EMIRATES WESTERN FORCE GO DOWN IN TWENTY20 CLASH
Wednesday, 6 August 2008 4:19pm
Newcastle Falcons Official Website
The match at South Northumberland Cricket Club was in aid of the Falcons Community Foundation, with Aussie legend Matthew Burke skippering Newcastle to victory one last time as part of a week-long farewell to the club's fans.
With a strong crowd enjoying the sunny conditions the Falcons chased down the Force's total of 106 for 17 with ease, reaching their target with six overs still to go.
Falcons director of rugby, Steve Bates, said: “It was a really fun evening for a great cause, and it's one of those things that's brilliant for team spirit as well.
“It was good to see so many fans here on the night, it's a chance for them to meet and chat to the players in a more relaxed setting and it was a thoroughly enjoyable match.
“The Western Force boys really entered in to the spirit of things and seemed to enjoy playing their part, but it came as no surprise that a team captained by Matt Burke ended up victorious!”
The signs were ominous for the Force as early as the second ball, as Andy Long clean bowled opening bat Gareth Hardy for a golden duck, while the spin bowling of Mark Sorenson – a former age-group provincial cricketer in his homeland of New Zealand – was to the fore.
Burke got in on the act with an extraordinary lobbed delivery to outfox another Force prop, AJ Whalley, as he got among the wickets..
With the Force losing their ten wickets for just 60 runs the teams agreed to let them bat on for the full 20 overs, with some big hitting in the latter stages leaving a target of 107 for the Falcons to chase as the Aussies lost a total of 17 wickets!
An accomplished start from the top three Newcastle batsmen set the stage for Burke to enter the fray.
True to form the Aussie dominated the bowling attack to produce a string of fours and sixes, before being caught on the boundary by his former Wallabies team mate Scott Staniforth for 17.
It was left to Phil Dowson and Mark Laycock to hit the winning runs with six overs to spare, as Newcastle recorded an ultimately comfortable victory.
Both sides enjoyed a bbq and mingled with fans after the contest, where Emirates Western Force tour captain David Pocock said his team was looking forward to the real clash between the two sides at Kingston Park on Friday night.
"They've certainly shown they're better cricketers than us," said Pocock.
"It was a good fun hitout for the boys and gave us a chance to stretch our legs after a long flight but we're here for the rugby and we're looking forward to meeting them again on the rugby field this Friday night. Hopefully with a better result."
