A big weekend for the Tigers with 9 one day games played, with our 4th and 6th grade playing Saturday and Sunday. Some big collapses, a thrilling finish and some comeback wins.
Fourth Grade had a game to forget on Saturday vs Willetton. Bowling first we did well to restrict them to 9/150 with Vijay Kumar taking 4/24. The chase started well reaching 1/48 when the wheels fell off losing the next 9 wickets for 19 runs to be all out for 67. A huge dissapointment.
Fourth Grade needed to bounce back on Sunday with our Captain Umar Qureshi playing his 100th game for the club, the players rose to the occasion in a thrilling finish. Jandakot batted first and after a slow start really poured on the runs in the last 20 overs, with help from 34 wides, to reach 4/209, Asim Qureshi taking 3/37. The chase started steadily with Umar batting well in his 100th game joined by Vijay Kumar who had been on a run of ducks to get to 3/108 when Umar was dismissed for 37 in the 26th over, The run rate had risen to 7.3 when Nirmal Singh joined Vijay in a quick fire partnership of 79 with Nirmal smashing 42 off 35 deliveries with 4 fours and 3 sixes. Nirmal’s wicket left the game still on a knifes edge, but Vijay played a classic innings with Hardeep at the other end in support and a four off the last over sent the crowd wild with a brilliant win. Vijay finishing on 71no off 80 balls with 7 fours. A great win to celebrate Umar’s 100th game as a Tiger.
Sixth Grade had a bounce back win on Saturday vs Willetton. Sending Willetton into bat looked like a bad move as they reached 1/67, but the introduction of Russell Tilbrook and Steve Hall bowling well turned the game around, reducing Willetton to 108 all out. Russell taking a career best of 6/20 and Steve Hall taking 3/7 off 6 overs. The run chase started shakily reaching 5/59 when Matty Pedulla and Steve Hall put together a match winning partnership of 85 until Matty was run out at the strikers end off Steve’s bat for a well made 31, Steve finishing on 37no and a team total of 7/162.
Sixth Grade on Sunday had a form reversal vs Leeming, batting first could only muster 85 with Steve Hall top scoring with 13. Our bowlers tried hard to break trough but Leeming cantered to a win finishing on 5/145. Russell continuing his form with the ball taking 2/19.
Seventh Grade had a disappointing loss to ladder leader Cockburn. Batting first Cockburn piled on the runs with the help of 8 dropped chances, to 6/194. Mohammad Aamer taking 2/30. Our bats got off to a great start adding 53 for the first wicket with opener Manoj Kiradi making 31, when the wickets started to tumble to be all out for 107. Only the second loss for the year keeps us in 2nd place.
ODB bounced back from a big loss last week to inflict a big win vs Willetton. Sent into bat our openers Siddhanth Mokala and Wajahat Nazeer put on 103 for the first wicket in very quick time before Siddhanth was out for 56 followed quickly by Nazeer for 36 in the 13th over. This set up a big score as Sashi Pidikiti made 54no and Siddharth Bachhawat 30 to take our score to 7/229. Our bowlers dominated Willetton to bowl them out for 138, even with 41 wides. Wajahat Nazeer having a great all round game taking 3/32 and Ravikumar Nakka 3/27 taking us back into the four.
ODC ended a four game winning streak to East Fremantle. Batting first we lost early wickets with only Eldhose Baby with 24 and Vipin Varghese 19 passing double figures. It was Captain Nithin Radhakrishna who belted 43 with 6 fours and 3 sixes that got us to a total of 151. East Freo batted strongly to pass our score and finally post 8/188. Sujit taking 3/20. We still find ourselves on top of the ladder despite the loss.
ODE made it four wins in a row with a good win over Champion Lakes. Batting first it was a shaky start losing wickets regularly to be 6/68 but Captain Stefan Varughese dug in with Anto Baby who made 27 to get us to 7/113 and then with Rahul Nair to get us to 9/150, Stefan making 41no. Our bowlers got on top early and stayed that way rolling Champion Lakes for just 96. Rahul Nair taking 3/27, Paulose Baby 3/14 and Melvin Thomas 3/18. The win keeps us on top of the ladder.
ODG also made it 4 wins in a row with a demolition of Kardinya at Sutherlands. Batting first it was a rocky start getting to 6/90 with Vihanga Singh making 31 of them, but Lakmal Madushanka was in an aggressive mood and smashed 48 runs with 6 fours and 1 six to get our total to a respectful 163. The game was never in doubt as we skittled them for just 86 even with 28 wides. Buddika Buthpitilekamalage taking 4/16 with 14 wides, Vihanga Silva 2/16. The win keeps us a game clear at the top.
MILESTONES
Umar Qureshi the Captain of 4th Grade played his 100th game for the Tigers on Sunday, making 37 runs and celebrating with a thrilling win. Umar is playing in his 7th season at the Tigers. He has made 1353 runs at an average of 15.03 with 4 fifties and a highest score of 88, he has also taken 13 wickets. Congratulations Umar!!
Vijay Kumar passed 5000 runs on Sunday with his match winning 71no to get to 5041 runs with the Tigers. He is only the 6th Tiger to pass 5000 runs and he has done it over 207 games at an average of 27.10 with 1 century and 36 fifties and a highest score of 103no. Congratulations Vijay
Cannington Tigers Cricket Club 