After winning the toss and batting, the Goannas accumulated nicely to compile 182. Tim Goldman led the way with 40, openers Jack Morris and Ashton Williams made 27 and 24 respectively, with Michael Ho (23) and Nathan Stapleford (40no) timing the ball nicely.

Dale Johnson was the best of the Peden’s attack with 4-42 off 10, with Zach Tyne (2-30 off 10) and skipper Matt Hopley (2-54 off 10) picking up a brace of wickets each.

With everything to play for to keep their season alive, the Piranhas crumbled in reply to be all out inside 19 overs for just 52. Pete Brennan (15) was the only batsman to reach double figures, while for the home side Justin Brown was once again their best with the ball with 4-4 off four. He was back up by skipper Alan Clarke (3-13 off 4.4) and Stapleford (2-25 off five).

Greta/Branxton kept their home semi-final chances alive with a three-wicket victory over competition leaders Mulbring at Mulbring.

After a half-hour delay at the start, the home side were sent in to bat on a slightly doughy wicket, and with some tight bowling and a much improved fielding performance from Greta/Branxton, Mulbring were restricted to 6-140 from their reduced 36 overs.

Most batsmen made starts, with Josh Lewis (37), Brad Strachan (34), skipper Drew Olsen (27) and Greg Sheehan (21) all keeping the scoreboard ticking over.

Consummate professional Brent Watson was against the Blues’ best with the four-piece, bagging a very tidy 3-28 off eight. Nathan Holz was again the difference in the field, taking his second four-catch haul in his last two starts.

Greta/Branxton passed the target (7-141) in reply with three wickets in hand and three overs to spare. Skipper Josh Dagg returned to form with 37, with Barry Richards (26), Allen Beh (21no), Cliff Newling (15) and Vikas Malhotra (15) doing enough to get the visitors home.

In the final game of the round Bellbird were made to work hard for their 48-run win over Wine Country at Allandale.

Sent in to bat on a wet one the Tigers did well to manage 9-148 from their mandatory forty overs, with openers Jason Orr (33) and club stalwart Rob Drage (29) getting them off to a solid start.

The middle order then all failed, but veteran Andrew Howson steadied the ship with a timely unbeaten 31, sharing in an excellent 51-run eighth wicket partnership with Nick Siers who made 25.

Wickets for Wine Country were shared between Rob Sidebottom (3-35 off 10), Matt Lightfoot (2-34 off 10) and Stephen Hedger (2-28 off six). Looking to claim their second big scalp in as many weeks, the Wood Ducks were all out for a neat 100 in reply, with Nathan Radnidge returning to the top grade with 21.

Openers Mark O’Hara (17) and Hedger (16) were the other batsmen to make starts, while for Bellbird their Mayor Dave Gyler was responsible for the majority of the damage with 5-18 off 10. Jason Orr was next best with 2-32 off 10.

The win sets up a second spot showdown with Greta/Branxton when the two teams meet at Miller Park next Saturday.

SECOND GRADE

Peden’s Hotel 2/46 (Brett Hindmarsh 16no, H. Walker 15, L. Johnston 10no) defeated Supporters 43 (Tyson Johnson 24, Brett Hindmarsh 3-12 off 7.1, James Adamson 2-7 off 5, Jason Jones 2-18 off 7, Allan Saddler 2-5 off 5).

Greta/Branxton 9/70 (Andrew Partridge 19, Peter MacKenzie 18, Trent Fuller 13, Dave Lord 6-14 off 10, Matthew Gough 2-11 off 5) vs Mulbring 0/12 (match abandoned due to rain). 

Bellbird defeated Wine Country (no details submitted).

THIRD GRADE

Greta/Branxton 7/138 (Bryce Element 54, Wes Hickey 23, Aaron Zechel 3-44 off 10, Brendan Hayes 2-33 off 10, Ben Read 2-20 off 10).

Laguna 5/60 (K. Barnett 22, E. Smith 8no) defeated Bellbird 55 (M. Schreiber 15no. L. Anderson 15, S. Sullivan 5-23 off 8).

Supporters 0/60 (A. Ramage 41, B. Irvine 14) defeated Wine Country 45 (Peter Davis 21, M. Williams 4-17 off 10, A. Ramage 4-9 off 6) 

FOURTH GRADE

Supporters Gold 2/70 (Luke Sweeney 34, Joel Sweeney 15no) defeated Supporters Black 59 (Paul Crocker 37, Joel Sweeney 2-9 off 3, Jeremy Josephs 2-12 off 2).

