Two centuries in third grade provided the highlight of the weekend as Cessnock cricket resumed after the New Year break.
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Greta/Branxton third grade skipper Sean Wright, 35, posted his first ever century in the match against Supporters at Miller 2.
Wright opened the batting and blasted 16 boundaries and cleared the rope a remarkable 14 times on his way to 184 before retiring.
After bringing up his century, he was raising the bat for his 150 just 10 deliveries later.
The other third grade batsman to make a century was Bellbird’s Nicholas Wilson, who smashed 113 against Mulbring at Carmichael 1.
Coming in at the fall of the fourth wicket, the 24-year old blasted 11 boundaries and six sixes to set up a healthy total and victory for his side.
Mulbring extended their lead in the first grade competition on the back of their 36-run win over Greta/Branxton at Mulbring Oval.
Batting first the home side were very watchful early on, and were two for just 61 runs at the drinks interval.
However, wickets in hand proved valuable as they started to score more freely after the break.
They took their total up to 3-172 from the mandatory 40 overs, which was probably a par score considering the unusually slow outfield and pitch which occasionally provided variable bounce.
Andy Carmichael (50 not out) continued his good season form with a well-timed half century, former association player of the year Brad Strachan made 40, with Cameron Ross (34), Jason Varoxis (27) and Drew Olsen (15) all ticking the scoreboard over.
Craig Brook was the pick of the Greta/Branxton attack with 1-29 off 10, with skipper Brent Watson (1-42 off 10) and Martin Shearer (1-47 off 8) the other wicket takers.
The Blues were on the back foot throughout the entire run chase, presenting a fairly disappointing batting card other than a face-saving 47 from veteran Greg Andrews.
They were all out inside 34 overs for 136, with Nathan Holz (18) and Watson (15) making starts.
Matt Zechel was the spearhead of the Marlin attack with 3-23 off eight, receiving good support from Cameron Ross (2-45 off 9.5), Tom Cremona (2-26 off five) and Greg Sheehan (2-6 off four) who all picked up a brace of wickets each.
Peden’s Hotel recorded their first victory of the season and kept their semi-final aspirations alive with a convincing 43-run victory over Wine Country at Allandale.
Batting first the Piranhas sorted their season woes by batting out their overs to post 7-195.
Most batsmen made starts, with the hard-hitting Matt Hopley leading the way with 52. Adam Vernon (24 not out), Matt Capper (24), Luke Johnston (21), Ben Reid (19), Tom Lantry (16) and Neil Harvey (15) all contributed to the healthy target, while for the Wood Ducks Steve Abel kept the batsmen guessing with 4-35 off 10.
The home side were all out in the 37th over for 152 in reply, with skipper Matt Lightfoot and Luke Jeans notching 32-apiece. Mark O’Hara (26) and Abel (15) were the other main contributors.
Anthony Lindner proved the difference between the two sides bagging 5-29 off 9, with Hopley capping a fine all-round game with 2-52 off 10.
Dale Johnston was very economical in the middle period with 2-16 off 10.
Bellbird had the bye.