Mr Boombastic Captain Fantastic

As Footscray returned to its familiar grey outlook, Kenny Robotham and Dave Brubpacher opened proceedings for Prospect Park on the usual damp wicket. Some accurate bowling by Mackerel and McDonald, had the Park batsmen pinned down and slow progress was made as 14 runs were scored off the first ten overs. All of a sudden Bru got one that popped up a bit and dollied up to short mid on to be caught out for 6. Park 18 for 1. Tim Gannon was in next but after a couple of overs of frustration premeditated a shot that saw him LBW for yet another duck and had Park on 22 for 2 off 15 overs. Sean Pritchard joined Ken in the middle and these two set about repairing the damage, chipping away with ones and two's. As the overs ticked away Park weren't looking like posting a competitive score and in an attempt to force the pace, Kenny was bowled for a fine 18. Park 44 for 3 off 27 overs. A determined Skip Fowdy was in next and after seeing off the opening bowlers (mackerel and McDonald bowling 27 overs between them), set about the Ducksmen bowling. The next 54 minutes of mayhem saw the score rattling along with Darran punishing the bowling with a series of driven boundaries and Sean sensibly taking every opportunity to take the single and return the strike to the Skipper. Darran was soon passed the 50 mark but kept the pressure on and Sean nearly broke the most singles in a row record. In the penultimate over the Skip edged to the keeper to be caught out for a brilliant 76. Craig Partridge came in for the last over and really did the business hitting 9 (including as per usual these days a glorous 6) to give Park a very competitive total of 149 for 4 off 44 overs. Sean coming in unbeaten with an excellent 25 and Craig 8 not out.

Paul Moss and Dave Robotham opened the bowling for Park and Mossy soon struck, getting a rare edge that Skip Fowdy flung himself to his right at first slip to take an excellent catch. In the very next over Dave Robotham joined in on the act clean bowling the no.3 for a duck to reduce the oppo to 20 for 2. The big hitting Williams was starting to be a worry so Craig Partridge and Alan Russell were brought into the attack. Craigy Boy did the business, first clean bowling Banks (39 for 3) then getting a fine edge off Williams that keeper Bru took very nicely. Ducksmen 47 for 4. With Williams out, the scoring rate was drastically reduced and Ducksmen never looked like threatening the total again, but could the Park bowlers take the remaining 6 wickets to win the game ? Mackerel, batting at no.6 took the game to Craig, running down the wicket to him at every opportunity and even hitting 'FastAs' back over his head for 6. But it was to be a short lived exercise as Craig was to bowl him out shortly after. Ducksmen 79 for 5. Alan Russell made his mark on the game by clean bowling Holton to put the Ducksmen on 80 for 6. With the Ducksmen shutting up shop, it was down to Terry Shannon and Sammy Moss to try and winkle out the remaining batsmen. They gave it a go between them when a legside ball from Sam was flicked round to third man where Terry took a nice catch. Ducksmen 101 for 7. This was to be the last wicket, with Ducksmen earning the draw by making it through to 109 for 7 off 35 overs.

Good bowling from Craig today particularly when he was being taken on but for the umpteenth time this season, an inspired Captains Innings from Darran Fowdy turned the game. While the rest of us could hardly get the ball off the square Darran took the Ducksmen bowling apart and ensured we set the opposition a daunting total. Top Bombing ! although I didnt notice a jug in the bar afterwards.