Wombats Hold the Line

by Adam Birss

With semi-final contention on the line, the Wombats arrived at YCAC knowing that defeat was not an option. The sun beat down without mercy, the breeze played games, and Aoyama Gakuin — a dangerous, disciplined unit — won the toss and sent us in to bat.

First Innings: Collapse and Comeback

The innings began with chaos. Within six overs, we were 4 for 39 — top order blown away, confidence teetering. But just when it seemed the innings might crumble, Corey Hunter-Park walked to the crease and stood his ground. He didn’t score a run — but he didn’t need to. Corey’s 0 off 23 balls, spread across five overs, was a masterpiece of survival. His resistance gave Aidan Sarawan the platform to launch a counterattack that would define the match.

Aidan’s innings was brilliant — 66 from 46 deliveries, peppered with 12 boundaries and a towering six. With Corey at his side, they built a 41-run partnership from the 6th to the 11th over, shifting the momentum and silencing the opposition.

Extras contributed heavily (26 in total), and despite further wickets falling, the Wombats scrapped their way to 116 for 9 in 18.2 overs. Far from a winning total — but far from surrender.

Answering the Call: Ken Dobson’s Return

Short on players and staring down a must-win fixture, the Wombats faced a crisis. Then came a call from Ken Dobson. Ad’s…I’m sick, do you need me? The captain’s reply…”Are you calling from the car?” Sick with a 39-degree fever, Ken dragged himself out of bed and onto the field — not to chase glory, but to stand with his team when they needed him most. It was an act of quiet heroism that set the tone for everything that followed. No wickets, no runs — just presence. And in a match like this, that was everything.

Second Innings: Fire and Finish

Chasing 117, Aoyama never stood a chance against the fury that followed. James Honda tore through their top order, claiming 4 critical wickets and bowling with unrelenting aggression. His opening spell shattered their chase before it began. Giving send-offs to “boys that have yet to enjoy the touch of a woman’s bosom that was not their own mother’s”. Sanira Satoshi followed with 3 wickets for 13 runs, suffocating the middle order with control and class.

Joe Lewis added a wicket and a pinpoint run out. Andre Pretorius and Max Turnbull each claimed one to mop up the tail. The Wombats fielded with intensity. Energy was high. Pressure never let up. Aoyama were dismissed for 81 in 18.4 overs, and the Wombats secured a 35-run victory that keeps our finals hopes alive.

Key Performances

Aidan Sarawan – 66 (46 balls), 12 x 4s, 1 x 6
Corey Hunter-Park – 0 (23 balls), match-saving partnership
James Honda – 4 wickets, top-order destroyer
Sanira Satoshi – 3/13, clinical and composed
Joe Lewis – 1 wicket, 1 run out
Ken Dobson – Heroic return from illness to complete the XI
Extras – 26 (14 no-balls, 12 wides)

Final Word: Character in the Heat

This was more than a win — it was a test of resolve. Down early, low on numbers, and under pressure to stay alive in the competition, the Wombats responded with fight, focus, and fire. Aidan’s brilliance, Corey’s resistance, Honda’s destruction, Sanira’s control — and above all, the quiet courage of Ken Dobson.

The Wombats survive. And the dream of the finals marches on.