Champions Trophy
 2 Halpenley United       25   14   4   7    28   13  +15    46     Promotion to Toilet League/Liga B Champions Trophy
 3 Dodle                  25   13   6   6    38   27  +11    45     Toilet League Playoff/Liga B Champions Trophy
 4 Western Avondale       25   12   4   9    42   21  +21    40
 5 Whitepool              25   11   7   7    29   20   +9    40
 6 Marbury FC             25   11   7   7    12    9   +3    40
 7 Emacuton FC            25   10   8   7    27   22   +5    38
 8 FC Conton              25   12   2  11    29   31   −2    38
 9 Freeport               25    9   5  11    21   26   −5    32
10 Westminster            25    8   6  11    44   42   +2    30
11 Grafton Albion         25    8   6  11    36   40   −4    30
12 Emacuton United        25    8   5  12    16   20   −4    29
13 Freeman City           25    6   8  11    25   37  −12    26
14 Ketonley Town          25    7   4  14    23   45  −22    25     Poo League Playoff
15 Southern Beaches       25    6   4  15    25   43  −18    22     Relegation to Flush League
16 Pilbury Eaton          25    5   6  14    18   39  −21    21     Relegation to Flush League

Lower Leagues

   Flush League           Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
 1 Cleorough Fire          32   20   7   5    45   25  +20    67     Promotion to Poo League
 2 Felton Island           32   19   7   6    71   41  +30    64     Promotion to Poo League
 3 Bayville                32   16   9   7    71   44  +27    57     Poo League Playoff
 4 Hageling Town           32   17   6   9    26   13  +13    57
 5 Excelsior               32   16   8   8    31   15  +16    56
 6 Acondo FC               32   16   6  10    49   36  +13    54
 7 Bunbury                 32   14   9   9    23   14   +9    51
 8 Pesfield Bees           32   13   7  12    30   27   +3    46
 9 Betham Rascals          32   13   6  13    38   33   +5    45
10 Copeland AFC            32   11  10  11    20   26   −6    43
11 Garretty Wanderers      32   12   6  14    50   51   −1    42
12 Piltonmouth             32   11   8  13    32   39   −7    41
13 Betham Park             32   11   6  15    36   40   −4    39
14 Tartontaton             32   10   8  14    35   46  −11    38
15 Oslolihul City          32   10   7  15    21   28   −7    37
16 Balinmone               32   10   7  15    30   42  −12    37
17 Bolton Eagles           32   11   4  17    44   65  −21    37
18 Chilseamers Town        32    6   9  17    20   46  −26    27     Relegation to U-bend League
19 Exninley                32    6   7  19    23   43  −20    25     Relegation to U-bend League
20 Paradise Coast          32    5   9  18    23   44  −21    24     Relegation to U-bend League

   U-bend League              Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
 1 Damminton Sands             32   26   3   3   103   31  +72    81     Promotion to Flush League
 2 Hatford                     32   17  11   4    59   26  +33    62     Promotion to Flush League
 3 Watrid-Farinle              32   17   8   7    43   29  +14    59     Promotion to Flush League
 4 Milneford FC                32   17   7   8    61   42  +19    58
 5 FC Aerorum                  32   16   9   7    45   27  +18    57
 6 Stapleton Albion            32   16   5  11    63   38  +25    53
 7 Terraville                  32   15   7  10    59   42  +17    52
 8 Salisbury                   32   15   7  10    58   44  +14    52
 9 Mount Vermont               32   11  10  11    58   48  +10    43
10 Cashambe                    32   12   6  14    27   37  −10    42
11 Pali                        32   12   5  15    32   46  −14    41
12 Rockefeller Promontory      32    9  13  10    55   63   −8    40
13 Botesbury                   32    7  14  11    41   51  −10    35
14 Gordon                      32    8  10  14    59   70  −11    34
15 Carrington                  32    8   9  15    38   41   −3    33
16 The Lakes                   32    8   8  16    31   54  −23    32
17 Marbury Athletic            32    4  16  12    37   53  −16    28
18 Rangers AFC                 32    6   7  19    40   82  −42    25     Relegation to Sewer League
19 South Cable                 32    4  12  16    47   86  −39    24     Relegation to Sewer League
20 Percival Coast              32    4   9  19    28   74  −46    21     Relegation to Sewer League

   Sewer League                       Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
 1 Jeaniara                            32   27   5   0   130   20 +110    86     Promotion to U-bend League
 2 Mutiyara                            32   20   7   5    92   33  +59    67     Promotion to U-bend League
 3 Boronia                             32   18   7   7    85   47  +38    61     Promotion to U-bend League
 4 Cliford City                        32   18   6   8    58   26  +32    60
 5 Midford City                        32   17   7   8    62   26  +36    58
 6 Harbourside                         32   16   8   8    67   37  +30    56
 7 Sutherland-Hursham                  32   16   5  11    55   35  +20    53
 8 Tarminra                            32   14  10   8    39   32   +7    52
 9 Mossman United                      32   14   9   9    60   42  +18    51
10 Vildomia                            32   14   7  11    40   41   −1    49
11 Chistone FC                         32   14   6  12    71   66   +5    48
12 Masaltonton                         32   12  10  10    42   47   −5    46
13 Banksia FC                          32   12   7  13    60   59   +1    43
14 Hornsby Tigers                      32   11   8  13    64   74  −10    41
15 Halton                              32   11   7  14    45   57  −12    40
16 Mulgoa                              32   11   1  20    46   66  −20    34
17 Pesfield City Rovers                32    4   9  19    35   72  −37    21
18 Bumfuck Nowhere                     32    3   4  25    21  117  −96    13
19 Cricketers' Union of Sylestone      32    3   2  27    21  103  −82    11
20 Maleholes United                    32    0   5  27    17  110  −93     5

Potty League

  Potty League One            Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
1 Capitol Athletic U21         10    5   2   3    19   15   +4    17     Qualification for IFCF Rising Stars Cup (U19)
2 Betham FC U21                10    4   4   2    15    8   +7    16
3 Avondale City U21            10    4   4   2    12    8   +4    16
4 Pesfield Trees U21           10    4   3   3    18   13   +5    15
5 Cleorough U21                10    4   2   4     8    9   −1    14
6 Avondale Beach U21           10    2   5   3     5   10   −5    11
7 Mid-Capital U21              10    2   3   5    15   21   −6     9
8 Western Avondale U21         10    2   3   5    10   18   −8     9

  Potty League Two            Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
1 Northampton Olympic U21      10    6   1   3     8    4   +4    19
2 AFC Droves U21               10    6   1   3     8    5   +3    19
3 Chamberley City U21          10    5   1   4    13    8   +5    16
4 Halpenley United U21         10    4   2   4     8    6   +2    14
5 Katham U21                   10    4   2   4     8   14   −6    14
6 FC Conton U21                10    3   3   4     6    7   −1    12
7 Whitepool U21                10    2   4   4     5    7   −2    10
8 Dunkirk Athletic U21         10    1   4   5     5   10   −5     7

by **Sylestone** » Sun Nov 27, 2022 5:44 pm

SFA CUP

Final

Trust me, when people were making predictions about the SFA Cup final, no one would have guessed that the Avondale International Sports Stadium would end up being filled with supporters of a club just hanging onto a top eight berth in the Toilet League and the others on the verge of relegation. But such is the SFA Cup sometimes - the better teams in the Toilet League, such as Capitol Athletic or Pesfield Trees, focus on winning the league, playing second XIs in the cup, while mid-table Toilet League teams and below are more likely to use their main starting lineup in order to give themselves the best chance of a deep run.

