CRICKET –
Round four of the CCCA Men’s First Grade competition saw wins to Southern Spirit, Wyong, Terrigal Matcham and The Entrance, whilst the match between Warnervale and Kincumber Avoca was unable to be played due to a wet wicket.
At Harry Moore, an unbeaten 116 run partnership between Lachlan Cork and Daniel Friend guided Southern Spirit to their first win of the year defeating Northern Power by eight wickets.
Batting first, Northern Power recovered from 5/67 to reach a very competitive 6/186 from their 40 overs courtesy of 60 from Ben Gillies and 49 not out from Brett Lenton, with the pair putting on a 99 run partnership for the sixth wicket.
Ethan Jones was excellent with the new ball for Southern Spirit taking the first three Power wickets on his way to 3/32.
In reply, Shane Higgins, 32 and Laurence Legge 22, got Southern Spirit off to a good start, before Cork and Friend completed the job.
Cork continued his excellent start to the season finishing with 66 whilst Daniel Friend made a welcome return to form with 59 which included four fours and a six.
Wyong again flexed their muscles with a convincing 121 run win over the previously unbeaten Brisbane Water at Baker Park.
The win, which included a bonus point, saw Wyong extend their lead at the top of the table.
Batting first after winning the toss, Wyong immediately gained the ascendancy with a 79-run opening stand between OllieThompson and Michael Leard, both 47.
From this platform the strong Wyong batting line-up was able to put pressure on the Brisbane Water attack and Jordan Liddle 60, Hayden Murphy 28 and Joey Liddle 21 capitalised to take their side to 8/243 at the end of their 40 overs.
Eric Denhartog, Alex Searle and Ben Shelley each took two wickets for Brisbane Water.
Brisbane Water’s chase never materialised, and they were dismissed for 134 with skipper Shaun Eaton top scoring with 33.
NSW/ACT Country Under 19’s spinner, Harry Townsend, was outstanding taking 3/8 from eight overs whilst veteran, Mark Leard, did the damage early with two wickets.
Terrigal Matcham kept their hopes of a finals spot alive with a six wicket win over Narara Wyoming at Fagan’s Park.
After being sent into bat, Narara Wyoming struggled against the disciplined Bellbirds attack with Peter Cross 34, Tom Owen 33 and skipper James Smith 22 the only batters to get into the double figures as the Lions were dismissed inside 28 overs for 127.
The innings was not helped by three of the top six batters being run out.
The remaining wickets were shared amongst the Terrigal Matcham bowlers with Alex Patterson, Nic Toohey and Harry Brien each taking two wickets.
Terrigal Matcham had very little trouble in the run chase after Lloyd Radcliffe 37 not out and Harry Brien 31 put on a 53 run opening partnership.
Zac Peters 28 not out, and former New Zealander Rob Von Elling scoring 21 also made handy contributions.
At Jubilee Oval, The Entrance cruised to a comfortable five wicket win over Lisarow Ourimbah.
After winning the toss and batting, Lisarow Ourimbah were disappointing with the bat, being dismissed for 91.
It is the third time this year that the Magpies had been dismissed inside their alotted 40 overs.
In just his second first grade match for the club, Hayden Paterick again showcased the necessary commitment topscoring with 26, batting at number three before being the eighth wicket to fall.
Leg spinner, Luke Deserens was the pick of the bowlers taking 3/33 whilst Broc Hardy also picked up the final three wickets to fall.
In reply, The Entrance had no trouble passing the total, albeit they missed out on the important bonus point having taken 27 years to do so.
Jake Hardy, fresh from signing a deal to play in the UK off season, top scored with 33 not out.
Mitch Pennington was the most successful bowler taking 2/9.
The final game between Warnervale and Kincumber Avoca was unable to be played due to the wicket at Woongarrah Oval being too wet from the mid-week rain.
Round five will commence on November 20 with Terrigal facing Wyong at Duffys Rd, Southern Spirit will battle The Entrance at Col Gooley Field No.1, Northern Power will fight Warnervale at Harry Moore Oval One, Narara will face Brisbane Water at Fagan Park and Lisarow will battle Kincumber at Sohier Park No1.
Harry Mulholland