Resurrected 'Stars begin with a bang Alex O'Driscoll After months of tension surrounding the beginning of the CricSim season, the Allstars V2.0 have officially returned, and have done so in outstanding fashion. Defeat for the Somestars against the Test Eagles in the Horrigan Plate was avenged in the Avo Lovers Cup where brilliant knocks from CJ Downes, BA Storer and DR Armstrong as well as a great spell from JHF Howe set up a resounding victorry for the Somestars. Whilst the one day format of the game was not so fruitful for the Somestars, the first graders were able to see off a dogged Ravens side, largely thanks to a BJT Manera ton and HT Davis' demon-like performance with the ball. The main event to take place in what was undoubtedly the week's most interesting series of matches (between clubs) was the Allstars' first official match in 4 seasons, as the 'Stars travelled to the 'Unkindness' to take on the Ravens. The Ravens' rise to prominence undoubtedly coincided with the Allstars' original demise, with star players such as RST Downpipes, AD Funkotron and BJT Manera plying their trade at the Unkindness during the Allstars' sabbatical. The tie was made more interesting yet again as evergreen Raven performers such as HT Davis and DW Lewis had jumped ship to the Stars at the beginning of the season, and in typical Allstar fashion, the match did not disappoint. The Ravens won the toss and elected to bat, going on to make a respectable total of 254 despite HT Davis backing up his great start in the Horrigan Cup with figures of 5/64, including the prized scalps of RG Cribb and MJ Deane. Davis was well supported by HG Emm and AP Farnsworth who both grabbed 2 wickets. The match looked as if it was out of reach for the Stars following their first innings with the willow as the batting line-up failed, as JB Dempsey top scored with 38 as the men in the tri-colours managed to just make 145, trailing by 109 on first innings. AD Funkotron and HG Emm then fought back (Emm taking it upon himself to clean up the tail) by taking 5 and 4 wickets respectively as the Ravens were plundered for 152, leaving the Stars with a seemingly improbable chase of 261 for victory. Early wickets to M Faithful and MP Chung had the Allstars reeling at 3/7, yet an incredible innings from Ravens' old boy DW Lewis was enough to see the Allstars home. Lewis was joined by CJ Devonshire who added a quality half century to ensure that the Allstars tasted victory on their return to the premier competition of the CricSim world. The patriarch and founder of CricSim, Rob Cribb stated that Lewis' innings was "one of the best innings ever played on CricSim IMO, given the context of it all", while many others were quoted saying the typical yet complimentary calls of "WAG". Thus, an eventful week of stimulation simulation cricket has culminated for the Allstars, and with away fixtures against the sub-continental-like Crusaders outfit, as well as provincial trials being on the horizon, another positive week for both the Somestars and Allstars beckons.
Nice read Alex, stoked to get a mention. Reckon the Somestars are gonna be needing a few more column inches as the season goes on, myself. That's not what the report says. He started out at the Ravens, and came to the Allstars last season.
