In the same first grade innings between Bellbird and Peden’s Hotel at Carmichael Park, opener Jason Orr (111) made it three tons already for the year, two in district cricket and one in representative cricket, while number three batting partner Ben Fairlie notched his maiden grade century and carried the bat for 111 not out. Orr’s inning included 15 boundaries and two maximums, while the less aggressive Fairlie caressed the ball around nicely with 14 boundaries.

Across the ditch at the picturesque Baddeley Park No. 2, there were coincidentally another two centuries in the same fourth grade game between club rivals Supporters Gold and Supporters Black. 

Supporters Gold opener Quin McPike blasted 20 boundaries in his innings of 104, while Supporters Black number four batsman Brayden Mortimer responded with an unbeaten 129 which included an incredible 26 boundaries to make it back to back tons after his maiden three figure score the week before.

In first grade Supporters Club recorded the first real upset of the season and in doing so racked up their first win of the season by overcoming Greta/Branxton by two wickets at Miller Park. Batting first Greta/Branxton’s woes with the timber of late continued, skittled inside 30 overs for just 123. 

Allen Beh found some form with 32, with Damien Frize (25) and Jake Goodyer (19) the only other batsmen to make an impression in what was a dismal looking scorecard that included four ducks. Supporters skipper Alan Clarke was responsible for the majority of the damage, collecting 4-1 off 4 overs. He received good support from openers Nathan Stapleford (2-29 off 10) and Tim Goldman (2-15 off 7) who bowled very economically, and Michael Ho who took 2-20 off three. 

In reply the Goannas looked on shaky ground at 7-65, but the experience of Stapleford (40no) who made the home side pay for some easy dropped chances, and Clarke (18no) steered the visitors to their first win of the season. Opener Jack Morris (27) timed the ball crisply and proved his recent promotion to the top grade was worthwhile, with Andrew McCallum (14) also making a handy contribution. Jake Goodyer tried hard for home side with 5-48 off 10, with Brent Watson taking 2-34 off 10.

Bellbird continued their recent good form by disposing of Peden’s Hotel by 96 runs at Carmichael Park. Batting first the Tigers amassed 5-263, with centurions Orr and Fairlie’s 183-run second wicket partnership setting up the prosperous total. Dale Johnston was the best of the Peden’s attack with an expensive 2-72 off 10. The Piranhas were all out in the 33rd over for 167 in reply, with in-form opener Pete Brennan (55) leading the way once again with his second consecutive half century. Chris O’Neill (31), Gavin Kronholm (27) and Craig Duffie (20) all batted well in the competitive run chase. Wickets for the home side were shared between veteran Dave Gyler (3-35 off 7), Nick Siers (3-36 off 8.1) and Billy Orr (2-43 off 9).

In the final game of the round Mulbring continued on their unbeaten merry way with a five-wicket victory over Wine Country at Allandale. Wine Country skipper Stephen Hedger won the toss and elected to bat, with the home side bowled out inside 36 overs for a modest 135. In-form number three batsman Matt Lightfoot notched yet another half century with an unbeaten 51, and association president Mark O’Hara continued on where he left off last week with 33, but the pair lacked support from the rest of the batting card. Rob Strachan was the best of the Mulbring attack with a very economical 3-14 off 10, with brother Brad Strachan (3-35 off 10) and Greg Sheehan (2-25 off 8) the other main wicket takers.

The Marlins cruised to victory in reply, passing the target (5-140) in the 23rd over with five wickets in hand. Opener Adam Curnock led the way with 29 before retiring, Brad Strachan and Sheehan made 28 not out apiece, with Andy Carmichael (16) and skipper Josh Lewis (15) doing enough to get the visitors home.

 SECOND GRADE

Greta/Branxton 9/149 (Brock Charnock 25, Damien Austin 24,  Andrew Bercini 20, Orey Dorn 18no, Darren Holz 16, Zach Sneesby 3-24 off 10, Justin Brown 2-22 off 9, Tyson Johnson 2-38 off 10) defeated Supporters 89 (Zach Sneesby 27, Dave Garnett 13, Andrew Bercini 5-20 off 10, Phil Aughey 2-11 off 1.5).

