Colonials Conquer Citizens
The fortunes of Ivanhoe fluctuated – down up down down up.. so definitely a game of many more than two halves!
Skipper Dancer actually won the toss on a rain affected pitch. After 2 days of heavy rain, there was much in the pitch for bowlers, with uneven bounce and a steamy, cloudy atmosphere to induce swing. So with Citizens racing along at 58-0 what had gone wrong? Well Ivanhoe opened encouragingly with 2 maidens but the openers played very sensibly and selectively and the ball raced to the boundary when hit. But one wicket brings 2, and the middle order fell away, to give Ivanhoe every hope of an early finish. However the tail wagged well, catches were dropped in the deep, 2 by the keeper and another at slip and only a sharp catch by Parnell R at slip and a calm take in the deep by Woodcock, from an enormous hit, showed the Ives the way.
Woodcocks 2 spells brought 1-21 and Hausler’s economical spell 1-22. Meanwhile Parnell M quietly picked up 5 for 46, with his slower ball (well even slower) causing some difficulties). Dancer finished things off, with little luck and 2-11. Old Citizens reached 164 All Out, at least 30 more than they should or could have attained – which was a talking point at (a very good) tea.
At 4 an over on a tricky pitch this was a possible win if Ives kept focus and wickets. At very few for 4 things seemed to be on the way to defeat. With the top 3 contributing nothing – Parnell R receiving a grubber of the worst order and Collins ran himself out albeit to an excellent direct hit. Caras then began the recovery and reached the 20s before departing. At 20 overs over half the total had been achieved but 6 wickets were down.. Indeed the 7th wicket but on 35 with Woodcock and Dancer looking strong. However with Woodcock departing lbw straight after drinks, and Dancer bowled by a full toss for 25, things looked bleak (the score 100 for 8). But cometh the hour cometh the colonials. South African Abrahamson and Aussie Hausler looked increasingly confident and Citizens finally realised that defeat was possible .. and indeed it was.. with 6 overs to spare Hausler deposited the ball over the midwicket boundary for 6 and his 51* and victory for Ives by 2 wickets.
Man of Match: Andrew Hausler