Cooper ramps up intensity
Final over heroics guide Rockets to tight victory
The Darling Downs Bush Bash League promised fireworks, and it certainly delivered on the season opening day.
The Hip Pocket Rockets were cruising through their contest against the Liebke Lions, requiring 48 runs from 49 balls with all 10 wickets in hand after a brilliant beginning from openers Jared Sippel (45 runs) and Chris Gillam (62).
The wheels started to become wobbly towards the end of the innings however, as Regan Hoger (2-28) dismissed both openers, and further wickets continued to tumble.
Requiring nine off the final over for victory, a mix-up with the second delivery of the over saw Sam Healy run out, with the Rockets still needing five off the final two balls. Enter Troy Cooper.
The all-rounder, who grew up playing in Brisbane and more recently in Ipswich, produced a clutch ramp shot over the top of wicketkeeper Matthew Watson that sailed to the boundary to level scores up with one delivery remaining.
He backed it up again, getting the ball to the on-side for another boundary to give the Rockets a memorable start to the competition.
“I was rushing to get my pads on, I didn’t think I was going to get a bat (with how we were batting),” Cooper said.
“I was a bit nervous heading out there, but it was good to get the boys over the line.”
Cooper said he played the field when looking for the ramp, and received the right ball to play the gutsy shot.
“Third-man and fine leg were up, and I thought if I could get anything on it, as long as it doesn’t go to the keeper it’s four,” he said.
“I got the ball for it thankfully and got it over the top.”
Gillam’s knock of 62 was the highest across the competition, meaning he will wear a golden cap this weekend as the competition’s leading runscorer.
In other matches, the Livewired Lightning had an impact on both sides of the ball in their 33-run defeat of the Aidacare Aztecs.
Jack Potter (44) and Anthony Wilson (45) got the Lightning off to a thunderous start, before Aidan Watterson belted five sixes on his way to a gamehigh 49 runs and helping his side to 4/155 from their 20 overs.
In response, Paul Toohey tore through the Aztecs openers, dismissing both Nathan
‘‘ THIRD-MAN AND FINE LEG WERE UP, AND I THOUGHT IF I COULD GET ANYTHING ON IT, AS LONG AS IT DOESN’T GO TO THE KEEPER IT’S FOUR.
TROY COOPER
Stains and Ricky Sutton in the first over.
Brian May (30) and Troy Gurski (26) helped to steady the ship, however two wickets to Watterson helped to end any chances of a comeback.
Earlier in the day, the George Banks Umbrellas and Valley Raptors officially commenced proceedings.
The Umbrellas were sent in to bat, and despite finding themselves at 3-16 early on, opener Dan Wilson (43) and Chris Hall (44) were able to lead the side to a respectable total of 7/128.
Ben Gibson was a revelation with the ball with figures of 414, and earning gold cap honours in the process.
A commanding start from Harrison Wood (57) and Alex Welsh (24) got the Raptors off to a flyer, with a handy contribution of 27* from Lachlan Vellacott steered the side home by six wickets.