CRICKET –
After a two-year absence from the first-grade competition, Brisbane Water made an emphatic return with a 25-run win over Southern Spirit at Col Gooley Field in round one of the 2021-22 Central Coast Cricket season on October 30.
After winning the toss and batting, Brisbane Water skipper, Shaun Eaton, led from the front, top scoring with 45.
Pranish Rai held the middle order together with 34 while a late flourish from Dane Crocker, 22 not out, saw the visitors dismissed in the final over for 142.
Lachlan Cork was excellent with the ball taking 5/20 off eight overs, while Lachlan Bull took two early wickets to finish with 2/28.
In reply Southern Spirit got off to a good start and looked comfortable at 1/35 before the introduction of Lachlan Spencer changed the course of the innings.
Spencer took three quick wickets including the prized scalp of Daniel Friend which was followed immediately by the run out of Shane Higgins.
The home side was suddenly struggling at 5/52.
After starring with the ball, Cork was now being relied upon with the bat but when he was dismissed for a resolute 41, the game was over, and Spirit ended up being all out for 117.
Spencer finished with 3/25 off seven overs while Lewis Cavender did the damage at the end, including claiming the wicket of Cork, to record the figures of 3/7 off five overs.
In other games on October 30: Wyong beat last year’s premiers. The Entrance. by eight runs at Jubilee Park; Narara Wyoming won out over Lisarow Ourimbah by just two wickets at Fagan Park; Terrigal Matcham achieved a comfortable eight wicket win over Warnervale at Duffys Rd; and Kincumber Avoca proved too strong for Northern Power at Harry Moore Oval winning by seven wickets.
In round two this weekend: On Saturday, November 6: Wyong will face Narara at Baker Park; Lisarow will play Northern Power at Sohier Park No.1; Kincumber will battle Southern Spirit at Erina Oval; Brisbane Water will face Terrigal at Adcock Park No.1; and Warnervale with play The Entrance at Woongarrah Oval.
On Sunday, November 7: Warnervale will face Wyong at Woongarrah Oval; The Entrance will play Brisbane Water at Jubilee Park; Terrigal will face Kincumber at Duffys Rd; Southern Spirit will battle Lisarow at Col Gooley Field No.1; and Northern Power will take on Narara at Harry Moore Oval 1.
CCN