Marist Aqua played GJCC Himalayan Tigers at Latham oval on Friday 13th....and Friday 13th it was for the Aqua boys. The afternoon started off mild with Aqua’s captain Julian Baseby winning the toss and electing to bat. An opening partnership between Edmund Dziedzic and Julian provided a slow and steady start but unfortunately the Tigers strong fielding put Aqua on edge early with Julian being caught out. Chayan Mehta quickly replaced the captain and steadied the innings, but with plenty of dot balls, the runs were kept low. Chayan retired not out before Ryan Nammuni Dewage took to the crease with more dot balls to come. Shortly before he was due to retire, Edmund was bowled out by a strong Tigers bowler and replaced with Lawrence Friesen. A good partnership between Ryan and Lawrence followed with further dot balls, keeping Aqua frusting low on the score card. An excellent bowl by the Tigers saw Ryan bowled out in the 10th over and replaced with Vincent Imbriano who immediately put 2 on the score card before being bowled out. This Tiger team provided a real challenge for the Aqua boys. A long and successful partnership between the Friesen brothers, Lawrence and Fred, calmed the Aqua nerves and watching the brothers at work was just lovely. The brothers both retired not out and were replaced by Daniel Trinca and Rami Moore who settled into the final overs bringing the score to 4/82.

Aqua’s opening bowler, Daniel, kept the Tigers at bay at the start of the second innings before Rami came in to bowl in the second over, taking a strong early wicket. Lots of single runs helped the Tigers get on the board, before Vincent bowled out another Tiger early in the 4th. When it came to Lawrences turn, he too bowled a wicket in the 7th over. With strong batting from the Tigers, Aqua’s work was cut out for them and the total runs continued to climb. Chayan managed to take a catch in the field in the 11th over. Strong bowling from Fred saw another wicket but it was a tad late with the Tigers taking Aqua for the win 5/84 at the end of the 18th over.