Last Wednesday, Kilsyth First XI played against Bayswater Park in the Round 2 RDCA T20 match at Alan Smith Oval, Pinks Reserve. It was the second match between the two teams within a week, as they had also met in the Wilkins Cup competition one-day match the previous Saturday, when Kilsyth were narrow victors by four runs.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, Kilsyth lost two early wickets to be 2/24 after 5.3 overs. However, Andy Solomons and Sagar Ahir then put on a brisk 85 in 8.4 overs for the third wicket to take the score to 109 when Solomons was out for a blistering 72 off 37 balls, including five fours and six sixes. His innings included three consecutive sixes off the last three balls of the 13th over. Then, the Redbacks lost another wicket to be 4/114, with Devon Gabriel-Brown claiming both wickets in the 15th over. Sagar Ahir was the next batsman out, caught for 30 off 34 balls (1 four), with the score now 5/133 after 17.5 overs. At the end of the allotted 20 overs, Kilsyth had reached 8/143cc. For Bayswater Park, the multiple wicket takers were Devon Gabriel-Brown, who took 3/37 off four overs, and Troy Gstrein 2/17 off four overs.
The Sharks replied with a match-winning opening partnership of 105 in 9.1 overs between Kade Perkins, 57 off 33 balls (nine fours), and Max Parker. Parker was the second batsman out for 65 off 31 balls (five fours and three sixes), and at that stage Bayswater Park were 2/135 from 12.2 overs. Shortly after, they passed Kilsyth’s score with a six to Justin Laughlin, reaching 2/148 off 14.5 overs with Laughlin and Spencer Petrie both 11 not out. Kilsyth’s wicket takers were Chris Pahi 1/11 off 1.2 overs and Dyan Smith 1/22 off three overs.
The next match is on Tuesday, 11 November, with the Redbacks at home against Upper Ferntree Gully on Alan Smith Oval, Pinks Reserve (start time 5.15pm).
