Harden Hornets were lucky to get away with a win in a tightly fought out match against Yass Horns at Tim Doolan Oval on Saturday after an inspired piece of bowling by Jeff Brown.
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His second spell, where he was able to take 4 wickets, was the difference between the two teams.
Hornets made 113 while Horns in reply were bowled out for 93.
In keeping with recent tradition, Hornets' captain Kai Steele lost the toss and the Hornets were asked to bat first. Openers Kai Steele and Paul Potts walked to the crease not knowing what to expect as the Yass Horns are a new team. James McDermott and Luke Darmody opened for the Horns and were fast and accurate. This paid off when in the fourth over when Darmody got a good length delivery cut away and hit Steele's off stump for 5. Nathan Anderson came to the crease and quickly departed when he was caught behind for 6. Hornets at 2 for 16 were in trouble again and needed Jeff Brown to fire. Both Brown and Potts dug in and made it through to drinks with Brown doing the scoring and Potts - being solid (he was on 7 from 20 overs!). Hornets 2 for 56 and needing a lot more runs. After drinks Brown opened up and got to 38 until a great delivery from Harry Roach squared him up and hit the top of middle stump. Potts, after losing his soul mate, departed two balls later for 9. A local old timer was heard to say that Potts must have thought he batting in a 5 day test match in Calcutta with defence like that. A mini batting collapse continued with the departure of Jayson Smith (1) and Coby Bradshaw (2). James Woodhead (12) and Shane Abnett (11) chanced their arms before falling to catches. Jono Nicholls increased his chances of wearing the coveted 'Duck Suit' with a first ball duck and it was left to youngsters Beau Abnett and Paddy Davis to put on an entertaining and telling partnership. Both ran for every single and even ran 4 on a old Horns player in the deep. Davis was finally bowled for 2 and Abnett second top score of 12 not out. While this partnership was going-on Coby Bradshaw and Jeff Brown attempted to burn the clubhouse down with 6 foot flames out of the BBQ. Players adjourned to a lunch of 'slightly' blackened sausage sandwiches. Hornets all out for 113.
Horns opened with brothers Nathan and Barney Cooke, both swung like barn doors in a wind storm. It was not surprising when Nathan Anderson removed both players caught by Jayson Smith at point for 2 and 1. Adam Greenwood was then joined by Andy Hewitt. Greenwood took a liking to Jeff Brown and hit him for four boundaries, all over cow corner, until a dubious LBW decision sent him on his way for 18 and Anderson his third wicket. The ball may not have gone on to hit a wheelie bin, if it was used as the stumps, as it was going too high but considered as one of those decisions. When Brown bowled Luke Darmody (8), Horns were 6 for 54 and in all-sorts of problems. However Hewitt and Harry Roach then put on a 39 run partnership which almost got Horns home. Hewitt the aggressor and scorer farmed the strike and Roach just kept keeping out what he had to. In the thirty third over and the score on 93, controversy rained supreme. A full toss from Brown beat Hewitt and hit top of leg stump. Square leg umpire called no-ball as he thought it was too high but logic tells it was an incorrect call. After much discussion of the rule, captain Kai Steele stepped in and requested that the no-ball remain as that was the umpires call. A great piece of sportsmanship considering the position of the game. This was not to have a bearing on the game as Brown next ball knocked over Hewitts middle stump for 37. In the next three balls he then hit the stumps of both Graham Banks & Brad Banks for ducks. Paul Potts then next ball had Roach caught behind. Hornets had taken 4 wickets in 5 balls to have Horns all out for 93. Brown took 5 for 32 (all bowled) and Anderson 3 for 9.