After a successful 2005/2006 season in A grade many players decided it was time to hang up the creams so at the start of the current season only a small number of A grade players were interested and team could not be formed. However following the success of the Kookaburra cup it was clear there was a band of young players waiting in the wings so it was decided to enter a B grade side to provide matches for these players. The result has been a number of great matches highlighted by some outstanding individual performances.
In the first match the side travelled to Bodalla under the captaincy of James South who lost the toss and Braidwood were in the field. After a solid performance Bodalla were dismissed for 193.Rion McClure and Corey Pont with 3 wickets each and debutants Patrick Martin and Troy Harrison chipped in with a wicket each. Chasing this sizeable total Braidwood were in early trouble at 4 for 28 until Luke Staunton and Damien Glass carried the score to 120 before Luke was out for 26.Glass was the backbone of the innings with a great 111 not out as he steered the score to 194 with solid support from Rob and Patrick Martin and Troy Harrison. It appeared Braidwood had won but a problem with the score books resulted in captain South showing true sportsmanship by agreeing to call the match a tie.
The second match was a 2 day encounter with Broulee at home. South again lost the toss and Broulee decided to bat. In a fine display in the filed Braidwood restricted the score to 141 thanks to great bowling from Luke Staunton, ably assisted by Pat Martin 2 for 11, Troy Harrison 1 for 17, Corey Pont 1 for 31, and Rion McClure 1 for 29.
After a solid opening partnership of 34 between Captain South and McClure the innings suffered the all to familiar Braidwood collapse to be all out for just 73 with only South, McClure and Dave Dexter reaching double figures.
However by the end of the day Braidwood had fought heir way back into the match thanks to an inspired spell from veteran Peter Hazell. Braidwood completed the job early on the second day wrapping up the Broulee second innings for only 85 with Peter Hazell 5 for 24 and James South 3 for 25 the stand out performers.
This left Braidwood needing 153 for victory and at 4 for 107 it looked a real chance but the loss of South for a solid 35 and shortly after Dexter for a swashbuckling 68 the tail could not manage the runs falling 27 runs short.
Other highlights of this game were the debut behind the stumps of Mitchell Smithers who is proving to be a great wicketkeeping prospect and the determination of Cheyn Ord at number11.
The less said about he next game the better as a very young side took on the notorious Cavaliers side from Batemans Bay. Cavaliers racked up a massive 297 and dismissed Braidwood for 39 in a display of how the game should not be played but was very educational for our young side
Braidwood then encountered the other Cavliers side and in a much better game ran out victors by some 48 runs. Braidwood amassed 204 thanks to solid contributions from South 48,McClure 33 and Glass 89 not out.
Peter Hazell again led the attack with 4 for 26 but was well supported by South 2for 32 Mal Mundy 1 for20 and Troy Harrison 1 for2.
In the final game of the round Braidwood had Moruya 2 for 48 when. Rain interrupted play.
Finally in this weeks game Braidwood were again to face the Bodalla side.Braidwood boasted 3 father and son combinations as the Souths, the Frys and the Martins took to the field. Young captain South won the toss and Braidwood decided to bat and looked set for an early afternoon at 4 for27in the 9th over until the veteran and pensioner combination of Peter Hazell and Rob Martin carried the score to 141 before Martin was out (on his feet) for 35.Hazell continued to flog the bowling to record the second century of the season before holing out on the boundary for a magnificent 106. The innings finished with Nick Fry smashing a boundary off the last ball and with son James not out at the other end on 2 and the score at 9 for 169.
Bodalla started steadily and it was not until McClure was introduced tha a wicket fell at 28. Rion stuck again in his next over to have Bodalla in trouble at 2 for 38.However the loss of Nick Fry to a hamstring tear attempting a catch and Rob Martin to golf committee duties left big holes in the field and Bodalla took full advantage to pass the Braidwood total and only lose one more wicket.
So far the side has won one had tie and been washed and lost 3 matches. In this period it has used many players but is still looking for any keen cricketers in the district to come and play some very enjoyable games. If you are interested please come to training on Friday afternoon at the nets around 5pm or ring Rob Martin on 48422157or contact James South at Braidwood Rural. Contributed by Rob Martin.
Email a friend