Maribor claimed their well-deserved first ever victory over Loka by 15 runs, with just a 7-men squad. Thanks to Brad Eve, who proved clear difference between both sides with bat and ball.
On a rain-affected day, stand-in Loka captain Nilesh duly decided to field first after winning the toss. Bowlers kept things tight with clinical fielding support from Kapil (behind the stumps), and young Nace Bevk and Alen Kaltak. Shahid was pick of the bowlers with 3 wickets, complemented by Jan who cleaned up Domen in his first over and Hass with 2 consecutive wickets.
Chasing just 53, Loka batsmen proved too vulnerable in handling Brad and Domen who bowled their full quota. Wickets kept tumbling from both ends, with wides the only things that kept the scoreboard ticking. Shahid and Kapil stabilized the lower middle order, but their resistance was ended by a silly runout. Nilesh was then left to battle along with debutant Dario Balic who defended admirably against Brad, but the damage had already been inflicted.
This defeat, instead of disappointment should be a wakeup call that urgent fixing is required in batting department. Otherwise a lot of positives to take and everyone admirably stepped up in filling senior’s gap.
We’re having a club meeting and a proper sub-continental dinner!
