The Imps lads took on reigning Premiers Ex Students yesterday. The Imps record versus Ex Students in recent times is pretty bleak, with only three victories against Students since 1990. One of those victories was back in Round 9 of the 2008/09 season. I know this by heart, because I am forced to talk about it multiple times per working week.

I work with former Imps A Grade Captain Brett Duncan, who managed to take 5/27 with his part time medium pacers in this match, and single handendly (his words, not mine), bowl us to victory that day. There are very few working days where Brett doesn’t manage to bring this up in conversation, despite it being 14 years ago, and not a game of any particular importance. I also played in this game, but only made 12 and got a fractured finger out of it due to an Andy Matthews short ball, so my memories of this match aren’t as memorable as Brett’s.

Ex Students won the toss and batted. Normally they get off to a flyer, scoring 4 or 5 an over from the outset, but it was a subdued start, with the run rate restricted to 2 per over for the first 15 overs, thanks to some tight bowling from Tom and Scotty. Once Tom and Scotties spells were over, the floodgates opened and Students raced to 0/93 off 22 overs, before Sharpy took the first wicket. Another wicket to Sharpy, and one to Jayden Jones saw us peg Students back to 3/120, but from there, it was a bit of an onslaught from the Students batsmen, posting a formidable target of 252 for victory.

Sharpy took 2/50, while Lachy Rickwood took his first A Grade wickets for the Club, taking 2/28. Our efforts to chase down the target were hampered due to an alleged thigh injury to Dean Campbell, which got him out of fielding for the last 15 overs.

To chase down a formidable total of 252, you need a great start, and that’s what we got thanks to Witchy and Tom, who put on a 75 run opening partnership, before Tom was out for 31. Witchy was looking good on 45 before being caught, but not realising the umpire had called a no ball, and was then run out. Not much to report after Witchy’s dismissal, with us being bowled out for 119.

Last night the Imps faithful celebrated the 30th birthday of Joel “Sharpy” Randall. Sharpy came to Imps in the 2008/09 season, meaning he has spent almost half his life at Imps. Sharpy has given Imps fantastic service over the years, having played 170 Senior games for the Club. In that time, he has developed himself into one of the premier opening bowlers in the league. Sharpy’s best efforts with the ball was a devastating spell of 7/26 versus Gormandale, back in the 2018/19 season.

Imps will be participating in the Toyota Good for Cricket Raffle again this year, with all ticket sales going back to the Club. Click on the link below if you want to purchase a ticket.

https://toyotagoodforcricket.raffletix.com.au/traralgonimperialscc

Imps take on Toongabbie next week in A & B Grade, with B Grade at home, while the Eggy led C Grade side takes on Rovers at Jack Maskrey.