Week 5 Review by Mark Bercini
Mulbring have taken the outright lead in the Cessnock District first grade cricket competition after they overcame a gallant Wine Country by 52 runs at Mulbring Oval.
Batting first the home side scored freely once again, posting their second 200+ total in as many weeks with 8-225 from their forty overs. Mick Mascord (94) continued to impress against the new ball at the top of the order and was unlucky not to post his maiden first grade ton when he holed out to mid-off just 6 runs short. Scott Robertson was next best with 49, while Drew Olsen (26), Cameron Ross (14no) and Greg Sheehan (13) all kept the scorers busy. In an expensive afternoon for the Wine Country bowlers Mark Anderson (4-50 off 10) and Mick Letts (3-54 off 9) were their main wicket takers.
The Wood Ducks made a fair fist of the run chase in reply, but paid the ultimate price for not batting out their overs and were dismissed in the 30th over for 173. Letts completed an excellent all round game with 56, English import Andrew Bromhead found some form with 33, while Scott Anderson (16) and Nathan Wright (15) made starts. Left arm over-the-wrist spinner Cameron Ross was the Marlins’ best with the ball, bagging 4-34 off 6.5 overs. Scott Robertson (2-38 off 8) and former skipper Chad Lewis (2-38 off 7) picked up a brace of wickets each.
Supporters produced the upset of the season to date by disposing of high flyers Bellbird by 41 runs in a low scoring affair at Carmichael Park.
Supporters skipper Nathan Stapleford won the toss and elected to bat, but the loss of wickets at regular intervals meant that they were unable to gain any momentum, and were eventually all out in the 34th over for 107. Andrew Fensom made a hard hitting 35 in the middle of the order, with number eleven batsman Tim Goldman the only to reach double figures with 18. Dave Gyler (3-13 off 4.2), Matt Tomlinson (2-12 off 7) and Jason Orr (2-11 off 5) were the main wicket takers for the Tigers.
In a forgettable afternoon for the eight-time district champions, Bellbird were bundled out for just 66 in reply, with Jason Orr (15) and Craig Schumacher (10) the only pair to show any sort of resistance in an otherwise abysmal batting card. Anthony Lindner was easily the best of the Supporters bowling attack, bowling excellent straight lines to skittle four of Bellbird’s top line batsman to return the very impressive figures of 5-16 off 10. Matt McCarthy (3-24 off 8) and Paul Wright (2-5 off 1.4) were the other wicket takers in a memorable afternoon for the visitors.
In the final game of the round Greta/Branxton were too strong for Peden’s Hotel by 9 wickets at Miller Park.
Stand in Pedens skipper Mick James won the toss and elected to bat, but after a positive start were all out in the 26th over for 117. Mark Williams showed no signs of rust against the new ball and blasted an unorthodox 33 in his first hit out for the year at the top of the order. Brother Adam Williams also notched 33 in his customary aggressive fashion, with Mark Bender batting sensibly for 24.
Greta/Branxton’s Mick Shelley was welcomed back to the bowling crease after a three week holiday with 3-26 off 7, with Brent Watson (2-39 off 8), Joel McKenzie (2-19 off 7) and off-spinner Sean Dunn (2-31 off 5) all collecting a brace of wickets each.
In reply the Blues past the modest target in the 23rd over, with Mark Bercini (52no) and Damien Frize (45no) at the crease when the winning runs were hit.
Tom Cremona (1-39 off 6) collected his bunny in Josh Dagg for 11 and was the lonesome wicket taker for the Piranhas.
Second Grade
Mulbring 169 (M. Murray 65, W. Watson 36, C. Wyborn 21, L. Reed 16no, J. Herbert 4-19 off 4, M. Mudd 3-22 off 7) defeated Criterion Hotel 109 (M. Murnane 50, M. Harwood 17, M. Mudd 14, C. Wyborn 5-35 off 8.2, W. Watson 3-2 off 2).