But while no one would have expected Mid-Capital and Kitchen Sink FC to be fighting out the SFA Cup final at the AISS with the season drawing to a close in a month’s time, what no one can say is that it wasn’t an entertaining game. Sure, one team dominated the match and rightly won a spot in the IFCF Cup Winners’ Cup - the club’s inaugural IFCF berth (spoiler alert), but their opponents were not completely devoid of opportunities.

After a relatively stale first half, Mid-Capital came out of the blocks firing for the final 45, pressing immediately and despite numerous opportunities, could not grab that goal they so desperately desired. The Sinks best chance of the game to that moment came from a corner kick in the 57th minute, the Milk Carton stretching to its full height to catch an inswinger from the Stove, but could only knock it straight at Mid-Capital goalkeeper Thike Saleh.

And unfortunately, save a brilliant save in stoppage time, that would be the Sinks last clear-cut chance to score all match. Meanwhile, at the other end, the Trains really put their foot down, slotting two shots past the Aluminium Foil, dirtying it with tufts of grass to henceforth prove its inability to keep a clean sheet. The second goal - struck by out-of-form Harrison Gilchrist - was truly spectacular, the 27-year-old volleying from outside the box into the top-right corner of the goal. With only seven minutes remaining in normal time, it all but snuffed the game as Mid-Capital secured their first-ever IFCF berth, albeit to the Cup Winners’ Cup rather than to one of the bigger tournaments. Still, it’s certainly a start for a club almost waiting for big things to happen.

Matchdays 26-29

Just one week after the Pesfield Trees took a two-point lead at the head of the Toilet League, the script has been reversed, with Chamberley City the Maroons saviours at Bolton Oval. There, an upset 2-1 victory to the Stars has seen them jump a struggling Kirkham Sentients outfit for fourth place in the Toilet League as they seeked their first-ever IFCF Challengers’ Cup berth, while AFC Droves remained on their tail with an all-important 80th-minute goal to Riley Strathfield sealing a 1-0 win at Northampton Gardens. But while fourth and sixth are only separated by a measly point, it’s nothing compared to the shit that’s going on at the top of the Toilet League table.

Just last week, it appeared Capitol Athletic had forfeited what had been some otherworldly form with a 0-0 draw against relegation-bound Northampton Olympic, who now have to pull something drastic out of the hat with their loss to the Burgers. This loss has seen them fall seven points behind fourteenth place thanks to the Sinks’ ability to pull a 1-0 triumph out of the hat against Cleorough as Elias Hammerschmidt moves closer and closer to an almost inevitable sacking, his side languishing in thirteenth place despite boasting the fourth-highest budget in the SFL. But now, with the Trees losing at home against a Chamberley City squad determined to finish inside the top four, the door has opened for Brian Murphy’s players to retake top spot, away against Breakfast Bowl FC.

And take it they did. The game was over before half-time, with Alyssa Hightower completing a brace and Aaron Dodge chipping in with a curled effort from the edge of the box. While the Breakfast Bowls had come back from 3-0 down to draw 3-3 once already this season - against Mid-Capital - the Maroons’ defence held strong against everything the hosts could throw at it as Callum Holmes kept another clean sheet to boost his bid for a spot in the final 26 to the Campionato Esportiva, coming up at the conclusion of the Toilet League. However, while the Maroons might have a one-point lead over Pesfield with four games left, it could all change next week if the Trees could win at the AISS.

Even as things heat up towards the top end of the table, at the other end, one team has - officially - only pride to play for. It’s been in the making for several months now, but finally, Katham have fallen beyond the point of no return. With only seven goals in 26 games, it’s been a miserable tournament and with a return to the Poo League on the horizon, Olivia Harriman’s inability to steal anything out of a struggling outfit may well result in her becoming the shortest-reigning manager in Toilet League history. And that is not a record one wishes to hold.

Never before has the Toilet League seen such a game. With four games remaining in the season, two national superpowers would clash to discover which of the two was truly better, or if there was simply nothing that they could set apart themselves.

Leading into the game, only one point could separate Capitol Athletic and Pesfield Trees after 26 matchdays of testing, both sides having all but secured a top two finish. The only thing left for these two teams to decide?

Who would be crowned champions?

And we’d get no further insight after ninety minutes of football at the Avondale International Sports Stadium. Despite Eden Holt’s 18th minute finish putting the visitors, direct from a Joshua Angliss free kick, by half-time the hosts had equalised through Levin Voigt, the South Newlandian teenager finishing sublimely from a tight angle for his tenth goal of the season. And despite the Maroons continuously pushing the Trees after the break, the waves of claret and black in the arena would only rise and fall steadily as Ryan Macleay repeatedly saved his side from disaster against a seemingly superior opponent. Only Eden Holt and Luisa Johnson on the left caused any real issue for the Capitol Athletic defence, the pair applying serious pressure on Luke Mitchell and James Heagney but, as expected, they simply refused to break.

Although the hosts undoubtedly dominated the fixture, their odd inability to provide final third passes in the second half - something that they had done so well all season up until this point - proved decisive in the outcome of the match as Pesfield’s top football club remained right on their tail, a top two position for both sides assured due to Betham FC’s inability to finish off a plucky, if out of form, Kirkham Sentients squad.

Sometimes things are just meant to be. Even when you put in your best effort and produce an excellent, well-rounded performance, some plucky upstarts in the shape of your opponents just happen to do better, if that is possible. And in this particular case, this one squad of party poopers has all but assured Capitol Athletic a hat-trick of Toilet League titles and their fourth in five seasons.

But for the AFC Droves, the aforementioned plucky upstarts, their exceptional 3-1 victory against an ominous Pesfield Trees setup achieved them everything they deserved. From languishing in the Poo League mid-table just a few seasons back, Tahlia Dawson’s club have soared recently under her watchful eye, somehow holding onto a spot in the Toilet League before its hiatus thanks to a playoff round triumph at FC Conton’s Ebril Gardens. And since then, their revolution into a top-class club has been nothing short of remarkable. Now, with a top four berth all but sealed, they can finally dream about the promised lands, because their journey has only just begun.

