Penn Street vs GTA Zebras

Penn Street 332-6 (P. Jupp 158*, C. Fletcher 102; G. Macey 3-54) beat GTA Zebras 74-9 (D. Tavender 21; J. Mendy 4-14) by 258 runs

On a gorgeous early summer day, Penn street were joined by the GTA Zebras resplendent in their matching and numbered uniforms. Sadly the Street were only able to field 10 men despite the efforts of Richard Piercey, stepping into the breech at the last minute once again. Fortunately GTA were similarly depleted so parity was restored.

Captain Fletch took the opportunity to bat on a true pitch with a fast outfield, opening with himself and Juppy. The GTA opening bowlers responded well with some tight bowling producing maidens and a sharp slip catch chance from Juppy that was dropped while he was in single figures.

After a period of accumulation both batsmen accelerated the scoring once GTA were forced to rotate their bowlers with lofted drives and pull shots a plenty. Both batsmen were rattling along to first fifties and then both claimed hundreds, until with the score sitting at 211-0 and the record opening stand in sight, Fletch became over-excited at the prospect of a long-hop from a part time spinner. The pull shot clearly intended to soar over cow corner, was instead prematurely looped to square leg for an easy catch.

With plenty of batsmen and not many overs remaining Penn street then decided to up the tempo and bolster the score. It was fortunate then that the Penn Street secret weapon of 'Mr Extras' then decided to enter the fray. Extras soon set about racking up 59 in no time at all with some sumptuous leg side wides and a beamer that looped high over both batsmen and keeper and very nearly went for 6! Juppy was also still clocking up the boundaries and after Mark Gloyens managed to run himself out going for a non-existent single he was joined by Steve 'Usain Bolt' Smith. The pair soon put on 50, with Bolti even scoring some runs off his bat, although it is speculated that this was a result of concussion from wearing a beamer early in his innings.

After Bolti departed caught and bowled and Richard Piercey added a few the innings managed to fit in a trademark Penn Street collapse within the last three balls as Alex Piercey and Tyler fell chasing the big shot on their first balls. This left Rossi with one ball to face to complete the innings. Unfortunately Ross was no where near padded up and by the time he jogged out, shoe laces still untied, he had taken too long and was timed out. However with Jacko and Goody also not yet ready to bat, GTA decided to recall Rossi to face the last ball, with the bowler on a hat-trick. Naturally enough after all the build up it was a dot.

At the end of the innings Penn Street closed on 332-6 with Juppy unbeaten on a magnificent 158, his highest ever score for Penn Street.

Faced with a imposing target of 333, the GTA batsmen started aggressively but were soon undone as Jacko bowled their captain off his inside edge. Goody and Rossi joined the party as well with wickets tumbling at regular intervals. The bowlers were well supported with some excellent catching by Jacko, Juppy who took a sharp slip chance to add to his day and Tyler who juggled a skier but took it on the third attempt. Only D Tavender provided any resistance, largely thanks to the charmed edge of his bat which taunted the ever increasing slip cordon to register 5 boundaries behind square on the off side. When he was bowled by a Rossi yorker however, the GTA resistance soon crumbled to leave them all out for 74. A superb effort from our bowlers particularly Jacko who ended the innings with 4-14 and a pair of catches but ultimately the day belonged to Juppy.

Man of the Match: P. Jupp