Bellbird 4/90 (Matt Crump 44, Joseph Main 17no, Joseph Barber 13no, Aaron Sweeney 3-40 off 9) defeated Peden’s Hotel 87 (Matt Skornia 14, Craig Dodds 14, Matt Crump 3-16 off 5, Justin Hlad 2-12 off 5, Dave Condran 2-20 off 7, Joseph Main 2-27 off 8).

Mulbring 1/155 (Shaun Clarke 74no, Cameron Halliwell 42no, Mark Waddell 29, Marc Staib 1-29 off 10) defeated Wine Country 141 (Luke Jeans 44, Marc Staib 19, Jason McMichael 16, Willie Watson 5-27 off 8.1, Dave Lord 4-38 off 10).

THIRD GRADE

Greta/Branxton 3/55 (Bryce Element 17no, Brendon Jones 14, Todd Ballenden 1-27 off 9, Scott Minter 1-15 off 7, Bruce Cowley 1-9 off 3) defeated Supporters 53 (Scott Minter 11, Josh Bartlett 4-6 off 3.5, Beau Lantry 2-5 off 8, Brent Bailey 2-29 off 8). Paxton 2/144 (Aaron Zechel 78, Ben Hipwell 38no, Steve Collins 22no, M. Muras 1-36 off 4, S. Paterson 1-20 off 4) defeated Laguna 8/130 (K. Barnett 59, G. Kelso 25, S. Williams 12, Ben Reed 3-20 off 9). Wine Country 8/219 (Ethan Hodson 74, A.J Burr 51, Rob Upton 19, Pete Davis 19, S. Anderson 3-12 off 6, S. Ingram 2-49 off 9) defeated Bellbird 113 (G. Stoker 36, S. Anderson 16, D. Stoker 13no, J. Tiernan 13, J. Spence 3-43 off 7, Ethan Hodson 3-4 off 5, Ben Miezis 3-12 off 3).

FOURTH GRADE

Greta/Branxton Blue 216 (Sean Wright 87, Craig Gillings 50, Ben Lahey 31, Steve Wilkinson 13no, L. Capararo 3-37 off 7, S. Capararo 3-31 off 8) tied with Peden’s Hotel 216 (Tom Lantry 83, Reid Brown 39, S. Burgess 33, Ben Lahey 3-37 off 8, Zach Watkins 3-37 off 8, Ayden Wilkinson 2-47 off 7.1) match result under review. Supporters Black 3/237 (Brayden Mortimer 129no, Will Myers 45, Stephen Hooker-Connell 35) defeated Supporters Gold 8/230 (Quin McPike 104, Dean Jackson 67, Neville McPike 14, Pat Smith 2-61 off 8, Brayden Mortimer 2-41 off 9). Greta/Branxton White defeated Denman Hotel (no details submitted). Mulbring bye.

First Grade: Mulbring 42, Bellbird 38, Greta/Branxton 30, Peden’s Hotel 23, Supporters 23, Wine Country 22.

Second Grade  Mulbring 38, Greta/Branxton 34, Peden’s Hotel 30, Supporters 26, Wine Country 26, Bellbird 23.

Third Grade  Greta/Branxton 40, Paxton 40, Laguna 30, Supporters 26, Wine Country 26, Bellbird 15*.

* Lost points 18/10/14 due to second grade forfeit.

Fourth Grade  Greta/Branxton Blue 36, Peden’s Hotel 31, Greta/Branxton White 29, Denman Hotel 23, Supporters Black 23, Supporters Gold 19, Mulbring 16.   

Club Championship: Greta/Branxton 310.93, Mulbring 294.86, Bellbird 243.50, Supporters 224.27, Peden’s Hotel 206.91, Wine Country 205.00, Paxton 60.00, Laguna 45.00, Denman Hotel 18.48.

Club Championship Formula: First Grade x 4, Second Grade x 3, Third Grade x 1.5, Fourth Grade x 0.8035.

NB: Only Greta/Branxton Blue and Supporters Gold fourth grade teams contribute to club championship points.