Loffler to the rescue

Ian Loffler drives through the off side during his innings of 71 for Old Boys Rugby against Pirates on Saturday. Loffler’s performance was key to his side’s victory, which earned OBR a place in the final against High School Old Boys this Saturday. Pictures by Liam Clayton

IAN Loffler smashed 71 runs off 77 balls to propel Old Boys Rugby into the DJ Barry Cup final where they will take on High School Old Boys on Saturday.

Loffler’s knock, which included 12 fours, anchored Bain Construction OBR’s 208-9 before they dismissed a 10-man Kevin Hollis Glass Pirates team for 144 at Harry Barker Reserve at the weekend.

Pirates skipper Brad Reynolds won the toss and sent OBR in to bat. Reynolds struck an early blow for his side when he had his OBR counterpart, Jonathan Purcell, caught by Baxter Mackay for nought with seven runs on the board.

Dane Thompson then bagged the prize wicket of Purcell’s opening partner, OBR dangerman Craig Christophers, caught and bowled for 4, and OBR were 13-2.

“It was the worst possible start for us,” Purcell said.

Loffler and Timoti Weir rebuilt the innings with a third-wicket stand of 73. Weir kept the run-rate ticking over and Loffler was content to feed him the strike.

Loffler takes chargeHowever, when Weir was bowled by Dan Torrie for 54, having brought up his 50 off 55 balls, Loffler opened his shoulders and took charge.

He received good support from Hamish Evans as they put on 36 runs for the fourth wicket. But Evans was caught by Sam Patterson off the bowling of Tayla Hollis for 11.

Hamish's innings 'invaluable'“In the context of the game, Hamish’s innings was invaluable,” Purcell said.

“He’s been out of cricket for a few years and has only just returned, but he’s getting better with every game and will be a key player for us in the final.”

Thompson was the pick of the Pirates attack, taking 3-21 off nine overs, while Reynolds played his part with 3-37 off eight.

“We were happy with 208, but knew we had work to do,” Purcell said.

Reynolds and Patterson gave Pirates a solid start with an opening stand of 36 before Reynolds was bowled by Jimmy Holden for 11.

Holden's second victimThompson and Patterson added 32 runs before Thompson became Holden’s second victim, out for 15.

Patterson, who top-scored for Pirates with 30, departed shortly after. He was followed by Torrie, bowled by Evans for 12, and Pirates were in trouble at 94-4.

Wickets continued to fall at regular intervals, and Christophers finished with 3-22. Hayden Fenn wagged the tail with a swashbuckling 26 that included five fours.

“Jimmy (Holden) gave us an awesome start, bowling eight straight overs,” Purcell said.

“He was unlucky not to take more wickets, but catches were put down.”

OBR 208-9 (I Loffler 71, T Weir 54; D Thompson 3-21, B Reynolds 3-37) def Pirates 144 (S Patterson 30, H Fenn 26; C Christophers 3-22, J Holden 2-30, H Evans 2-32) by 64 runs.