Peden’s Hotel 7/194 (H. Walker 47no, B. Hindmarsh 30, D. Carr 4-46 off 7) defeated Wine Country 9/182 (J. McMichael 80, B. Fairns 22, Z. Tyne 4-53 off 10).
Bellbird 5/91 (A. Malam 31, L. Weekes 26, B. Good 18no, Z. Sneesby 2-18 off 9, P. Walsh 2-17 off 3.1) defeated Supporters 85 (Z. Sneesby 21, P. Burgess 16, T. McCord 13, L. Weekes 3-11 off 5, B. Orr 3-16 off 6, J. Hlad 2-28 off 7).
Greta/Branxton 4/82 (D. Palmer 35, B. Frize 28no, P. Kennedy 2-33 off 6) defeated Paxton 73 (AA. Orr 34, D. Orr 14, M. Peace 4-9 off 4.5, A. Partridge 3-29 off 7, N. Lawrence 2-11 off 5).
Third Grade
Supporters 7/161 (J. Harvey 61, S. Minter 22no, D. Workman 22, B. Cowley 16, K. Gogerly 2-34 off 10, L. Kermode 2-20 off 5) defeated Bellbird 136 (K. Gogerly 37, W. Barber 27, M. Skornia 20, M. Fallon 13, B. Morris 4-45 off 8, J. Harvey 2-21 off 3).
Peden’s Hotel 3/138 (S. Turner 41, C. Dodds 36, J. Barry 31no, A. Moyle 17no, B. Lantry 2-54 off 10) defeated Greta/Branxton 125 (B. Jones 34, G. West 28, W. Wells 21, J. Jones 4-20 off 7, C. Dodds 3-22 off 4).
Paxton 1/82 (W. Kowaluk 34no, K. Barnett 26no, J. Adamson 1-24 off 5) defeated Wine Country 77 (John Dwyer 38no, Jamie Spence 17, Josh Dwyer 12, G. Kelso 4-24 off 10).
Fourth Grade
Paxton 8/78 (P. Gallagher 35, J. Harman 3-12 off 5, P. Cook 3-12 off 5.4) defeated Mulbring 71 (M. King 31, M. Watson 6-3 off 5, B. Day 3-17 off 7).
Supporters 136 (S. Hooker-Connell 53, W. Myers 17, M. Warrell 15, Mick Brodie 3-29 off 10, A. Sweeney 2-33 off 9.3, G. Brodie 2-10 off 5, Matt Brodie 2-10 off 3) drew with Supporters Gold 136 (G. Brodie 35, Mick Brodie 33, S. Thornton 17, W. Myers 2-15 off 4, P. Smith 2-16 off 4, G. Hayes 2-13 off 4).
Greta/Branxton Blue 6/180 (C. Gillings 56no, B. Lahey 35, P. Walkling 18, S. Wilkinson 17, B. Element 2-50 off 8, A. Stevenson 2-24 off 7) defeated Greta/Branxton 8/161 (B. Charnock 83, B. Hogan 17, A. Wilkinson 4-27 off 10, S. Wilkinson 2-16 off 5).
Points Tables
First Grade: Mulbring 32, Bellbird 28, Greta/Branxton 27, Supporters 27, Wine Country 19, Peden’s Hotel 15.
Second Grade: Greta/Branxton 35, Bellbird 31, Paxton 28, Supporters 27, Mulbring 27, Peden’s Hotel 19, Wine Country 15, Criterion 13.
Third Grade: Paxton 31, Supporters 31, Bellbird 27, Peden’s Hotel 27, Greta/Branxton 12*, Wine Country 12*.
* Still have game in hand.
Fourth Grade: Supporters 29, Supporters Gold 29, Greta/Branxton Blue 27, Paxton 27, Greta/Branxton 23, Mulbring 15.
Club Championship Supporters 177.38, Greta/Branxton 172.38, Bellbird 168.75, Mulbring 151.48, Peden’s Hotel 108.35, Paxton 102.73, Wine Country 95.8, Criterion 26.
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.