Story Briggs Bullets...Moving On Up! (Battrick)

[Briggsey]

Preperations For Tomorrow

18/03/2007
Planetcricket Battrick Championship League One Game One
Umer's XI v Briggs Bullets @ Graveyard for Loosers
Start Time: 10:30am

Pre-Match Notes:The Planetcricket Battrick Championship kicks off tomorrow for its 2nd season, and last years League 2 Winners travel to the suprise package of last years League One; Umer's XI, in what should be a fine encounter. The Bullets come into this game fresh off a beating by Postwar's on Friday, while Umer's XI come into it fresh off a fine victory over HBA on Friday. League form goes out of the window for this Championship though, and both sides will be looking for a good start to the campaign; Umer's looking to better their Play-Off position last year, while the much fancied Bullets will be hoping for a good first season in League One. A tight encounter is expected with both sides posessing potential match winners, and the crowd at the Graveyard are certinally expecting to see a fantastic encounter.

Judging on my last league match and Umer's XI last league match, and depending on the teams for tomorrow, the summary would be as follows:

                [B]Briggs Bullets[/B]          [B]Umer's XI[/B]
Top Order:      respectable             proficient
Middle Order:   competent               competent
Lower Order:    abysmal         [B]V[/B]       worthless
Seam Bowling:   respectable             strong
Spin Bowling:   respectable             mediocre
Fielding:       woeful                  woeful

Umer's XI have a slighty better top order, and their seam bowling attack could cause the Bullets some trouble early on, the lack of a good spinner though does cause them some problems, but on a track which is noted for its kindness to seamers, a spinner may not even be needed.

Briggs Bullets Lineup to face Postwar's tomorrow (from):
1.Ainsworth, 2.Sohail, 3.Moodley, 4.Ali(c), 5.Midworth(wk), 6.Pickford, 7.Jepson, 8.Burdett, 9.Gillman, 10.Bignot, 11.Storer

Briggs' View
"The same side that played on Friday will be on view tomorrow barring any injuries in the warm up. The reasoning behind it is that all 11 of them want to make up for the dismal performance on Friday and are so egar to get out there tomorrow and do the job. I couldnt argue with that and I hope the boys show me their bounce-back-ability tomorrow."

Last Meeting

No Previous Meeting

 

[Jaztheman]

could get beaten here but good luck anyways

 

[aussie1st]

His seam bowling is a big plus for him so gotta hope your bowlers can bowl them out cheaply which won't be easy with a proficient top order.

 

[Briggsey]

Review Of The Match

18/03/2007
Planetcricket Battrick Championship League One Game One
Umer's XI v Briggs Bullets@ Graveyard for Loosers
Umer's XI Won The Toss And Elected To Field

Briggs Bullets 218 (45.4)
Ainsworth 102
Jeffrey 4/25

Umer's XI 132 (40.4)
Noble 48
Burdett 4/12

Briggs Bullets Won By 86 Runs

Scorecard

The Bullets kick started their Planetcricket Battrick Championship season in fine style with a fine victory over last years League One suprise package; Umer's XI. A pitch which looked dead set for the bowlers had been produced by the groundsman and so it was no real suprise when Umer's captain Graham Jeffrey put the Bullets into bat first. Ainsworth and Sohail made their way out to the middle on a very humid day, but more worryingly, cloud cover was clear and early on Easton and Skuse found the swing, however, it was nothing new to the two Bullets openers who raced on to 30 without loss after 5 overs. However, Seymour Easton would make the vital breakthrough for Umer's XI, getting a sharp delivery to go straight through Sohail who turned in dismay to see his off stump out the ground. At 34 for 1, Sugriva Moodley would make his way out to the middle to join Ainsworth, and the two would further progress the Bullets good run rate, keeping it steady around the 5 an over rate. Ainsworth seemed to flurish in the difficult conditions, helping himself to some big boundaries and bringing up a fine 50 from 54 deliveries. Moodley at the other end was seemingly happy to play the anchor role, defending the ball at will and nudging the ball around, happy to give Ainsworth the strike. Indeed Moodley would reach his 50 too, his in much slower fashion, coming up after 82 deliveries, but the next ball he faced from Newton would see his dismissal. A sharp ball caught Moodley by suprise and the best he could do was drag it on to his off stump, a vital breakthrough for Umer's XI ending what was a 108 run partnership between the pair. The captain made his way out to the middle, knowing at this stage Ainsworth was well set and all he needed to do was support, but Newton again would strike, removing the captain with a superb delivery which was gobbled up by Clegg at slip. At 152 for 3 the Bullets seemed to be wobbling by Ainsworth was still there and he was joined by 17 year old wicket keeper Midworth, and together the two would increase the run rate, Midworth helping himself to a big six, and Ainsworth too hitting his third six of the innings. The pair looked like taking the game away from Umer's and the captain needed to do something, Easton was brought back into the attack and he would strike immediately, removing young Midworth's middle stump as he again attempted to smack the bowler out of the ground. The captain would then proceed to bring himself back into the attack and he would produce an outstanding spell of bowling, removing Pickford and Jepson with consecutive deliveries and at 200 for 6, Ainsworth was left with the tail and still in the 90's. Burdett would make his way out and proceed to help Ainsworth reach a fantastic century, at a time when the Bullets needed him the most. However a moment of madness saw Ainsworth run out soon after, and the captain Jeffrey would then clean up the tail to see the Bullets bowled out for a modest 218.

