Semi Finals, and Fielding Stats

On the bottom left of the main page of the blog is the oft-neglected "Stat of the Week". It currently contains the player performances from this week's big semi-final win. And now, for the first time, is included... the fielding stats. Number of catches and run-outs are featured next to each player (there were no stumpings in the game). I have, since the start of the season, been noting the number of wickets each player has achieved as a fielder, but this is the first time they have made a public appearance.

With only one match to go this season - The Grand Final! - you don't have long to wait until the end-of-season stats which will contain the first major report of players' fielding achievements.

But before that of course, next Monday, April 18, will see the grand final between Popped Collars and ASG. The two teams who have won the previous two competitions go head-to-head. 4Skins, after losing two consecutive minor premierships, and two consecutive grand final losses, failed to make the big game this year.

The competition has really been a three-team race all season. The Popped Collars finished on top of the ladder (on count-back after being equal points with 4Skins), and therefore got the easy game against the "best of the rest". They won by 150 runs and spent most of their batting innings watching the other semi-final on the neigbouring court.

That other game was a cracker. 4Skins were chasing about 110 and the game was in the balance all the way. The 14th over seemed to be the killing blow by 4Skins, with Joel and Dylan cracking multiple back-net shots and getting the team to within about 5 runs of victory.

But an exquisite display of quick off-spin bowling by "Shuddy" (or "Shutty" or whatever they call him) in the 15th over turned the game completely around. The first ball was caught at the back net, but after that, they never got onto him. Even Dylan had a tough time getting the ball away, and even found one ball going straight through his defences.

As the wickets fell, the 4Skins perhaps panicked a bit early. Whatever the case, they were unable to come back, and the "Old Blokes" won through to the GF.

Stay tuned here for full results and details of the big game...