Thursday 29th May 2008

 

Ljubljana CC vs Quokkas CC Sat 24th / Sun 25th May 2008

 

Upon arrival at the ground this weekend we found a blow-up kangaroo in pads and a reclining trumpeter practising Johhny Cash riffs. Welcome to Valburga to the Quokkas CC - a London based team with a few Aussies amongst them. For the first time in ages we were well and truly oversubscribed with willing players, all looking forward to an entertaining day's play.

Ljubljana's returning captain Mark defied Jet-Lag and comfortably slipped back into his role, tucking his first run round to the infamous "Dairy" with a couple of ironic "moos" from the crowd (and the Square Leg umpire). Dave Farrell opened with him and despite some tidy quick bowling from the Quokkas both never looked like getting out. Unfortunately the only wayx to remove Dave today was to get him to edge a quick one into his face, which left a rather impressive blue / purple / red mark under his right eye. This brought Tom to the crease who was soon replaced by Lalantha - who unfortunately showed us new and bizzare ways to get yourself out for zero. Brad came in at 5 and quickly racked up 25 despite showing himself to be absolutely useless against the wily spin of the man known only to us as "The Egg". Mark can count himself as being slightly unlucky as the ball he was dismissed to on 49 would probably been dropped 99 times out of 100. Nevertheless respect is due, a great low catch to a fierce drive. A quick boundary from Steve Mayland helped the score move onto 132 at the end of the 35 overs.

Quokka confidence took a serious nose-dive when Brad Eve bowled their opening batsmen with the 1st ball of the match. The non-striker's rather negative assessment of the teams chances being particularly colourful and unsuitable for a family website, but a rather amusing one anyway. This gave Captain Mark the chance to have a good look at the newer players amongst us with the ball and they certainly rose to the occasion. Gregor Bohinc (1 for 20), Jaša Zidar (1 for 22) Mike O'Dowd (1 for 15) Roman Garbas (0 for 11) were aided by the miserly Steve Mayland (1 for 6 off 6 overs) and Lalantha (1 for 12) but the best figures went to 3rd gamer Simon Kaučič (3 for 29 off 6) - he also added a catch to that. Eventually the Quokkas fell short by the narrow margin of 7 runs, but Ljubljana always had control of this one and were allowed to experiment a little and still collect the win.

Sunday's match had our guests batting first and they were determined to improve on the previous day's performance. Again we used a different bowling attack as we needed to see who would be ready for the challenge of the Austrian league. Nejc Zupan started his first match for us after only 3 trainings and was handed the ball in the 7th over after Mike O'Dowd (1 for 15) and Egon Jakofčič (2 for 18 - including an extremely spectacular routine caught and bowled - you had to see it to believe it, I guess) had grebbed early wickets. Nejc managed to grab a wicket in his 5 over spell (1 for 27) but what was most encouraging was the speed of some of the deliveries he bowled. I am assured by today's keeper Tom that they were hitting the gloves quite quickly. Robi Jakofčič (1 for 22) and Rok Bohinc (2 for 45) added to the wickets until the arrival of the Quokkas Dac (Attack) Nguyen who played the innings of his life with some monsterous hitting  - 4 fours and 5 sixes in his highest ever club score of 64. Brad Eve (2 for 21) and Mark Oman (1 for 31) came into the attack and Brad had to literally break the stumps with a real snorter to remove the dangerous Quokka batsman.

The run chase started well in pursuit of the 184 needed for victory with Matt Charlesworth and Lalantha moving the score along quickly. Lalantha reminded the opposition that Ljubljana also had a few big hitters with 3 maximums in his innings of 32. By this time though we were already on 80 from 12 overs and looking in a solid position to record back to back victories. Rok came in at number 4 (after Jaša had added to his least favourite collection) and scored a fine 22 with a couple of glorious drives impressing the spectators, but it was Matt who clearly inspired by having his entire fan club along who pleased the crowd the most. Having reached 48 he sent his secong massive six over the ropes to register his first 50 for the club and with 13 overs still remaining the next 50 runs looked easily achievable. However a couple of quick wickets can always change a game and it did on this occasion. In the end we fell just 12 runs short of victory, despite having needed only 30 off the last 6 overs and still having Mark, Tom and Brad padded up and ready to bat. Still, a good time was had by all.

 

 

. Dave the keeper. Dave Farrell soldiers on despite sporting a nasty looking black eye he earned while batting.

Another miserly spell from Steve Mayland. (6 overs 1 for 6)

Mike O'Dowd (1 for 15) has a ball. Don't tell anyone, but I'm calling this one a No Ball Simon Kaučič grabs his 2nd 3 wicket haul for the club.. Quokka's mascot and scarer of local dogs.

Umpire killer. The umpire / photographer suddenly realises to his horror that this Lalantha pull shot is heading straight to him.

