Game wrap up…by Robin Adams (Griz)

I thought I would pass on the game wrap for all concerned and how the night unravelled. If there is anything I missed please add, if there are any questions please do not hesitate to ask.

A fair bit of work was firstly involved in the set up, so I would like to thank Jared and Scott who really made things happen with all sorts of odds and ends that had to take place. The 1^st Mackay boys arrived on Friday afternoon and were taken out for dinner up at the Apollo, apparently all was well and the first bit of sledging occurred.  All to bed early.

  Saturday Morning everyone started rolling in, Mackay Boys all arrived early at around the 10am mark, Rocky boys at around the 11am Mark. All Players were then shouted a free coffee at Symonds Bakery. There was one late player who never arrived until after Midday, Mus are you waiting for it, yes everyone must have got it Jon Harris...

 The toss took place with our skipper {Jared Hutton} coming up with the correct call and electing to Bat. Jon had a mad scramble as he had only just arrived. The whether was awful, it was absolutely freezing with gale force winds, it was nearly unbearable. The beer was on ice and the old cricket hotdogs were cooking.

 The umpires were finely tuned and walked out to the middle.

 Jon and Luke Munster opened the batting getting us off to a fairly solid start before Luke was bowled. Scott Stevens came in with some beautifully timed shots before being dismissed.  Jon being the newly trimmed athlete was still marching on. I do not know weather the new trimmed Jon is any fitter as he did struggle a little. As we batted on we found that if you beat the in field it was four all the way. Burnett and Hutton came and went with some partnerships with Harris before Harris had none of his nine lives left and was caught behind for 94 charging there opening bowler. The opener was quite a good bowler sharp enough with out being express. McDonald, Flamank, Mathews came and left. Andrew Bazzo batted well and put a few runs together. This only left Adams and Big Bob to bring home the tail, this was a non event, I did play a magnificent cover drive between 1^st and 2^nd slip, and well that is how it was described in the score book. A quick check by the ever reliable scorer {Alan shamrock} revealed that we had put together a handy and defendable total of 215 runs.

 A quick change of innings around the 20 minute turnaround saw us fielding. There was a little controversy with the skipper’s choice of opener. Burnett did not seem to agree with it. Having reached the Middle of the wicket someone was going to have to pump into a howling wind and to make matters worse up hill.  Big Bob managed to get the other end with the wind at his back. Bowled steadily without a lot of menace, bowled approximately 4 overs before breaking down. He did not come back for a 2^nd spell. There is real concern that he may be out for the season with a pinched nerve in his back and something wrong with a disc. Burnett was busy at the other end, bowled well but the opening batsmen were on top and our bowler’s needed a rest. The bowling change had immediate success with Adams picking up a wicket on the last ball of his 1^st over. This started a collapse, Flamank at the other end also picking up a wicket immediately. Flamank bowled exceptionally well. Picking up 4 wickets for not many.  A tea break was taken with them 5 down and the tiger valley team on top. The burgers were cooked and everyone enjoyed a drink at the gathering.

After Tea we took another couple of wickets, Harris showed a clean set of gloves with a very good stumping down leg side off a very quick delivery {Adams} . Pioneer Valley were in trouble at 7 wicket downs. That was all about to change with one of their bowlers taking a special liking to the attack and smashing boundaries every where. The game was getting very tight, the pressure was mounting. The next thing from no where someone lit a fuse and Mathews and Jimmy Falconer were toe to toe it was on. Falconer was eventually out clean bowled by Bazzo and was still spraying Mathews all the way back to the side line and over it. Now for the quote of the game. Andrew Bazzo does not say much but he did come out with a great thing, he was bowling{not so well, like really bad} He says Boys I am really struggling, probably had to be there, but it was funny. It came down that they had 2 wickets in hand and 15 runs to get. Then we got a wicket, 6 to get with 1 wicket in hand. Burnett does it, clean bowls the number 11. Game over, Tiger Valley wins and wins the inaugural Us and Thems trophy. Wild celebrations are about to commence.  Overall it was a very good game played hard but in the correct spirit. We had a few spectators with even a family making the journey from Yeppoon just to watch the game.

 After the game there was a little more action, we had the trophy presentation the adjourned back to the Centre Motel for a catch up and a drink. We then had the boat race Tiger Valley against Mackay. We lost this one convincingly. The racers were the 3, 2, 1, selection from the opposing captains on man of match awards. Our team was 3 points Harris, 2points Adams 1point Flamank but because Flamank was soft and went home Bazzo was called in. He started off strongly, Harris went well, Adams was a shocker and probably cost them the boat race. From here we went down to the top pub and to bottoms nightclub. Came home Jon got lost in the toilet apparently could not find the door again.

Sunday Morning was dusty but a big breakfast was held, enjoyed with a few sore heads before everybody returned home.

Response from Jared Hutton

Just like to mention Griz’s involvement in the weekend.  Absolutely enormous.  Thanks mate.

Couple of things to note.  Never again will Jon nor Grizz will be given player of the match points if there is a Boat Race afterwards.  In the Boat Race Jon turned a winning position into a hopeless situation and Robin, well for such a big man, he is a disappointment.  He still had ½ of his drink left 5 minutes after we all moved back inside, no kidding!

The 3 that competed in the boat race for Colts Tigers were also given Bronlow votes at 3am for drunkest men on ground!  They were a mess!  As evident in Robin’s summary in the way Jon was locked in an unlockable toilet for an hour.  Only because he couldn’t find the door to get out.

But all in all, it was a superb weekend, the goodies won, and we all can’t wait for the return bout in Mackay in a year’s time.

Response from Jon Harris

Robin, this was a pretty fair assessment of things.  I would question a couple of things.  Firstly I didn't think that I was all that late.  After picking you up from the motel we arrived at the ground at 12:30 which wasn't to bad.

Secondly I thought my fitness wasn't to bad.  I have struggled a lot more in the past.

 One last thing was that you didn't mention that the very quick delivery that you referred to was that quick that you had time to yell "take em off Jonny" before the ball actually got to me.

 On a serious note though.  It was a great game and special thanks to yourself, Scott and Jared for all of the work that you all put into organising the day/night.

 And you should really look at installing one of those exit signs in the toilet with the light in it so that your poor guests don't get stuck in there.

I will back you up with Robin's boat race form.  I was on a hiding to nothing, Bazzo had given them a half a stubby lead and I was unable to peg it back.  My sculling form isn't to good and sat nite probably confirmed  it.