Page 40 - WPHCCC 2024-2025 Yearbook

C2 Grade
WPHC Red (Aniket) 4th 184 Vs Hornsby Green (2nd) 2/18 Day 1
WPHC 184 Vs Hornsby 2/18
It wasn’t the start we had hoped for in the grand final. Ani was keen to win the toss and bowl first, but the luck didn’t fall our way as Hornsby won the toss and opted to send us in to bat.
The mood was high after our last win, but the early wickets brought us back to reality.
Saurabh and Chetan opened the innings, and our plan was for them to anchor the batting for at least the first 10 overs. Unfortunately, disaster struck early. Chetan was dismissed in the 3rd over, and by the 7th, Saurabh was also on his way back to the pavilion. To make matters worse, Shakeel followed shortly after in the 11th over.
Suddenly, we found ourselves at 3-33, with the scoreboard looking grim. However, Hari and Lakshya weren’t ready to give up.
They put together an outstanding partnership, batting for 32 overs and adding 115 runs. Both reached half-centuries during this vital stand. But the intense heat began to take its toll, and Lakshya was eventually dismissed after a superb catch at midwicket.
As per our season’s trend, we lost Hari soon after leaving us at 5-148. We were still in a reasonable position, but a series of quick wickets followed, and we were all out for 184.
With 10 overs remaining in the day, Ani made the decision to open the bowling with Shakeel. That choice paid off, as both Shakeel and Ani took a wicket each, leaving Hornsby at 2-18 by the end of the day.
We go into Day 2 with the game still in the balance.
The team is fired up, and we’ll be giving it our all with the sole intention of bringing the trophy