CricSim Herald Horrigan Cup Round Up By Dave Eggman <img src=http://cricsim.com/site/images/logos/1.png> vs. <img src=http://cricsim.com/site/images/logos/3.png> In the opening round of the season two battling clubs kicked off the Horrigan Cup. The Sticky Wickets were first to bat, led by old faithfuls <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=57>DG Speirs</a> and <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=54>JP Thornton</a>. Speirs gave the Crusaders a message early with a 6 off the 5th ball of the game, but that all fizzed out as <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=337>JH Ridd</a> knuckled down, bowling a nice opening spell with superb line and length. Ridd's replacement <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=447>JJ Ritchie</a> then made the breakthrough, getting rid of Speirs in his first over and <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=40>DT Petrucci</a> in his second. Thornton and the middle order put in a good effort to get the team total to a defendable target. The Crusaders needed 263 to win and they needed a great start from their top order if they wanted to challenge that. <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=381>E Ames</a> came out with the target in his sights, but that started to get further away when <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=89>P Retzel</a> and <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=896>JJD Heads</a> left early to the bowling of <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=472>RS Hutchinson</a>. Ames was losing players around him until he left, crushing their last hopes. <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=266>TA Miokovic</a> and <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=159>M Perry</a> needed to get 187 runs to win, and Theo was smashing the ball around the park until he popped one up to Alessi. Perry then had to salvage as much as he could with the tail but he couldn't quite manage it. A last stand with <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=115>SB Wilson</a> wasn't enough as the Sticky Wickets took out the game by 21 runs. Horrigan Cup Player of the Season Votes 3. <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=54>JP Thornton</a> 2. <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=447>JJ Ritchie</a> 1. <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=159>M Perry</a> <img src=http://cricsim.com/site/images/logos/6.png> vs. <img src=http://cricsim.com/site/images/logos/5.png> A rivalry of old was set to take the field on day 2 of the season. With the Ravens clear favourites, the Allstars had the task to put up a competitive score. It did not start well losing 5 of their top 6 batsmen within the first 10 overs. It was up to <a href=http://www.thegameofcricket.net/site/players.php?id=145>BA Storer</a> to rescue the innings after the fall of his teammate <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=43>DR Armstrong</a> for 30. The Allstars put on a battling 39 to get their score beyond the century mark, <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=886>M Faithful</a> doing the damage taking 4/42 off 7. With 133 to chase the Ravens were looking to get this done before the 6 o’clock News, however they weren’t taking any chances with the chase. Losing <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=849>PM Jackson</a> wasn’t a big deal as <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=37>RG Cribb</a> and <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=895>SP Phlegm</a> set up the eventual win. Cruising along the Ravens were able to wrap the game up within the 37 over, winning by 6 wickets. Horrigan Cup Player of the Season Votes 3. <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=886>M Faithful</a> 2. <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=37>RG Cribb</a> 1. <a href=http://www.thegameofcricket.net/site/players.php?id=145>BA Storer</a> <img src=http://cricsim.com/site/images/logos/7.png> vs. <img src=http://cricsim.com/site/images/logos/11.png> When the Vipers took on the Stingrays at Fever Pitch, it was always going to be tough for the Vipers to walk away with the W. Batting first they had to set the Rays a tough target to chase. Just like in previous games a batsman was dismissed early, but unfazed <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=362>JE McGrath</a> went on his usual way knock the ball all over the field. With the Viper’s President departing a couple of Poms were in the middle and setting the pace, until a game changing over from <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=957>KN Rask</a>. Rask first got rid of the danger man <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=362>JE McGrath</a> Rask then dismissed <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=421>J Torres</a> and <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=78>R Gee</a> both for second ball ducks. After being 78/2 then 78/5 the Vipers were on the back foot. If it weren’t for a very happy tail wag, the Vipers would be looking at an abysmal 130 to defend. The tail put on a healthy 112 to get the total to a respectable 222. With the Rays confident they would be able to chase the total, the openers started strong. Seeing off the openers, it was <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=437>SM Morgan</a> who fell to former Ray <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=332>WC Welker</a>. <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=327>JEM Logan</a> was playing the ball with ease but had to go after a shocking call from <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=905>IT Lee</a>. The Rays never looked out of it but they did slow down due to some good bowling from the Viper spinners. Comfortably winning by 4 wickets, the Rays’ young guns showed their worth. Horrigan Cup Player of the Season Votes 3. <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=957>KN Rask</a> 2. <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=327>JEM Logan</a> 1. <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=410>GJ Weaver</a> <img src=http://cricsim.com/site/images/logos/4.png> vs. <img src=http://cricsim.com/site/images/logos/2.png> The Pumas were sent into bat but <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=350>MD Dorn</a> was back in the sheds just 4 overs later. That didn’t phase <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=901>BE Quilty</a> who fell short of his fifty being dismissed for 49. <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=396>AJ Son</a> and the middle order sent the team total to a respectable 251. <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=439>DA Astele</a> didn’t care too much for the death bowling, dispatching <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=940>GIMH Martyn</a> for 17 runs off 1 over. With 252 to win the Cyclone’s openers needed to see off the new ball and get a good start for their team. The Pumas had other plans as <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=917>DM Diggler</a> dismissed both openers in his spell. <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=456>EI Morris</a> and <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=403>S Masters</a> then proceeded to lead their team towards victory. Wrist spinner Dorn balled a beauty that saw Masters’ leading edge find Hall. Shortly after, Morris was walking back to the shed and the Pumas had a new spring in their step. Hoping to get another wicket or two, Son bought <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=314>AD Hunt</a> on. He came through sending Hurricane on his way. However the Cyclones kept their heads and saw out the game. Winning in the last, <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=951>G Furball</a> smashed a 4 off Diggler. Horrigan Cup Player of the Season Votes 3. <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=951>G Furball</a> 2. <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=456>EI Morris</a> 1. <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=403>S Masters</a>
