Robbie Speers led Lansdowne to easy win over Red Star. PHOTO/FILE
CRICKET
CHRIS COGDALE
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All-rounder Reece Hannam starred for Jackson Street Bar Lansdowne on Saturday in their upset victory over Burger King Red Star in the first round of the Bidwill Cup.
Hannam claimed four wickets for 20 runs as Red Star’s batting line-up crumbled to be all out for 97 at the Queen Elizabeth Park Oval. He then chimed in with an unbeaten 34 to guide Lansdowne to victory, and virtually confirm their place in the two-day final.
Medium-pacer Hannam struck with the third ball of the Red Star innings, with Richard French prodding back a simple caught and bowled.
Red Star were soon two wickets down without scoring when representative opener Robbie Anderson skied a catch off the medium pace bowling of Nathan Kapene.
The defending champions never recovered, with only Stefan Hook [23], Nathan Elliott [16], and Vikas Pal [16] reaching double figures on a pitch, which offered early assistance to the bowlers.
Hook captured the early wicket of Harman Singh Boparai, and Lansdowne looked in some trouble at 40-4, but Hannam and captain Robbie Speers assured there would be no further jitters, adding 59 runs and bringing up the victory in the 23rd over.
Lansdowne took 10 points from the game, which with only three games in the championship, should be enough to book their place in the final.
Red Star could not muster even a solitary bonus point in a below standard performance. They will have to wait on the outcome of next Saturday’s clash between Lansdowne and Greytown, to know what will be required to make the final, in the last game against Greytown on March 14.
Saturday’s victory also gave Lansdowne the Bidwill Challenge Cup.
BRIEF SCORES
Red Star 97 [Stefan Hook 23; Reece Hannam 4-20] lost to Lansdowne 99-4 [Hannam 34no, Greg Dennes-Wilson 26, Robbie Speers 24no] by six wickets.
