Park Fightback to Victory

Christian O'Mahoney and Dave Hearn opened the batting for Park in glorious conditions, but were soon in trouble as Christian went in the first over edging to slip to depart for 4. When Hearnie went LBW for 6, shortly after Park were struggling on 15 for 2. Si Ewin and Skip Fowdy looked to be restoring order until Darran was caught behind for 11. Tim Gannon was in at no.5 but soon was on his way back after playing on with 6 to his name. Park at 40 for 4 and the cat was well and truly amnogst the pidgeons. Si and Craig Partridge started the fightback, adding 23 before Craig was bowled for 4. Another 23 partnership with Dave Brupbacher saw the Park tally reach the 80's when Bru was bowled for 12 runs. Dave Fletcher joined the resilient Ewin at the crease and together they saw the score into the realms of the respectable, as Si started to find the boundary, and Fletch drove over mid on, much to the relief of the hapless Park top order watching from the sidelines. Eventually Simons vigil had to end and he was finally bowled by the returning opener Lawrence Jeanton for a stalwart and potentially match saving 42. At 138 for 7 Park were in with a chance of making 150. Dave Partridge went in at no.9 and his first ball saw a glorious lofted 4 over mid off that was the shot of the day, only to be caught behind the very next ball. Bill Partridge made a quick 3 before being caught and Park finally finished their 46 overs on 149 for 9, with Dave Fletcher an excellent 28 not out and Paul Moss unbeaten on 0.

Park took to the field with spirits high that they had a total that could be defended, and Paul Moss and Dave Partridge opened the bowling determined to make a breakthrough. Dave was the first into the action, clean bowling Campbell early doors, and when Mossy trapped Jeanton LBW soon after, Park were cock-a-hoop with RASRA at 14 for 2. When Stanford palyed on to Davey Boy, only 5 more runs had been added. Nugent, the no.1 bat was hanging around until Bill Partridge pocketed a skier at point off Daves bowling, and RASRA were 26 for 4. Mossy then removed Channan who popped a catch up to Fletch loitering in his usual position. When Bill came into the attack and immediatley caught and bowled Adigun, racing down the pitch to take a great catch, the oppo were 40 for 6. Beache and Jeanton then played solidly and a few doubts were creeping into the Park fielders minds when Bill, now at the other end, took Beache's edge and Skip Fowdy pulled of a fine slip catch. RASRA now 63 for 7, and the impetus was back with Prospect Park. In fact RASRA added only three more runs as Craig Partridge knocked over the tail, bowling Smith and Iruthyan and trapping Weston LBW all in one over. RASRA 66 all out and a great bowling fightback from the Park.

Superb bowling displays by Paul Moss and all the Partridges kept the pressure on RASRA throughout but we wouldn't have been in the match at all if it hadn't been for the batting of Simon Ewin, abley supported by Dave Fletcher. Simon wins the MOM for rescuing the Park innings and ensuring we got a defendable target on the board.