Tom Buchanan makes heartfelt half-century in honour of niece Ahlia, but Leschenault lose to Eaton

Tom Buchanan made a heartfelt half-century on Saturday in honour of his niece who died last year. The Leschenault Cricket Club was covered in baby blue when the first grade side played Eaton in memory of a seven-year-old Ahlia Williams, the niece of Tom Buchanan and granddaughter of life member Peter Buchanan, who died in November 2020 from diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma — the biggest killer of children from disease in Australia. The club honoured her at the first instalment of Ahlia’s Blue Stumps Day during their BDCA first grade game against Eaton on Saturday, raising more than $15,000 for the charity RUN DIPG. Results-wise, a majestic 60 off 87 balls from Buchanan was not enough to lift his Green Caps against Eaton, who won by four wickets in an absorbing contest. Winning the toss and electing to bat in front of a sizeable crowd, Leschenault found the going tough early, as in-form seamer Julian Crudeli, who took 2-12 off his first three overs, wasted no time in removing Steve Denison and youngster Nico Le Roux. This brought Buchanan to the crease alongside skipper Matt Fink — and instantly you could feel the atmosphere had lifted a couple of notches. Spectators were treated to one of the tensest duels of the season. While Bobtails duo Steven Barron and Clayton Caltsounis were giving nothing away with their quality bowling, both Fink and Buchanan were equally up to the task. By the time drinks were called by umpire Russell Lindroth, the Green Caps pairing had added 58 runs, which had put the hosts well and truly back in the game. Aware a milestone on such a special day would mean a lot to many people close to him, Buchanan brought up a well-deserved half century in the 26th over, with Caltsounis on the receiving end of two towering sixes which soared towards the Green Caps’ pavilion. After momentarily pausing following his second slog, Buchanan was made aware of his half century and humbly raised his bat to the pavilion, with all spectators giving him a warm round of applause. Buchanan’s fun eventually came to an end after he was bowled by Kaine May, however his deeds well and truly put Leschenault in the hunt. Caltsounis wisely saved half of Crudeli’s overs for the back end of Leschenault’s dig — and sure enough, the silky quick returned with a few late wickets to finish with 5-19 off 8.4 overs. However Crudeli’s lasting impact on this contest was still yet to come. The Bobtails were left reeling early in their pursuit of 166, following a scintillating opening burst from Jacob Templeton, who came agonisingly close to securing a hat-trick in the third over. Acutely aware of his side’s early predicament, Crudeli (69 not out off 127 balls) provided a pillar of strength as the Bobtails managed to hold their nerve and secure victory with three overs to spare.