The President writes once more .....

Post date: 03-Apr-2016 08:27:32

The first week on tour has been completed. Not particularly successfully but completely enjoyably. Lessons have been given and learned both on and off the field and the squad remains buoyant, up beat and optimistic.

The search for the first victory continues. Game 3 at the rather wonderful Mercantile credit cricket ground was competitive until the last quarter. Soa won the toss and elected to bat on what looked like, and proved to be, a belter. Ian Caunce and Bruce Lunn got us off to a good start with a 50 partnership until the drinks break got Caunce. Captain Pearson padded a straight one and Lunn holed out so Damien Wiskin and Chris Hutton provided middle innings impetus. Sadly both departed in the 30s, equal to the temperature, but happily Craig Foster and Jim Basford ensured we got a respectable 208.

Early wickets fell to Tim Mahoney and Basford and the Soa were on top. Unfortunately a 180 run partnership dashed any hope of victory, although late wickets gave brief hope.

Game 4 at Thurstan college was an excellent game of cricket. Soa bowled first and really well. James Hall and Tim Mahoney made early inroads and Ben Jeffries and Damien Wiskin completed the job with 3 and 4 wickets respectively. The highlight was a fantastic hat-trick of catches from Tom Moffatt. It appears he's the only one who can catch! He was awarded a lovely cake.

The batters set off after 145 for victory and Richard Clapp and Andrew Moss provided a good opening partnership, although principally consisting of extras, so the middle order could capitalise. Moffatt held the innings together and captain Welch steered us close. Wiskin was marshalled the tail, with big hitting included, but sadly he ran out of partners and we were 15 short. Close, but no cigar...

The party left Colombo and moved south down the coast to Hikkaduwa to work on their game and regroup.

Hopefully week 2 will be more successful on the field.

Pres.

Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone on the O2 network.