J1C Round 2 held at Fuji, May 3rd, 2008

Sharks 9/199 off 40 overs (Nick 82, Dhugal 41) defeated MAX all out 186 (Levi 4/31, Markus 4/36)

Scorecard »

The Sharks held off a disciplined MAX to record their second consecutive win in the J1C competition, winning by 13 runs. Nick Creece starred with the bat scoring 82 and Levi Thurlow and Markus Adams were the standout bowlers both bagging four wickets.

Heading south under uncertain skies, the Sharks were quietly mindful of the improved MAX who are new entrants to the First Division of the J1C competition. The weather made a turn for the better in Shizuoka, and, although the ground was slightly muddy from the overnight rain, it was game time!

Captain Chris Thurgate won the toss and elected to bat in the slippery conditions, sending in the newly returned Creece and JC1 debutant, Andrew Glinos. The soggy pitch was unfriendly for the openers, zipping and zooting at the best of times and it was not long before Glinos was the first casualty, edging a Hagihara delivery onto the stumps, out for nought.

Out trotted form batsman, Dhugal Bedingfield, and together the two experienced campaigners stabilised the innings in the drying conditions. Creece reminded the Sharks batsmen what they'd been missing at the top of the order, cutting and pulling and driving anything loose with devastating confidence. Bedingfield, complemented the hot mood of Creece, fluently unpicking the tidy MAX attack whilst giving the majority of the strike to his partner. The duo put on a 136 run partnership amongst sprightly MAX fielding, before Bedingfield went to a good catch by captain Kobayashi at square leg for a well put together 41.

Captain Thurgate was next in and ready for action, however a risky call from Creece left the skipper short of his ground without even facing a ball.

Seeking to up the ante, Creece went soon after, holing out for a stylish 82 off the bowling of Fujimoto.

Next followed a middle order collapse that had the MAX team right back in the game. The two Kobayashi's began ripping into the rest of the order claiming Smith (5), Shibuta (0), Dingwell (8) and Coovre (10) in the space of 24 runs.

Morimoto was run-out for a duck and the innings had run out of overs before Thurlow and Adams had a chance to weave their magic.

With a target of 200 runs, the youthful MAX was still very much in the game. The Sharks' well stacked slips cordon was evidence of its intentions. Utilising the blowy conditions, opening bowler Thurlow caught the edge of Tsutsumi's bat, sending one into Bedingfield's hands at first slip with the score at 1-25. Asakura retired hurt not long after, copping a zinger on the body from Thurlow, making only three.

Skipper Kobayashi was next in, and together with Kitamura, steered the MAX innings into calmer waters. Kitamura played patiently for 39, but a good throw from Dingwell, saw him run out at 3-71.

Fujimoto started what Kitamura left off; he and Kobayashi milked the Sharks' bowling with clever running between wickets and inventive shots into the gaps. Kobayashi showed why the future of Japanese cricket is in good hands, pouncing on anything loose with well timed drives and flicks on the leg-side.

With the Sharks running out of options, Thurlow was brought back into the attack, claiming the wicket of the dangerous Kobayashi, top edging one into the safe gloves of Thurgate, for an inspiring 69. In a lethal mood, he soon knocked over the timbers of Fujimoto for 16 (later Takami for 12), and MAX was under the pump at 5-165. With the target run rate pushing ten an over it was all or nothing for MAX, who were still within striking distance.

Adams entered the fray and the wily legspinner tempted the daring MAX batsmen with his flight, snaring K Kobayashi (7), Suzuki (0), Fukuyama (0) and Uemura (0) in quick succession; victory for the Sharks.

Thurlow and Adams were well supported by tight bowling and clever field placings. The team benefited from the return of Dingwell and Smith, who provided much needed variety to the attack.

Thurgate kept the square leg umpire busy, netting three stumpings. In addition the keeper took two catches and assisted in two run-outs, making sure MAX never got their nose in.

Although victorious, the Sharks were witness to a competitive display of cricket by the all-Japanese team, who have proven they are worthy of being in the top division. The Sharks' middle order still remains fragile and the bowling, however tight, still needs more discipline.

On the train ride home the sharks celebrated their win with a feast fit for a king. Post match interviews were held (and filmed!) and congratulations were given all-round.

It's two wins out of two for the Sharks, but with several big games coming up it's time to get back to basics if they are to be top of the food chain.

Team on the Day: Chris, Nick, Dhugal, Kazuhiro, Bill, Paul, Levi, Takayuki, Andy, Alexis, Markus

Report by: Alexis Coovre