Ultimately another poor batting display prevented victory for the 9 whalers in this match although full marks for a committed fielding effort that made sure Elthorne worked hard for every last one of the paltry 110 required for victory.
Skipper lost the toss this day and the Whalers found themselves batting, albeit rather badly, on a day when a pretty average at best bowling attack could have been flayed for maybe 200 or more they soon found themselves 2 down, Dario's patience as opener was tested after 4 balls swinging across the line and finding the lbw appeal successful, Ollie followed soon after bowled to the same bowler who bowled a useful spell and was far and away their most potent threat. Phil and Ads calmed the innings and saw off the opener proceeding the score through too about 36 before a tumble of wickets left the score at 50 odd for 6 and it could have been worse had Paul not been dropped after offering up the easiest chance of the season and also requiring a further let off. Paul, all luck aside and Khalil put a fraction of respectability into the innings pushing the score towards 100, Paul eventually top scoring with 33 not out and Kahlil with a useful 22.
109 never seemed enough but confidence was still high after last weeks heroics and whalers made a great start in the field, Kahlil proving almost impossible to score from forced the pressure on the batsman for Geoff to exploit from the other end, through the early periods Geoff rearranged the castle of numbers 1,2 and 4 while a well executed run out from Dario took care of number 3 and it was suddenly 20 odd for 4 and the odds had swung. Geoff bowled out with 3 for 21 while Khalil ended with none for 12 from 8. unfortunately the Elthorne middle order knuckled down and only one more wicket fell, Paul's first ball caught the batter plum in front and after a wait you could probably have fitted the entire duration of Live 8 into, the finger was finally raised as everyone was preparing for the next delivery.
Ultimately this was a pretty awful display and positives would be hard to find, Khalil was awarded MOM for his 22 and 0-12, the champagne moment was down graded to an Aste moment, Dario's well executed run out and oddly enough even muppet moments were few and far between, eventually Ads got it for bashing in a stump with the open face of the bat.
All in all pretty disappointing.
Geoff