And this result, away at The Trees against a club determined to steal top spot from their arch-rivals, is a culmination of everything they have achieved throughout the season. Despite a 34th-minute equaliser for Theofilos Stearas, the young Tikariotian returning from his injury with a bang, the Burgers dominated the match’s proceedings, their five-strong back line proving impenetrable onwards from Stearas’s moment of individual brilliance. Not even in-form wingers Valentine Cocher or Luisa Johnson could pierce the flanks guarded heavily by Charlotte Mee and Isabel Aberdeen, nor could Gemma Rodway push through the centre behind or alongside Stearas. Instead, the majority of the chances would come at the other end of the pitch as the Strathfield twins made the most of the opportunities they received from the midfield, causing issues for the Pesfield back four whenever they received the ball through their creative play. However, it would be right-back Isabel Aberdeen and impact substitute Isaac Black who would break the deadlock with twenty minutes left to play, the pair scoring goals in quick succession to wrap the match up 3-1, leaving the home crowd stunned, refusing to believe that after all their hard work throughout the season, the Trees had fallen at the final hurdle. Unless the Maroons went on to lose their next two matches and Gordon Henry’s players bounced back with six points against Avondale Beach and Betham FC - tricky opponents at the best of times - the wait for a second Toilet League crown would go on.

Meanwhile, Northampton Olympic have finally been officially relegated, falling nine points behind the Sinks in fourteenth place with just two matches remaining, hence meaning it is physically impossible for them to catch up. The only question remaining now is, who will fall to 14th? One-time Toilet League champions, Kitchen Sink FC, appear to be the most likely as Breakfast Bowl FC have a two-point buffer over them but one game can change everything. Can the Sinks make a last-minute rally to push up into thirteenth and save themselves from the embarrassment of a playoff?

And with that, it’s all over. Sure, a stoppage time goal to the Spoon kept the hearts of Capitol Athletic fans in their mouths for a little while longer but ultimately, the hosts never looked like conceding again, the Fridges unable to achieve a single touch in their final third in the last six minutes of play. As soon as the Knife was shown red in the 65th minute, victory seemed a formality as Bianca Barkman converted a strike from the edge of the box just four minutes later before Nicholas Holder all but sealed it in the 83rd minute, sending the crowd into raptures. Sure, the ending may have been bittersweet, but the Maroons and their spectators did not care. A 2-1 win was still three points and those three points were all they needed.

A fourth Toilet League trophy in five seasons awaited following their match with Avondale City - win, lose or draw. After the hiatus the league had been on, Capitol Athletic would make their long-awaited return to the IFCF Champions League and CEdC next year, with Brian Murphy needing to consider how to rotate his squad and strengthen it ahead of those matches. A lot of business was in need of completion - that much was for certain. But if they could do a good job of it, another Toilet League title may feel like a mere formality. They would be playing the big dogs on the international stage, especially since they will have two international competitions to play.

   Toilet League           Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
 1 Capitol Athletic         29   20   7   2    59   20  +39    67     IFCF Champions League/CEdC
 2 Pesfield Trees           29   18   7   4    62   28  +34    61     IFCF Challengers Cup
 3 Betham FC                29   15   8   6    49   33  +16    53     IFCF Challengers Cup
 4 AFC Droves               29   14   9   6    26   20   +6    51     IFCF Challengers Cup
 5 Kirkham Sentients        29   13   9   7    39   30   +9    48
 6 Chamberley City          29   11  12   6    45   34  +11    45
 7 Avondale City            29   12   8   9    51   41  +10    44
 8 Kirkham Appliances       29   10   8  11    21   26   −5    38
 9 Mid-Capital              29   10   7  12    43   49   −6    37     IFCF Cup Winners Cup
10 Cleorough                29    9   6  14    26   30   −4    33
11 Avondale Beach           29    7  11  11    34   44  −10    32
12 Fridge FC                29    7  10  12    35   40   −5    31
13 Breakfast Bowl FC        29    6  12  11    28   35   −7    30
14 Kitchen Sink FC          29    7   7  15    27   51  −24    28     Toilet League Playoff
15 Northampton Olympic      29    4   6  19    18   58  −40    18     Relegation to Poo League
16 Katham                   29    2   7  20    10   34  −24    13     Relegation to Poo League

Matchdays 26-30

   Poo League            Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
 1 Dunkirk Athletic       30   21   5   4    50   14  +36    68     Promotion to Toilet League/Liga B Champions Trophy
 2 Halpenley United       30   19   4   7    38   15  +23    61     Promotion to Toilet League/Liga B Champions Trophy
 3 Western Avondale       30   16   5   9    55   29  +26    53     Toilet League Playoff/Liga B Champions Trophy
 4 Dodle                  30   15   8   7    45   32  +13    53
 5 Marbury FC             30   14   9   7    17   10   +7    51
 6 Whitepool              30   14   8   8    38   24  +14    50
 7 Emacuton FC            30   13   9   8    34   24  +10    48
 8 FC Conton              30   13   4  13    34   37   −3    43
 9 Freeport               30   10   7  13    25   32   −7    37
10 Grafton Albion         30    9   8  13    46   53   −7    35
11 Emacuton United        30    9   6  15    22   29   −7    33
12 Westminster            30    8   7  15    51   61  −10    31
13 Freeman City           30    7   9  14    30   48  −18    30
14 Southern Beaches       30    6   7  17    29   49  −20    25     Poo League Playoff
15 Ketonley Town          30    7   4  19    24   55  −31    25     Relegation to Flush League
16 Pilbury Eaton          30    6   6  18    20   46  −26    24     Relegation to Flush League

After experiencing relegation for the first time, both Dunkirk Athletic and Halpenley United were able to bounce back to restore their respective positions in the Toilet League for next season, the former returning to the Liga B Champions Trophy for the first time in five seasons next time, while Halpenley United have never played IFCF football, with this their first season not in the Sylestonean top flight. However, both sides played calm, collected football throughout the season and despite Halpenley’s best club struggling at times, both teams were ultimately the best in the competition. The owners of Dunkirk Athletic are expected to support manager Marietta Stevenson in a large turnover of players as they hope to bring in some overseas stars in order to ensure a similar fate does not occur to that of last time. In particular, Stevenson seems to be setting her eyes on a new goalkeeper, a couple of centre-backs and a forward, although with Murphtannian Austin Newmann’s contract up, a free transfer for him appears a likelihood. Meanwhile, a lot of Halpenley United’s business will be conducted in search of some younger midfielders, with Mracus Brongue and Violet Bolton 38 and 35 respectively as of next season and some quality defenders will not hurt them. With 38 goals all season - the same as Whitepool, and an excellent feat from such a defensive-minded club - their forward pairing of Mukkhali Ratnasingham and Elyse Harding appears sure to continue in the hope that against improved defences, they can wreak similar havoc.

