Southern Cricket Association round four results

Gretna I allrounder Rhys Browning.

IN a weekend of cricket marred by rain, thunder and lightning, some matches got results while others didn’t see a ball bowled. Let’s see how it all unfolded.

The First Grade match between New Norfolk I and St Anne's at Cadbury Oval No. 1 on Saturday got under way but was later washed out. Red Caps had first hit, making 9-197 off their 50 overs. Seb Wishart top-scored with 67, hitting eight fours. Harry Booth made 26 (four fours), Nathan Eiszele 23 (three fours) and Matthew Bowden 22 (four fours). Before the rain put a stop to the match St Anne's in reply was 1-33 off 6.1 overs. Nathan Eiszele was the wicket-taker with 1-24 (3.1). Congratulations to Jye Bearman on making his First Grade debut on Saturday.

In a thrilling rain-affected Second Grade match at Gretna on Saturday, the home team defeated St Anne's by just two runs. Gretna I won the toss and elected to bat — and on the first ball of the day was 1-0 . But Rhys Browning with a fine 57 (four fours, one six) and Craig Cunningham with 15 (one four) steadied with a 54-run stand. Browning and Aaron Maddox with 12 (two fours) added a further 37 before Gretna lost 5-22 and the wheels looked to had fallen off at 7-113 . But the youth of the team stepped up as Luke Crosswell with 44no (two fours) and Josh Whitford-Marriott with 12 put on a match-winning 48-run partnership. Corey Ransley chipped in with a quickfire 17 (three fours) and Gretna ended up all out for 193 off 48.1 overs. In reply St Anne's faced just seven overs before the rain came down, resulting in a revised target for the visitors of 140 from 36 overs.

Josh Whitford-Marriott, left, and Luke Crosswell.

Play got back under way when the weather improved and the Gretna bowlers were on top early. Peter Jelkic with 3-27 (10) and Craig Cunningham with 2-27 (10) bowled in tandem, bogging down the batsmen in superb spells of bowling. Then at the death, captain Ben Rainbird with 2-17 (4.2) and Rhys Browning with 1-2 (1) tied up the opposition batsmen, causing them much frustration. The pair even combined for a great run out. Rainbird bowled the final over with the Crows needing just four runs for victory with one wicket in hand. They were bowled out in what was a very good game. Mention must also be made of the first-rate fielding by Gretna.

Molesworth I defeated Sorell at Sorell Oval No. 1 in the other Second Grade match on Saturday. The home side had first dig and was all out for 186 off 48.4 overs. In reply and with rain causing a revised total, Molesworth won the match, finishing with 9-142 off 36.1 overs. With the bat for the winners, youngster Daniel Coppleman top scored with 35, batting at No. 8, while another youngster and opener Josh Ransley put together 34 from 52 balls, hitting five fours. Brad Coppleman with 19 (three fours) and Nick Piuselli 17 (one four, one six) were the other main scorers. With the ball, Brad Coppleman finished with good figures of 3-24 from 7.4 overs. Josh Ransley had a good day, taking 2-17 (5) as did Daniel Coppleman with 2-32 (8).

New Norfolk II’s Third-Grade match against Brighton at Tynwald Park on Saturday was washed out. The match did get under way, with New Norfolk having first hit to be all out for 104 off 40.1 overs. Nathan Rice top-scored with 19 (one six), while Aaron Drew got 14 (two fours), Josh Walsh 13 (three fours), Leigh Berry 11 and Jarrod Browning 10 (two fours). In reply, Brighton batted for 17 overs and was 3-45 before the heavens opened. With the ball, Jamie Maddox, who has made a welcome return to cricket, took 1-13 off four overs while Nathan Rice got 1-19 off five overs. Aaron Drew bowled tightly for 0-7 off five overs, including two maidens. There was one run-out by Jamie Maddox.

All of Sunday’s Fourth Grade matches were washed out.

New Norfolk III got up on run rate in a rain-affected Seventh-Grade match against Old Beach at Weily Park on Saturday. Old Beach had first knock and was restricted to 142 after being bowled out after 26.3 overs. Zaheer Hussain bowled superbly, taking 4-10 off 3.3 overs. Mitch Rice was also very good with 3-40 off eight overs, as was Stuart Muir with 3-42 off 10 overs. In reply, the Red Caps were 4-92 off 27.4 overs until the rain came and put an end to the match — and with a good run rate, New Norfolk took home the points. Dave Mitchelmore made 34 with two fours. Nathan Heron got 26 (four fours) and Aaron Triffitt made 13 (one four).

The other Seventh Grade match between Molesworth II and Montagu Bay at Boyer Oval on Saturday was washed out. Of the play, the visitors won the toss and elected to bat, and were all out for 155 from 39.1 overs. Captain and opening bowler Jack Evans led from the front taking 4-39 (10). Tye Benson chipped in with 2-8 (1), Liam Triffitt got 2-29 (7.1), Jake Sorrenson bowled very tightly finishing with great figures of 1-9 (6), and Josh Nichols got 1-23 (4). In reply, Molesworth was looking very good at 4-80 off 20.1 overs when rain ended the match. Wicketkeeper-batsman Jayden Wilton was going well at 42no, including two fours and a six.

Playing at home in Eighth Grade, Bothwell II recorded its second victory with a big 111-run win over Brighton. The Bucks won the toss and had first hit, getting 173 off 43.4 overs. Brock Nichols made a fine 37, hitting five fours. Captain and opener Anthony White made 20 (two fours), while Trent Rogers make a quickfire 18 (two fours, one six) and Michael White got 18. In reply, Brighton was bowled out for 62 off 21.4 overs. Trent Rogers made it a top day, bowling well to finish with the excellent figures of five wickets for just four runs from 3.4 overs, including two maidens. Brodie White also bowled well with 2-25 (7) as did Brock Nichols with 1-14 (7), while Stuart Eyles took 1-15 (4).

WADE GLEESON