29/06/2026
Shepp Titans vs Passion Pops
Shepp Titans won by 51 runs
https://www.lastmanstands.com/lms-cricket/match-centre/scorecard/514753
Unfortunately, every season needs one of those games. This was ours.
As the Titans posted 148/3, the Pops bowlers had mixed fortunes. Coda Ferries, Beau Cawte and Warren Wingrove each picked up a wicket, while Josh Gardiner quietly bowled the most economical four-over spell for just 22 runs, proving that someone in the attack remembered the assignment.
The chase never quite got going, although there were enough flashes to keep the supporters from leaving entirely. Codatop-scored with a defiant 32 from 23, including a couple of towering sixes that briefly convinced everyone the comeback was on. Sadly, cricket is a cruel game and the rest of the innings didn't get the memo.
Trent Cuthell started brightly with 16 from 12, Warren Wingrove scratched together 15, Jon Le Souef battled for 13, while Josh Gardiner, Mateusz Pater and Beau Cawte all made starts before discovering that getting bowled is, in fact, not the ideal batting strategy.
The result wasn't pretty, but every good side needs the occasional reminder that nets exist for a reason. The silver lining? Coda's batting was booming, Josh's bowling stayed miserly, and nobody had to explain away a golden duck over post-match beers.
We'll chalk this one up to "valuable learning experiences" the phrase every losing cricket team has used since the invention of cricket.
Passion Pops vs Wild Aces
Passion Pops won by 25 runs
https://www.lastmanstands.com/lms-cricket/match-centre/scorecard/514748
The Passion Pops rolled into the last Sunday game looking like they'd accidentally wandered into a batting masterclass, piling on 176/2 thanks to a couple of blokes who apparently decided getting out was optional.
Trent Cuthell and Warren Wingrove both brought up classy unbeaten fifties, proving that running between the wickets is much easier when you're constantly finding the boundary. Trent finished with 50 from 31*, while Waz matched him almost shot-for-shot with 50 from 30*. Somewhere the Wild Aces bowlers are still checking if these two have finally stopped batting.
Not to be outdone, Jenson Morris decided strike rates are merely suggestions, blasting 44 from just 20 balls at a ridiculous 220. If he'd come in any earlier we'd probably still be adding up the score. Mateusz Pater chipped in with 11, Josh Gardiner made a quick 6, while Coda "The Stump Exploda" Ferries wandered out late to collect an unbeaten 15 and some extra Player of the Match votes.
With the ball, Coda lived up to the nickname, producing the spell of the day with 4 overs, 1/16, strangling the Wild Aces innings so effectively it should probably be investigated by cricket authorities.
Jon Le Souef grabbed a wicket, Trent snagged another, while Josh bowled the tightest over of the innings for just three runs because apparently he likes making batsmen question their life choices.
A comfortable 25-run win, two unbeaten fifties, one explosive cameo and another Player of the Match for Coda.
Passion Pops cricket is clearly better for your blood pressure than supporting most AFL clubs.
