AMA 20 FINAL: INDY OIL PINELANDS v UNITED @ NEWLANDS CRICKET GROUND

13. Apr, 2011 1 Comment

The climax of the club season had arrived and what a climax it would turn out to be.

Indy Oil Pinelands captain Colin Birch won the toss and elected to bat on what turned out to be a slow Newlands wicket.
It was clear that runs were hard to come by so Pinelands struggling along new that a score around the 120 – 130 mark would be very competitive.
Apart from a fine 38 at the top of the order from Colin Sher it was left to the Middle / Lower order to Dig Deep and show some ticker.
Pinelands at one stage looking like not scoring 100 with little chance of applying sufficient pressure on their opposition. A quick and crucial 16 from skipper Birch set the platform for a desperately needed momentum shift . This was however short lived as Pinelands sunk from 84 /4 – 91 /7 as Ginge Rundle dropped his Spice in the V.I.P Lounge. His prayers were immediately answered as Nicholas “ Jock “ McConnachie ( 13 ) joined James “ Jet “ Johnston( 20 * ) at the crease. A cameo 29 run partnership ensued and the final momentum at the break with the boys from the Squirrels. Pinelands had exploded into action scoring 45 runs in their final 5 overs! The psychological par score of 120 / 8 shining bright on a fabulous autumn night at The Home of Cricket.

Unfortunately after the break the PCC boys quickly saw their hopes of silverware slipping away as United’s opening pair came out blazing , combining for an opening stand of 63 in 8.3 overs.
Their 1000 strong fan base strategically place behind the PCC boundary riders now in full flight and letting their counterparts know exactly what was happening. The PCC hundred at this stage losing their footing and crashing into advertising boards decide to break into the sounds of St. Georges Parks most famous melody. Into the attack former E.P. Schools Captain McConnachie , cries of catch-it , the ball flying down to long – off , its Mgijima under it and the partnership is broken!! Parker (3 / 2/ 21 ) strikes twice in an over and along with McConnachie( 4 / 2 / 19 ) who strikes again decide to plant some flutters in the United dressing room.

Comparative stats now show on the Newlands scoreboard, after 15 overs: PCC 75 /4 , United 89 /4. Its game on ! The pressure now starting to shift back to the United batsmen. Coach “ Carter “ De Klerk at this stage chewing Jonno’s cigarettes while pacing up and down in the dugout with Paramedics stepping cautiously nearer but remaining out of site. Schwerin himself with two stumpings and a spectacular diving catch having a seriously tidy night behind the stumps. Seriously tight bowling and fielding required and a phenomenal comeback was a distinct possibility. Secret weapon Bannantyne ( 2 / 1/ 8 ) as always stepping onto the platform along with exceptional death bowling from Birch ( 4 / 1/16 ) and Jet Johnston 4 / 1/ 21 ) leaving Indy Oil Pinelands victorious in one of the greatest fighting comebacks in 20 – 20 history.