Pigeon Ponds take the points

17 February 2010

Casterton News

CASTERTON openers Glen Widdicombe and Kane Forbes began their chase of the moderate Pigeon Ponds first innings total of 101.

Pigeon Ponds opening bowlers James Kirby and Will Staude followed the trend from the previous Saturday with good line and length bowling. Glenn Widdicombe (3) was first to go when caught Michael Close bowled Staude.

Ricky Killey then joined Forbes and it wasn’t long before the wily Sam Roberts came on for the first of his 32 consecutive overs. Roberts soon accounted for Ricky Killey (2), Callum Currie (10) and Matt Koutroubos (0) as Casterton collapsed to a precarious 4-45.

Kane Forbes (22) was caught short of his ground and Peter Larkins (10) was bowled by Michael Close as the wickets continued to tumble and the score was a precarious 6-63.

Matt Murphy (11) and Adrian Meyer (11) both got starts before falling to Roberts and Joel Staude respectively. With the departure of Matt Killey (0) and Joe McArlein (1), Casterton was all out for 84 in 67 overs.

In a remarkable bowling performance, Sam Roberts bowled unchanged for 32 overs to take 5-32, one of the best performances from a slow bowler in the Casterton and District Cricket Association in recent years.

His ability to take wickets and limit the runs stamps him as the outstanding slow bowler in the association. In Pigeon Ponds second innings, Casterton picked up two bonus points, with the Ponds reaching 3-18 from 13 overs. In another remarkable statistic for Saturday’s play, 101 runs were scored from 80 overs. Points: Pigeon Ponds 15, Casterton 8.