Round 3 Wrap: Plateau 3rd Grade Derby Ends in Thriller

1st Grade
Firsts went down narrowly to Cromer, needing a further 2 wickets when they chased down the target of 190. It was a great fightback by the Plateau. After Cromer were cruising at 4/140 at tea, 3 quick wickets turned the game on it’s head and made for a tense finish. Unfortunately CPCC couldn’t get the final couple of wickets, but it was a great effort and there were a lot of positives to be taken out of the day in the field. David Le was phenomenal with the ball, taking 3/15 off 11, including the Cromer top 3. Nirav Patel also grabbed 3, for 60 off 15.

2nd Grade
Defending 154 at Melwood against Wakehurst, 2nds were happy to have a full 11 back in to take to the field. With 9 wickets in hand and 114 runs to get at the start of play, Wakehurst looked sure to secure an easy victory. However, the boys found a way back into the game, with Matt Richards taking an early wicket. Oscar Brunton then came on to produce arguably his best ever spell for the club. He bowled 11 overs straight taking 6/43 which decimated the Wakehurst middle order. When the score reached 9/129 Plateau were in the box seat but an excellent 31 run stand from the Wakehurst 10 and 11 saw them over the line. It was a shame that Plateau only had 8 players the first week to post their first day total which was the difference in the outcome of the game. In addition to Oscar’s figures, Matt Richards continued his consistent start to the season with 2/29 off 9 and Steve Caproni bowled well without a lot of luck to end with 1/35 off 10.

3rd Grade Blue vs Gold
After Gold posted 5/305dec, Blue had an almost impossible chase ahead of them on day 2, 0/24 in reply after day 1. Openers Chris Dwyer and James Humberstone started the innings well with a stand of 57, but when both were dismissed by the time the score was 72, Gold were still well on top. Steel and Pressley however then combined for a huge 2nd wicket partnership of 144 to swing the game in favor of Blue. The score reached 2-216 and all of a sudden 305 didn’t seem that far out of reach. But Gold fought back taking 7-77 to once again turn the game on its head, leaving Blue 11 runs short with a wicket in hand. Overs were also becoming a factor with Blue quickly approaching the end of their 75 over innings. The game came down to an absurd nail-biter, 3 balls remaining, number 11 Pat Bowden facing Sam Filmer-Ramsay and Blue requiring 2 runs for the win. By this stage 1sts and 2nds had finished their respective games and many had made their way up to the Plateau adding to the atmosphere of the occasion.
Pat Bowden on the second last delivery of the innings smashed a four off the leg-spinner to cow-corner finding the gap between the two outfielders in the deep for the win. A video of the conclusion to the game can be found on the Collaroy Plateau Facebook page. Captain Damon Steel’s 86 was the top score in the run chase and more than enough to earn him the player of the day. Pressley’s 62 also vital in Blue’s miraculous victory. The pick of the bowlers for Gold was Lauchie Allomes, who took 3/31 off 9. Pat Koch added to his shearers once again with 2/43 off 14 and Sam Filmer-Ramsay 2/50 off 8.5 overs.

4th Grade
4ths were at Nolans 3 defending 151 on Day 2 of their game against Cromer. The boys were unfortunately unable to make frequent enough inroads, with Cromer reaching their total with 4 wickets down and in just over 40 overs of play. Eady, Neasmith, Calvert and Woolf all shared a wicket each in the innings.