The Kurri Weston Warriors first grade cricket team got back into the winners circle on Saturday defeating Thornton Park by 27 runs with Josh Tuckwell in dynamic form in his first game back in the top grade this season.
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Warriors skipper Tyler Power won the all-important coin toss and elected to bat first in the drizzly conditions.
Tuckwell (93), was superb at the top of the order and along with Casey Capper (33) they put on 103 for the first wicket.
Mick Heinrich (32) held the innings together through the middle and Power chipped in with 43 not out to bring the score up to 8/264 from their 50 overs.
Cameron Bates (2/29) struck early with the new ball, but Thornton then put together a couple of decent partnerships and eventually required 85 from the last 10 overs for victory.
But Jack Bennett (3/51) and Steve Abel (1/31) were good enough to get the team a much needed win.
The effort and overall performance in the field, highlighted by a spectacular run out to Justin Kavanagh, were very pleasing and this has set the standard for the rest of the season.
All lower grades started their T20 seasons with double headers on Saturday, with some encouraging results. Second grade went down narrowly in both games, suffering a 30-run defeat to Norths and a 15-run loss to Thornton.
Best performers were Daniel Chapple (2/28 and 3/12) and Brian Taylor (41).
Third grade lost the early match to Easts but bounced back with a victory over Thornton in the afternoon game. Lachie Styles (36 and 21) batted with class in both games, Josh Wood picked up four wickets for the day and smashed 43 against Thornton, and Matt Sylvester took 3 wickets in his return to grade cricket with his son Jack Sylvester also impressing with the ball in his debut in grade.
Fourth grade lost both games.
The Fred MacDonald-led fifth grade had a good day, winning both games fairly comfortably. Noel Stothard (70no) and Travis Lantry (33no) led the team to a 10 wicket victory over Norths, chasing down 128 for no loss.
In the second game, Kurri Weston posted 5/126 from their 20 overs and then restricted Tenambit Morpeth to 7/100. Conner Garred (2/6 and 26) had a good all round game, as well as Will Rushton (27) and Jakob Bartley (24).
A reminder again about the clubs annual Old Boys Day, which will be held on January 23 at Kurri Central when First Grade play Raymond Terrace.
So if you are a past player, administrator or supporter make sure to mark it down on your calendar and make it a memorable day.