United Cricket Club (Counties Manukau) Incorporated

United CC Buy Right Cars Senior A continued its dominance of the CMCA 2010-11 Two-Day Championship as its bowlers led by Anthony "The Unplayable" Brookes went duck-shooting against Puke Metro at Bledisloe Park's grass wicket on Saturday, 22nd January '11. As many as eight of Puke Metro's batsmen got out for a duck, five of them to Anthony, who had extremely "scary" figures of 7-3-7-5, which bear testimony to the fact that he has created terror in the minds of most of the batsmen in the Senior A competition with his venomous brand of bowling. He narrowly missed a hat-trick, grabbing three wickets in four balls in his fourth over. Such was the dominance of United CC that Puke Metro had lost their first 5 wickets for only 2 runs from 7 overs, Anthony's analysis at that stage reading 4-3-1-4 & Dean Ross' 3-2-1-1. Dean was his miserly self & went on to finish his spell at 5-3-2-1, which appears more like a hockey line-up. Thomas Raybould (4-2-7-1), Terrence Brookes (2-1-1-1) & Matthew Forrest (4-0-19-2) cleaned up the tail after Anthony grabbed his well-deserved Michelle Pfeifer (five-for), leaving Puke Metro all out for a grand total of 37 from 22 agonising overs. Only K. Hebden (21no) managed to offer some resistance, while B. Wilson was helped on to 12 with a couple of gracious offerings by Matthew Forrest before luring him into his trap.

With rain around the corner, United opted for the big-hitting Anthony Brookes (4) to open the batting with in-form skipper Harley Bayliss (30no) with a view to securing the first innings lead before it rained. Anthony lasted only 5 balls before being undone by N.Grala who also accounted for Lee Ter Huurne (0) three balls later, having United at 9 for 2 from 3 overs. United's most prolific batsman of the season & the other regular opener Josh Burgess (3) lasted only 7 balls, but his association with Harley took the score to 22 for 3 from 7.1 overs. This paved the way for ex-captain Matthew Forrest (10no) to join the current captain & the duo batted responsibly in trying conditions before the play was called-off due to rain, taking the score to 48 for 3 from 16 overs, thereby securing first innings points for their team. N Grala finished the day with 5-2-11-2, while Aaron Collins (7-0-20-1) was the other successful Puke bowler. 

The stage seems to be set for an entertaining, testing day of cricket if next Saturday is not affected by bad weather, with United's tail-less batting line-up keen on getting a healthy lead before Anthony Brookes & Co attempt another duck-shooting stint. Go United!!! Go Harley's A's!!!