While the season is over for 14 Poo League clubs, Western Avondale’s duties are not quite complete. Finishing in third, they will await either Kitchen Sink FC (likely) or Breakfast Bowl FC (less likely) at the Chamberley Institute of Sport for the Toilet League playoff, with the triumphant club to fill in the sixteenth place in the Toilet League. If Western Avondale do achieve the feat, it will be their first return to the top flight since the very first season of the SFL and considering their shithousery, it will be a return many fans across the nation would dearly love to see. However, with Poopoo Bumbum, Wayne Kerr and Joe Marmer all having been linked with a new league in Lozho, it appears likely that it may be a crunch match for the Poopers. If they win, many more clubs and players will be eager to complete business with them to make up for the losses but if not, then all signs seem to point to a weakening squad that will be unable to reach top three anytime soon, despite being one of the few Poo League clubs to boast a youth league.

While Western Avondale may have eventually won the race for third place with the top two all but set in stone heading into the final couple of months, Dodle, Marbury FC and Whitepool will all be pleased with their efforts, each breaching the fifty-point barrier and provide stiff competition to the Poo League’s very best. Predicted to finish ninth, Dodle were particularly impressive on the back of a superb midfield three of Luke Marshall, Spencer Waddell and Savannah Murray, who were able to feed Sofia Arnold up top very well indeed. Meanwhile, Marbury showed the nation that all-out defensive play does indeed work, managing 14 wins and nine draws despite only scoring 17 goals and conceding 10, with many of their defenders garnering deserved interest from Toilet League clubs. For Whitepool, Charlie Adams is one of those players, the striker scoring goals aplenty and at 26 years of age, it will become harder and harder to keep him over the next couple of years.

Despite the outstanding performances of the likes of Maya Young, Callum Beauchamp and Annabelle Lynes, Emacuton FC will be ever so slightly disappointed with seventh place, with a poor start to the season costing them big time despite gelling together well after the halfway mark. It will be tough for them to keep ahold of Young in particular but if Billy Wallace can keep the core group together, then there is no reason why the Stripes cannot challenge top three next year. A similar problem is facing Freeport, who finished ninth with a rather mediocre squad and was rarely able to string together a run of wins, but the form of winger Blair Clark means that it will be very difficult for the Poo League club to keep him ahead of next season. However, he will be 33 next season, making that job a touch easier for the Lions but without a pay rise, even a loan out seems to be a better option for the star.

Elsewhere, the likes of FC Conton and Emacuton United were unable to capitalise on their respectively superb seasons before the hiatus, with both clubs forced to sell many of their stars, while others opted to retire due to the starvation of professional football in Sylestone. For Conton in particular, it appears to be a hard road forward despite a decent budget and a youth system, with their fans expecting another Toilet League berth on the horizon but ultimately, it doesn’t seem to be coming to Ebril Gardens in the foreseeable future. In fact, it’s genuinely difficult to predict what is going to happen next season with North Chamberley and Katham both appearing incredibly poor in the Toilet League this season, with neither at this point likely to ascertain immediate promotion. With FC Conton almost out of the equation, too, perhaps a club such as Marbury, Emacuton or Whitepool could be able to achieve their first promotion to top flight football, although with the transfer window still unopened, it’s very difficult to know at this stage.

But one thing is for certain, and that is that two current Poo League teams, Ketonley Town and Pilbury Eaton, will not be in the Toilet League come season nine. Despite both frolicking in the mid-table at the halfway point of the season - hell, after five games, Pilbury Eaton were second, both sides struggled as clubs successfully analysed their plans and due to the lack of change, relegation to the Flush League has been assured. Southern Beaches may join the pair there, too, if they are unable to win their playoff against Excelsior, while Cleorough Fire and Felton Island will achieve their first taste of regular Poo League football, a class above their opponents down in the Flush League. With almost nothing known about all three sides, it will be interesting to see if they can compete with the likes of Grafton Albion (who had a decent season, finishing tenth), Westminster and Freeman City, all regular lower-table Poo League teams. Westminster in particular look fragile, with star forwards Rebecca Hunter and Quincy Hooter moving closer and closer to retirement, both shades of their former selves. If Kaleb Arther-Rickson cannot find a way to replace them soon, then the Flush League seems to be their destiny come the next few seasons.

Lower Leagues

   Flush League           Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
 1 Felton Island           38   25   7   6   106   45  +61    82     Promotion to Poo League
 2 Cleorough Fire          38   24   9   5    55   28  +27    81     Promotion to Poo League
 3 Excelsior               38   20   8  10    37   18  +19    68     Poo League Playoff
 4 Bayville                38   19  10   9    77   54  +23    67
 5 Hageling Town           38   19   9  10    30   15  +15    66
 6 Bunbury                 38   18  10  10    30   19  +11    64
 7 Acondo FC               38   17   8  13    53   43  +10    59
 8 Garretty Wanderers      38   14   9  15    58   56   +2    51
 9 Piltonmouth             38   14   9  15    39   46   −7    51
10 Betham Rascals          38   14   8  16    42   42    0    50
11 Pesfield Bees           38   13  10  15    34   34    0    49
12 Copeland AFC            38   12  11  15    24   32   −8    47
13 Balinmone               38   12  10  16    33   44  −11    46
14 Tartontaton             38   12  10  16    40   55  −15    46
15 Betham Park             38   12   8  18    38   46   −8    44
16 Oslolihul City          38   11   8  19    23   33  −10    41
17 Bolton Eagles           38   12   5  21    50   83  −33    41
18 Chilseamers Town        38    8  10  20    25   54  −29    34     Relegation to U-bend League
19 Paradise Coast          38    8   9  21    32   57  −25    33     Relegation to U-bend League
20 Exninley                38    7  10  21    31   53  −22    31     Relegation to U-bend League

   U-bend League              Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
 1 Damminton Sands             38   29   3   6   120   41  +79    90     Promotion to Flush League
 2 Hatford                     38   22  12   4    77   34  +43    78     Promotion to Flush League
 3 FC Aerorum                  38   20  11   7    58   30  +28    71     Promotion to Flush League
 4 Watrid-Farinle              38   20   8  10    49   35  +14    68
 5 Milneford FC                38   20   7  11    74   50  +24    67
 6 Stapleton Albion            38   19   6  13    75   52  +23    63
 7 Salisbury                   38   18   8  12    66   54  +12    62
 8 Terraville                  38   16   9  13    65   50  +15    57
 9 Rockefeller Promontory      38   12  14  12    69   69    0    50
10 Cashambe                    38   14   8  16    33   42   −9    50
11 Mount Vermont               38   12  13  13    66   58   +8    49
12 Pali                        38   14   5  19    38   61  −23    47
13 Gordon                      38   12  10  16    71   82  −11    46
14 Botesbury                   38    9  14  15    46   67  −21    41
15 The Lakes                   38   10   9  19    36   61  −25    39
16 Carrington                  38    9  11  18    41   47   −6    38
17 Marbury Athletic            38    6  17  15    47   62  −15    35
18 Percival Coast              38    8   9  21    40   81  −41    33     Relegation to Sewer League
19 Rangers AFC                 38    7  10  21    47   93  −46    31     Relegation to Sewer League
20 South Cable                 38    5  12  21    53  102  −49    27     Relegation to Sewer League