Matt Charlesworth acknowledges the crowd after launching one over the rope to bring up his maiden club 50. Rok Bohinc still seems pleased that he finally has a white shirt!

The Quokkas perform some bizzare ritual in the heavily packed slips cordon. Lalantha smiles politely.

The moment of dread / shame. Nejc Zupan caught here joining the infamous Duck on Debut club. Don't worry Nejc - at least you hit it (some of us can't even claim that). Routine catch to mid off I'm afraid. Still greatest trousers on debut, ever.

Ljubljana CC vs Salzburg CC Sat 14th June 2008

 

 

After the disappointment of the “rained out” previous week, it was with great anticipation that the Dragons ventured to Velden to finally taste some Austrian League action for 2008. A rare piece of organizational finesse also saw us leave Ljubljana on time with a full compliment, past the lovely June snow capped mountains to face Mozart’s lads in white  - minus the wigs.

 We lost the toss, which would have been a nice one to win given the soggy state of the outfield, and were duly sent in. Mark Oman and Tom Furness opened the batting and looked very comfortable against the Salzburg new ball pair, turning over the strike and patiently going about their business. The pleasant scene was broken after 8 overs, with Tom (6) adjudged LBW to a ball which a passer-by noted pitched somewhere to the right of Klagenfurt, striking Tom just below the armpit, in the bowler’s half of the pitch. Graceful as ever Tom accepted the ups and downs of these sort of things, and he has never mentioned the contentious nature of the decision since. The Dragon’s batting then suffered for a lack of support for Mark (52*), who played a chanceless knock in carrying his bat through the full 40 overs. Some support was provided by Dave Farrell (12) but the remaining batsmen all failed to reach double figures, and with 2 run outs we were sometimes our own worst enemies. Ljubljana’s 151/8 off 40 overs always looked to be difficult to defend.

 Regardless, the Dragon’s bowling attack kept us in the game. Ian Donchi (1/49) in his first game for the club for 2 years secured the initial breakthrough with some extremely delicate and graceful outswingers, however it was some fine captaincy in swinging young Tom “Fiery” Furness (2/36) on from the Northern end, and some inspirational bowling from the Skipper himself (4/29), which brought Ljubljana right back into the game. At the 20 Over drinks break the game was evenly poised with Salzburg needing another 32 and Ljubljana needing 3 wickets.

Unfortunately it was not to be our day, with a couple of difficult chances grassed in the same over, Salzburg collected the points. It is always difficult to swallow a loss when victory was within sight, but swallow we were forced to do. At the end of the day it was a case of too much left to too few, but we will be back, and we are not happy.

 

scorecard

Ljubljana CC vs Liam Panorno XI 20/20 Saturday 28th June 2008

To be added shortly - they won

 

 

Ljubljana CC vs Graz CC Saturday 5th July 2008

Much like the head of Captain Mark Oman, but for reasons not to do with necking shots, the weather that greeted LJCC's first home league game in many years was a little cloudy, however, with a forecast of sun in the afternoon, it was going to be an important toss to win. And, unlike the antics of the vice captain with some American cheerleaders the previous night, it was a result: Graz were put into bat.

  

Very unlike Ljubljana, things were looking good after only 0.5% of the innings bowled when Brad “Disco” Eve struck a yorker below the bat of the Graz number 1, sending him back to the pavilion with the very first ball of the match. Shame for the Austrians, as the Graz opener was looking good out there. Things then proceeded akin to the best of English bottling with LJCC dropping several easy chances and several less so, letting off Graz where they capitalized on our mistakes. Even the stalwart Donchi, who had opened the bowling alongside Brad, couldn’t use his devious swing and bobble to great effect. The bowling change was made after the 11^th over with Graz on a comfortable 50 odd for 2 when Furness came charging in to beat Donchi’s opening over for extras, notching up 4 before a single valid delivery landed. And, like the season of a Leeds United supporter, it didn’t get much better afterwards. After some solid bowling from Oman (figures of 2 for 15) and once Furness had located the stumps, drinks came at the 20^th over with Graz sitting nicely on 105 for 4 or what should have been 105 for 7 wickets had LJCC not read the Phil Tuffnel book of fielding. Ljubljana were staring down the barrel of 260 plus and needed a stroke of luck, which, came shortly into the second session. An attempted quick single and some brilliant fielding from our overseas player and former-great, Dan Ryan, was converted into a run out at the bowlers end. Coupled with the danger-man getting yorked without adding to his pre-drinks 50, LJCC started to look like a unit. Some great bowling from our resident railway sleeper-wielding Sri Lankan placed Ljubljana with having bowled out Graz for 209 after 35 overs. At just over 5 an over, it was game on.

