With the innings quickly unravelling the youngsters of the Smoky team stood up. Smart joined Hissey and both combined patience and skill to stem the haemorrhaging of wickets and defy the Streaky bowlers who sensed a quick kill. Whilst not scoring quickly the pair soaked up overs, frustrating the fielding team. A partnership of 13 was the result until Hissey, attempting to up the scoring rate popped a catch to McEvoy at mid off and was out for 5. Hisseys dismissal obviously broke young Smart’s concentration as two balls later he lobbed an easy chance to short fine leg off Daniels, gone for 5.

Taylor was next in. Having improved his batting over the off season and now seen as a recognised number eleven batsman he was delighted to showcase his talents in the lofty number nine position.

Sullivan was next to go. After facing 8 balls, each with a very straight bat, he decided the ninth ball had to go. The first time he played across the line of the ball was his undoing caught and bowled Daniels for 1. All the while Taylor continued to enhance his claim for a promotion showing both a stout defence and a willingness to have a go at the appropriate time. Youngster Williams making his debut joined Taylor, both batsmen placing a high price on their wicket. They pair combined for a 12 run partnership over the next half an hour further adding to the bowler’s frustration. With only a handful of overs left Taylor decided that he had to take charge of the situation and chase some quick runs. A crisp on drive down the ground off Picken seemingly on its way to boundary was plucked from nowhere by Williams to end Taylors resistance, out for 5. Another debutant, Hammer, was last in, unfortunately he was unable to trouble the scores, well caught by Elliot off Picken attempting a lusty swing to leg.

Smoky all out for 116. Best with the ball, Daniels 4 for 19 and D Brown 2 for 25.

With a meagre total to defend the Smoky team knew that they had to take every chance that came their way and apply pressure from the outset. The opening bowler pairing of Thiselton and Sullivan did just that. Bowling at good pace from the bay end Thiselton had Streaky openers, Daniels and Sutherland on their toes. From the golf course end young Sullivan took the opportunity to open the attack with both hands, bowling three straight maidens combining a neat line with a hint of swing. Sullivan was rewarded for his efforts when he snared the opening wicket of Sutherland. Attempting to break the shackles Sutherland pulled a ball only to be well caught Williams moving ungainly to his left hand side. Streaky 1 for 13.

By this point the lone voice in the crowd was becoming quite raucous with his call to introduce the Green to the attack. The captain bowing to the club president’s call, with almost immediate success. Greens first delivery hit straight to Collins at mid off. Collins proving that gravity does exist by failing to get off the ground, spilling a regulation chance. Numerous chances were to follow before T. Brown misread a top spinner outside the off stump providing Hissey an easy chance at slip. Out for a quick fire 22, Streaky 2 for 40

Sullivan was replaced by Hissey who bowled a good variation of in and out swing. With good support from Green and backed up by the fielders who let nothing through slowly the Smoky unit began to pile the pressure on the Streaky batsmen. Johnson was the first Streaky batsmen to succumb to the pressure, well beaten by a swinging Hissey delivery which crashed into his stumps, out for 5.

D Brown was next in and he and Daniels added twenty runs before a brief cameo by Collins was to end their partnership. In his first over Collins snared the wicket of Daniels. A well timed clip off the toes going straight into the left hand of Thiselton at mid wicket. Daniels out for a fine 23.

Danger man Kenny was next in and Collins decided to bring back his enforcer Thiselton. The move having the desired effect. A faint edge going into the gloves of young Smart whose work behind the stumps had been had been crisp all day. Kenny trudging back to the stand for 2, Streaky 5 for 86. Three balls latter a typical in swinging delivery from Thiselton smashed into the stumps of new batsman Elliot removing him for 0. Streaky now 6 for 86 and the game evenly poised.

Taylor was also brought into the attack. After seeing one of his deliveries dispatched to the Smoky General Store by D. Brown, Taylor held his nerve. The next delivery, well flighted outside the off stump, proving too tempting for Brown. An almighty swipe resulting in a simple running catch to Hissey at slip. Brown out for 27, the momentum now with Smoky with Streaky teetering at 7 for 95

Thiselton continued his rich vein of form next over removing McEvoy with another inswinger, stumps spread eagled. McEvoy gone for 7. Next batsmen Sargent also received the same treatment, bowled for a duck. Thiselton ending his ten overs with Streaky bay 9 for 99

With the game on the line Collins entrusted the bowling responsibilities to Sullivan. The youngster repaying the captains faith, removing Williams for 2 after he presented Thiselton with a simple chance at cover. Streaky dismissed 14 runs short of the total for 103

Best with the ball Thiselton 4 for 28, Sullivan 2 for 11.

Match played on Saturday, October 24 at Ceduna.

Ceduna 7/195 defeated Thevenard 10/74.

Ceduna hosted Thevenard at Ceduna oval last Saturday. Ceduna’s skipper Miller won the toss and elected to bat. Openers R Reddingius (36) and C Williams (33) saw off the opening bowlers and pushed the score to 0/69 at the drinks break. One over after drinks saw a mix up between the pair and Meier ran out Reddingius. Williams fell soon after as he was caught by Oats off the bowling of Meier.

Kloeden (30) and Bennett (51) then joined up at the crease and the pair put on a 79 run partnership in just twelve overs and got the score to 3/164 in the 43rd over as Kloeden was caught by J Grills in the deep. Two overs later, Bennett was caught by Meier also on the boundary and Ceduna were 4/177.

The rest of the Ceduna batters got the total to 7/195 off their 50 overs. J Threadgold 0/18 (10 overs) was the pick of the bowlers for Thevenard and was unlucky not to get a wicket or two.

Openers Meier 2/30 (10 overs) and D Hertz 4/27 (10 overs) bowled well and both picked up wickets toward the latter stages of the game. Theodosiou 0/65 (10 overs) and Woods 0/47 (10 overs) were the other bowlers for Thevenard.

With Thevenard chasing 195, they had to be at their best to get the required runs. Ceduna struck in the first over and Thevenard were immediately on the back foot.

Woods and Meier put on 20 runs, getting the score to 2/21 with the fall of Wood’s wicket. From then on Thevenard couldn’t really get going as Ceduna’s bowlers got wickets regularly not allowing the Thevenard batters to build partnerships.

Theodsiou (23) was the only batter to hit double figures as Thevenard were all out for 74 in the 32nd over.

Keanelly 3/21 (10 overs) and Bergmann 1/18 (7 overs) opened up beautifully with both bowlers claiming an opening batter. Cox 2/14 (7 overs) kept the runs down and also got a couple of wickets.

The pick of the bowlers was W Irvine who took 4/18 off his nine overs.

This week is the Henderson Shield game between Far West and Tumby Bay and is to be played at Tumby Bay.