Special PREMIERSHIP Edition

Before we begin... the latest Stats Program and Stats Data are now permanently available in some links on the right hand side-bar of the blog ---->>

Popped Collars tonight showed that the key to success at indoor cricket is SERIOUSNESS! After spending many seasons, under many names, at various indoor cricket centers, unable to have any kind of success, the Popped Collars this season decided it was time to get serious - and it has payed off immediately, claiming the top grade premiership in their first "serious" season.

Victory tonight was comprehensive, after restricting minor premiers "4 Skins" to a team total of just 35. The bowlers took advantage of the new and good quality balls used for finals, and the fielding was near-flawless. The 4-Skins were a player short, but given the way the two teams performed on the night, it probably didn't alter the final result.

Jake began the match by clean bowling 4-Skin opener Chris on the opening jackpot ball. From there on things never got much better for the batting team. The opening pair made 7, and the second poked around for 28. Jake ended with figures of 3/-9, while Xavier, bowling late in the game, troubled the last 2 pairs as he took 4/-11 in helping to restrict the last two batting pairs to 9 and -9.

Even when the 4-Skins weren't getting out, they were also having trouble making runs. The back net was only hit twice during the entire innings, and both of them took the side-back route.

A change in batting order for the Popped Collars saw Rian and Gareth open, and despite starting the game with a dot ball and then a run-out, they made their way to a total of 33. Brad and Andrew kept the game interesting as they struggled to get things right and made a 4-Skin-esque total of -14. But the game never really looked like going any way other than a Popped Collars victory. Jake and Andy guided the ball around for a solid 46, including 36 from Jake earning him the player-of-the-match award. Jules and Xavier brought it home with a 59 - assisted by being able to choose 2 of their bowlers, and the opposition already having given up on the match.

See this week's 'Stat of the Week' on the right for individual performances from the GF.