The signs at the end of the Bullets innngs suggested there was a lot on offer for the bowlers, and indeed Burdett and Storer must have been licking their lips as they opened the bowling for the Bullets. The opening pair of Umer's looked comfortable early on, negotiating the swing and hitting the boundaries, but West Indian Jon Burdett procued an oustanding over, first removing big hitter Dylan Burke who produced a rash shot straight to Storer in the covers, and then 2 deliveries later, totally outfoxing Umer's captain and star batsman Jaffrey with a snorter which completely did him and bowled him hook line and sinker. At 32 for 2, Umer's looked in trouble, Burdett and Storer maintained the pressure and the captain would again produce a master stroke as he has done so well in recent weeks, bringing himself into the attack and striking immediately, Rich Everett the man to go after knicking the ball straight into Midworth's gloves. Umer's were in trouble and needed a partnership to help rebuild their crumbling innings, and Noble and Chorley would do just that, negotiating the bowling well and more importantly keeping their wickets intact. The run rate continued to increase though and Ali decided to increase the pressure on the pair by bringing Gillman into the attack, and yet again it would prove to be a master stroke as he struck immediately, removing Chorley's off stump and leaving Umer's reeling on 93 for 4. George Bignot would then produce a fine spell of spin bowling, picking up 3 wickets in 2 overs as he single handely took the game away from Umer's. First removing long standing Noble who attempted a cut but only succeeded in edging into Midworth's gloves, and then removing Islam and Clegg with consecutive deliveries to leave the score on 117 for 7. Bignot would then strike again with the final ball of his 10 overs, removing Newton who was well and truly deceived and clean bowled. Bignot's fellow West Indian, Burdett would then return to the attack and pick up the final 2 wickets in 2 balls as Umer's were bowled out for 132, giving the Bullets a perfect start to life in League One.

Man Of The Match

Managers View

"We came here today looking for a response from the lads after Friday's game, and boy did they show one! I couldnt have asked for a better performance, we went about our work in a very professional mannor, on a pitch which looked quite awful for batting on. Ainsworth batted well for his century, he's needed that after his recent lack of form, and he was well supported by Moodley and Midworth. The score was quite modest but we bowled out of our skins, the West Indian pair Burdett and Biggie were outstanding and completely demolished their batting line up. Today thought was all about picking ourselves up though and getting back on track and we've done that now and in the process started us up well in the Championship. Bring on next week!"

 

[borncricketer]

good job Briggs, showed that you deserved that promotion

 

[aussie1st]

Very nice win his bowlers did the job but then yours did an even better one.

 

[Briggsey]

Down At The Nets

This weeks nets took place today, and the two youngsters, Des Midworth and Pradnesh Ahmed were given a good work out. Both had valuable gains from the nets this week, and are said to be looking forward to continuing their schedule next week. The results are as follows;

Pradnesh Ahmed - Fielding - Competent to Respectable
Des Midworth - BT Rating - Increased

A healthy pop for Pradnesh who continues to improve, his bowling however did not make any gains this week, and his pop from proficient to strong is still waiting. Briggs was expecting this to happen 2 weeks ago, but now it will go to a 3rd week. Des continues to show improvement too and both are looking fine players with Pradnesh expected to follow Des' footsteps into the first team in the coming weeks.

