Date 7th February 2015
Versus Old Boys
Venue Steele Park
Weather Hot, Sticky and Tension in the Air
Conditions “Too many Jager Bombs the night before!!!”
The air around Steele Park was somewhat stagnant as players arrived for this weeks match.
Maybe it was the homeless guys asleep in their urine stained pants passed out next to us or maybe it was the repercussions of what had transpired the previous day at the Kaipaki 6 a-side tournament.
Although the former certainly played some part, with members of both 6 a-side final teams together again, there was an uneasy tension in the air.
Even Howie “Makatu” Baker, who has been barred from anything resembling a BBQ, could have cut the air with a knife.
And the late withdrawal of Mr D Armstrong & Mr S Bratton, both integral members of the Challenge team, spoke volumes of the feeling of the now sober and somewhat regretful “6 a-side Champions”!!!
However, this fiasco was quickly put aside as the Green & Gold’s came together, ready to take on the tough task of a strong Old Boy’s side, albeit some a little late and a lot worse for wear.
Kaipaki were put into bat on a dry outfield where runs would be on the offer thick and fast. After the early loss of Taz to a nice, rising delivery, snared at first slip, Glenn Collins and Craig Bulloch looked comfortable against a bowling attack (that included no less than three Premier level Old Boy bowlers).
Glenn played some positive shots for a brisk 16, while Bully was in total control, till undone by a jaffa of a yorker that took out his off stump, when he was on 41.
Roddie Sim, too looked good in compiling his 23 before lofting one, off the bowling of Old Boys MVP, “The Pom”.
Skipper, Michael Clayton, eased into his innings, with batsman coming and going, and not troubling the scorers too much. He did find a partner in Wayne “Red Dog” Clifford and then he opened his shoulders and let rip. These two took us to the end of our innings, with some lusty blows to give us some semblance of respectability with a total of 207. Guppy unbeaten on 77 and Red Dog unbeaten on 17.
Change of innings, Hair of the Dog or two, and Kaipaki bowled well with Kent Currie, Elliot Webb and Craig Bulloch all chucking down the new leather and bowling with good pace, length and movement.
But today wasn’t to be the Nations day. It appears that cross batting does pay off when facing a good attack and Old Boys slogged away and edged into every possible gap that the field offered to reach the total 4 down and with plenty of balls to spare.
Mention must go to Roddie who kept extremely well behind the stumps, a great catch by Taz and a “Jonty Rhodes” like run out by Red Dog. Other than that, not alot to offer.
Thanks to our supporters on the day, J Wylie, The Parkers, The Poms and all our lovely Wags & children.
So Kaipaki Gold lose another one, but calculations show that three wins in our remaining three matches (against lesser opposition) means we still make the semis.
So come on Nation, make yourselves available or get down to support and lets finish this season with a BANG!
Gold team at home this weekend to West Ham.
Dan Fenwick
| Dan Fenwick Builders Ltd PO Box 21171, Rototuna, Hamilton Ph: (07) 8536467 Mob: 0275672599 www.danfenwickbuilders.co.nz |  |
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