Chasing a strong target of 177 for victory, you could easily be forgiven for thinking that the batting side would begin their pursuit by working the ball around in singles and being none down at drinks with a solid partnership achieved. There is after all, 65 overs to play.
This was certainly not the case in our 7th Grade, with a series of fantastic performances highlighted by our Treasurer Geoff Burgess, as they chased down the 177 set by South Bertram Districts the week before in just 14 overs!
It was true in that there was a very strong opening partnership of 74, before Burgo became the first wicket to fall. The difference being he had 67 runs to his name.
Incredibly, Geoff cracked his first half century of the season from just 14 deliveries, before the onslaught ended being caught on the line going for yet another six.
Opening up the innings, Burgo scored a massive 67 from just 14 deliveries in an opening partnership of 74.
Having departed with his side in an excellent position, Darrin Usher was not to be out done, the Spartan 7th Grade number three scoring 71 at a strike rate well above 100.
Up the other end to witness the carnage from the best position possible, and to ensure that Burgess and Usher’s efforts were not to be overshadowed by the loss of regular wickets at the other end, was captain Graeme Tysoe, who made 41 in partnerships of 74 with Burgess, and a massive 105 with Usher.
By the time he (Tysoe) was dismissed at 2/179, the game had been won.
The top three had ensured an incredible victory for the Spartan Army in just 14 overs – a whopping 51 still to be bowled. Certainly not the start the opposition had planned for in the morning.
Usher finally fell with the score at 3/200, and incredibly, the fun had only just started.
Walking out at number four, the game already won, Ben Rushton proceeded to add further insult, cracking an impressive 65 not out with Dale Putland (22), the pair putting on a further 67.
A late collapse was of little concern, the 7th Grade ‘finally’ declaring at 6/268 from just 30.0 overs!
The efforts of Burgo – batting with a broken thumb – to set up the win inside 14 overs is easily one of the highlights of the season, and he was well backed up by the top order, all of whom scored over 40.
An outright push was on the cards, with wickets evenly shared, as the opposition were dismissed in 25 overs for 144 (a score that on any other day of the week certainly couldn’t have been considered sluggish), however time was not on our side, the competition one which plays 65-overs.
Nevertheless, a truly marvellous performance that from the Spartan 7ths, with outstanding performances from Geoff Burgess and Darrin Usher meaning it was another great day for the Spartans!