Mulbring maintained their position at the top of the Cessnock District Cricket First Grade points table after beating Supporters Club by two wickets in the top-of-the-table clash at Mulbring Oval on the weekend.
In the Saturday/Sunday two-day double header, Supporters won the toss and elected to bat, compiling a modest first innings total of 190 from the 56 overs that they were in the middle.
Skipper Nathan Stapleford once again led from the front with the willow, notching a quick-fire 75. The youthful Jackson Redmond was next best at the top of the order with 40, with Fleet Calder-Hoinville (17) and Andrew Nichols (15) the only other batsman to show any sort of resistance.
Scott Robertson (3-31 off 15), Adam Sheehan (3-10 off 6) and Josh Lewis (2-36 off 6) all bowled tidy spells for the home side. The Marlins batted out the remainder of time on the first day, closing off at 5-141 with the match well and truly in the balance.
Resuming the second day’s play, Mulbring added a further 40 runs before losing another wicket, this partnership all but sealing the victory for the home side. However three quick wickets when they still needed 10 runs for victory gave the batting side a few anxious moments, but they regathered their composure to pass the target without further loss. Cameron Ross was the pick of the batsmen at the top of the order with 62; Josh Lewis was equally impressive with 60, while Greg Sheehan (15) and Andy Carmichael (13) also contributed to the first innings victory.
Sixteen-year-old Lachlan Edwards was easily the pick of the Goannas’ attack with 4-29 off 11, and was on a hat-trick in the first over of his second spell. Liam Woods was next best with 2-23 off 8.
The match between Bellbird and Greta/Branxton at Carmichael Park looked set for an interesting second day’s play with the home side 3-50 in reply to Greta/Branxton’s total of 228. A torrential down pour just before play was due to resume continued for a good 40 minutes, and this was enough to abandon the match, with a draw and equal points the outcome.
Back to the Saturday and as mentioned above Greta/Branxton made a competitive 228 after winning the toss and deciding to make first use of the good conditions. Chris Bonar continued on his great debut season in the top grade with the bat, nothing a well timed 50. Jake Goodyer hit half a dozen maximums in an unbeaten 44, with Mark Bercini (42), Barry Richards (23), Trevor Rees (22) and Josh Dagg (20) all making starts for the Blues.
Elliot Gyler (3-66 off 13.4), Craig Schumacher (3-34 off 8) and Dave Gyler (2-60 off 20) shared the wickets for the Tigers.
The home side was 3-50 at the end of the first day’s play, with Jason Orr (13) and Shannon Attewell (11no) their best two. Brent Watson bowled a superb line and length to find himself on a hat-trick in just his second over, finishing with tidy figures of 2-9 off 7 overs.
The two sides get to complete unfinished business when they square off in a one day game at Miller Park this Saturday.
Wine Country have already claimed first innings points against Peden’s Hotel at Allandale, with further details unavailable at time of writing. The second day of this scheduled two-day fixture will resume this Saturday.
Second Grade
Greta/Branxton 3/94 (B. Frize 30no, C. Kedwell 24, C. Lawrence 17no, B. Morris 2-17 off 4) defeated Supporters 89 (T. Weekes 23, J. Brown 22, D. Austin 3-16 off 6, C. Kedwell 3-16 off 8, A. Partridge 2-33 off 9, T. Labroad 2-22 off 8).
Mulbring 6/229 (D. Olsen 74, M. Murray 58, W. Watson 21, J. Carr 17no, C. Wyborn 15, M. Plumridge 3-53 off 7) defeated Aussie Hotel 122 (R. Medway 65, M. Plumridge 21, C. Wyborn 5-15 off 7.2, L. Woods 3-25 off 6).
Bellbird 9/80 (N. Siers 25, S. Dimitrejevic 13, S. Clarke 4-30 off 6, D. Orr 3-25 off 10, P. Kennedy 2-20 off 4) defeated Paxton 75 (AA. Orr 37, L. Weekes 4-33 off 8.5, N. Siers 2-10 off 5, S. Dimitrejevic 2-19 off 7).
Wine Country defeated Peden’s Hotel (no details submitted).
Third Grade
Supporters 7/205 (B. Cowley 62, M. Williams 39, P. Stacey 35, L. Wilkinson 19, D. McGarva 19, P. Hicks 18no, M. Peace 3-37 off 10, S. Peace 2-44 off 10) defeated Greta/Branxton 20 (A. Whitfield 11, M. Williams 8-6 off 8, P. Hicks 2-14 off 7).
Peden’s 276 defeated Mulbring 71 (no other details submitted).
Paxton had the bye.
Fourth Grade
Supporters 2/75 (G. Hayes 31no, J. Richie 24, T. Woods 15) defeated Supporters Gold 71 (O. Kemp 24, S. Zerafa 3-9 off 2, G. Hayes 2-3 off 3).
Railway Hotel 173 (P. Hirons 64, J. Hirons 33no, B. Hipwell 22, M. Warrell 15, B. Jones 4-27 off 7.2, M. Wilkinson 2-21 off 4, J. Bartlett 2-16 off 4) defeated Greta/Branxton 129 (M. Wilkinson 30, A. Wilkinson 18, J. Bartlett 17, B. Jones 14).
POINTS TABLES
First Grade: Mulbring 50, Supporters 43, Bellbird 39, Greta/Branxton 35, Wine Country 26#, Peden’s Hotel 24#*.
# Still with game to complete this Saturday. No points yet awarded.
* Lost points 17/10/11 for playing suspended player.
Second Grade: Mulbring 74, Supporters 70, Greta/Branxton 69, Bellbird 66, Paxton 62,
Wine Country 58, Aussie Hotel 54, Peden’s Hotel 45.
Third Grade: Supporters 60, Paxton 49, Peden’s Hotel 46, Greta/Branxton 39, Mulbring 34.
Fourth Grade: Aussie Hotel 54, Supporters 52, Supporters Gold 44#, Greta/Branxton 38.
# Lost points 22/10/11 for using unregistered player.
Club Championship: Supporters 398, Mulbring 382, Greta/Branxton 336, Bellbird 288, Peden’s Hotel 232, Wine Country 220, Paxton 173, Aussie Hotel 135.
Email a friend