Greta/Branxton White vs Denman Hotel washed out.

Peden’s Hotel defeated Greta/ Branxton Blue by forfeit.

Mulbring bye.

***

POINTS TABLES

First grade: Mulbring 87, Bellbird 82, Greta/Branxton 79, Supporters 64, Peden’s Hotel 52, Wine Country 50.

Second grade: Greta/Branxton 80, Mulbring 80, Peden’s Hotel 67, Supporters 63, Bellbird 61, Wine Country 55.

Third grade: Paxton 89, Greta/Branxton 77^, Laguna 74, Supporters 71, Wine Country 44^, Bellbird 37*#^.

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

# Lost points 22/11/14 due to second grade forfeit.

^ Lost points 13/12/14 for playing unqualified players.

Fourth grade: Peden’s Hotel 69, Greta/Branxton Blue 68, Greta/Branxton White 61, Denman Hotel 51, Supporters Gold 46, Mulbring 39, Supporters Black 39.   

Club championship: Greta/Branxton 726.14, Mulbring 619.34, Supporters 588.46, Bellbird 566.50, Peden’s Hotel 464.44, Wine Country 431.00, Paxton 133.50, Laguna 111.00, Denman Hotel 40.98.

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.

CESSNOCK DISTRICT JUNIOR CRICKET POINTSCORES AND FINALS FIXTURES

Under-15s: Greta Branxton 50, Supporters Gold 41, Supporters Black 24.

Final, March 14, Greta Branxton v Supporters Gold (Miller 1).

Under-14s: Pedens 53, Wine Country 42, Greta Branxton 34, Supporters 25.

Semi-finals (two-day, February 28 and March 7), Pedens v Supporters at Carmichael 1, Wine Country v Greta Branxton at East Cessnock.

Final (two-day, March 14 and 21) at Carmichael 1.

Under-12s: Mulbring 63, Paxton 57, Pedens 50, Wine Country 41, Greta Branxton 39.

Semi-final, March 14, 1 v 4 at Baddeley 1, 2 v 3 at Baddeley 3.

Final, March 21 at Baddeley 1.

First, second and third set, cannot change positions, but fourth undecided until last round. Final round catch up games to be announced.

WEEKEND CRICKET TEAMS

SUPPORTERS CLUB

Teams for Saturday.

First grade to play Mulbring at Baddeley 1: Nathan Stapleford (c), Allan Clarke, Ashton Williams, Jack Morris, Michael Ho, Justin Brown, Andrew McCallum, Tim Goldman, Michael Sneesby, Andrew Fensom, Liam Weston.

Second grade to play Mulbring at Mulbring: Dave Garnett (c), Greg Brodie, Marc Bender, Michael Gates, Jay McCord, Glyn Hayes, Rosco O’Connell, Danny Orr, Brett Morris, Luke Morris, Tyson Johnson, Ben Jack.

Third grade to play Paxton at Baddeley 2: Adam Ramage to organise team.

Fourth grade Gold to play Pedens at Turner Park: Paul Burgess to organise team.

Fourth grade Black to play Denman Hotel at Baddeley 3: Adam Shepherd (c), Colin Goldman, Craig Grills, Justin Richie, Paul Crocker, Tom Weise, Pat Smith, Steven Hooker-Connell, Nev Taylor, Troy Woods, Robert Stapleford.

Under-15s Supporters Gold to play Greta Branxton at Baddeley 1.

Under-15s Supporters Black have a bye.

Under-14s to play semi-final at either Carmichael 1 or East End (two-day game, February 28 and March 7).

Anybody not available please contact Robert Stapleford on 0418 453 082.

BELLBIRD WORKERS

Teams for Saturday.

First grade at Miller 1: R. Drage, J. Orr, A. Howson, B. Orr, S. Durie, B. Fairlie, S. Attewell, M. Fairlie, W. Attewell, M. Tomlinson, N. Seirs.

Second grade at Bellbird: C. Schumacher, J. Hlad, J. Millington, J. Barber, T. Barber, B. Clarke, A. Malam, L. Meyers, M. Crump, T. Jory, K. Gogerly, J. Main.

Third grade at Miller 2: S. Anderson, K. Piper, K. Piper, T. Anderson, S. Ewing, C. Ewing, D. Cherry, G. Stoker, D. Stoker, M. Palmer, L. Anderson, H. Anderson, J. Lennard, S. Ingram, J. Deck, T. Kemp, G. Rees.

If you have any questions please contact Andrew Howson on 0431 857 926.