2011-12 CTPL Twenty20 champions Kingborough have been bundled out of the BETASPORT Statewide Twenty20 competition in the second round after they fell 11 runs short against St Aidans at North Warrane.
Winning the toss and batting first, Kookaburra Southern Cricket Association’s representative in the competition St Aidans amassed 173 for the loss of six wickets, showing the Knights how to play on the synthetic wicket and fast outfield at their home venue.
Former Clarence player Ben Bannister was the best of the Saints’ batsmen, hitting 6 fours and 2 sixes on his way to top scoring with 57 off 42 balls batting at number 3. Bannister was well supported by opener Adrian Smith who compiled 28 off 26 (3 fours and 1 six), as they combined for a match high second wicket partnership of 74. Number 4 batsman Glendon Bentley (21 off 15 with 2 sixes) and number 5 James Wolfe (19 off 14, 1 four and 1 six) also chipped in well.
Standing in as skipper with Mark Divin being rested for the match, leg-spinner Bryce Turnbull was the only bowler to take multiple wickets for the visitors, finishing with 2 18 from just two overs. The Knights’ pace attack found the going tough, with state Under 17s representative Kyle Wisniewski (0 for 23 off 4) the only bowler to go for less than 8 runs per over.
The run chase started disastrously for Kingborough as left hander Mitchell Backhouse was run out off the first legal delivery of the innings, leaving the victory target of 174 to win a long way away at 1 for 1. Backhouse’s opening partner Jason Shelton was then joined at the wicket by former PKF Tasmanian Tigers wicketkeeper/batsman Brady Jones and the pair quickly set about steadying the ship as they quickly put on 61 for the second wicket, the most prolific partnership of the innings.
Following Shelton’s departure for 26 off 18 balls (4 fours), Jones upped the ante, playing his team back into the match as he dominated a 43 run partnership with Brad Loveluck (12 off 14). Adrian Smith proved the destroyer as the sixth bowler used by St Aidans, removing Loveluck, Tom Bevan and Chris Bury in a hurry to leave the run chase reeling at 5 for 118 after 14.2 overs.
When Jones was run out in a mix up with Turnbull (23 not out off 18) on the last ball of the 15th over, St Aidans were well and truly on top and were excited at the prospect of delivering the knockout blow to the Premier League side.
The Saints did not disappoint their legion of loyal home fans who came to support, effecting four run outs to go with Smith’s three wickets as Kingborough closed their innings 11 runs short at 7 for 162.
St Aidans will now move into the Semi Final stage of the BETASPORT Statewide Twenty20 competition and will take on the winner of the upcoming match between Central (North East) and Slab Road (Huon Channel) for a spot in the final. Other Round 2 matches being played this Sunday January 22nd are Devonport vs West Ridgely from 4.00pm at Devonport Oval and Longford hosts South Launceston at Longford from 2.00pm.