 

[aussie1st]

You got a good fielder now, wonder why he's taken so long to pop from what you predicted.

 

[Briggsey]

Transfer News

The Bullets this morning said goodbye to a long time servant of the club, Tony Pickford has been sold on for ?1,020,001 to The Blues. After taking the mantle as the clubs all-rounder upon the departure of Kenny Forbes, Pickford was a leading bowler for the Bullets, dismissing many a batsman with his tricky spin bowling and at times destroying many bowling attacks with his aggressive batting approach. This season though has not gone to plan for the all-rounder, with the arrivals of Darrell Rankin and George Bignot, Tony was not used as a bowler anymore and batting at 6 he only averaged 28 in 11 games. Shastwat Ali is expected to take Tony's place in the line-up, and everyone at the club wishes him well at his new club.

 

[Jaztheman]

bye bye tony he has been a great asset

 

[aussie1st]

Lots of money pocketed from that sale I see.

 

[Briggsey]

Preperations For Tomorrow

23/03/2007
League Game 10
blue dragons v Briggs Bullets @ Splott Park
Start Time: 10:30am

Pre-Match Notes:The Bullets make the trip to Wales for their next league game, one which will be pivital in both teams seasons, as blue dragons welcome the visitors to Splott Park. Its been a tough season for the Dragons, having cruised through the VI league, they have found life in V.216 a lot harder, currently languising in 6th place on run rate. The Bullets are 4 points above the dragons in 4th and a heavy defeat tomorrow could see them slip down to the dragons position, and it could also be the difference between a play-off for survival, or a comfortable mid-table position. The dragons lost a tight game last week to Emblem3, while the Bullets were hammered by league toppers Postwar's, so both teams will be looking to bounce back in a positive way in what looks set to be a tight encounter.

Judging on my last league match and blue dragons last league match, and depending on the teams for tomorrow, the summary would be as follows:

                [B]Briggs Bullets[/B]          [B]blue dragons[/B]
Top Order:      respectable             proficient
Middle Order:   competent               feeble
Lower Order:    abysmal         [B]V[/B]       abysmal
Seam Bowling:   respectable             competent
Spin Bowling:   respectable             respectable
Fielding:       woeful                  woeful

The dragons possess a formidable top order, however the rest of their batting could prove to be a problem if the Bullets make early breakthrough's. The Bullets possess an all-round stronger bowling line-up, and the absence of a middle order in the dragons line up could be their undoing..

Briggs Bullets Lineup to face blue dragons tomorrow (from):
1.Ainsworth, 2.Sohail, 3.Moodley, 4.N.Ali(c), 5.Midworth(wk), 6.Jepson, 7.S.Ali, 8.Burdett, 9.Gillman, 10.Bignot, 11.Storer

Briggs' View
"We performed brilliantly last Sunday after the display on Friday and if we show our true colours tomorrow, we should come away with a victory. The departure of Pickford in the week has allowed Shastwat to come into the team and he will add depth to our line up at number 7. Other than that, the team will be exactly the same as it was last week.."

Last Meeting

02/02/2007
Briggs Bullets v blue dragons @ The Bullets Dome
Briggs Bullets Won The Toss And Elected To Bat

Briggs Bullets 287/4
N.Ali 83
Rifler 2/66

blue dragons 274/6
Duck 110
Burdett 3/65

Briggs Bullets Won By 13 Runs

 

[aussie1st]

Should be a very interesting match, could go either way but as you mention that middle order is quite weak and could be his undoing.

 

[Briggsey]

Should be a very interesting match, could go either way but as you mention that middle order is quite weak and could be his undoing.

Well it did in our last meeting, he was well on his way to beating me but then his middle order just couldnt support his centurian, and then when he got out they couldnt force the scoring and ended up loosing. I know his top order is very good, especially the top 2, but after seeing what my bowlers have done to strong top orders in the last couple of weeks, im confident we should be able to get through them and bowl them out cheaply.