   Sewer League                       Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
 1 Jeaniara                            38   31   7   0   145   29 +116   100     Promotion to U-bend League
 2 Mutiyara                            38   26   7   5   110   36  +74    85     Promotion to U-bend League     
 3 Midford City                        38   22   8   8    78   31  +47    74     Promotion to U-bend League
 4 Cliford City                        38   22   7   9    74   33  +41    73
 5 Harbourside                         38   20   9   9    82   41  +41    69
 6 Boronia                             38   20   9   9    99   61  +38    69
 7 Tarminra                            38   18  12   8    63   35  +28    66
 8 Sutherland-Hursham                  38   18   7  13    66   45  +21    61
 9 Mossman United                      38   16  10  12    72   53  +19    58
10 Vildomia                            38   15   8  15    44   52   −8    53
11 Chistone FC                         38   15   7  16    82   84   −2    52
12 Banksia FC                          38   14   9  15    68   70   −2    51
13 Masaltonton                         38   13  12  13    48   55   −7    51
14 Hornsby Tigers                      38   12  10  16    70   95  −25    46
15 Mulgoa                              38   14   2  22    57   75  −18    44
16 Halton                              38   11   8  19    49   74  −25    41
17 Pesfield City Rovers                38    6   9  23    48   92  −44    27
18 Bumfuck Nowhere                     38    5   5  28    33  132  −99    20
19 Cricketers' Union of Sylestone      38    3   4  31    22  117  −95    13
20 Maleholes United                    38    1   6  31    23  123 −100     9

Potty League

  Potty League One            Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
1 Betham FC U21                14    5   7   2    19   11   +8    22     Qualification for IFCF Rising Stars Cup (U19)
2 Cleorough U21                14    6   4   4    16   12   +4    22
3 Avondale City U21            14    5   6   3    19   18   +1    21
4 Pesfield Trees U21           14    5   5   4    23   18   +5    20
5 Capitol Athletic U21         14    5   5   4    21   18   +3    20
6 Western Avondale U21         14    4   4   6    17   23   −6    16
7 Avondale Beach U21           14    2   7   5     5   12   −7    13
8 Mid-Capital U21              14    2   6   6    17   25   −8    12

  Potty League Two            Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
1 Chamberley City U21          14    7   3   4    15    8   +7    24
2 Katham U21                   14    6   3   5    10   15   −5    21
3 Northampton Olympic U21      14    6   2   6     9    8   +1    20
4 AFC Droves U21               14    6   2   6     8    8    0    20
5 Halpenley United U21         14    5   4   5     9    7   +2    19
6 Whitepool U21                14    4   6   4     9    9    0    18
7 FC Conton U21                14    4   4   6     7    9   −2    16
8 Dunkirk Athletic U21         14    3   6   5     8   11   −3    15

by **Sylestone** » Sun Nov 27, 2022 5:44 pm

SFA CUP

Final

Trust me, when people were making predictions about the SFA Cup final, no one would have guessed that the Avondale International Sports Stadium would end up being filled with supporters of a club just hanging onto a top eight berth in the Toilet League and the others on the verge of relegation. But such is the SFA Cup sometimes - the better teams in the Toilet League, such as Capitol Athletic or Pesfield Trees, focus on winning the league, playing second XIs in the cup, while mid-table Toilet League teams and below are more likely to use their main starting lineup in order to give themselves the best chance of a deep run.

But while no one would have expected Mid-Capital and Kitchen Sink FC to be fighting out the SFA Cup final at the AISS with the season drawing to a close in a month’s time, what no one can say is that it wasn’t an entertaining game. Sure, one team dominated the match and rightly won a spot in the IFCF Cup Winners’ Cup - the club’s inaugural IFCF berth (spoiler alert), but their opponents were not completely devoid of opportunities.

After a relatively stale first half, Mid-Capital came out of the blocks firing for the final 45, pressing immediately and despite numerous opportunities, could not grab that goal they so desperately desired. The Sinks best chance of the game to that moment came from a corner kick in the 57th minute, the Milk Carton stretching to its full height to catch an inswinger from the Stove, but could only knock it straight at Mid-Capital goalkeeper Thike Saleh.

And unfortunately, save a brilliant save in stoppage time, that would be the Sinks last clear-cut chance to score all match. Meanwhile, at the other end, the Trains really put their foot down, slotting two shots past the Aluminium Foil, dirtying it with tufts of grass to henceforth prove its inability to keep a clean sheet. The second goal - struck by out-of-form Harrison Gilchrist - was truly spectacular, the 27-year-old volleying from outside the box into the top-right corner of the goal. With only seven minutes remaining in normal time, it all but snuffed the game as Mid-Capital secured their first-ever IFCF berth, albeit to the Cup Winners’ Cup rather than to one of the bigger tournaments. Still, it’s certainly a start for a club almost waiting for big things to happen.

Matchdays 26-29

Just one week after the Pesfield Trees took a two-point lead at the head of the Toilet League, the script has been reversed, with Chamberley City the Maroons saviours at Bolton Oval. There, an upset 2-1 victory to the Stars has seen them jump a struggling Kirkham Sentients outfit for fourth place in the Toilet League as they seeked their first-ever IFCF Challengers’ Cup berth, while AFC Droves remained on their tail with an all-important 80th-minute goal to Riley Strathfield sealing a 1-0 win at Northampton Gardens. But while fourth and sixth are only separated by a measly point, it’s nothing compared to the shit that’s going on at the top of the Toilet League table.

Just last week, it appeared Capitol Athletic had forfeited what had been some otherworldly form with a 0-0 draw against relegation-bound Northampton Olympic, who now have to pull something drastic out of the hat with their loss to the Burgers. This loss has seen them fall seven points behind fourteenth place thanks to the Sinks’ ability to pull a 1-0 triumph out of the hat against Cleorough as Elias Hammerschmidt moves closer and closer to an almost inevitable sacking, his side languishing in thirteenth place despite boasting the fourth-highest budget in the SFL. But now, with the Trees losing at home against a Chamberley City squad determined to finish inside the top four, the door has opened for Brian Murphy’s players to retake top spot, away against Breakfast Bowl FC.

