Kylie captains Founding Fathers to historic 134 point, four skin victory

Thursday 5 April 2007, 11:26 AM

CPS - Canadian Press Syndicate

Norris was all round fearless in his return match for the Founding Fathers snapping a short but costly drought. With Hugo, Itchy, Snorkey and Choco out for the match, The Fathers were reborn in the field taking catches and run outs and seemingly turning every delivery into a chance. Norris fielded in close and took his catches and run out opportunities with rare Fathers elegance and grace (since Freaky's retirement). He was rivalled only by Nads in the back corner (Freaky's corner) who seemingly had a bulls eye target on his chest, taking catch after catch but in true Founding Fathers Captains Call tradition was ironically pinged a Captain's FINE for dropping the sitter of the match .

Our Kylie's captaincy (FINE for missing the coin toss even though he didn't know he was Captain) was tenacious if not daring. Exploiting a weakness in the attack he inserted himself into the third (premiership) partnership and blazed away for 24 runs in what can only be described as a confidant "Captain's knock". Getting bowled only the one time and run out just the once, Kyles steadied and cracked 13 runs off the final partnership over including a dazzling seven and a steady stream of clever cuts and cover drives. Gilly quietly and assuredly turned over the strike at the other end accumulating 22 runs displaying determined hustle in a premiership partnership of 46 runs.

Wining the Toss and choosing to take advantage of the favourable early wicket conditions, Nads top scored with a meticulous not out 31 in a blazing opening partnership of 55 with Gaz (24 not out).

The Fathers second wicket partnership (35) provided much of the entertainment of the evening with Norris(15) offering the strike to Witza(20) on the way into the middle. It was non-stop action. Norris batted with stumps exposed disseminating and despatching the attack to all parts of the ground with his unorthodox left handed "ice hockey" style of batting that is tipped to revolutionise the sport. The tail enders (Conga(24) and Rooster(4)) had an over confident start with some rash strokes but settled in and set a daunting total of 164.

The cunning genius of Captain Kylie may have been the difference in the contest. Opening with Gaz (1 for 16), he tossed the ball to Witza who's work was done early taking the sting out of the ferocious opening batting pair skittling them in the second over (3 for -2) and fourth over (2 for -3) bowling them three times and taking the "Michele" (FINE CREDIT). Conga (1 for 4) contributed to holding them to a 15 run partnership after having 18 runs off the first six balls of the innings.

Overs from Norris (0 for 14), Peter (3 for -4), Gilly (4 for -14) (in which Norris took a beautiful stumping) (off the Sheila) (FINE) and another from Peter (3 for -6) (FINE for not taking the hat trick) held the second partnership to -10 runs.

Captain Kylie took the ball for the first over of the third partnership (3 for -7) and then again off the fourth partnership (3 for -4) earning man of the match with a match high net positive contribution of 35.

Highlights included Gilly bowling the ball onto his left foot twice (FINE); failing to take the hat trick FINE (Gilly (4), (Peter (2), Our Kylie (2), Norris (1), Conga (1); (Gilly cops a DOUBLE FINE for bowling a no ball whilst on a hat trick.) The Fathers took 32 wickets in a display of fielding that won't soon be forgotten.

The night kicked on with a Fosters Light Ice picnic in the trees. Nads copped a beer boy FINE for bringing Foster's Light Ice. Norris was quoted as saying "if it happens again it may result in a Rule 16 violation and serious ridicule and torment, bunch of wankers." Norris copped a FINE for getting out to the Sheila as did Kylie.

Next Week

After the historic victory, the Fathers are roaring and ready to take on B-Grade Howezat at 9:30 on Wednesday. With Our Kylie, Norris, Hugo, Itchy, Snorkey, Conga, Nads, and Gaz in the side it's a safe bet for all money. Emergency: Witza and Gilly; Reserves: Choco, Inzy; Injured: Gristle (available); Retired: Freaky (available). A 9pm settler is called for in the car park with Beer Boy Hugo. Tickets on sale at Ticketek, Ticketmaster and Norrises place.

The Fathers are reportedly taking it easy on the Easter weekend and may be signing autographs at Easter egg hunts throughout Canberra and the NSW South Coast.