Evening Bears,

A fantastic all round performance by the Polar Bears today saw them win against the Whistleblowers (aka Public Servants With Ink) by 182 runs.

GT lived up to his new years resolution by winning his first toss of the season. Funnily enough he has a 100% win ratio for 2014. Anyways he had no hesitation in batting what look like a flat, skinny pitch with MCG like boundaries.

Pope and DB got us off to a good start with both players picking a military medium attack off. DB was the first to go after he become frustrated that his wagon wheel showed most runs between the slips and past the keeper. The new aggressive Pope was joined by Radic and both batsman picked the rate up. At drinks the score was 1-90. DB not happy with the ultra aggressive 2014 new improved Pope demanded that the scoring rate was picked up as we needed 250 runs on this flat green pitch. It was decided by the pair that DB words of motivation were somewhat motivating and in the next 7 overs they put on 58 runs. When Radic hit one to mid on the pair had put on 124 runs. Pope was joined by a rabid Drady, who was elevated in the batting order and had been given a licence from his skipper! Controversy is never far away when Pope is batting. After being called back for two by Drady, the bails were removed at Pope's end. Umpire Hot Pants took his time, tilted his head and reflected....and reflected...and reflected. Every bear was hanging on his next move. Was it going to be a sudden shake of the head or would he raise the finger. After 39 painstaking seconds Pope was fired! ( Well if you could call it that). Unfortunately for Pope the Pope Review System was not available for him at Phillip and he was on his way for a well made 68 (highest score for the Bears).

Further controversy was to follow. Both GT and Drady were batting well and picking up the odd four and six. Drady had raced to 41 off 22 balls and there was talk of big runs for Drady. Unfortunately tragedy struck!! GT struck one in the gap between cover and point and called Drady through for one. Drady, who was sitting on his bat, not backing up and chewing Umpire Pommy's ear had that look of your kidding on his face. Unfortunately for Drady his dream was over and he was about a metre short (Drady's words). HP thought it was more like two. GT felt terrible, not only did it cost him a run, he had run out the last remaining batsman that could threaten 300. GT apologised in advance before Drady could get a word in.

GT picked up the momentum with Azz, who unfortunately threw his back out trying to hit one over the hospital. The pair put on 44 in 5 overs to take the score to 5/266 off 40 overs. The second best score ever by the outdoor Polar Bears.

The Whistleblowers struck a couple of good shots but was never in contention loosing wickets regularly to Drady and Shane (who both worked in partnership with the breeze. Azz was replaced by the Spoonman who almost caught three catches ( not sure how almost but close). At drinks the Whistleblowers were looking at throwing in the towel after their last remaining batsman (who was going to get the runs, all 200 of them by turning down singles) was dismissed trying to slog HP. HP cleaned up the rest to get an amazing 4/3 off 3 overs. Drady got the other figures 3 for 27 ( however all credit must go to the breeze!). The Whistleblowers were bowled out for 82 and the Bears were victorious.

Thanks to all the Bears who came and supported after the B-Grade game was won through forfeit.

We have Trims mob next in C Grade. A win there would mean a good chance of making the final. A loss would be a mistake of Trim Like Proportions!!!

GT