WEEK 10
The Cessnock District cricket competition completed round ten of matches on the weekend, with upsets occurring a plenty in each of the grades.
In first grade Supporters Club upset Bellbird for the second time this season, this time around accounting for them by 6 wickets at Baddeley Park.
Bellbird skipper Andrew Howson won the toss and elected to bat, but they struggled and were all bundled out inside 35 overs for just 94. Elliot Gyler (19), Howson (18), Jason Orr (13) and Ben Fairlie (12) were the only Tigers batsmen to reach double figures. Goannas seamers Anthony Lindner (4-20 off 10) and Alan Clarke (3-7 off 2.4) were the main bowlers responsible for the regular loss of wickets.
In reply the home side cruised to victory inside 17 overs after losing 4 wickets, with skipper Nathan Stapleford getting things over with in a hurry with an unbeaten 37. Clarke (11no) was also at the crease when the winning runs were hit, while Bailey Bromage (29) at the top of the order also timed the ball nicely. Matt Tomlinson was the best of the Bellbird attack with 2-27 off 4.
Mulbring kept their unbeaten start to the season in tact and remain at the top of the ladder with a comfortable 94-run victory over Wine Country at Allandale.
The Marlins won the toss and batted first, compiling a very competitive 8-211 from their mandatory 40 overs. Greg Sheehan found some form with 40 and was Mulbring’s best with the bat, while Chad Lewis (34), Scott Robertson (26no) and Mick Mascord (22) all kept the scorers busy. Nathan Wright (3-49), Daniel Bailey (2-45) and Mark Anderson (2-41) shared the wickets for the home side.
The Wood Ducks were all out for 117 in reply, with club president Mark O’Hara leading from the front with a well-constructed 32. Scott Anderson (16), brother Mark Anderson (16) and Mick Letts (15) were the other batsmen to make an impression. Robertson (2-19 off 5) completed a fine all round game for the visitors, as did Sheehan 2-11 off 5, while out of retirement Nigel Callan (2-35 off 8) and Brody Jones (2-28 off 5) also collected a brace of wickets each.
In the final game Greta/Branxton jumped into second place on the ladder with an 8-wickets victory over Peden’s Hotel at the Basin.
Peden’s skipper Pete Brennan won the toss and elected to bat, and after a positive start which saw them 1-43 after just 6 overs they were eventually bundled out in the 38th over for a modest 146. Brennan led the way at the top of the order with a hard-hitting 33, with Dan Olsen (27), Clayton Babic (27), Gavin Kronholm (16) and Aaron Zechel (13) all cashing in on the lightning fast outfield. Returning from a tour in Europe, Greta/Branxton’s Jake Goodyer was welcomed back to the bowling crease with 5-25 off 9.1 overs. Brent Watson (2-54 off 10) and Sean Dunn (2-37 off 10) were the other main wicket takers.
The Blues passed the target in the 27th over in reply after losing just the two wickets, with skipper Josh Dagg continuing on his good batting form with 64 at the top of the order. Damien Frize was equally impressive at the other end with an unbeaten 55. Dan Olsen (1-42 off 7) and Adam Williams (1-20 off 3) were the wicket takers for the Piranhas.
Second Grade
Mulbring 6/94 (J. Power 36, M. Murray 19, M. Stafford 3-20 off 3) defeated Peden’s Hotel 90 (D. Freebairn 32, S. White 27, D. Lord 2-16 off 6, P. Field 2-6 off 5, L. McBeth 2-11 off 4, C. Wyborn 2-9 off 2.4).
Greta/Branxton 2/83 (B. Charnock 39, T. Fuller 16no, D. Holz 13, C. Kedwell 10no, N. Davey 1-42 off 9, K. Plumb 1-25 off 3.5) defeated Wine Country 74 (C. Swan 16, M. Peace 4-21 off 5, C. Kedwell 3-15 off 5, D. Austin 2-11 off 3).
Paxton 118 (Mark Waddell 46, Shaun Clarke 32, Tim Goldman 6-23 off 9.2, Dale Arnold 2-15 off 5) defeated Supporters 20 (Aston Williams 6, Dalton Peel 5-4 off 5, Danny Orr 4-11 off 6).
Bellbird 3/112 (N. Siers 54, J. Millington 29, M. Harwood 2-20 off 2.3) defeated Criterion 9/106 (N. King 40, B. Parra 27, M. Hlad 4-36 off 8 N. Siers 3-26 off 6).
Third Grade
Wine Country 7/189 (C. Benn 78, John Dwyer 65, Jamie Spence 14, Steve Sullivan 2-32 off 10, Greg Kelso 2-45 off 10, Craig Howe 2-31 off 5) defeated Paxton 166 (Steve Sullivan 38, Alan Taylor 27, Greg Kelso 18, Darren Philip 15, Craig Howe 14, Wojt Kowaluk 14, T. Miezers 3-45 off 6, John Dwyer 3-17 off 7, Chris Benn 2-12 off 6).
Supporters Club 156 vs Bellbird 5/30 match abandoned due to rain.
Greta/Branxton defeated Peden’s Hotel by forfeit.
Fourth Grade
Paxton 119 (Bruce Day 21no, Chris Parker 15, Jim Abbott 15, Matt Barnes 14, A. Commins 3-25 off 8, A. Clifton 3-23 off 8, J. Harman 2-23 off 7, N. Page 2-8 off 4) defeated Mulbring 63 (A. Commins 31, Matt Barnes 4-26 off 10, S. Burgess 3-17 off 6, Jacob Garrington 2-3 off 1.3).
Greta/Branxton Blue 143 (Steve Wilkinson 54, Jarrod Wilkinson 36, James Shoulders snr 4-19 off 8, Conner Kirkwood 3-19 off 8) defeated Greta/Branxton 117 (Conner Kirkwood 38, Steve Lawrence 27, Daniel Minchin 18, Murray Wilkinson 4-14 off 9, Jarrod Wilkinson 2-18 off 8, Dave Ison 2-15 off 6).
Supporters Gold 6/220 (Mick Brodie 74no, Paul Burgess 51no, Greg Brodie 26, Steve Davies 21, Matt Brodie 15) defeated Supporters 126 (Phil Hirons 26, Brendan Hayes 22, Greg Brodie 2-23 off 5, Sam Weekes 2-14 off 5).
Points Tables
First Grade Mulbring 58, Greta/Branxton 53, Bellbird 50, Supporters 48, Wine Country 40, Peden’s Hotel 33.
Second Grade Greta/Branxton 61, Bellbird 56, Supporters 55, Paxton 50, Mulbring 48, Peden’s Hotel 44, Wine Country 35, Criterion 30.
Third Grade Bellbird 56, Paxton 55, Supporters 53, Peden’s Hotel 45, Wine Country 34*, Greta/Branxton 32*.
* Still have game in hand.
Fourth Grade Greta/Branxton Blue 55, Supporters Gold 53, Paxton 51,
Greta/Branxton 50, Supporters 50, Mulbring 35.
Club Championship Greta/Branxton 332.88, Supporters 326.30, Bellbird 310.80, Mulbring 276.78, Peden’s Hotel 227.65, Wine Country 217.70, Paxton 184.53, Criterion 60.
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.