Tigers win 5 out of 7 games on the weekend and have 6 teams in the Top Four going into the Christmas break. Plus, another Century for the Tigers!
Fourth Grade made it back to back wins with an impressive win vs Roleystone at Coker Park. Sent into bat we made a good solid start getting to 3/85 when Umar Qureshi was joined by Waqas Khan (37) for a 56 run partnership and then Muhammad Raza for a 65 run partnership to take us to 6/210, Umar falling for a well made 53 with M Raza smashing 71 off 36 balls with 4 fours and 5 sixes getting our total to 9/256. Our bowlers struck often to not let Roleystone put together any big partnerships keeping them to 9/173 and a comfortable win. Jaspreet Chhabra taking 3/33 and Vijay Kumar 3/39, The win puts the Tigers back in the top four.
Sixth Grade were away to Hilton, lost the toss and bowled first. Our bowlers shared the wickets around and kept Hilton to 143 in 32 overs. Two wickets each to Steve Hall 2/20 Russell Tilbrook 2/28 and Dempsey Badorek 2/18. The run chase was halted with 3 early wickets reducing us to 3/14. A 50 run partnership between Della (33) and Matty (14) steadied the collapse but took up valuable overs as we limped to 6/90 from the 35 overs.
Seventh Grade made it back to back wins against the previously unbeaten Cockburn away from home. Losing the toss we bowled first and kept the Cavaliers to a moderate total of 5/171, Balvinder Kumar taking 2/32. In the chase we lost an early one at 1/9 which was followed by a 98 run partnership between Ajay Reddy and Captain, Dwarakanath Canakapalli when Ajay departed for a well made 54 from 47 balls with 6 fours and 2 sixes, Dwarakanath batted well with the rest of the team getting to his century and retiring on 103no from 103 balls with 11 fours and 1 six, getting the team total to 5/221 and a win against their nemisis this season. Dwarakanath becoming the 3rd Tiger to score a century this season!!
ODB had a tough loss at home to Hilton, losing the toss we were sent into bat and struggled our way to 131 with no batsman passing 23 and only 6 batsmen in double figures. We took an early wicket in Hilton’s innings at 1/7 but they would add another 145 runs before losing another. Hilton would end on 4/197 with no bowler taking more than 1 wicket. We still maintain our top four spot but it is becoming tight.
ODC would make it 3 wins in a row in a resounding win vs Armadale at Gwynne Park. Batting first we put the foot down from the start with both openers Safil and Sarath making 33 in quick time.getting us to 3/81. Vinod Suneeth smashed his way to 56 off 34 balls with 7 fours and 3 sixes and with partner Johnpaul Valiyaveetil who ended on 67no they added 86 runs to get us to 4/167, then the rest would add another 83 runs to end on 7/250, a massive score. Armadale were no match for our bowling attack as we kept them to just 8/108, Vysakh Menon taking 2/7 and Santhosh Sunny 2/19. A commanding victory that keeps us in the top 2.
ODE made it 7 wins in a row and stays on top of the ladder with a big win vs Jandakot away. Batting first we struggled along to 6/88 with only Shanab Valappil keeping the innings together. He would depart at 7/115 making 36 runs which bought Anto Baby to the crease and he would smash a quick fire 44 off 31 deliveries with 2 fours and 2 sixes to boost the total to 7/181. Our bowlers struck fast and hard and would bowl Jandakot out for just 71 in 23 overs, with only 1 batsman getting into double figures. Paulose Sabu lead the way with 3/21, Rahul Nair taking 2/11 and Shanab Valappil having a day out with 2/6. Well done Tigers!
ODG needed to bounce back from their big loss 2 weeks ago and a Bye last week when they took on Jandakot away from home. Batting first we didn’t have a great start and looked in trouble at 5/48, but Imesh Fernando, in his first game for the Tigers, would turn things around making 47 from 42 deliveries with 5 fours and 2 sixes and a partnership of 81 with Anton Nanayakkara taking us to 6/130. Anton then teamed with Lakmal Madushanka who blasted 39 from 21 balls with 4 fours and 3 sixes getting the team total to 8/200, Anton finishing on 32no. Jandakot got off to a good start but at 2/122 Buddika would remove their fast scoring opener and then Lakmal Madushanka would take 4/39 ending their quest for victory, keeping them to 6/180, a close victory that was much needed.
A very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Years celebration to all Tigers and your families. Looking forward to seeing many more wins and a bunch of teams in finals next year. Cheers, Richo and family.
Cannington Tigers Cricket Club 