In the end Glenmore came just 7 runs short of winning the Dwyer United
Indoor Tournament on Saturday. Having marched into the final by winning
five matches in a row, the boys in blue couldn't quite chase down CPU's
35.
The tournament, held at the Genesis Centre, was put on by United
CC and proved to be a great success. Six teams took part, with games
being played on the indoor soccer fields, which had vastly contrasting
playing surfaces. 5 overs per innings...non-stop action.
The Glenmore
VIII was led by Reagan Nel, and the young South African casanova had in
his team Manjinder Sandhi, Colin Nieuwenhuizen, Suki Ghotra, Arnab
Biswas, Anjan Singh, Ryan Jenkinson and Alex Storey.
All the bowlers
performed magnificently throughout the competition. Manjinder hardly
bowled a bad ball, and repeatedly took early wickets with his incredible
inswing bowling. Glenmore debutants Suki and Colin were also extremely
effective, with Colin picking up two wickets in his first ever over for
the club. Reagan's bowling improved as the day wore on, but the most
successful performer with the ball was Jenko. His left arm around action
baffled the batsmen all day. In the final three games he took three in
an over, bowled a wicket maiden, and took two in an over! He deservedly
won the award for Bowler of the Tournament.
The bowlers had a particularly fun time of it in the semi-final, when they bowled out the opposition for just 10 runs!
The
undisputed highlight of the day though came in the final group game,
taking on the pre-tournament favourites. Glenmore batted second and
required four to win off the final ball. What followed was perhaps the
strangest piece of cricket I can remember seeing. Jenko was on strike,
he played and missed, the ball was taken safely by the keeper and Reagan
ran through for a quick single. Game over one would think. But not yet.
The keeper, looking to run out Jenko, threw to the bowlers' end.
Reagan, having completed a single, then started heading back toward the
bowler. The bowler threw back to the keeper, who missed the ball, and a
second run was completed. By now my memory of the occasion is something
of a blur as the craziness increased to insane levels. The ball was
gathered by third man who threw back to the bowler's end, was again
missed by the increasingly agitated fielders, and another run was
completed. With the onlooking Glenmore players going berzerk on the
sidelines, a final match winning run was taken as he ball was waywardly
hurled in the direction of the wicketkeeper.
Four byes to win the game! I'm still shaking my head. But huge credit to Ryan and Reagan for continuing to run!!!
An excellent day, and a great way to kick start the 2015 season. |
 |