Southern Cricket Association
Round 11
First Grade
New Norfolk suffered its first loss since round three, going down to St Anne's by 13 runs at Tynwald Park. The Crows had first hit and were all out for 170 off 50 overs. In reply, the Red Caps didn’t quite get there, bowled out for 157 off 49 overs. First drop Mathew Bowden top-scored with 45 (two fours) while keeper Harry Booth made 34, hitting two fours and two sixes. Seb Wishart made 19 (two fours) and captain Jason Rigby 15 (one four). Best with the ball were opener Joe McCulloch with 3-27 from 10 overs (three maidens) and Seb Wishart with 3-29 (two maidens).
Second Grade
In an important match for the side's finals chances, Gretna I had a big win over St Anne's at Cadbury No. 1 on Saturday. Batting first, Gretna was all out for the good score of 263 off 49.4 overs. Glenn Blackwell led the way with 49, hitting five fours and one six, and shared a 71-run stand with Zac Crosswell who made 38 (six fours). Mathew Burns found form with 37 (six fours, one six) and Rhys Browning made 25 (four fours). Down the order, Peter Jelkic got 19 (one four), and then Corey Ransley with 37 (six fours) and Craig Cunningham 22 (two fours) did well, putting on a last wicket stand of 61. In reply, St Anne's was bowled out for 99 off 34.3 overs. Wicket-takers for Gretna were spinner Craig Cunningham with 3-15 (7.3) and Aaron Maddox 3-34 (10) while Corey Ransley took 2-15 (5) and Mathew Burns 2-25 (10) with three maidens.
In the other Second Grade match, Molesworth I, playing at home, went down to Sorell by 42 runs. Batting first, the visitors made 6-191 from their 50 overs and then Molesworth was bowled out for 149 off 44.2 overs. Daniel Coppleman top-scored with 31 (four fours). Nick Piuselli was next best with 26 (two fours, one six) while opener Josh Ransley made 22 (two fours, one six) and Brad Coppleman 17 (one four, two sixes). With the ball, Brad Coppleman took 3-53 (10). Blayne King 1-20 (9) did well as did Daniel Coppleman with 1-29 (10) and Liam Triffitt with 1-23 (5).
Third Grade
New Norfolk II went down to Brighton by 64 runs in a low-scoring match at Thompson Oval, Brighton. Batting first, the home team made 9-124 off its 50 overs. The Red Caps had no answers in reply to the Brighton attack and were bowled out for 60. Leigh Berry, the only batsman with double figures, scored 26 (two fours). Earlier with the ball, Janie Hill sent down nine overs to finish with great figures of 4-22 . Stewart Rice was tight with 2-14 (10) as was Jamie Maddox with 1-15 (8) and Josh Walsh with 2-40 (10).
Fourth Grade
Bothwell I lost to St Aidans at Cambridge Oval by five wickets. The Bucks had first dig and were bowled out for 91 from 39 overs. Nathan White top-scored with 20 (one four), while Joey Eyles made 12 (one four) and Dylan Pearce 10 (one four). Wicket-takers were Matthew Eyles with 1-19 (6), Cody Eyles on 1-10 (4) and Brock Nichols with 1-8 (2).
In a close encounter, Gretna II went down to Claremont by two wickets at Abbotsfield Park. Winning the toss, Gretna had first dig and was in trouble early at 4-32 , but recovered somewhat and finished all out for 160 off 48.2 overs. This was thanks to a fine 42 by youngster Josh Whitford who batted well, hitting five fours. Whitford shared a 57-run stand with housemate Jake Campbell on 10 (one four). Credit must also go to opener Jordan Hastie with 32 runs (three fours) who kept things together when the wickets were falling. Sam Booth made 12 (one four, one six). In a tight finish, Claremont got over the line finishing 8-161 with 1.5 overs remaining. Spinner Aaron Browning gave his all taking 4-40 (10) while young paceman Sam Booth stepped up and showed great signs of things to come with a fine spell of 3-6 from six overs. Matt Coulson did well with 1-33 (10). Well done to Brian Smith who played his 200th match for Gretna II.
Bushy Park gave top-of-the-table Bagdad a shake, going down by 14 runs at Bagdad. Batting first, the home team was dismissed for 132 off 37.4 overs. In reply, Bushy fell just short finishing all out for 118 off 26.4 overs. Captain Troy Smith top scored with 25, while Trent Grant and Nichols Fenton both got 22. Bowling for Bushy, Geoff Crosswell sent down 8.4 overs for the great figures of 4-23 with three maidens. Nicholas Fenton got 2-36 (10), Mitchell Crosswell 1-15 (8), including three maidens, and Trent Grant 1-25 (6). There were two run-outs.
Seventh Grade
Playing at home, New Norfolk III got back on the winners list, easily defeating Old Beach by 104 runs. Batting first, the Red Caps were all out for 175 from 48.4 overs. In reply, Old Beach couldn’t handle the attack and made just 9-71 off 20.1 overs. With the willow, the home side was 4-32 but opener David Mitchelmore steadied the ship with a well-made 40, which included four well-struck fours. Captain Mitchell Rice led from the front with a timely 36 with three fours. Brad Kemmler gave good support with 18 (two fours, one six) and Aaron Drew made 15 (one four). With the Kookaburra, openers Zaheer Hussain 4-30 (10) and Stuart Muir 4-38 did all the damage, ripping through the home side in excellent fashion. Aaron Drew chipped in, taking the final wicket with just one delivery to spare.
In the other match, Molesworth II lost to Montagu Bay at Geilston Bay by six wickets. The 10-man Molesworth team made 9-122 off 29.3 overs. In reply, the Sharks finished 4-124 off 21.5 overs. Timmy Nichols, playing his first match of the season, bowled well with 2-36 (10), including three maidens, and Shayne Upton was the other wicket taker with 2-52 (6).
Eighth Grade
Bothwell II kept itself on top of the ladder with a very good win over Sorell at Sorell. Having first knock, the Bucks got the good score of 3-235 off their 50 overs. Opener Anthony White got things going with a well-made 56 (four fours), and he shared a 87-run partnership with youngster Brodie White who top-scored with a fine 60 not out (one four). White then teamed up with Adam Clark, who did very well with an excellent 51no. The pair put on a superb 109-run unbeaten stand. There were 51 extras. In reply, Sorell faced out the 50 overs finishing 9-145 . All the Bucks bowlers did well — Simon Eyles took 2-26 (10), Anthony White 2-27 (10), Peter Hansch 2-28 (10), and Brody Nichols got in on the action with 2-6 (2). Bothwell couldn’t be better placed heading into the finals after four wins on the trot.
