The Men started their T20 Max as a slow burn taking the first 2 games to get themselves in, but are now hot to trot following Sundays two wins.
Friday night had the boys playing at Ian Healy Oval against Norths for their first match of the season. Wests had 138 on the board at the end of their batting innings after a strong start by C.Connolly with 58 off 52. Our bowlers had a tough job to try and right the ship but Norths were too strong with the bat taking the win in the 15th over.
Saturday afternoon the men arrived at Graceville Memorial Park rested and ready for another tough game, this time against Valleys. Wests won the toss and put the opposition in to bat. Connolly and Sabburg removed the openers before Nair took to the Valleys batting order with 2 for 7 off 2 before retiring injured. Valleys finished on 7 for 138. The Wests lads came out and gave it their best with Paulsen making 40 off 41, McGiffin 21 from 20 and Sippel 19 off 18, with a finish of 106, Valleys taking the win.
But wait, the tide started to shift on Sunday as the Wests men took on Ipswich first up on Jack McLaughlin Oval. Again Wests won the toss and sent Ipswich in to bat. Dooley took 3 for 15 off 4, McGiffin 2 for 30 off 3 and Sabburg 2 for 24 off 3 overs holding Ipswich to 8 for 135. The fellas came out fired up with McNeilly making 56 off 51, Connolly 26 off 10 and Sippel 24 off 19. A team combined effort to finish the game in the 18th over, Wests taking the win. Wests Men are on the move!
Sunday afternoon and we are back on the field this time looking UQ straight in the eye. UQ won the toss, Connolly and McNeilly padded up first, Connolly 27 off 20, McNeilly faced too good a ball, nothing you can do about that. Mr ***** clocked up 39 from 39, Campbell 39 from 33 with a team effort of 5 for 137. In comes UQ, Street run out by Connolly on 47, Day is caught by Sippel off Sabburg. Out for 20. Dooley took 2 more wickets, 2 for 25 off 4, Whitney 2 for 37 off 4 and Sabburg added to his another finishing with 2 for 17 off 4. It was a stressful finish but the Wests boys were too good taking the win by 11 runs.
The slow burn is now a raging fire so make sure you catch the next Wests Mens game against the Sunshine Coast
Saturday 2nd September, 9:15am Bill Albury Oval
Followed by Wests against Sandgate-Redcliffe Saturday 2nd September, 1:45pm Trevor Hohns Field.