 

[Briggsey]

Review Of The Match

23/03/2007
League Game Ten
blue dragons v Briggs Bullets@ Splott Park
Briggs Bullets Won The Toss And Elected To Field

Postwar's 70 (19.5)
Duck 28
Bignot 6/16

Briggs Bullets 71/3 (14.1)
Sohail 33*
Durno 2/23

Briggs Bullets Won By 7 Wickets

Scorecard

The sun was shining in Wales, as the Bullets made the journey to Splott Park to take on the blue dragons. In a game that had the potential to change either sides season relegation wise, it was a match that neither team wanted to loose and as the captains made their way out to the middle for the toss, you could feel the tension all around the stands from the home fans. It wasnt a good start for the home team though as Bullets captain Nalin Ali won the toss and put the dragons in on a pitch which looked tailor made for bowlers. The entire match would prove to be a story of the bowlers, the dragons captain Radcliffe made his way out to the middle with fellow opener Stephen Duck knowing that surviving the new ball would be some feat on this wicket. Sure enough one of them failed to do so, and it was the captain who would lose out, Burdett continuing his fine form trapping the captain plum infront of the stumps to leave them 10 for 1. Hamid Helmsley made his way out to join Duck, and together the young pair would toil away, both being beaten by the contrasting seam movement the bowlers were producing, but a partnership was forming and it would prove to be the dragons only solid partnership of the innings. Bullets captain Nalin Ali brought himself into the attack, and obviously felt it was a wicket his spinner could gain from, and so in the 12th over, George Bignot was introduced, and it would prove to be a pivital point in the game. Together Ali and Bignot ripped apart the dragons batting lineup. First Bignot clean bowled Helmsley with a sharp spinning ball which the batsman could do nothing about, this brought in Ciaran Marsden who offered some resistance in his batting, smashing a four and six in his short stay at the crease, but it would not be him who would depart first. Duck was the man to go and it would be that man again Bignot taking the wicket, forcing Duck to play on at a cracking delivery. When that wicket fell, the score was 64 for 3, little would the home fans know that 6 runs later their team would be all out. Bignot and Ali ripped through the middle order, Bignot adding 4 to the 2 he had already taken, and the captain picking up 3 in the process to continue his fine bowling form of late. The home fans were in shock, similar to how the Bullets fans were only 2 weeks earlier when Postwar's destroyed the home teams lineup on that day. An amazing bowling display was needed from the dragons to have any chance.

Ainsworth and Sohail marched out to the middle, probably a heck of a lot earlier than most at the ground would have expected. Ainsworth took no time in letting the bowlers know he meant business, smacking Binns for a 6 in the first over of the Bullets innings. However, Binns' opening partner Durno would soon get revenge, fooling the big man into playing too early at a slower delivery which clipped the top of leg stump and dismissed Ainsworth for only 10. The home fans would then go up in ruptures as Durno would then remove Moodley with the very next delivery. Moodley looked unhappy with the decision, replays later showing that the ball had infact hit the pad on its way through to the keeper, and not the bat. At 15 for 2 the Bullets were reeling and the captain made his way out knowing the innings needed stabalising. Both Ali and Sohail were finding it tough, Binns and Durno both exploiting the conditions that the Bullets bowlers thirved in earlier, but neither had the success of those same bowlers. Binns though would soon get in on the wickets. Bullets captain Nalin Ali the victim to one that kept low, and his side were now 34 for 3 and 17 year old Des Midworth came out to join Sohail at the crease. Sohail realised that runs were needed, and he also knew it was his role to get them, the two batted sensibly, defending the good balls, put putting away the bad balls, and it would be this approach that saw the two score the remaining 37 runs needed for victory, and give the Bullets an oustanding victory.

Man Of The Match

Managers View

"Well im as suprised as anyone at the form this result has taken. We came here prepared for a tough game against a team quite similar to ourselves, but in the end we got nothing like it and have come away with probably our easiest victory of the season! I think a lot is owed to our bowlers, Biggie in particular had a blinder today and continues to improve every week, and it was nice to see the captain in on the wickets again, he's working hard on his bowling until we bring in a more seasoned bowler, and its doing nicely right now. Hilal and Des batted soundly at the end too, we looked in a spot of bother but Des is a confident lad and he went out there knowing he was going to score the winning runs with Hilal and he did just that. Great victory."

League Table