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Rowlands lost the toss and bowled first at the Medicals V Old Record Players. Davo had a wealth of batting and bowling and Adam kept for the first time for Rowlands. Ed Commons bowled with pace and caused Xohaib to cut back to the awaiting hands of Roy at deep gully, suitably positioned by the skip. Adam Holroyd 45 and Saad 30 then made good progress against Ed 3-0-32-1 and Peter Finch 2-0-10-0 followed by Bob Wilson 2-0-16-0 and Pratty. Pratty bowled Holroyd by removing his on bail and Rowlands were in the game at last. From 70+ for 1 ORP wickets began to fall. Pratty bowled another and then the dubious wickets panel voted that Adam had a third victim stumped rather than run out to give Pratty 3-0-19-3. Don came on at the other end and, after his first two balls went to the boundary, he claimed an lbw and bowled two out for 3.6-0-27-3. Dave Covell was almost unplayable with 2-0-7-2 aided by a superb Davo catch one handed (now the Rowlands standard) and there had been a run out by Jason. ORP posted the target of 116 all out in 14.6 overs but Rowlands had a full 16 overs to get them.
Davo and Ben opened up (who else?!). Davo hit 2 early 4s but perished as Amir removed his stumps for 9. Roy then succumbed to a slower one from Amir and was out for a duck to give him 4-0-23-2. Not good for Rowlands 25-2 after 5 overs. Amar at the other end was proving difficult to get away as he recorded 4-0-12-1..Jason hit a four that was almost a six but was out for that one shot. Ben was plugging away with his classy off drives but Rowlands were well behind the rate. The total of 47-3 off 9 was not good enough at this stage. After a slow start Dave Covell let loose with a six and a four to lift it to 69 off 10 and Rowlands were back in the game again. Dave was caught off Xohaib for 21 having added one more boundary and then Ben, having survived a potential run out for sheer laziness, was clean bowled Saad for his customary MoM 43 with 3 fours and three 3s. Up stepped Ed Common and ultimately Peter Finch to finish the job. Ed created and ran 5 off 2s at a crucial time to give Rowlands a chance. 16 was required off the last over and Ed hit the first 2 balls for 4. After a bye it was over to Peter to hit 2, 2, 4 to finish the game with 2 balls to spare. Wow what a finish! Ed 21 not out (2 fours), Peter 8 not out (1 four). Rowlands revival is well underway!
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