Karori Wildcats 216/5, P Fernando 49 (23), B Stonnell 38 (23)
J’ville Run Chargers 128/9, E Davies 4-11, P Fernando 2-13
With one of their fellowship, Vaughan, snatched away by eagles, the remaining Wildcats headed deep into the hills of Newlands.
They then found out the game was transferred so drove quickly to the Fortress. Sauron’s men were lying in wait.
Grabbing weapons fashioned from willow, Adam and Nando led the batting assault. Their partnership was 56 from 5 overs when Adam was caught behind after a speedy 27 (21). Stonnell and Nando kept going at that rate until Nando fell just short of 50 with the score 101 after 10. Wortho started by enjoyed the singles while Stonnell kept feasting on boundaries. The run rate never fell below 10 RPO.
The intensity didn’t wane in the final overs as Wortho, Tim, and Couper blitzed J’ville from the middle to all parts. Wortho finished on 32 (24) and Couper 26* (15). Westaway arrived for the final ball and glided it to the point boundary to give the ‘Cats 216.
Our opening bowlers, Couper and Will, hit some fantastic channels and got simultaneous movement inswinging and outswinging. J’ville could bearly get their bats on it. Couper struck first in the fifth over, with Tom deploying his cherry-picker to take a one-hander at mid-off. Couper was unlucky to not get a few more as the chances didn’t go to hand. Will also produced a rare T20 maiden over.
Having been thoroughly tenderised by Will and Couper, the Run Chargers were ripe for a Davies-destruction, and he delivered. High angled spin produced four wickets: one bowled, one caught, and two LBWs. A handful of other bowlers turned their arms over with tight lines, with Wortho, Alex, and Stonnell each troubling the batsmen. Most troubling was Tom Westaway – he picked up a wicket, and got chucked out of the attack due to an action that Kane Williamson would reminisce about. This combination of bowlers strangled the life out of their run chase with only a few overs breaching the 11 RPO target.
A tiny flutter of excitement occurred in the last over, with Nando on a hatrick – but even with 9 fielders close around the bat it wasn’t to be. With an 88 run win the Wildcats have all but locked down second place on the table.
Next week sees the Onslow Fangarangs bearing their teeth in T20 div 1 again.
The feral felines are sharpening their claws and are ready to pounce…
#ItsAWayOfLife, #DrivingEverywhere