B4 Round 7 v Manly Leagues (Lake Park)
Result: Manly Breakers won first innings
Players Player: Mark Hill
Toss: MBCC

Time ran out as MBCC pushed hard for victory, settling for first innings points in a good natured but competitive tussle with Leagues club, watched by most of the Breakers players and spectators. Welcome back Vossy and Big Al!

Day One report
The annual grudge match between the two Manly sides (Breakers and Leagues) ended at the end of Day one with the Breakers holding the upper hand. MBCC batted aggressively, and then knocked the top off the Leagues bowling with a pre stumps declaration.

On a hot day, MBCC won the toss and batted, pening up with the two Robs. Lavery was first to go, after an agressive 23 (full of boundaries). Phil Sweet took up the challenge, with three 4's on his 16 before falling to a good slip catch if memory serves. Rob Herne anchored the innings, before falling to a good ball and an unlucky shot.

At 50-odd, the innings could have gone any way. Paul McLennan, in the middle of a fine run of form, and Matt Fisher cotninued to build solidly, when Paul was hit in the back of the head with a bouncer. Fortunately he was not injured. Unfortunately for Leagues, after the 4 "leg" byes, Paul attacked the bowling of Peter Bass so agressively that three more 4's were hit in the over.

The Breakers were away, Paul bringing up his 50 in only 46 minutes, and smashing 9 4's and a six. Pete Woodyatt rather surpirsingly dismissed him, when a ton seemed a real possibility. Matt clubbed 28, and returning skipper Mark Hill scored 30, surving a chance off Woodyat early on.

The 8th wicket saw a fine, rapid stand between the Browns - AB (Anthony Ball - welcome back) and Tony Brown. Bally, a bit thinner and battle scared since his last appearance was in fine form, clubbing 3 fours and 3 sixes, and also collecting three cars and one dunking of the ball. One shot in particular stood out- after Tony;s suggestion to keep his head down, AB did so, leaning over the ball - and hiiting it for six. His head was down the whole time...

Leagues' trump bowler Pete Bass has an anthralling tussle with AB throughout his innings

Tony Brown matched AB, with an agressive unbeaten 24, (three 4's), and captain Hill declared the innings closed when Bally was dismissed soon after reaching his second MBCC 50.

In the remaining eight overs, Hilly and Col Henderson removed 4 of the Leagues top order, to leave them 30/4 at stumps and their side on top. Sexy Cole claimed two wickets plus a catch. It all looks promising for next week... watch this space!

Day Two report
The second day couldnt have started better for the Breakers, Mark Hill removing nightwatchman Woodyatt with the first ball of the day. Hilly also claimed a wicket with the first ball of his second over, and his side was well on top.

The Leagues slumped to 37/7, where an agressive Pete Bass and tenacious Sanderson produced a bright 50-odd run stand. Bass' disissal by Matt Fisher effectively ended the first innings, and Mark Hill enforced the follow-on.

Breakers produced a fine bowling and fielding effort, with Phil Sweet taking an outstanding catch at third man from a "snow on it" ball (unusual on such a warm day) and Paul McLennan a fine grab at backward square leg particularly memorable.

Following on, Mark Hill again struck first ball as Leagues opener Richards completed a pair (perhaps unluckily). Three first ball of the over dismissals... a record somewhere surely?

Breakers pushed hard for the outright but Leagues top order held on just long enough. The second day rule is apparently that play continues to 5:30 regardless of overs bowled. MBCC ran out of time, despite the efforts of the bowling attack. Rob Herne and Jimmy Johnston has their first stints with the ball for MBCC. Paul McLennan dismissed Bass with his third ball, and with that the game was called off.

Opener Sanderson held together the Leagues, carrying his bat in the first innings and standing firm again in the second. Hill and Phil Sweet did well with the ball, and Phil added another high catch to his collection, as did Jimmy Johnston behind the sticks.

A good performance by the B4's. Captain Mark Hill's return performance of 30 runs and 7 wickets was judged the PLayers Player. Now let the barbies begin...