With the ground in great condition and a hard wicket and fast outfield Central North won the toss and elected to bat.

The first wicket of Ramsay Vane-Wood (1) fell in the first over for two, then a 43 run partnership between Andrew Bartik 40 and captain Luke Uphill 15 steadied the innings.

Jesse Mepham three, Luke Fox six and Ben Marshall 0 fell in quick succession to leave the hosts at 6/75 in the 22nd over. A solid partnership of 75 between Alex Hicks 44 and local lad Steve Abel 30 took the score to eight for 150 off 37 overs. Tailenders Michael Leitinger 10, Alex Walsh 4 and Abe Gibson 0 not out saw Central North dismissed in the 39th over for 163.

The run rate was good but the loss of wicket saw the Zone team not batting out their 50 overs. Best of the bowlers for St. George were Blake Newport 3/29 off 8 overs, John Halias 2/18 off 3 and Jay Rowles 2/20 off 5 overs.

St. George’s turn at the crease started cautiously, with 17 runs on the board there was a great run out with a direct hit from Luke Uphill. When Zach Speechley departed the score was three for 30 in the eighth over. A partnership of 38 between Michael Turnbull 22 and Blake Newport 45 took the visitors to 6/126 in the 39th over. Two quick wickets to Tom Heffernan had St. George shaky at 8/134. Steve Abel removed the ninth wicket leaving St. George to score 28 for victory with seven overs remaining. The last wicket could not be secured with tailenders Matthew Able 18 and Matthew Edinborough 9 remaining not out and securing the runs in the 49th over.

There were some very tidy bowling figure for the Central North lads with Alex Walsh bowling 10 over, 3 maidens, 2 for 14, Cessnock boy Steve Abel 8 overs, 2 maidens 2 for 15 and left arm orthodox spinner Abe Gibson 10 overs, 2 maidens 2 for 37. Tom Heffernan was the other wicket taker with 2/52 off 9 overs.

The game was played in the true spirit of Cricket and many friendships were made.