Game 5: Hutt River Dedication vs The Muppets
Hutt River Dedication 10/81 def by The Muppets 10/99
PHR Dedication began the final day of the 2012 Willowfest Carnival needing a win to secure their maiden first place finish. Signs were ominous early when Hankinson won the toss (his first win for the Carnival) however his decision to bowl was soon vindicated with a strong start by Dedication's openers. Phil Barker, in a sublime display of pace bowling was able to dismiss the Muppets' first four batsmen and Dedication were extremely well placed at drinks (which they had to fetch themselves). Although the wickets continued to fall at a reasonably steady rate, the tail of the Muppets' batting line-up wagged a little, putting on 63 runs to be all out for 99.
Although the target of 100 runs seemed very reachable, long time PHR Dedication fans were well aware of the teams capacity to be dismissed for a low score and. With premier batsmen Barker and McMahon failing, the task was left to the middle order and the tail. Despite the best efforts of Sluiter (21) and Brendan McCarthry (19) and some solid defence by Todd McCarthy and Adam Bourke, Dedication fell 19 runs short of the required total. Depending on other results this will mean a placing of 2nd or 3rd for the Carnival.
Although the target of 100 runs seemed very reachable, long time PHR Dedication fans were well aware of the teams capacity to be dismissed for a low score and. With premier batsmen Barker and McMahon failing, the task was left to the middle order and the tail. Despite the best efforts of Sluiter (21) and Brendan McCarthry (19) and some solid defence by Todd McCarthy and Adam Bourke, Dedication fell 19 runs short of the required total. Depending on other results this will mean a placing of 2nd or 3rd for the Carnival.