After lacking player numbers in the last few weeks, we saw the whole team turn up ready for what was destined to be a classic showdown for the 2009/10 season twenty/20 premiership. We won the toss and elected to bat to set the tone of the match.

Sam 'hollywood' Harrison and Jenny 'Sydney’s reliance' Taffs opened the batting by the one word that the captain emphasised all night, partnerships. We were set back in the first over when Jenny chipped one straight back to the bowler. Louis 'captain shivers' Balenzano shook his way out to the centre looking to capitalise along with Sam. Together a nice run rate was formed and a promising start for the team, until Louis decided to put one over the infield and couldn't find the middle of the bat and was caught for 17 in the deep, 2-35 after 6 overs. Next to the crease was Adam 'royal skid' Marks who must have rubbed a bit off on Sam because now he began to swing his log as the ball was pinging off the bat, Adam followed suit as he also started dissecting virtually every gap in the field. Sam was next to go when he was caught for 28, 3-59 after 10 overs. Now that a great platform had been set for the rest of the innings, Jayden 'keeping gloves guru' Taylor stepped out to the crease alongside Adam. Adam took things into his own hands when he locked and loaded his block of willow and launched himself at the bowling attack. He blasted the short ball, the wide ball, the full ball; he even cranked the perfect ball over the fence for 6. Meanwhile Jayden was up the other end scoring at a run a ball giving the strike to Adam. Jayden felt as though he was being left out so he went the big shot but was controversially given out, he was caught in the deep but the fielder used the fence to help himself back into the field of play, so 6 runs in any other game. One member from Nambucca's crowd tried walking out into the middle to persuade the umpires but was shamefully booed off the field. Jayden was finally given out for 12 and an innings best partnership of 51 with Adam, 4-107 after 14 overs. Next to the crease was Dale chillaxin' Leslie. Adam looked unstoppable until he was caught 8 runs short of the half-century which left Dale for a snooze as he waited for bro Jake 'fitness fury' Leslie to arrive at the crease. Dale tried his luck going the aerial route but was unlucky to find the outside edge of the bat for 2, 6-131 after 18 overs. Tim 'who needs gloves' Davis came in for a dig at the end but proved unsuccessful bringing Maggie 'stretched spine' Mills to survive the last few balls of the innings, Jake also not out for 5, 7-132 off the full 20 overs.

We had a great score set on the board to defend and gave ourselves a fighting chance at winning the game. Opening the bowling was Louis Balenzano and bro Darcy 'stupid stitches' Balenano. Louis struck in his first over with a catch straight down the throat of Sam at deep point. 3 overs later Darcy claimed his first wicket to a catch behind the stumps by Jayden. Darcy took another wicket when Nambucca's strike batsman hit a very high ball but was caught comfortably by Louis. Some accurate bowling had Nambucca on the back foot after 6 overs, 3-36. A necessary bowling change saw Will 'heavy weapon' Bradshaw and the 'royal skid' with the ball. Being the wicket machine that he is, Adam characteristically took 2 wickets in his first over, a sharp catch going to Sam and Will taking a high one. Will then backed up when he also took 2 wickets in the next over, dismissing a big hitter, catches going to Dale who took a great running catch and Sam sprinting, sliding and actually catching a screamer to cement a name for himself as a fielder. Adam wasn't done yet, he came back next over and got another wicket this time the catch going to Jake. Both Jenny and Francis 'sling shot' Schuf fielded inspirationally and with intent saving many runs. After Will and Adam's spell, 10 overs had passed; Nambucca was drowning at 9-51. Jenny was brought into the attack to change things up with a bit of spin. Sam 'deep heat' Harrison was also introduced into the attack pushing in off the fence, although not bowling as well as he might have liked he still gave the batsmen a shake. One last wicket was all we needed but proved to be difficult with a couple of close chances going down and a partnership beginning to build. Jenny persisted with line and length bowling when one ball passed the outside edge of the bat and Jayden dislodged the bails before the batsman could get back. The last wicket was taken and a premiership was ours for the second year in a row, bowled out for 73 after 13 overs. A perfectly executed game in all aspects although our fielding was outstanding, congratulations. Just a few thanks, Bruce Mills for his dedication, coaching and organisational input, Glen Bradshaw for coaching and umpiring, Greg Davis for umpiring and Jacqui Balenzano for scoring. Without these people premierships would be very hard to come by, and last but not least the whole team it was my pleasure to captain you all and hopefully you all leant something. Happy chappy Louis!