AFTERNOON storms impacted on four of Saturday’s Northern District Cricket Association open age matches, with a dominant batting display ensuring at least one A Grade match produced a result.
A 58-ball batting masterclass from Kurt Brereton (63 not out) and Tyler Jones (41) helped defending A Grade premiers, Leitchville/Gunbower defeat Nondies by 10 wickets.
The decision to bat first backfired for Nondies, with the visitors reeling at 3/20 and then 7/49.
Harrison Keely (18) helped restore the innings in the middle order, whilst Sam O’Shea (32) led the way near the end as the visitors fell for 89 in the 37th over.
Sam Colvin (three wickets) did most of the damage in the early part of the innings, with five wickets from James Keath ensuring the hosts would be able to chase down a comfortable target.
With storms crossing over from the east, Brereton and Jones took to Nondies’ bowlers, hitting the winning runs without losing a wicket, before the match finished with the hosts at 2/114 after 9.2 overs.
The weather also impacted on the A Grade match between Cohuna United and Wandella, with both sides in contention for the win at the change of innings.
United’s decision to send the Bombers in to bat first paid off, with Austin Robinson (three wickets), Matt Robinson (two wickets) and Logan Spittal (two wickets) uniting to dismiss last season’s grand finalists for 108 in the 35th over.
Wandella struggled to develop any significant partnerships, with Rohan Oliver (28) and Isaac Hogan (23) the only Bombers batsmen to surpass 20 runs.
Premiers on top
DEFENDING Northern District Cricket Association B Grade premiers, Wandella have moved to the top of the ladder after the side’s five-wicket win against Barham/Koondrook was the only game not affected by wet weather.
Sent in to bat, Steven Farrant (38 not out) and Tim Coote (31) helped the border side reach 6/134 off its 40 overs – with Neil Lehmann claiming four wickets.
In a steady response, Nathan Henry (38) and Matt Page (19) put together a 55-run opening wicket stand, before Luke Murray (36 not out) and Lehmann (17 not out) united for a 55-run sixth-wicket stand that secured the win and a Bombers total of 5/137.
By claiming maximum points for the win, the Bombers moved above the undefeated Nondies – which drew with Leitchville/Gunbower – to lead the competition after six rounds.
The Cohuna Recreation Reserve tenants had the hosts reeling at 3/19, before Michael Moritz (22) and Liam Keath (50 not out) helped Leitchville/Gunbower post 6/119 off its 40 overs.
Liam Pascoe was the best of Nondies’ bowlers, claiming three wickets.In the weekend’s other match, rain ended the match between Cohuna United and Wandella Warriors at a critical period.
United was 9/94 in the 36th over when the storm hit, with the hosts rebuilding after being 5/13 at one stage.
Darren Hancock (35) helped United manager a lower order fightback, with Ethan McKnight (four wickets) and Jason Williams (three wickets) the Warriors’ top bowlers.