And take it they did. The game was over before half-time, with Alyssa Hightower completing a brace and Aaron Dodge chipping in with a curled effort from the edge of the box. While the Breakfast Bowls had come back from 3-0 down to draw 3-3 once already this season - against Mid-Capital - the Maroons’ defence held strong against everything the hosts could throw at it as Callum Holmes kept another clean sheet to boost his bid for a spot in the final 26 to the Campionato Esportiva, coming up at the conclusion of the Toilet League. However, while the Maroons might have a one-point lead over Pesfield with four games left, it could all change next week if the Trees could win at the AISS.

Even as things heat up towards the top end of the table, at the other end, one team has - officially - only pride to play for. It’s been in the making for several months now, but finally, Katham have fallen beyond the point of no return. With only seven goals in 26 games, it’s been a miserable tournament and with a return to the Poo League on the horizon, Olivia Harriman’s inability to steal anything out of a struggling outfit may well result in her becoming the shortest-reigning manager in Toilet League history. And that is not a record one wishes to hold.

Never before has the Toilet League seen such a game. With four games remaining in the season, two national superpowers would clash to discover which of the two was truly better, or if there was simply nothing that they could set apart themselves.

Leading into the game, only one point could separate Capitol Athletic and Pesfield Trees after 26 matchdays of testing, both sides having all but secured a top two finish. The only thing left for these two teams to decide?

Who would be crowned champions?

And we’d get no further insight after ninety minutes of football at the Avondale International Sports Stadium. Despite Eden Holt’s 18th minute finish putting the visitors, direct from a Joshua Angliss free kick, by half-time the hosts had equalised through Levin Voigt, the South Newlandian teenager finishing sublimely from a tight angle for his tenth goal of the season. And despite the Maroons continuously pushing the Trees after the break, the waves of claret and black in the arena would only rise and fall steadily as Ryan Macleay repeatedly saved his side from disaster against a seemingly superior opponent. Only Eden Holt and Luisa Johnson on the left caused any real issue for the Capitol Athletic defence, the pair applying serious pressure on Luke Mitchell and James Heagney but, as expected, they simply refused to break.

Although the hosts undoubtedly dominated the fixture, their odd inability to provide final third passes in the second half - something that they had done so well all season up until this point - proved decisive in the outcome of the match as Pesfield’s top football club remained right on their tail, a top two position for both sides assured due to Betham FC’s inability to finish off a plucky, if out of form, Kirkham Sentients squad.

Sometimes things are just meant to be. Even when you put in your best effort and produce an excellent, well-rounded performance, some plucky upstarts in the shape of your opponents just happen to do better, if that is possible. And in this particular case, this one squad of party poopers has all but assured Capitol Athletic a hat-trick of Toilet League titles and their fourth in five seasons.

But for the AFC Droves, the aforementioned plucky upstarts, their exceptional 3-1 victory against an ominous Pesfield Trees setup achieved them everything they deserved. From languishing in the Poo League mid-table just a few seasons back, Tahlia Dawson’s club have soared recently under her watchful eye, somehow holding onto a spot in the Toilet League before its hiatus thanks to a playoff round triumph at FC Conton’s Ebril Gardens. And since then, their revolution into a top-class club has been nothing short of remarkable. Now, with a top four berth all but sealed, they can finally dream about the promised lands, because their journey has only just begun.

And this result, away at The Trees against a club determined to steal top spot from their arch-rivals, is a culmination of everything they have achieved throughout the season. Despite a 34th-minute equaliser for Theofilos Stearas, the young Tikariotian returning from his injury with a bang, the Burgers dominated the match’s proceedings, their five-strong back line proving impenetrable onwards from Stearas’s moment of individual brilliance. Not even in-form wingers Valentine Cocher or Luisa Johnson could pierce the flanks guarded heavily by Charlotte Mee and Isabel Aberdeen, nor could Gemma Rodway push through the centre behind or alongside Stearas. Instead, the majority of the chances would come at the other end of the pitch as the Strathfield twins made the most of the opportunities they received from the midfield, causing issues for the Pesfield back four whenever they received the ball through their creative play. However, it would be right-back Isabel Aberdeen and impact substitute Isaac Black who would break the deadlock with twenty minutes left to play, the pair scoring goals in quick succession to wrap the match up 3-1, leaving the home crowd stunned, refusing to believe that after all their hard work throughout the season, the Trees had fallen at the final hurdle. Unless the Maroons went on to lose their next two matches and Gordon Henry’s players bounced back with six points against Avondale Beach and Betham FC - tricky opponents at the best of times - the wait for a second Toilet League crown would go on.

Meanwhile, Northampton Olympic have finally been officially relegated, falling nine points behind the Sinks in fourteenth place with just two matches remaining, hence meaning it is physically impossible for them to catch up. The only question remaining now is, who will fall to 14th? One-time Toilet League champions, Kitchen Sink FC, appear to be the most likely as Breakfast Bowl FC have a two-point buffer over them but one game can change everything. Can the Sinks make a last-minute rally to push up into thirteenth and save themselves from the embarrassment of a playoff?

And with that, it’s all over. Sure, a stoppage time goal to the Spoon kept the hearts of Capitol Athletic fans in their mouths for a little while longer but ultimately, the hosts never looked like conceding again, the Fridges unable to achieve a single touch in their final third in the last six minutes of play. As soon as the Knife was shown red in the 65th minute, victory seemed a formality as Bianca Barkman converted a strike from the edge of the box just four minutes later before Nicholas Holder all but sealed it in the 83rd minute, sending the crowd into raptures. Sure, the ending may have been bittersweet, but the Maroons and their spectators did not care. A 2-1 win was still three points and those three points were all they needed.

A fourth Toilet League trophy in five seasons awaited following their match with Avondale City - win, lose or draw. After the hiatus the league had been on, Capitol Athletic would make their long-awaited return to the IFCF Champions League and CEdC next year, with Brian Murphy needing to consider how to rotate his squad and strengthen it ahead of those matches. A lot of business was in need of completion - that much was for certain. But if they could do a good job of it, another Toilet League title may feel like a mere formality. They would be playing the big dogs on the international stage, especially since they will have two international competitions to play.

