Park's got a brand new Cap

This game saw two Prospect Park firsts for the season: less than Arctic conditions at Footscray and a PPCC captain winning the toss. Trainee Skipper Gannon asking Nuxley to have a bat. The Park players took to the field regaled in their new gear, except Bru who's "grown" since ordering his shirt, with most of the team donning the new PPCC Blue Cap. Dave and Bill Partridge opened the bowling and straight away it looked like we were in for a fun afternoon with the Nuxley openers determined to play their shots right from the start. In the first two overs three catching chances were created, but unfortunately all three were put down. The openers didnt exploit these let offs too heavily as Dave Partridge had both out within a couple of overs, one caught at mid on by Mr Dependable Simon Ewin, the other well caught by a tumbling Christian O'Mahoney. At 12 for 2, Nuxley tried to consolidate, but excellent bowling from Bill and Dave ensured everyone was on their toes. Soon enough, Bill was in action, clean bowling Nuxley's no.3 (after several near misses), and then Dave did the same to the big hitting no.4 to have Nuxley wobbling on 43 for 4. With no further runs added Dave then enticed the no.6 to edge tamely to point where an almost embarrased looking O'Mahoney pocketed a dolly. With the oppo on 43 for 5, and the two Partridges threatening to run through the innings, the skipper went for a double bowling change. On came Terry Shannon and Alan Russell and after an initial good start, the new batsmen started to gain in confidence and pick up the scoring rate as the damp pitch gave the bowlers nothing to work with. Before we knew it the sixth wicket had put on 60 runs and we needed to get a lid on proceedings. Another double change of bowling brought John Ling and Craig Partridge into the acttack and after a couple of overs Lingo did the trick snaring the fifty scroing no.5 in driving to Ewin at mid on again for a very well taken catch. With Nuxley now back in control at 141 for 6, Craig clean bowled the incoming batsman to put the oppo on 153 for 7. Johnnny Ling and Simon then repeated their exact same trick to get rid of the other half centurion (and a three catch jug for Simon), Nuxley on 161 for 8. A super piece of fielding by Craig from fine leg saw the final Nuxley wicket fall to a run out (well taken by Bru) with no further runs added. Nuxley finishing on 161 after 38 overs. A great start and end to the Park fielding but we let it slip in the middle of the innings and knew we would have to bat well to win from here.

Dave Fletcher and Chris O'Mahoney performed the opening honours but Chris had a disappointing start to the season, being bowled off his pads on the second ball. Park at 0 for 1 and shades of last weeks opening horror show! The in-form Simon Ewin stepped up at no.3 and was soon employing the trademark long left leg down the pitch to good effect. Fletch was looking good at the other end, but after two fine fours suddenly spooned one up to mid off and dpearted for 14. Park at 16 for 2. Craig Partridge came in at no.4 and he and Simon settled things downa bit. Once again though, shortly after hitting a solid four, a typical Park running mix up ensured that he was making his way off the pitch having been run out for 8. Dave Brupacher strode out at no.5 with Park in a bit of bother at 32 for 3. With the runs hard to come by against some good Nuxley bowling, these two chipped away and ran the ones and twos well between the wickets. It was not to last however as Simon, after defending resolutely against the pacy Hudson then played on to a pretty quick delivery and departed for a gutsy 13. At 46 for 4 in the 18th over Gannon joined the fray and set about defending one end and letting Bru do the hard work of scoring runs at the other. When the 20 overs was called park needed 109 to win but were finding it difficult to score more than a couple an over without taking chances. Bru was knocking the balls into the gaps at one end but Gannon was finding it difficult to get off the mark. A period of consolidation saw us fall behind the rate required to win the game but as the overs ticked by, our chances of avoiding a collapse and defeat also diminshed. By now Bru was attacking the bowling a bit more and runs came a bit easier as the bowling opened up, but a rate of 7+ an over was proving too much. Close to a well deserved half century Bru nearly holed out to deep square leg, but survived and picked up that elusive 50 in the next over to good applause from the Park bench (as it were). With the opening bowlers coming back on for one last attempt to blast through the batting, this pair could only play the overs out for a draw, with Bru finishing a superb 54 not out, and Gannon a more Boycottesque 28 not out.

The Nuxley total was probably about 15 or so too much for us to make a positive attempt on after the early dismissals but it was good to see Park fighting it out for a draw.

Two stand out performances today, Dave Partridges four wickets (and he could have had more) really got us in control of the game but this weeks award goes to Dave Brupacher for a very timely half century, holding up the Park innings when we could have easily collapsed to a good attack.