Week 3 Review by Mark Bercini
Mulbring and Bellbird remain undefeated at the top of the Cessnock District Cricket first grade table after wins on Saturday to complete round three of competition.
Mulbring took on Peden’s Hotel at Mulbring Oval, and the home side eventually overcame a determined Pedens side to win by 4 wickets.
Pedens skipper Pete Brennan won the toss and had no hesitation in batting first in the good conditions, with the Piranhas posting a competitive 150 although being bowled out in the 30th over. Most batsman made starts, with Matt Hopley (24), club stalwart Adam Williams (19), Brennan (16), Tony Chalk (16) and Dane Grills (14) all contributing to the total. Brody Jones was Mulbring’s best with the ball, bagging 4-28 off 5 in his first hit out with the club after migrating over from Paxton at the start of the year. Scott Robertson was next best with 3-41 off 10.
In reply the Marlins got out of the blocks nicely with an opening stand of 60, courtesy of openers Drew Olsen (49) and Mick Mascord (36) who both timed the ball crisply.
The home side were cruising to victory at 2-140, but 4 quick wickets in the space of 5 runs swung some momentum back to the Piranhas, however the home side passed the target without further loss and 12 overs to spare. Chad Lewis was the other Mulbring batsman to find some form with 34. Pedens’ fifth change bowler Tony Chalk probably wishes he was on a little earlier, picking up 4-14 off just 3.2 overs. Shaun Robson was next best with 2-21 off 5 for the visitors. Drew Olsen received the 3 player of the year points with his nice knock at the top of the Mulbring batting card.
Bellbird also kept their good start to the season in check with a comfortable 7 wicket victory over Wine Country at Carmichael Park.
Wine Country batted first and improved immensely on their first two batting outings, posting 8-158 from their mandatory 40 overs, recovering nicely after they were struggling at the drinks interval at 6-59. Nathan Wright posted a well-constructed half century with 58, with Mark Anderson providing support with 33. Elliot Gyler (2-37 off 10) and Matt Tomlinson (2-27 off 6) were the best of the Bellbird attack.
In reply the Tigers went about the run chase in positive fashion, passing the target in the 24th over after losing just the three wickets. Shannon Attewell looked good once again at the top of the order and top scored with 53, showing great concentration and no signs of fatigue after taking the wicket keeping gloves for forty overs earlier in the day. Meanwhile club president Rob Drage (51no) and Jason Orr (50) also notched half centuries. Youthful Wine Country off-spinner Daniel Bailey picked up all Bellbird wickets with 3-30 off 5 overs for the Wood Ducks.
At Miller Park Supporters Club succumbed to their first loss of the season at the hands of Greta/Branxton by 9 wickets.
Goannas skipper Nathan Stapleford won the toss and elected to bat in the warm and dry conditions, but they unfortunately turned in their worst batting performance of the season to date and were dismissed inside 32 overs for just 96. Just back from an early morning surf at Forster beach, new recruit Dean Elliot timed the ball nicely for his 31, Matt McCarthy bounced around the wicket for 17, while Greg Brodie hit some lovely drives at the top of the order before playing back onto his stumps in an attempt to leave the ball for 15. Martin Shearer was a late inclusion into the Greta/Branxton squad, and he repaid the favour with 8 very good overs of medium pace to return the impressive figures of 4-24. Dylan Lipscombe (3-14 off 5.4) and Joel McKenzie (2-27 off 10) continued their recent good form for the home side in tidy spells to restrict the visitors.
In reply the Blues openers wasted no time in chasing down the target, passing it in the 18th over after losing just the one wickets. Skipper Josh Dagg carried his bat for the second week in a row with an unbeaten 50, with opening partner Mark Bercini scratching around for a lucky 43. Jay McCord (1-27 off 4) was the sole wicket taker for the Goannas.
Second Grade
Greta/Branxton 1/112 (D. Palmer 59no, D. Holz 22no, M. Staib 1-7 off 4) defeated Wine Country 103 (N. Davey 35, J. McMichael 20, M. Staib 17, A. Partridge 4-16 off 8, D. Somers 3-28 off 5, M. Peace 2-26 off 5).