 

If only Richie Benaud had been there to pass comment, he would no doubt have remarked on what was by now a very hot day in Valburga, as the Dragons went about chasing the total of 210 from 40 overs. Furness and Oman began confidently, playing textbook defensive strokes and punishing the bad balls through the fast Valburga outfield. When they noticed that Oman was part of a run rate of over 5 an over, Graz were mentally ruined and were soon under pressure as their front line were wicketless after their initial spells. Unfortunately, if it weren’t for a tired shot by Oman, LJCC would have been left with all 10 wickets come drinks on a score of 95. Play resumed, Furness was freshly Marlboro Lighted and proceeded where he left off, playing some more elegant strokes to all corners of the ground. Joined by the Sri Lankan with 9 names, who played a glorious cameo six into the road, and would have continued to do so if it weren’t for his cameo departure in true classic Lalantha fashion moments later, Furness was partnered with Ryan who showed that lack of cricket in Spain, namely none whatsoever, had improved his batting. Some well-guided shots and strike rotation was key to the last onslaught, and the barely breathing Furness and the pugnacious Ryan reduced the asking rate to just over 4 an over with 7 wickets left. A task as easy as this in the face of a tired and heat-stroked opposition should never escape the batting side, but cometh the hour, cometh the LJCC batting collapse. And this one was especially good. Ryan was adjudged LBW to a dubious delivery and Furness was intent on re-Marlboro lighting, gloving a late 3^rd man glance to the keeper. A fine innings of 63 to go with his bowling of 3 for 53 was rewarded by a standing ovation, a sight rarely seen in LJCC. If it weren’t for the years of experience and calls of “but I’m a far better batsman than…”, the “new batties” left at the crease proved to be more of the “noobtard” variety, failing to defend straight, slow deliveries. The swiftness of their dismissals, however, did have the positive effect of not hearing a word of their batting prowess, but do not worry: their memories of said innings will be as long as, well, said innings. This all left the well-playing Farrell to hold together a rear-guard action that was still confidently looking at just over 5 an over with 4 wickets left. A brief sign of assuredness in the face of pressure by young O’Dowd was soon cleaned up by the ever-growing happy Grazians and, had Rok Bohinc managed to add an extra foot on a pull that was caught on the ropes, LJCC would have triumphed. Instead, a defeat by 10 runs was the prize on what was an overall good day for Ljubljana batting and an even better day for growth potential of fielding schools in and around the Valburga area

 

Pictures and scorecard to appear shortly

 

Ljubljana CC vs Salzburg CC Sat 12th July 2008

After having learnt by accidental surfing on Monday that out "home" game against Salzburg had been mysteriously moved to "away" - one of the major differences being the country it was now taking place in was not the same as the one we were expecting, but perhaps we weren't important enough to have been informed of this? Anyway, slight bitter rant aside, on to the cricket..

Having moved Heaven and Earth to assemble a Ljubljana XI for the match, we all eventually met at the ground by the obligatory 10:45. The problem was that we were alone. Neither the umpires, nor the opposition could be found. Eventually the Umpires from Graz CC arrived and informed us that Salzburg were suffering delays in queues up to 32 kms long on the annual 1st day of German School Holidays Traffic Jam from Munich to Croatia! To be fair, the traffic was a nightmare, but it always is on this day. Anyway. Just after 12 o'clock the 1st of the Salzburg cars arrived and as there were 5 of them, we decided to send them in a reduced 35 over match. Wickets fell, but not enough to force an innings change as a 2nd car arrived eventually. Mike O'Dowd took his 1st League wicket with a lovely ball that bamboozled the batsman and caught him LBW. However, despite the batsman having been given out and walking without any complaint, the square leg umpire over-ruled the decision in an interpretation of the law none of us who have actaully read them are aware of. Seems he may have got a slight edge? Anyway, second slight bitter rant aside, back to the cricket.

In short Mark bowled beautifully for 3 for 12 off his 7 overs, Primož Pustoslemšek showed some of the veterans how to do it on his debut and joined Mike (who actually got his man twice in the end) in taking his first league wicket. Dan will be pleased to know that his one over went for an official 4 runs, but as others have said in the past, the scorebook cannot be retroactively changed even if we all did see a few more than 4 scored!

We were slightly disappointed that they had reached 235 for 9 by the end, but we thought we could still win the game if we got off to a good start, which a beligerent Lalantha (38) provided. In almost no time at all he had thrashed 8 fours to all parts of the boundary and we were off to a flyer. Unfortunately we lost a few quick wickets and soon we were reeling at 4 for 53. Mike (14) and Greg (16) put on 30 odd, before Brad (32 not out) joined Greg for another 30 odd partnership. Primož Pustoslemšek (18 not out) followed Joel (0) and showed no signs of only having played cricket for the 1st time this year. In the end he and Brad squeezed us over the line for the 2nd batting bonus point, but we had been caught short by 60 or so runs.

We will have to win all our remaining 3 games to have any realistic chance of making the finals now, which is a pity as we are actually playing some good cricket and a lot of our new Slovene players are making great contributions to the team performance.

Scorecard here