Mulbring jumped to outright lead in the Cessnock District Cricket Association first grade competition after a convincing 62-run victory over Greta/Branxton in the round eight top-of-the-table clash at Miller Park.
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After winning the toss and batting Mulbring managed a modest 7-152 from their 40 overs, with incumbent district player of the year Brad Strachan finding some form with 45. Others to make starts were Danuel Bell (19no), Adam Sheehan (18) and Greg Sheehan (13).
Brent Watson was again extremely economical with the new ball for the Blues claiming 3-16 off 10, with Andrew Bercini next best but obviously feeling the effects from his cousin’s wedding the night before with an expensive 2-33 off 5.
The home side was all out in the 27th over for 90 in reply, with Greg Andrews and Watson the only pair to show any sort of resistance with 19 and 16 respectively. Greg Sheehan was the pick of the Marlins’ attack with 3-19 off six, with Matt Zechel (2-21 off six), Danuel Bell (2-22 off six) and Nigel Callan (2-4 off 3.4) all supporting with a brace of wickets.
After a very slow start to the season amid big expectations Wine Country finally produced their first victory of the season, doing so in style by 92 runs against previously undefeated Bellbird at Allandale.
Wine Country skipper Stephen Hedger won the toss and elected to bat, with the Wood Ducks posting 5-159. Most batsmen contributed to the cause, with Dean Elliot timing the ball nicely at the top of the order with 38. Mark O’Hara (30no), Luke Jeans (26), Matt Lightfoot (24) and Brent Mendyk (18) all found the gaps nicely, while for Bellbird Matt Tomlinson (1-47 off eight), Wade Attewell (1-45 off eight, Joey Barber (1-20 off five), Dave Gyler (1-8 off nine) and Ben Fairlie (1-30 off six) all picked up a wicket.
The Tigers capitulated in reply, all out inside 22 overs for just 67. Wade Attewell (18) and Ben Fairlie (16) were the only batsmen in double figures, while for the Wood Ducks Matt McCarthy wound back the clock 20 years with an impressive 4-24 off nine with the new cherry. Opening partner Rob Sidebottom was just as impressive with 3-19 off nine, with Ryan Maxwell cleaning up the tail with 2-18 off 1.3.
Supporters Club had the bye.
SECOND GRADE
Bellbird 6/120 (Clint Starkey 27, Craig Schumacher 26, Mitch Fallon 23, Brendan Clark 17, Andrew Partridge 2-35 off 10) defeated Greta/Branxton 6/114 (Adam Holmberg 32, Mike Element 28, Wes Hickey 20, Bryce Element 14no, Luke Weekes 2-13 off 10, Brendan Clark 2-26 off 10, Brett Mclennan 2-14 off 5).
Mulbring 3/174 (Nathan King 82, Cam Halliwell 46, Dan King 26no, Cal Barry 2-40 off 10) tied with Peden’s Hotel 9/174 (Steve Tyne 61no, Dan Olsen 35, Dale Johnston 16, J. Grills 15, Willie Watson 3-37 off 9, Matt Harwood 2-44 off 9, Mark Waddell 2-23 off 5).
Paxton vs Supporters washed out.
Wine Country bye.
THIRD GRADE
Greta/Branxton 2/104 (Sean Wright 82no, Ben Lahey 12, N. Gill 2-17 off 3) defeated Peden’s Hotel 92 (D. Fletcher 24, L. Capararo 24, D. Campbell 14, N. Gill 11no, Stewart Ison 4-21 off 6, Ayden Wilkinson 2-25 off 5, Andrew Ernst 2-20 off 6).
Laguna 0/139 (C. Howe 85, S. Williams 49) defeated Supporters 130 (S. Minter 35, T. Ballenden 25, C. Gray 17, J. Sneesby 14, A. Field 13, S. Sullivan 4-23 off 10, C. Howe 3-32 off 7, D. Philip 2-26 off 4).
Wine Country vs Bellbird washed out.
FOURTH GRADE
Mulbring 3/118 (Darrell Payne 51, Andrew Clifton 41, Luke Sweeney 1-22 off 6, C. Goldman 1-15 off 2, Phil Weekes 1-6 off 1) defeated Supporters 115 (A. Shepherd 33, Luke Sweeney 22, A. Jones 14no, Phil Cook 4-9 off 7.1, Henry Howard 3-16 off 4, Andrew Clifton 2-17 off 8).
Denman Hotel 6/54 (W. Stothard 14, D. Stothard 11, Cory Stephenson 3-10 off 3, Will Young 2-6 off 3) defeated Greta/Branxton Blue 38 (Sundries 11, Jason Stephenson 7, S. Croucher 3-9 off 5, H. Cassidy 2-13 off 6, D. Besoff 2-3 off 2).
Wine Country 6/121 (B. Briedenhann 56, J. Larson 16no, S. Larson 15, Ben Hogan 2-8 off 3, Dave Ison 2-9 off 5) vs Greta/Branxton 124 (Hamish Spinaze 37, Dave Ison 31, Patrick Andrews 19, T. Escott 2-36 off 8, J. Larson 2-21 off 5) result in dispute due to discrepancies in scoresheets.
Peden’s Hotel vs Paxton washed out.
POINTS TABLES
First Grade Mulbring 39, Greta/Branxton 35, Bellbird 29, Supporters 24, Wine Country 23.
Second Grade Peden’s Hotel 44, Bellbird 35, Mulbring 33, Supporters 32, Greta/Branxton 30, Paxton 27, Wine Country 27.
Third Grade Laguna 45, Peden’s Hotel 42, Wine Country 39, Greta/Branxton 38, Bellbird 32, Supporters 30.
Fourth Grade Denman Hotel 50, Paxton 40, Greta/Branxton Blue 38, Mulbring 38, Peden’s Hotel 36, Greta/Branxton White 31*, Wine Country 31*, Supporters 23.
* No points awarded for match on 28/11/15 due to dispute in result, decision pending.
Club Championship Greta/Branxton 247.80, Mulbring 232.39, Bellbird 216.65, Wine Country 199.86, Peden’s Hotel 164.62, Paxton 82.91, Laguna 47.25, Denman Hotel 25.00.
Club Championship Formula: First Grade x 3.5, Second Grade x 2.33, Third Grade x 1.05, Fourth Grade x 0.5.
NB: Only Greta/Branxton White fourth grade team contributes to club championship points.