   Toilet League           Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
 1 Capitol Athletic         29   20   7   2    59   20  +39    67     IFCF Champions League/CEdC
 2 Pesfield Trees           29   18   7   4    62   28  +34    61     IFCF Challengers Cup
 3 Betham FC                29   15   8   6    49   33  +16    53     IFCF Challengers Cup
 4 AFC Droves               29   14   9   6    26   20   +6    51     IFCF Challengers Cup
 5 Kirkham Sentients        29   13   9   7    39   30   +9    48
 6 Chamberley City          29   11  12   6    45   34  +11    45
 7 Avondale City            29   12   8   9    51   41  +10    44
 8 Kirkham Appliances       29   10   8  11    21   26   −5    38
 9 Mid-Capital              29   10   7  12    43   49   −6    37     IFCF Cup Winners Cup/CEdC
10 Cleorough                29    9   6  14    26   30   −4    33
11 Avondale Beach           29    7  11  11    34   44  −10    32
12 Fridge FC                29    7  10  12    35   40   −5    31
13 Breakfast Bowl FC        29    6  12  11    28   35   −7    30
14 Kitchen Sink FC          29    7   7  15    27   51  −24    28     Toilet League Playoff
15 Northampton Olympic      29    4   6  19    18   58  −40    18     Relegation to Poo League
16 Katham                   29    2   7  20    10   34  −24    13     Relegation to Poo League

Matchdays 26-30

   Poo League            Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
 1 Dunkirk Athletic       30   21   5   4    50   14  +36    68     Promotion to Toilet League/Liga B Champions Trophy
 2 Halpenley United       30   19   4   7    38   15  +23    61     Promotion to Toilet League/Liga B Champions Trophy
 3 Western Avondale       30   16   5   9    55   29  +26    53     Toilet League Playoff/Liga B Champions Trophy
 4 Dodle                  30   15   8   7    45   32  +13    53
 5 Marbury FC             30   14   9   7    17   10   +7    51
 6 Whitepool              30   14   8   8    38   24  +14    50
 7 Emacuton FC            30   13   9   8    34   24  +10    48
 8 FC Conton              30   13   4  13    34   37   −3    43
 9 Freeport               30   10   7  13    25   32   −7    37
10 Grafton Albion         30    9   8  13    46   53   −7    35
11 Emacuton United        30    9   6  15    22   29   −7    33
12 Westminster            30    8   7  15    51   61  −10    31
13 Freeman City           30    7   9  14    30   48  −18    30
14 Southern Beaches       30    6   7  17    29   49  −20    25     Poo League Playoff
15 Ketonley Town          30    7   4  19    24   55  −31    25     Relegation to Flush League
16 Pilbury Eaton          30    6   6  18    20   46  −26    24     Relegation to Flush League

After experiencing relegation for the first time, both Dunkirk Athletic and Halpenley United were able to bounce back to restore their respective positions in the Toilet League for next season, the former returning to the Liga B Champions Trophy for the first time in five seasons next time, while Halpenley United have never played IFCF football, with this their first season not in the Sylestonean top flight. However, both sides played calm, collected football throughout the season and despite Halpenley’s best club struggling at times, both teams were ultimately the best in the competition. The owners of Dunkirk Athletic are expected to support manager Marietta Stevenson in a large turnover of players as they hope to bring in some overseas stars in order to ensure a similar fate does not occur to that of last time. In particular, Stevenson seems to be setting her eyes on a new goalkeeper, a couple of centre-backs and a forward, although with Murphtannian Austin Newmann’s contract up, a free transfer for him appears a likelihood. Meanwhile, a lot of Halpenley United’s business will be conducted in search of some younger midfielders, with Mracus Brongue and Violet Bolton 38 and 35 respectively as of next season and some quality defenders will not hurt them. With 38 goals all season - the same as Whitepool, and an excellent feat from such a defensive-minded club - their forward pairing of Mukkhali Ratnasingham and Elyse Harding appears sure to continue in the hope that against improved defences, they can wreak similar havoc.

While the season is over for 14 Poo League clubs, Western Avondale’s duties are not quite complete. Finishing in third, they will await either Kitchen Sink FC (likely) or Breakfast Bowl FC (less likely) at the Chamberley Institute of Sport for the Toilet League playoff, with the triumphant club to fill in the sixteenth place in the Toilet League. If Western Avondale do achieve the feat, it will be their first return to the top flight since the very first season of the SFL and considering their shithousery, it will be a return many fans across the nation would dearly love to see. However, with Poopoo Bumbum, Wayne Kerr and Joe Marmer all having been linked with a new league in Lozho, it appears likely that it may be a crunch match for the Poopers. If they win, many more clubs and players will be eager to complete business with them to make up for the losses but if not, then all signs seem to point to a weakening squad that will be unable to reach top three anytime soon, despite being one of the few Poo League clubs to boast a youth league.

While Western Avondale may have eventually won the race for third place with the top two all but set in stone heading into the final couple of months, Dodle, Marbury FC and Whitepool will all be pleased with their efforts, each breaching the fifty-point barrier and provide stiff competition to the Poo League’s very best. Predicted to finish ninth, Dodle were particularly impressive on the back of a superb midfield three of Luke Marshall, Spencer Waddell and Savannah Murray, who were able to feed Sofia Arnold up top very well indeed. Meanwhile, Marbury showed the nation that all-out defensive play does indeed work, managing 14 wins and nine draws despite only scoring 17 goals and conceding 10, with many of their defenders garnering deserved interest from Toilet League clubs. For Whitepool, Charlie Adams is one of those players, the striker scoring goals aplenty and at 26 years of age, it will become harder and harder to keep him over the next couple of years.

Despite the outstanding performances of the likes of Maya Young, Callum Beauchamp and Annabelle Lynes, Emacuton FC will be ever so slightly disappointed with seventh place, with a poor start to the season costing them big time despite gelling together well after the halfway mark. It will be tough for them to keep ahold of Young in particular but if Billy Wallace can keep the core group together, then there is no reason why the Stripes cannot challenge top three next year. A similar problem is facing Freeport, who finished ninth with a rather mediocre squad and was rarely able to string together a run of wins, but the form of winger Blair Clark means that it will be very difficult for the Poo League club to keep him ahead of next season. However, he will be 33 next season, making that job a touch easier for the Lions but without a pay rise, even a loan out seems to be a better option for the star.

Elsewhere, the likes of FC Conton and Emacuton United were unable to capitalise on their respectively superb seasons before the hiatus, with both clubs forced to sell many of their stars, while others opted to retire due to the starvation of professional football in Sylestone. For Conton in particular, it appears to be a hard road forward despite a decent budget and a youth system, with their fans expecting another Toilet League berth on the horizon but ultimately, it doesn’t seem to be coming to Ebril Gardens in the foreseeable future. In fact, it’s genuinely difficult to predict what is going to happen next season with North Chamberley and Katham both appearing incredibly poor in the Toilet League this season, with neither at this point likely to ascertain immediate promotion. With FC Conton almost out of the equation, too, perhaps a club such as Marbury, Emacuton or Whitepool could be able to achieve their first promotion to top flight football, although with the transfer window still unopened, it’s very difficult to know at this stage.

