Batting: Charlie Johnston 37, Eddie Tunningley 34

Bowling: Ned Snashall 2/17, Harry Van de Meeberg 1/5

This week Royal took on Tuggeranong, in the shadows of Holy Family Church at Gowrie.

Chazz donned the captain’s bow tie, in a tradition that stretches back to the 15th day of February in the year of our lord 2025 (… traditions have to start somewhere). With the choice of cathedrals or flats for the bat toss, Chazz, with a bit of divine inspiration, called cathedrals and chose to bowl first.

Signs were good when Harry picked up a wicket off the very first ball of the game, putting the Cobras on the back foot. But after being kept quiet for the first four overs, Tuggeranong got themselves back in the game and showed their strength, playing some glorious cricket shots. Far from the usual procession of wickets, the outs were a lot tougher to come by this week with only three falling the entire innings.

At the innings break as the boys shared some loaves and fishes (well watermelon and grapes), the mood was a little low. Chazz, never one to Passover an opportunity, gave a stirring sermon. “Have faith in yourselves boys. You cannot Altar the past. Let’s Resurrect this game and show them what we’re made of!”. (This may not be the speech verbatim, but you get the idea).

Ned and Ollie got the chase off to a solid start. Playing their shots and running well, they gave the rest of the team a ray of hope, maybe this was doable. Harry and Sam picked up from where the openers left off and kept us well and truly in the game, Sam finding the boundary multiple times. Cue Eddie’s triumphant entry. An attacking shot on his first ball gave an indication of what was to come, and he was soon peeling off boundaries for fun. Chazz was keen to join the party and the two were soon trading blows. Chazz then raised the bar when he launched a ball into the heavens and over the boundary for his first of two sixes. The sight was enough to convert one of the opposition as he was heard to exclaim ‘Jesus!’ as the ball sailed overhead.

After Eddie and Chazz had done their job, it was then up to Jack and Finley to hold their nerve and close out the innings. The parents were on the edge of their pews. A choir of cries came from the congregation on the sideline for every run scored. As they played out the last ball, victory was secured, Halleluja! and the boys walked off to an immaculate reception.

This game, more than any other has shown that we are a multi dimensional team. Where usually our bowling and fielding are the game winners, this time our savior was our batting.

The victory sees our Ascension into second place on the ladder and shows we are a real chance of lifting the chalice at the end of the season.

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