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Round 6 vs Forest Hill
Blackburn went into this week’s game against Forest Hill high on confidence and equal on points with Park Orchards, and when they won the toss they elected to bat in the fine conditions.
The Blackburn boys got away to a slightly shakey start losing Liam and Tom early, and when Hayden also went cheaply, Pat showed good concentration and accumulated his runs with confidence and some fine stroke play saw the ball despatched to numerous parts of Morton Park. Joined by Joseph, the two batsmen combined well to carry the score along at a steady pace, until Pat retired making a fine 50 not out. Lachie then joined Joseph and once again the runs flowed. Lachie hit 26 at a good pace, while Joseph worked the bowling around at the other end before Lachie’s departure brought Mitch to join Joseph late in the innings. A mix of confident stroke play and anxious running between the wickets also rewarded Joseph with a well made 50, while Mitch was selflessly run out off the last ball for a rapid fire 15. Setting Forest Hill a target of 182, the boys were excited and keen to get into day 2.
Day 2 brought fine conditions once again, however the game was quick to take a dramatic turn. With a hostile opening few overs, Hayden dramatically removed the first 4 wickets and Forest Hill were left reeling 4 down off only a handful of overs. Liam was unlucky not to be amongst the wickets also, and when Lachie picked up his one wicket for the match with his tricky swing bowling, Forest Hill were in deep trouble and it was to be a long way back. However, some committed batting from the Forest Hill middle order either side of the break moved the score along before more flight and turn from James removed one of the pair and it was then left to Hayden and Liam to mop up the tail. Hayden finished with figures of 7 for 9 off his 10 overs and Forest Hill were all out for 92 in the 42nd over, leaving Blackburn to celebrate a resounding victory with some fine notable individual contributions on both days.