Runs galore as the B grade scrape home in a reduced game
** B Grade**
The B grade commenced their season at the Kookaburra Homes Showgrounds against a strong Callington Unit. Missing regular skipper Chris Pulford and founding club member Vogt, Brad Horsell led a very different side this time out.
Doing what the A grade couldn't Brad won the toss and elected to have a bat as Justin Roberts and Jason Webb set about building a competitive total.
Smith (0/15 off 7) and Schilling (1/26 off 7) made things difficult for the two veterans before Roberts eventually departed to Schilling for 2. However, that was as tight as the bowling got all-day as the senior Horsell made his way to the crease.
Taking no time at all to get going Horsell set about showing why he was the leading run-scorer last season reaching his 50 in no time at all. Brilliantly supported by Webb (31) the two men put on 130 for the second wicket as runs were flowing freely.
Shortly before the drinks break Callington youngers Hunter copped an unfortunate blow to the head from Brad and the game was halted as medical treatment arrived... Following a short stint at the hospital, young Hunter bravely returned to the game. We followed up readers, he's well.
Visibly shaken, the two sides took a moment to regroup before both skippers made the decision to reduce the game to 35 overs.
Horsell and Webb set about continuing where they left off before Webb fell just short of the 27th over. With full knowledge that this author was coming to the crease, Horsell made the appropriate decision to farm the strike and set out about upping the anti quickly racing to 100 then 150 in next to no time at all, before eventually falling for a brilliant 167. The Burras setting 251 to win from 35 overs.
Not to be deterred and with plenty of weapons in the Arsenal Callington got off to a flyer as skipper Westrych took a particular liking to the younger Roberts racing to a quickfire 50 before departing shortly thereafter.
However, with Lipscombe bowling beautifully picking up Smith and Fitzgerald in quick succession the Burras were well on top early. That soon changed, as Schilling came to the crease.
Wasting no time at all Schilling set about doing what Schilling does best... Smacking the ball over the boundary. Enjoying the luxury of a short-boundary on one side Schilling dispatched every bowler as Brad Horsell, Justin Roberts, Kenndy and Lipscombe all copped some heavy treatment.
If not for the bamboozling deliveries of 13-year-old Bailey "Lloyd Pope" Horsell (1/47), this game could have been over very quickly. The youngster the only one to give Schilling any real problems. If not for dads efforts in the field, Bailey would have taken the prized scalp too. Schilling eventually departing for a majestic 111.
However, with the game firmly in the balance, the skipper made the brave call of throwing the ball to Jason "El Presidente" Webb who struck immediately to edge the Burras slightly in front. From there it was only a matter of time as Lipscombe picked up two and with a fluky throw from this author the game was over as Callington finished 9/230 (with Hunter unable to bat).
Next week see the B grade remain at the Kookaburra Homes Showgrounds for a twenty20