MATT CLARK MAN OF THE MATCH. KILSYTH RUNNERS UP IN HARD FOUGHT GRAND FINAL.

25 Mar 2019 by Les Hutchings

Photo: Matt Clark, Man of the Match

Sunday, 24th March 2019

Congratulations to our Second XI who have had a great season but unfortunately lost a hard fought grand final against Ainslie Park today. It is the second time in three seasons that the Seconds have been runners-up showing they have been a consistent performer in Pascoe Shield. They have represented the Club with great spirit and sportsmanship and can be proud of their achievements this season which included two excellent finals victories.

Special congratulations to Matt Clark who had an outstanding match making a brilliant 77 including 13 fours and he also took the first wicket of Ainslie Park’s innings as well as taking a wonderful catch. Consequently, he was awarded Man of the Match. Clarky has had a great finals series with scores of 71, 62 not out and 77 in the three finals matches.
After heavy overnight and morning rain Kilsyth won the toss on Saturday and elected to bat. A great opening stand of 68 between Matt Clark and Craig Thomson (14 off 59 balls with one four) came to an end in the 24th over. Matt Clark played some outstanding shots before he was out for 77 off 135 balls with the score now 2/107 after 40 overs. At tea Kilsyth were 2/118 off 47 overs with Ben Wal and Captain Andrew Woolhouse the not out batsmen. Runs were difficult to come by due to some excellent line and length bowling and this led to the loss of wickets and we were eventually all out for 188 off 77.2 overs. Ryan Beale batted well for 21 off 34 balls, with Ben Wal fighting hard for 16 off 101 balls and Sam Downie 11 off 32 balls.

On Sunday Ainslie Park set about the run chase in a positive manner and were 0/33 after the first 8 overs. However, Kilsyth were able to peg them back but couldn’t break through until Matt Clark was thrown the ball and he took a much needed wicket in his first over with Nathan Croot being caught by Sam Downie for 65 off 115 balls (9 fours), and Ainslie were 1/103 after 39 overs. At the tea break the Parkers were 1/121 off 46 overs with Dillon Bettess on 46 not out. After tea Kilsyth struck with wickets in consecutive overs from Mark Unternahrer and Luke McPhee, with Ainslie 3/130 in the 55th over. Dillon Bettess batted well for 50 off 162 balls (2 fours). Ainslie were endeavouring to increase the tempo but Luke McPhee struck again and the score was now 4/138 after 57 overs. Darren Walles came in and took on the bowling with 2 boundaries and a six before being well caught at deep mid wicket by Ben Wal off Mark Unternahrer and it was now 5/158 after 60 overs. Ainslie then crept to 5/168 after 69 overs. Interestingly, in comparison Kilsyth were 5/159 after 69 overs and 5/167 after 70 overs. However, Ainslie were able to withstand the pressure and reached 5/190 off 73.2 overs to win by 5 wickets. Congratulations to Ainslie Park on a well deserved victory and to the Kilsyth players for never giving up. Wicket takers for Kilsyth were Mark Unternahrer who bowled well into a difficult wind to take 2/44 off 23 overs (6 maidens), Luke McPhee 2/55 off 21 overs (6 maidens) and Matt Clark 1/16 off 4 overs. Scott Nicholson bowled tightly sending down 10 overs, 5 maidens 0/13.

Pascoe Shield Grand Final Scores:
Kilsyth 188 (M. Clark 77 including 13 fours, R. Beale 21, B. Wal 16, C. Thomson 14, J. Hunter 3/29, J. Burton 2/33, R. Willmott 2/43) lost to Ainslie Park 5/190 (N. Croot 65, D. Bettess 50, D. Walles 17, J. Hunter 17 n.o., W. Killen 14 n.o., M. Unternahrer 2/44, L. McPhee 2/55, M. Clark 1/16)

Comments --

Loading...