The Cessnock District Cricket Association’s second week of the ECBC T20 Cup cricket was played last Saturday, with just a handful of afternoon games played after storms late on Friday night washed out all morning and a couple of afternoon matches.
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In Tier 1 Bellbird remain on track for a finals berth following their thrilling three-run victory over Mulbring at Carmichael 1.
The home side batted first in the sticky conditions and did well to post 8-168 from their 20 overs.
Kane Bradley made it back-to-back half centuries with his team’s top score of 51 from just 29 balls, with the veteran really adapting to the shorter form of the game.
Matt Shrieber supported with 41, with Nic Siers (32) and Jon Schatz (19) keeping the scoreboard ticking over.
Darren Sutton (2-15 off 3), Willie Watson (2-21 off 4), Adam Sheehan (2-13 off 2) and Mitch Olsen (2-37 off 3) all picked up a brace of wickets each for Mulbring.
In what was a thrilling finish, the Marlins required seven runs to win off the final over with two wickets in hand.
But remaining cool, Jason Orr conceded just the two leg byes and picked up the final two wickets to snatch an important victory to keep the Tigers on track for the final.
It now also makes it very difficult for the Marlins to make it consecutive titles following back-to-back losses.
Matt Zechel (51) was again their best with the willow, also making it back-to-back half centuries. Skipper Cameron Ross (45), Mick Mascord (28) and Scott Robertson (16) all batted well, while for Bellbird it was Pat Cagney who picked up the vital wickets to finish with 4-33 off 4.
In the only other top tier game played, Peden’s Hotel also stayed in the hunt for finals glory by accounting for Wine Country by five wickets at East End in a low-scoring affair.
Batting first, Wine Country managed a modest 9-103 from their 20 overs, with Matt Lightfoot leading the way with 23.
Ty Cowley (19) and Pete Davis (17no) tried to keep things moving, while for Peden’s Hotel James Collins (2-15 off 2), Gary-Jai Russell (2-23 off 4) and Matt Hopley (2-17 off 4) picked up a couple of wickets each.
The Piranhas reached the target with 15 balls to spare and five wickets left in the sheds.
Daniel Russell led the way with 34, with Scott Bendeich (27no) and Mick James (17) keeping the home side’s final hopes alive.
Wayne Harris bowled beautifully for the Wood Ducks to finish with 3-10 off 4.
Supporters enjoyed the afternoon off with the bye, meanwhile Greta/Branxton remain a point clear on top of the table after both of their matches were washed out.
Tier 2 Round 4
Greta/Branxton 10/101 off 16.4 (S. Dagg 35no, M. Bird 15, W. Young 13, J. McMichael 4-7 off 2, M. Woods 2-23 off 4) defeated Wine Country 10/69 off 20 (J. McMichael 32, A. Ganino 13no, J. McNamara 4-9 off 4, E. Spliet-Miller 4-9 off 4).
Bellbird 0/64 off 10 (B. Sillay 38no, B. Rowlands 21no) defeated Cessnock Hotel 6/62 off 20 (S. Collins 17, Gary Pit 13, T. Yates 2-9 off 3).
Peden’s Hotel vs Supporters at Baddeley 2 washed out.
Points Tables
Tier 1
W L D B Points NRR
Greta/Branxton 2 - 2 - 6 0.56
Bellbird 2 - 1 1 5 0.65
Peden’s Hotel 2 1 - 1 4 0.55
Supporters 1 1 1 1 3 1.43
Mulbring 1 2 1 - 3 0.63
Chelmsford - 1 2 1 2 -5.50
Wine Country - 3 1 - 1 -0.92
Tier 2
W L D Points NRR
Bellbird 3 - 1 7 1.99
Greta/Branxton 2 1 1 5 0.83
Wine Country 2 1 1 5 -0.10
Peden’s Hotel 1 1 2 4 1.70
Supporters - 2 2 2 -0.35
Cessnock Hotel - 3 1 1 -3.78
Cessnock beat Singleton in T20
Singleton was unable to hold off Cessnock in the weekend’s highly anticipated T20 representative clash at Carmichael Park, Bellbird.
This was played as a T20 game following a request from both teams to Hunter Valley Cricket Council that neither team could qualify for the HVCC John Bull Shield final and both had problems with fielding teams because of work commitments.
Singleton won the toss and sent Cessnock in to bat. Cessnock opener and Hunter Valley representative player Drew Olsen went on to score 63 of Cessnock’s 159. Dan Hayes took 3/9 for Singleton in the first innings.
Singleton started slowly and were 2/27 when Daniel Storey strode to the wicket. He scored 25 runs from six balls before being caught behind by Greg Andrews.
FINAL RESULT
CESSNOCK 10/159 (Drew Olsen 63 Greg Andrews 24 Zac Sneesby 3/9 Cameron Ross 2/14) defeated SINGLETON 10/105 (Daniel Storey 25 Nic Stokes 21 Dan Hayes 3/9 Pat McNab 2/17).