February 1999 Volume 80 Number 2 "serving the protectors"
Grudge Cricket
By Stuart Birch

Another “grudge” match between police cricket teams, the Mid-West Snappers and the Far North Camels, was played out in Whyalla last November. The score line from their two previous encounters had been one all - this would be the day the deadlock was broken.

Players who competed in the grudge cricket match

The Snappers won the toss and batted first. Myers and Prizibilla starting the innings. With 17 on the board, a mix-up occurred which saw Prizibillla short of his ground and run out. The Camels were on their way.

At drinks, the Snappers were 2/58 with plenty of work to do in the second 20 overs. The Snappers exploded and ended up all out in the last over for 210. Fine knocks came from Danny Bell (50), Mark Shilton (30) and Chris Harden (25no).

Best bowling for the Camels came from Martlew (4/22) and Nick Perry (2/10).

Batting after lunch, the Camels’ Toby Shaw and Paul Griffin led the way. They started well before the fall of two wickets. Shaw and Perry then batted well and got the score moving. After retiring at 30, and then batting at the end, Perry and Shaw left the crease which saw the Camels collapse. The middle order scores were 0, 0, 5, 0.

When Shaw and Perry came back in at the end, 100 runs were required from eight overs. A Whitehorn bumper saw Shaw pull a ball to deep mid-wicket where Bell cupped his hands around the ball to secure victory for the Snappers.

Best batters for the Camels were Shaw (39) and Perry (31). Extras were 14. Best Snapper bowling was by Coad (2/2), Myers (2/3) and Birch (2/22).

The Snappers’ victory - which takes them to a two-to-one lead - was a fitting result with which to send Chief Inspector “Twiggy” Phillips into retirement.

Danny Bell won Man of the Match.

The grudge match shield now sits majestically in the Whyalla Police Station for viewing by all.