Southern cricket - week four

DESPITE being hampered by rain at times, Round 4 of the Southern Cricket Association had some great performances.

Gretna I continued with its winning form, easily accounting for Runnymede by 113 runs in Second Grade at Runnymede. This win was helped by the in-form Mathew Burns who again top-scored with 70. Burns has been in terrific form so far this season and for the fourth week in a row he scored over 60 runs. Openers Damien Hack 36 and Ben Rainbird 29 put on 43 then Burns and Hack put on 98 to set Gretna in line for a winning total. Corey Ransley did very well down the order making 39. In reply Runnymede was bundled out for 120. The combination of the Browning brothers, Rhys (4 wickets) and Adam (2 wickets) and two from Aaron Maddox cleaned up the home side comfortably.

Molesworth I continued on its merry way with yet another convincing win, this time at the expense of the MacKillop Beltas. Molesworth had first hit, making the competitive score of 186. Opener Nick Piuselli who has been in good form so far, top-scored with a well made 41. Down the order, young Brad Ransley made the good score of 39. In reply the Beltas were bundled out for just 93. This was mainly due to the good bowling from Josh Bomford taking 5 for 26 off 9 overs. Bomford has looked the goods for Molesworth since crossing from Gretna and his perfomances to date have certainly contributed to Molesworth's success. Brad Coppleman has been a great contributor and bowled very well taking 3 for 19, while Tim Nichols kepted things in order as an opening bowler and finished with 2 for 23 off 10.

New Norfolk I kept up its winning trend, smashing Sandford by nine wickets. The ever-reliable Stewart Rice again showed that age is no barrier, skittling through the Sandford batsmen, capturing 4 for 39 to help knock over the home side for just 98. Then Rice smashed a quickfire 65 to top-score for the Red Caps in another great win for the club. Rice belted 3-4s and 6-6s in his innings, which not unexpected from the big hitter who has done this many times before. It wasn't just Rice though, with youngster Josh Rowlands opening the bowling and finishing with the excellent figures of 3 for 8 off 10 overs. Great figures indeed Josh, well done. Josh Dykes chipped in with two wickets, while Richard Munnings got one wicket and also remained 17 not out with 3-4s.

Bushy Park has been finding things difficult since moving up to second grade was beaten by Montagu Bay on Sunday going down by a closer margin of four wickets. Bushy had first hit, making the small total of 73 with all-rounder Mitch Crosswell top-scoring with 32. Next best was Danny Mason on 16. In reply Montagu Bay found it a little tough reaching the total with just four wickets in hand. Captain Troy "Wizard" Smith tried his hardest to keep the team in the match, finishing with figures of 4-48 while Mitch Crosswell picked up one wicket with the other coming from a runout.

In fifth grade Molesworth II scored another win, this time defeating Dynnyrne by 22 runs. Captain Brayden Hodge led the way with 36 while new player J.J. Mallinson made 34. Jacksyn Mann is doing well of late and put on 30. Molesworth finished 10 for 163. In reply Dynnyrne couldn't quite reach the total, finishing 8 for 141. Young Aaron Triffitt bowled very well indeed, picking up 5 for 31. Well done Aaron, keep up the good work. Larry Menzie picked up two while Dakoda Smith took 1 for 2 off 4 balls.

The other fifth grade match between New Norfolk II and McRobies Gully was washed out. In fourth grade it was the same with Gretna II and Hobart at Risdon Vale.

Scores in detail - second grade: New Norfolk I 1 for 99 off 10.2 overs (3 extras) d Sandford 10 for 98 at Sandford. New Norfolk batting: Stewart Rice 65 not out 3-4s, 6-6s. Rohan Heron 14 1-4. Richard Graham 17 not out 3-4s. New Norfolk bowling: Stewart Rice 4-39 (9.2). Josh Rowlands 3-8 (10). Josh Dykes 2-24 (10). Richard Munnings 1-23 (10).

Gretna I 10 for 233 off 49.4 overs (15 extras) d Runnymede 9 for 120 off 30.4 overs (28 extras) at Runnymede. Gretna batting: Mathew Burns 70 4-4s, 4-6s. Corey Ransley 39. Damien Hack 36 4-4s. Ben Rainbird 29 2-4s 1-6. Glenn Blackwell 19 2-4s 1-6. Jackson Ackerly 14. Gretna bowling: Rhys Browning 4-43 (9.4). Aaron Maddox 2-23 (5). Adam Browning 2-27 (10).

Molesworth I 10 for 186 off 48.3 overs (22 extras) d MacKillop Beltas 10 for 93 off 34.4 overs (9 extras) at Cambridge Oval. Molesworth batting: Nick Piuselli 41 2-4s, 3-6s. Brad Ransley 39 4-4s, 1-6. Josh Bomford 19 1-4. Daniel Adams 17. Mathew Smith 11 2-4s. Molesworth bowling: Josh Bomford 5-26 (9). Brad Coppleman 3-19 (7.4). Tim Nichols 2-23 (10).

Montagu Bay 6 for 74 off 19.1 overs (19 extras) d Bushy Park 10 for 73 off 20.5 overs (12 extras) at Geilston Bay. Bushy Park batting: Mitch Crosswell 32. Danny Mason 16. Bushy Park bowling: Troy Smith 4-48 (9.1). Mitch Crosswell 1-16 (6).

Fourth grade: Gretna II v Hobart at Risdon Vale - match washed out.

Fifth grade: New Norfolk II v McRobies Gully at Tynwald Park - match washed out.

Molesworth II 10 for 163 off 37.5 overs (25 extras) d Dynnyrne 8 for 141 off 29.4 overs (41 extras) at Boyer Oval. Molesworth batting: Brayden Hodge 36 1-4, 3-6s. J. Mallinson 34. Jacksyn Mann 30 1-4, 2-6s. Brett Hodge 19 1-4, 1-6. Larry Menzie 10 1-4.  Molesworth bowling: Aaron Triffitt 5-31 (9). Larry Menzie 2-23 (4). Dakoda Smith 1-2 (0.4).