Sunday saw Taita hosting the Wellington under 20’s at Fraser Park and for the first time this season the No.1 was in use. After Howie gave us the word we were bowling first, the boys got into their stride early. With Eiskalt not letting the effects of Friday night get to him when a calling error was made by the openers and one stump was all he needed to send back Ciaran O'Malley early doors. This set the standard which Sturt and Blomfield followed removing the next 3, leaving Wellington at 4/39.
After an apple crumble of wickets, a steady partnership between Troy Johnson and Taita’s favourite red head Nik Swain who was seen in the early hours of Sunday morning clapping hands with Kevin McComb in hope brezzys was needed. Looking comfortable, a fired up Andrew 'Johnson’ Sturt was handed the ball taking no time at all to remove TJ and then Sushant Balajee in a spell of heat and anger. Nik Swain was left to repair the damage, but was soon cleaned up by a chafed Liam ‘I want to go to town’ Sullivan. Wellington got to 150 for 9 off their 50 overs.
Taita started off in full swing with both Sam’s eager to finish the game as quick as possible with rumors of a Sunday sesh was taking place. Both players produced elegant strokes which saw them both reach half centuries. Dusautoir tried another big one over long mid-on, but was unfortunately caught on the boundary giving the school boys their first scalp. This ended a superb innings by UK lover Sam Le Gros making 63 off 70 balls. However, crowd favourite Phillip ‘stay humble’ Tunni-Cliff was in next and wasn’t there to stick around. Some lusty blows saw the ball dispatched over the ropes sending the old boys into an irrupt frenzy. A quick 26 run partnership – 23 coming from Phil’s Spartan saw the game come to an end. Deano finishing on a well-deserved 58 and Phil notching up a consecutive red-inker which gives Taita positive thoughts going into next week’s top of the table clash against Easts.
Special thanks must go to Henry ‘attack the ball’ Walsh and Chris ‘old man’ Tait for coming. Check out the scorecard
Written by Cole O'Connor