Paxton 6/105 (Shaun Clarke 76no, A. Solomon 3-29 off 3.4, P. Hicks 2-23 off 5) defeated Supporters 101 (A. Williams 36, P. Stacey 15, M. Woodbury 14, Mark Waddell 4-25 off 5, Craig Lee 3-2 off 3.3, Shaun Clarke 2-9 off 3)
Bellbird 9/188 (Shaun Anderson 46, Joe Millington 34, Justin Hlad 29, Billy Orr 22, J. Herbert 2-23) defeated Criterion Hotel 80 (N. King 46, M. Harwood 25, Justin Hlad 7-26, Luke Weekes 2-18).
Mulbring defeated Peden’s Hotel (no details submitted).
Third Grade
Supporters 95 (B. Cowley 52, A. Ramage 22, A. Holmberg 3-33 off 9, K. Akhurst 3-13 off 6, B. Lantry 2-25 off 8, B. Jones 2-20 off 5) defeated Greta/Branxton 29 (W. Wells 8, A. Cliff 6-14 off 5, A. Ramage 4-15 off 5.3).
Paxton 8/166 (S. Sullivan 39no, G. Kelso 33no, T. Reeks 25, J. Bailey 15, K. Googlie 3-25 off 10, A. Duff 2-46 off 10, A. Chalker 2-32 off 10) defeated Bellbird 160 (T. Barber 51, A. Chalker 36, K. Googlie 31, J. Bailey 4-41 off 10, S. Sullivan 3-48 off 10, G. Kelso 2-29 off 8.5).
Peden’s Hotel 1/91 (A. Litwin 55) defeated Wine Country 88 (C. Benn 40, G. Oakes 23, A. Tomlinson 6-24 off 10, B. Hindmarsh 3-19 off 10).
Fourth Grade
Greta/Branxton 5/153 (P. MacKenzie 74, S. Hart 34, B. Charnock 23, T. Woods 2-25 off 8) defeated Supporters 149 (Will Myers 50no, Phil Hirons 17, Braydon Mortimer 17, C. Stephenson 2-35 off 4).
Supporters Gold 175 (George Brodie 68, Tyrone Weekes 53no, Peter Gallagher 4-41 off 12, Mark Dixon 3-40 off 8, Matt Barnes 3-49 off 10) defeated Paxton 67 (Simon Lane 28no, S. Thornton 2-33 off 4, Luke Sweeney 2-6 off 2).
Greta/Branxton Blue 7/200 (M. Wilkinson 39, A. Wilkinson 34, S. Wilkinson 32, K. Wilkinson 30, B. Lahey 25, C. Wilkinson 11no, A. Clifton 3-30 off 7) defeated Mulbring 7/88 (D. Hansen 33, A. Comyns 14, J. Kirkham 13, J. Wilkinson 2-12 off 5).
Points Tables
First Grade Bellbird 18, Mulbring 18, Greta/Branxton 17, Supporters 17, Peden’s Hotel 9, Wine Country 9.
Second Grade Bellbird 21, Greta/Branxton 21, Paxton 18, Supporters 17, Mulbring 13, Peden’s Hotel 9, Wine Country 9, Criterion 7.
Third Grade Bellbird 17, Paxton 17, Peden’s Hotel 17, Supporters 17, Greta/Branxton 6*, Wine Country 6*.
* Still have game in hand.
Fourth Grade Greta/Branxton 17, Greta/Branxton Blue 17, Supporters 17,
Supporters Gold 17, Paxton 13, Mulbring 9.
Club Championship Bellbird 110.25, Supporters 108.375, Greta/Branxton 104.825, Mulbring 81.125, Peden’s Hotel 61.05, Paxton 60.675, Wine Country 49.5, Criterion 14.
Club Championship Formula:- First Grade x 2.8, Second Grade x 2.0, Third Grade x 1.05, Fourth Grade x 0.525.
NB: Only Greta/Branxton Blue and Supporters fourth grade teams contribute to club championship points.