Scorpions

It was Timed to face our Easts club rivals 3rd XI yet again at Kilbirnie Park under bright sunshine. Upon inspection of the pitch, it looked like a storm had hit it, and the groundsmen had done their best to prepare something for us to play on.

We decided we may as well do our best first on the track, and it immediately punished us. Rakesh had a full one nip past his bat caught in front off Charan. Indra was a couple of boundaries into his innings when he was undone by a beauty of an outswinger from speedster Zack. Two down became four down for 20 as Zack had 3 and the game looked to be slipping away quickly.

Jonny and Gaurav were able to stem the flow of wickets, putting together a modest partnership, but importantly seeing off Charan and Zack. They couldn’t continue their rebuild, both departing to the first and second change overs right after drinks.

Maulik and Sid were next to work hard, valuing their partnership, punishing the odd bad ball and running twos before a brilliant ball dislodged Sid’s bails. Jobin joined Maulik who then had to deal with Zack returning to finish the innings. Maulik disagreed, pummelling Zack to the cover boundary twice and Jobin getting inside the line to render the quick wicketless in his second spell.

By the time Jobin and Maulik departed Scorpions had surpassed 100, and with valuable cameos from Chengappa and Mayur meant the bowlers had batted Scorpions to what seemed a mediocre 147 off 43 overs. Or was it?

3rds looked set on a quick chase, fill-in opener punishing length, but spluttered when Chengappa removed Nick played on and a second fill-in player courtesy of a glorious right hand glove of Rakesh. The solid looking opener looked to go even harder to compensate, but misjudged a cut off Chengappa to the perfectly placed Jobin whom had to leap high to his right - parrying the ball with his right hand before pouching it. Rahul came and went courtesy of a low point Sid catch off Jobin before Chengy removed a third fill-in to put Scorpions in the box seat.

Stephen and Charan did their best to wrestle back control of the contest but both played on vs Maulik and Mayur respectively.

Mani snared Thommo at gully off Maulik 2nd ball. Zack missed a straight one and Jagdeep holed out to Jobin for the final two wickets, both due to Mayur’s lovely flight and length.

Today’s performance proves that no game is ever lost, even when things look bleak. When team-mates are prepared to dig deep and play to the conditions - anything can happen. Especially when you back it up with excellent bowling and catching.

Thank you Anankai Limited & Blueprint Finance New Zealand for your support!

It’s been a busy month for the Scorpions. Qualifying for the one day final with a massive bonus point victory over Collegians 3rds then a 5 wicket victory over SLSC, but coming up short vs WISC (4 wkt loss) in the final a day later.

Vs Collegians 3rds 1st innings:
https://youtu.be/QXpiNjKX040?si=QYPpW3MePAR3icAs

Vs Collegians 3rds 2nd innings:
https://youtu.be/TQao08F2W6k?si=_AICu3gPGT2KAQi-

Vs SLSC 1st innings:
https://youtu.be/q-fOh2jP39o?si=3NPL6g0J6jxKGk0g

Vs SLSC 2nd innings:
https://youtu.be/i5Wpyj8edq4?si=95P0dgFpcrImeL-L

One Day Final Vs WISC 1st innings:
https://youtu.be/hMx2OwzNR5I?si=JZEcj_HIb1IBOpg1

One Day Final Vs WISC 2nd innings:
https://youtu.be/74sL4CNTeL8?si=vwWTvBoe7De5a_oe

With the One Day stage complete, last week Scorpions continued winning round robin form in Timed cricket, dispatching Falconhawke by 5 wickets:

Timed Round 1 Vs Falconhawke 1st innings:
https://youtu.be/xTUgRyeQx9o?si=aOVRVsk623jbzLPb

Timed Round 1 Vs Falconhawke 2nd innings:
https://youtu.be/tHxn0kqBqqk?si=I_egyN4zen5PQtsj

Highlight reels to come thanks to our sponsors:
Blueprint Finance New Zealand &
Anankai Limited

Vs SLSC Seeding round Innings 1 Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

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