Cessnock Hotel fourth grade opening duo Kevin Dryden and Steve Collins provided the highlight of District Cricket last Saturday, both scoring centuries in the match against Bellbird White at Baddeley 2.
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Collins produced his second century this season, scoring 109 from 96 balls, including 17 boundaries and one maximum.
But it was opening partner Dryden who stole the show with 14 boundaries and an amazing eight maximums, finishing with 131 off just 80 deliveries.
The pair shared in an opening stand of 238, setting up a massive target of 4-302.
In first grade Peden's Hotel jumped into third position on the ladder following their 211-run demolishing of Bellbird at Carmichael Park.
It was the second time already this season the Piranhas have upset the Tigers, hitting form at the right end of the season.
The visitors were sent in to bat, and had little trouble scoring freely in the sticky conditions to compile 8-238 in the rain-reduced 36-over match.
Matt Brodie struck the ball cleanly with his team's high score of 82 from just 57 deliveries.
Skipper Matt Hopley was next best with 38, with Matt Zechel (32), Fletcher Sharpe (27), Justin Barry (22no) and Luke Sweeney (14) all combining for the healthy target.
Dale Arnold was the best of the Bellbird attack with 3-35 off 9, with veteran Gavin Kronholm next best with 2-38 off 5.
The Tigers were tumbled for what must be a club first grade record low of 27 in reply inside of 15 overs, with Jason Orr (10) the only willow-man to reach double figures in a scorecard that the home side would rather erase from their memory.
Credit where it is due, Piranhas opener Ben Read producing an outstanding spell of swing bowling to have the Tigers reeling with 6-10 off 7.2 overs.
Matt Zechel supported well from the opposite end with 3-17 off 7.
Mulbring climbed back to the outright lead with still a bye in hand following their nine wicket victory over Wine Country at Mulbring to keep the Wood Ducks still searching for their maiden win of the season.
Wine Country won the toss and elected to bat, but managed just 52 from the 25.1 overs they occupied the crease.
Tail-enders Sam Peacock (17) and Josh Dwyer (13) were the only batsmen to provide any sort of resistance.
As usual Ben Neaves was near unplayable for Mulbring, returning the impressive figures of 4-15 off 8, with Tom Callan also completing an economical spell with 3-18 off 5.
The home side took just 10.1 overs to reel in the small target, with Drew Olsen (29no) and Jason Varoxis (12no) completing the formality.
Greta/Branxton had the bye.
LADDER
First Grade: Mulbring 60**, Greta/ Branxton 60**, Bellbird 43***, Peden's Hotel 43**, Wine Country 28***. * byes received, 0 points allocated.
Second Grade: Bellbird 70, Greta/Branxton 70, Chelmsford Hotel 58, Wine Country 58, Denman Hotel 50, Peden's Hotel 42.
Third Grade: Greta/Branxton White 63, Bellbird 62, Wine Country 58, Peden's Hotel White 55, Mulbring 53, Peden's Hotel Blue 51, Greta/Branxton Blue 44, Denman Hotel 39.
Fourth Grade: Supporters 74, Cessnock Hotel 67, Bellbird White 51, Peden's Hotel 51, Bellbird Maroon 46, Greta/ Branxton 46, Wine Country 46, Chelmsford Hotel 44.
Club Championship: Greta/Branxton 576.50, Bellbird 524.17, Peden's Hotel 433.02, Wine Country 414.57.
Club Championship Formula: First Grade x 4.67, Second Grade 2.8, Third Grade x 1.5, Fourth Grade x 0.75. NB: Only Greta/Branxton Blue third grade, Peden's Hotel Blue third grade and Bellbird Maroon fourth grade teams contribute to Club Championship points.
ROUND 19 GAMES
- Bellbird Workers v Wine Country at Carmichael 1
- Greta Branxton v Mulbring at Miller 1
- Peden's: Bye
VALE RICK CARR
On a sad note, the association lost one of its leading umpires when Rick Carr succumbed to his ongoing battle with cancer last Thursday.
His funeral was held at Mulbring Uniting Church on Wednesday.