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by Hopey » Fri Jun 27, 2025 9:04 pm
Lowerhouse batted first on a warm but gloomy evening in the fifth game of the T20 campaign after Church won the toss and chose to bowl.
Openers Frankie Haasbroek and Dan Salpietro continued their excellent run of form, putting on 92 for the first wicket. Frankie played fluently for his 37 before falling, but Salpietro anchored the innings superbly, finishing unbeaten on 85 from 56 deliveries. His innings included some classy strokes and smart placement, guiding Lowerhouse to a strong total of 176 for 3 from their 20 overs, helped along by 20 extras from the Church attack.
Dan’s innings saw him become just the second Lowerhouse player ever to carry his bat through a T20 innings, following in the footsteps of Jonny Whitehead, who achieved the feat earlier this season.
In reply, Church were immediately under pressure, slumping to 9 for 2 after three overs and well behind the required rate. The situation worsened as Charlie Gansler struck twice in three balls to reduce them to 14 for 4, leaving Lowerhouse in full control.
However, a superb counter-attack followed from Church’s professional Lesiba Ngoepe and Kelan Florentine, who added 108 for the fifth wicket. Salpietro eventually removed Ngoepe for a destructive 81 from just 41 balls, caught by Paddy Martin.
The following over saw Florentine take 20 off Paddy, swinging the momentum firmly back towards Church. With 31 needed from the final four overs, Florentine guided his side home with five balls to spare, finishing unbeaten on a match-winning 76 from 44 balls in an excellent run chase.
Full scorecard here: Lowerhouse CC
