Cricket:
Central Coast has been defeated by Newcastle for the second time concurrently in the McDonald’s Country Cricket Championships.
Before going into the match on December 10, the Central Coast side lost key players Simon Keen and Christopher Archer to injury.
This saw the debut of Bailey Lidgard from Kincumber Avoca Cricket Club in Country Cricket and Joe Hawkins, an international recruit from Northern Power Cricket Club.
Central Coast won the toss and elected to bat, sending out Jake Hardy and Joe Hawkins to open and got off to a great start.
Hardy was warming up hitting four boundaries before being taken on 26 runs.
Hawkins followed shortly after on 32 with three fours.
Sent out next to the crease were skipper Broc Hardy and Brett Russell.
Both looked in fine form but, like their openers, succumbed to Newcastle bowler Aaron Bills before getting to double figures.
The middle of the batting order steadied the runs with Dylan Robertson 29, Bailey Lidgard 30 and Thomas Owen 28.
After 45.4 overs, Central Coast were all out for 209.
Central Coast began their bowling innings with Rob Lavery opening the bowling.
In the last ball of the first over the big wicket of Daniel Arms was dismissed with just one run.
The tide turned with Newcastle’s next three batters putting on figures of 78, 49 and 59.
In the 43rd over, Dylan Robertson bowled Logan Weston.
The Coast continued to show great sportsmanship but was defeated in the next over.
“Newcastle was just the better team on the day,” a Coast player said.
“We were unfortunate with our batting and couldn’t string any partnerships together which was what let us down.
“Our bowling could have been a bit tighter with a few too many extras which didn’t help.
“We continued fighting until the last over but just couldn’t get there.”