UGCC vs Taieri

Curiously, the Taieri side decided that they would like to bowl, and so they put University Grange under the cosh early on. Taieri opened with Brad Frost and Callum Thompson who managed to contain runs but only managed to pick up one wicket. It was a pretty good day too, with the sun shining, and although the temperatures would have made many quail, sunshine and still air and 15 degree C is great for Dunedin, and especially for Ocean Grove ground which can be freezing!
The we had another Callum bowling, this time Callum Johnson, a dyed blond chap who normally plays in Southland but was looking for the greater professionalism and competence of Otago Cricket. He was variable, and even though I was at square leg, I could see he was left and right and up and down. Still, he managed ok, but will be hit around as better players come in later in the season. Ben Kidston, a name to remember as he is the captain of Taieri, bowled well and in fact bowled his ten overs consecutively (though there was a drinks break) and picked up a couple of wickets. Then a spin bowler did ok and then one rubbish bowler undid all the good work of the others by being bashed around and having a front-foot no-ball, which meant a free hit.

Still, the University Grange lost wickets regularly and were all out for the slightly low score of 168. For a 50-over game, that is not competitive.

In the first over, Taieri were clearly over-awed by speed, and lost a wicket. Then they struggled to put on any runs, but one of the batsmen, despite needing a runner, managed to last out quite well, though he will have a few bruises in the morning! There was another wicket in the 7th over, but it seemed to be going well and solidly, even though perhaps rather slowly. But Patel, who I'd last seen bowling in 2nd grade, bowled really well and picked up five wickets. He had two LBWs while I was bowling, and they were plumb in front, so though I know the Taieri players looked unhappy, they were pretty obvious decisions.
And so the game wound up. Some good play by the bowlers. A good day of weather, and enjoyable. I had problems with one decision, in which I called a deadball when a player tripped over at the wicket, but otherwise fine.