Molesworth wins Eyles Memorial

Daniel Coppleman

Southern Cricket Association
Round 16

MOLESWORTH I defeated Gretna I by four wickets at Gretna last weekend to become the first winner of the Ben Eyles Memorial Shield. Gretna won the toss and had first hit, making the competitive total of 10 for 183 off 40.2 overs. As he has done all season, Mathew Burns top-scored with 43 including two 4s and two 6s. Other Gretna batsman got starts but just didn't go on with it; Ben Rainbird 26 (two 4s), Craig Cunningham 23 (five 4s), Jackson Ackerly 15 (two 4s), Damien Hack 14 (two 4s), Corey Ransley (three 4s) and Glenn Blackwell 13 (two 4s). Of the Molesworth bowlers, Brad Coppleman bowled superbly, capturing 6 for 48 off 9 overs, Ricky Martin 2 for 31 off 8.2, Dean King 1 for 34 off 8 and M. Siely 1 for 55 off 10. There were 23 extras.

In reply Molesworth were in trouble when they were 6 for 88, but an unbeaten stand of 97 between young Daniel Coppleman 56 not out (five 4s, one 6) and the experienced Dean King 49 (nine 4s, one 6), saw Molesworth to victory. The pair batted well together, denying Gretna any chance of victory. Gretna bowler Bruce Emery did his best to keep his team in the match, taking 3 for 0 in 4 balls, finishing with 3 for 25 off 8 overs. Other wicket takers were Aaron Maddox 1 for 18 off 4, Mathew Burns 1 for 25 off 4 and Craig Cunningham 1 for 37 off 7. There were nine extras.

Well done to Molesworth on winning the Ben Eyles Memorial Shield, The shield is in memory of the late Ben Eyles who was a fantastic cricketer with the Ouse Cricket Club and later Molesworth. With the Eyles family also playing with Gretna these two sides will play for the shield each season in recognition of Ben's contribution to cricket her in the Derwent Valley and Central Highlands. Congratulations to Daniel Coppleman on winning the inaugural Ben Eyles Medal for being player of the match and to Jackson Ackerly on playing his 50th match for Gretna I.

New Norfolk I have had some big score this season, but its 7 for 435 over Bagdad on Sunday at Tynwald Park tops the list. To add to this, David Maddox and Rohan Heron again recorded centuries. Maddox smashed a magical 171 with 110 of these coming in boundaries (23 4s, 36s). Heron belted 125, regularly finding the boundary as well (16 4s, four 6s). The pair put on a massive 195 run partnership and when Heron was out the score was 2 for 270. Leigh Berry made 41, T. Hanson 28 (three 4s) and Ashley Morgan 25 (two 4s). There were 39 extras. In reply Bagdad could only manage 87, being bowled out in 21.5 overs. Josh Rowlands bowling very well took 4 for 29 off 10 as did Brad Kemmler 4 for 52 off 10. Stewart Rice did very well taking 2 for 0 off just 5 balls! (10 extras).

In 4th Grade on Saturday at the Bushy Park Showgrounds, Bushy Park crushed Derwent by nine wickets. Bushy won the toss and sent Derwent into bat. They were bundled out for 70 runs in 22.1 overs. Nathan Grant bowled very well and skittled the Derwent batsmen, finishing with excellent figures of 6 for 39 off 10 overs. Troy Smith has a broken finger from wicket-keeping some weeks back and did well taking 2 for 5 off 4.1 overs. Trent Grant 1 for 6 off 2 and Mitch Crosswell 1 for 17 off 6 took the remaining wickets. There were 18 extras. In the run chase, Bushy had little trouble reaching the target, losing just one wicket and finishing 1 for 73 off 5.3 overs (3 extras). Troy Smith did well opening the batting, making 45 not out. Nick Fenton gave good support making 24 and Damien Madden remained 1no.

In the other 4th Grade match Gretna II suffered their eighth loss in a row, going down to the Knights by seven wickets. Gretna won the toss and had first hit, making 10 for 104 off 32 overs (14 extras). Josh Farrow from the Gretna Under 15's did very well top scoring with 20 (three 4s). Nick Wakefield made 19 (three 4s), another Under 15's player Nathan Eyles made 14 (three 4s), while Brian Smith reached 11. In reply the Knights reached Gretna's total, finishing 3 for 107 off 11.3 overs (20 extras). Adam Browning took 2 for 61 off 6 and Joey Eyles 1 for 11 off 1.3 overs. Congratulations to Jamie Cooper and Jake Campbell on playing their first matches for Gretna. Jamie is the 286th player since 1977-78 to play for Gretna while Jake Campbell who also plays with the Gretna Under 15s is the 287th player.

In 5th Grade New Norfolk II were brought back to earth after their winning streak, losing to Wellington by 120 runs at Abbotsfield Park. The Red Caps won the toss and sent Wellington into bat. They made 10 for 214 off 45.2 overs (36 extras). Josh Walsh continues to bag the wickets and took 4 for 43 off 10 overs, Jamie Hill took 2 for 21 off 9, Josh Dykes 2 for 40 off 6.2 and Richard Munnings 1 for 24 off 7. In reply New Norfolk were bowled out for 94 off 27.4 overs (26 extras). Jamie Hill was the only batsman to reach double figures, making 23 not out (two 4s).

In the other 5th Grade match Molesworth II forfeited to Rokeby     

Next games - SCA Round 17
All Matches start at 10.30am

SECOND GRADE - Saturday: Gretna I v Richmond/Cambridge at Richmond, Molesworth I v Sandford at Boyer Oval, and New Norfolk I v Runnymede at Runnymede.
FOURTH GRADE - Sunday: Gretna II v Hobart at Gretna, and Bushy Park v McRobies Gully at Cambridge Oval.
FIFTH GRADE- Saturday: New Norfolk II v Rokeby at Tynwald Park, and Molesworth II v Richmond/Cambridge at Cambridge Oval.