Watson takes hat-trick
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Greta/Branxton first grade opening bowler Brent Watson became the third association bowler to grab the holy grail of bowling with a hat-trick in the top of the table clash with Mulbring at Branxton’s Miller Park last Saturday.
Watson achieved the very rare feat with the third, fourth and fifth deliveries of his very first over, claiming the wickets of Marlins’ top order batsmen Mark Murray and Brad Strachan with seaming deliveries that caught the edge.
The hat-trick delivery was a similar length to explosive all-rounder and fellow Central North Zone representative Greg Sheehan, who skied a tempted drive, with Blues wicket-keeper Barry Richards slightly misjudging the skyscraper but eventually dived to take the catch inches off the ground.
On Miller Park number two Greta/Branxton Blue fourth grade number four batsman Kenny Wilkinson scored his second century of the season in the local derby against Greta/Branxton White. Wilkinson hit 19 boundaries on his way to 123 retired.
In first grade Greta/Branxton maintained top spot on the ladder and remain undefeated with a convincing 65-run victory over second-placed Mulbring.
Blues skipper Josh Dagg once again won the toss and elected to make first use of the perfect batting conditions. The home side cashed in on some uncharacteristically poor Mulbring fielding to post a very healthy 8-229 from their mandatory 40 overs.
Dagg continued his career-best form but once again concentration let him down when he neared that elusive maiden top grade ton, with a false stroke bringing his down fall and he was caught out for the devil’s number 87.
Greg Andrews got back into the swing of things after six years in retirement with a crisp 29, with Jake Goodyer (18) and Damien Frize (17) keeping the scorers busy.
Cameron Ross was the best of the Mulbring attack with an expensive 3-80 off 10, with Sheehan (2-45 off 10) and Josh Lewis (2-40 off 10) collecting a brace of wickets each.
After a disastrous start in reply, the Marlins recovered to add some respectability to the score, eventually all out in the 38th over for 164.
Ross came in at number nine and timed the ball as good as anyone on the day with a quick fire 51. Chad Lewis (39no) played a sensible knock, with Josh Lewis (24) and Andy Carmichael (23) unlucky to be dismissed after they also timed the ball nicely.
For the Blues Watson finished with figures of 4-33 off 10, with opening partner Mick Shelley also very impressive with 4-21 off 10.
Supporters Club snuck back into the top four with an excellent four-wicket win over in-form Peden’s Hotel at East End.
Peden’s skipper Matt Hopley won the toss and elected to bat, with the home side posting a healthy 181 although bowled out inside 38 overs.
Beau Lewis back on his old stomping ground led the way with 53, Pete Brennan once again wasted no time in his 35, with Luke Johnston (24), Gavin Kronholm (19) and Hopley (18) making useful contributions.
Wickets for the Supporters bowlers were shared between Nathan Stapleford (3-29 off 8.5), Paul Wright (3-32 off 10) and Lachlan Edwards (2-33 off 8).
The Goannas passed the target in the 36th over reply after losing six wickets, with former skipper Stapleford capping a fine all-round game in guiding his side to victory with an unbeaten 47.
Michael Gates (41), skipper Ryan Eagles (32), Andrew Fensom (27) and Wright (14no) all contributed to the important victory.
Peter Auditore was the best of the Piranhas’ attack with 3-25 off eight, with Jason Jones taking 2-50 off eight.
In the final game of the round Bellbird kept Wine Country’s horror winless season going with a 65-run victory at Carmichael Park.
Batting first the Tigers scored freely to post 6-201 from their 40 overs, with the crafty Shannon Attewell finding some much needed form with an unbeaten 68. Todd Jory supported well with 49, with Pat Cagney (21no) and Rob Drage (17) among the run scorers.
Nathan Davey was the best of the Wine Country attack with 4-36 off 10.
The Wood Ducks were dismissed in the 26th over for 136 in reply, with Shane Morley leading the way with 37.
Luke Jeans was next best with 29no in a 66-run final wicket partnership, while club president Mark O’Hara also notched 29 at the top of the order.
A depleted Tigers’ attack was headed up by Matt Tomlinson (5-34 off 10) who bagged his second consecutive five-wicket haul, with Pat Cagney (3-46 off 8) and 12-year-old debutant Joe Barber (1-36 off 5) bowling well.
SECOND GRADE
Mulbring 6/189 (B. Mendyk 51, P. Robertson 48, D. McBeth 24, A. Partridge 2-48 off 10, M. Peace 2-3 off 6) defeated Greta/Branxton 5/185 (O. Dorn 85no, D. Holz 51, T. Fuller 19, M. Harward 2-25 off 5).
Supporters 184 (J. Brown 54no, Z. Sneesby 39, T. Johnson 23, A. Williams 4-11 off 6.4, D. Johnstone 3-48 off 9, O. Kemp 2-7 off 4) defeated Peden’s Hotel 113 (D. Johnstone 41, Z. Tyne 23, T. Higgins 22, D. Orr 4-43 off 10, Z. Sneesby 3-45 off 10).
Bellbird 9/201 (K. Gogerly 71, J. Hlad 21, M. Staib 3-57 off 10) defeated Wine Country 92 (J. Spence 29, S. Cherry 4-11 off 5).
THIRD GRADE
Paxton 158 (S. Lane 61no, A. Zechel 28, A. Orr 24, W. Wells 3-52 off 10, B. Bailey 2-26 off 5) defeated Greta/Branxton 55 (B. Jones 15, A. Zechel 5-20 off 7, B. Reed 4-35 off 8).
Peden’s Hotel 182 defeated Supporters 131 (no details submitted).
Bellbird defeated Wine Country by forfeit.
FOURTH GRADE
Greta/Branxton Blue 5/228 (K. Wilkinson 123, J. Wilkinson 35, B. Lahey 14, M. Element 2-51 off 9) defeated Greta/Branxton White 138 (M. Element 50, B. Element 30, S. Wilkinson 2-41 off 10).
Laguna 2/100 (D. Philip 47no, S. Sullivan 23no, L. Capararo 2-24 off 4) defeated Peden’s Hotel 90 (D. Grills 33, N. Osland 28, S. Sullivan 2-30 off 7, G. Kelso 2-14 off 6).
Supporters Gold 178 (J. Jackson 61, N. McPike 34, Q. McPike 26, C. Howson 6-14 off 5) defeated Bellbird 38 (S. Anderson 13, L. Sweeney 6-11 off 4).
Mulbring 133 (Michael Barnett 32, Darrell Payne 23, Jack Kirkham 18, W. Myers 5-26 off 5, R. Payne 2-5 off 1) defeated Supporters Black 103 (T. Wiese 31, W. Myers 24, P. Crocker 14, Phil Cook 5-17 off 8, Darren Young 2-20 off 10, Andrew Clifton 2-30 off 7).
