|
In the season opener at Heaton against a strong YAARS XI, Rowlands elected to bat and did well for the first 10 overs of 14. Davo and Chris Robson piled on 103 for the first wicket. Sajjad and Mark Little had no joy. However, the fifth bowler, M Saqib was introduced to good effect. He had Davo caught for 45 (6 fours and a six) and next ball Chris was bowled for 48 (5 fours and a six). Roy somehow avoided the hat-trick and went on to make a useful 11 before being bowled by Bilal Haider. James Welch fell c&b to Bilal for only 1. Gary Hall was Hajji's third victim (4-0-13-3), caught behind for a single. Richie Munro showed determination and made a quick 11 not out (1 four) and Matt faced only one ball, scored 2 but failed in his self sacrifice bid for a third run. Rowlands posted 129-6 but knew it was going to be close.
The YAARS reply had to contend with some superb bowling from Richie who took out Naveed Iqbal, former Pakistan U19 player, clean bowled for a duck. However, H Hussain 30 and Hajji 43 scored at a good rate against Chris Hearn (2-0-23-0) and Davo who lost his bearings when one over went for 16 including three wides and several byes. Richie bowled out with 4-0-24-1. On came Chris Robson to eliminate Hussain with 2-0-22-1 and Don who sorted Hajji with a plumb LBW. Runs were now even more crucial but Rowlands insisted on some fumbles and generous, unnecessary overthrows to aid the YAARS run chase. Don bowled Omar Ahmed for 16 and S Raza for 2 for a Man of the Match awarding 3-0-15-3 in the circumstances. After James Welch had dismissed Bilal for 10 with a fantastic catch by Chris Hearn on the deep mid on boundary Rowlands were only 5 ahead with a James over remaining. It went to the wire and YAARS claimed victory with their 6th single off the last ball and with 4 wickets to spare. James Welsh finishing with good figures of 2-0-13-1.
Yes, every run does count in these games!
|