But one thing is for certain, and that is that two current Poo League teams, Ketonley Town and Pilbury Eaton, will not be in the Toilet League come season nine. Despite both frolicking in the mid-table at the halfway point of the season - hell, after five games, Pilbury Eaton were second, both sides struggled as clubs successfully analysed their plans and due to the lack of change, relegation to the Flush League has been assured. Southern Beaches may join the pair there, too, if they are unable to win their playoff against Excelsior, while Cleorough Fire and Felton Island will achieve their first taste of regular Poo League football, a class above their opponents down in the Flush League. With almost nothing known about all three sides, it will be interesting to see if they can compete with the likes of Grafton Albion (who had a decent season, finishing tenth), Westminster and Freeman City, all regular lower-table Poo League teams. Westminster in particular look fragile, with star forwards Rebecca Hunter and Quincy Hooter moving closer and closer to retirement, both shades of their former selves. If Kaleb Arther-Rickson cannot find a way to replace them soon, then the Flush League seems to be their destiny come the next few seasons.

Lower Leagues

   Flush League           Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
 1 Felton Island           38   25   7   6   106   45  +61    82     Promotion to Poo League
 2 Cleorough Fire          38   24   9   5    55   28  +27    81     Promotion to Poo League
 3 Excelsior               38   20   8  10    37   18  +19    68     Poo League Playoff
 4 Bayville                38   19  10   9    77   54  +23    67
 5 Hageling Town           38   19   9  10    30   15  +15    66
 6 Bunbury                 38   18  10  10    30   19  +11    64
 7 Acondo FC               38   17   8  13    53   43  +10    59
 8 Garretty Wanderers      38   14   9  15    58   56   +2    51
 9 Piltonmouth             38   14   9  15    39   46   −7    51
10 Betham Rascals          38   14   8  16    42   42    0    50
11 Pesfield Bees           38   13  10  15    34   34    0    49
12 Copeland AFC            38   12  11  15    24   32   −8    47
13 Balinmone               38   12  10  16    33   44  −11    46
14 Tartontaton             38   12  10  16    40   55  −15    46
15 Betham Park             38   12   8  18    38   46   −8    44
16 Oslolihul City          38   11   8  19    23   33  −10    41
17 Bolton Eagles           38   12   5  21    50   83  −33    41
18 Chilseamers Town        38    8  10  20    25   54  −29    34     Relegation to U-bend League
19 Paradise Coast          38    8   9  21    32   57  −25    33     Relegation to U-bend League
20 Exninley                38    7  10  21    31   53  −22    31     Relegation to U-bend League

   U-bend League              Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
 1 Damminton Sands             38   29   3   6   120   41  +79    90     Promotion to Flush League
 2 Hatford                     38   22  12   4    77   34  +43    78     Promotion to Flush League
 3 FC Aerorum                  38   20  11   7    58   30  +28    71     Promotion to Flush League
 4 Watrid-Farinle              38   20   8  10    49   35  +14    68
 5 Milneford FC                38   20   7  11    74   50  +24    67
 6 Stapleton Albion            38   19   6  13    75   52  +23    63
 7 Salisbury                   38   18   8  12    66   54  +12    62
 8 Terraville                  38   16   9  13    65   50  +15    57
 9 Rockefeller Promontory      38   12  14  12    69   69    0    50
10 Cashambe                    38   14   8  16    33   42   −9    50
11 Mount Vermont               38   12  13  13    66   58   +8    49
12 Pali                        38   14   5  19    38   61  −23    47
13 Gordon                      38   12  10  16    71   82  −11    46
14 Botesbury                   38    9  14  15    46   67  −21    41
15 The Lakes                   38   10   9  19    36   61  −25    39
16 Carrington                  38    9  11  18    41   47   −6    38
17 Marbury Athletic            38    6  17  15    47   62  −15    35
18 Percival Coast              38    8   9  21    40   81  −41    33     Relegation to Sewer League
19 Rangers AFC                 38    7  10  21    47   93  −46    31     Relegation to Sewer League
20 South Cable                 38    5  12  21    53  102  −49    27     Relegation to Sewer League

   Sewer League                       Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
 1 Jeaniara                            38   31   7   0   145   29 +116   100     Promotion to U-bend League
 2 Mutiyara                            38   26   7   5   110   36  +74    85     Promotion to U-bend League     
 3 Midford City                        38   22   8   8    78   31  +47    74     Promotion to U-bend League
 4 Cliford City                        38   22   7   9    74   33  +41    73
 5 Harbourside                         38   20   9   9    82   41  +41    69
 6 Boronia                             38   20   9   9    99   61  +38    69
 7 Tarminra                            38   18  12   8    63   35  +28    66
 8 Sutherland-Hursham                  38   18   7  13    66   45  +21    61
 9 Mossman United                      38   16  10  12    72   53  +19    58
10 Vildomia                            38   15   8  15    44   52   −8    53
11 Chistone FC                         38   15   7  16    82   84   −2    52
12 Banksia FC                          38   14   9  15    68   70   −2    51
13 Masaltonton                         38   13  12  13    48   55   −7    51
14 Hornsby Tigers                      38   12  10  16    70   95  −25    46
15 Mulgoa                              38   14   2  22    57   75  −18    44
16 Halton                              38   11   8  19    49   74  −25    41
17 Pesfield City Rovers                38    6   9  23    48   92  −44    27
18 Bumfuck Nowhere                     38    5   5  28    33  132  −99    20
19 Cricketers' Union of Sylestone      38    3   4  31    22  117  −95    13
20 Maleholes United                    38    1   6  31    23  123 −100     9

Potty League

  Potty League One            Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
1 Betham FC U21                14    5   7   2    19   11   +8    22     Qualification for IFCF Rising Stars Cup (U19)
2 Cleorough U21                14    6   4   4    16   12   +4    22
3 Avondale City U21            14    5   6   3    19   18   +1    21
4 Pesfield Trees U21           14    5   5   4    23   18   +5    20
5 Capitol Athletic U21         14    5   5   4    21   18   +3    20
6 Western Avondale U21         14    4   4   6    17   23   −6    16
7 Avondale Beach U21           14    2   7   5     5   12   −7    13
8 Mid-Capital U21              14    2   6   6    17   25   −8    12

  Potty League Two            Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
1 Chamberley City U21          14    7   3   4    15    8   +7    24
2 Katham U21                   14    6   3   5    10   15   −5    21
3 Northampton Olympic U21      14    6   2   6     9    8   +1    20
4 AFC Droves U21               14    6   2   6     8    8    0    20
5 Halpenley United U21         14    5   4   5     9    7   +2    19
6 Whitepool U21                14    4   6   4     9    9    0    18
7 FC Conton U21                14    4   4   6     7    9   −2    16
8 Dunkirk Athletic U21         14    3   6   5     8   11   −3    15

Sylestone Domestic Sports Newswire

Who is online