Iona veterans struggle
Iona Veterans travelled to Zerbes Reserve at East Doncaster to play East Doncaster Veterans in the over 60s cricket competition.
For the second week running, the opposition were competing in their inaugural match.
The game was played on a turf wicket with play delayed an hour due to overnight rain.
The captains agreed to modify the format of the match to four 20 over innings, maximising player participation in the event of wet weather. As it transpired, weather conditions only improved.
East Doncaster won the toss and elected to bat. Iona opening bowler Peter Heywood struck early when his third delivery gained an LBW.
Despite their early loss, East Doncaster regained their composure and batted at a rate of six an over for the next six overs.
The introduction of spin bowler Mark McLaughlan saw him snare two wickets in consecutive overs, trapping the co-opener before a good catch at mid on by Peter Heywood.
The following over saw Michael Scully get a wicket with his second delivery and get belted for three consecutive boundaries.
Leg spinner Peter Felstead was introduced into the attack to bowl over 16 and had a batsman caught with his second delivery. He bowled very well for the entire spell without luck to finish with a tidy return of 1/24 from eight overs.
At the first 20 over interval, East Doncaster had reached 5/93.
East Doncaster bowled tightly from the outset and a risky single in the second over saw Mark McLaughlan run out on one.
In the fifth over, co-opener Bob Rogers (5) was bowled by a good delivery. Scoring was difficult and Tony Wyatt (6) was caught at first slip when attempting a cut shot in the ninth over.
The ever-reliable Alex Miller was joined at the crease by Peter Felstead and they advanced the score to 43. Felstead (8) was bowled and Miller retired on 21 (30 balls).
Barry Johnson (6 not out) and Michael Scully 30 (29 balls) took the score to 4/87 at the completion of their 20 overs.
East Doncaster continued to bat with authority in their second dig before being reeled in by some good bowling and fielding by Iona. The opposition all out in the 35th over for 170.
Iona’s final bowling figures were: P. Hewood 1/28, T. Wyatt 2/24, M. Scully 4/38, M. Mclaughlan 2/38, P. Felstead 1/24.
Requiring 83 to win with six wickets in hand, it appeared an achievable goal for Iona. But a combination of good bowling and a deteriorating pitch saw Iona struggle. They limped to all out for 126, losing six wickets for 39 runs.
Barry Johnson 6, Jeff Phillips 15, Russell Ferguson 4, Peter Heywood 2, Alby Mathews 0, Alex Miller 25, Michael Scully 34 no.
The match was played in good spirit with Iona providing a substitute fielder for East Doncaster and generously allowing them to bat to their 10th wicket despite being a player short.
M. Scully got the nod for Iona’s man of the match.