Game 1
Hutt River Dedication 4/165 def. Mighty Ducks 162
PHR Dedication began their eleventh Willowfest carnival matched up against local side ‘Mighty Ducks’. The excitement level was high amongst Dedication fans early, when it was discovered that the opposition were comprised of players under the age of eighteen. This excitement was quickly quashed however as the fans began to realise that Dedications’ resident Tormentor of Children, Jakob Sluiter, was not suiting up for the 2015 tournament.
Stand in Captain Tyler Hankinson lost the toss, and Dedication were sent into the field. Despite some very tight bowling from Caleb Garraway and Joel McMahon, Dedication were unable to break the Ducks opening partnership. Débutante John Coleman was handed the ball, and was the lucky bowler for Dedications first 'silent over' of 2015. In perfect silence Coleman was dispatched for 19 runs from his first six balls, and things were looking grim for Dedication. Despite outcry from all quarters, Hankinson demonstrated the brave captaincy for which he has become renowned, and persisted with Coleman. His faith was rewarded, with Coleman taking two wickets and conceding just four runs in his next five overs. Jason Harris worked the Ducks batsmen over, boucning a ball twice his own height to strike a Ducks Batsman in the head - followed by a fierce stare-down that would have made Mitchell Johnson jealous. Another débutante Jason Bruhn also impressed with a wicket of his own - however his most notable performance with the ball was the Yorker he pitched at (and fielded from) his own feet, in a failed attempt at leg spin. Dedication's fourth wicket came about through a rare display of teamwork in the form of a slick run out by Falconer and Mills.
Despite these four scalps, Dedication looked to be in trouble as the Ducks moved into their final ten overs with well-established batsman at the crease and plenty of firepower left in the sheds. Enter Tyler Hankinson - who demonstrated the value of well-flighted spin bowling. In a sublime display, Hankinson dismissed the Duck’s opening batman with his first ball. He then proceeded to run riot through the ducks middle order, finishing with 5 for 18 - the second best bowling figures in Dedication history.
Set 163 for victory, Dedication fans were confident this was well within reach, given the sides stronger than usual batting line-up. Both ring ins were dismissed cheaply however, alleviating fears that former Innes Medal winner, Jason Bruhn, would get lost on the way to Cup grade. Thankfully, veteran opener Jarryd Mills showed a very cool head, with his hard running between wickets ticking the scoreboard over. Unfortunately for Jason Harris, Mills’ hard running forced the detachment of Harris’ hamstring from the bone, and a distinctly less mobile Harris was dismissed for 35. Mills was able to partner with Joel McMahon (15) and Haydn Falconer (37) to reach the Ducks’ total. Mills was not out for 52, finally breaking his hoodoo of being dismissed in the 40s, to reach his first half century for Dedication.
Stand in Captain Tyler Hankinson lost the toss, and Dedication were sent into the field. Despite some very tight bowling from Caleb Garraway and Joel McMahon, Dedication were unable to break the Ducks opening partnership. Débutante John Coleman was handed the ball, and was the lucky bowler for Dedications first 'silent over' of 2015. In perfect silence Coleman was dispatched for 19 runs from his first six balls, and things were looking grim for Dedication. Despite outcry from all quarters, Hankinson demonstrated the brave captaincy for which he has become renowned, and persisted with Coleman. His faith was rewarded, with Coleman taking two wickets and conceding just four runs in his next five overs. Jason Harris worked the Ducks batsmen over, boucning a ball twice his own height to strike a Ducks Batsman in the head - followed by a fierce stare-down that would have made Mitchell Johnson jealous. Another débutante Jason Bruhn also impressed with a wicket of his own - however his most notable performance with the ball was the Yorker he pitched at (and fielded from) his own feet, in a failed attempt at leg spin. Dedication's fourth wicket came about through a rare display of teamwork in the form of a slick run out by Falconer and Mills.
Despite these four scalps, Dedication looked to be in trouble as the Ducks moved into their final ten overs with well-established batsman at the crease and plenty of firepower left in the sheds. Enter Tyler Hankinson - who demonstrated the value of well-flighted spin bowling. In a sublime display, Hankinson dismissed the Duck’s opening batman with his first ball. He then proceeded to run riot through the ducks middle order, finishing with 5 for 18 - the second best bowling figures in Dedication history.
Set 163 for victory, Dedication fans were confident this was well within reach, given the sides stronger than usual batting line-up. Both ring ins were dismissed cheaply however, alleviating fears that former Innes Medal winner, Jason Bruhn, would get lost on the way to Cup grade. Thankfully, veteran opener Jarryd Mills showed a very cool head, with his hard running between wickets ticking the scoreboard over. Unfortunately for Jason Harris, Mills’ hard running forced the detachment of Harris’ hamstring from the bone, and a distinctly less mobile Harris was dismissed for 35. Mills was able to partner with Joel McMahon (15) and Haydn Falconer (37) to reach the Ducks’ total. Mills was not out for 52, finally breaking his hoodoo of being dismissed in the 40s, to reach his first half century for Dedication.