New Norfolk three from three

Craig Cunningham, left, top scored with a fine 56 runs and Zac
Crosswell made 53 during Gretna I's close win over the Tigers.

Southern Cricket Association
Men’s Round 3
50 over matches

NEW Norfolk I made it three from three in its premiership defence in the 50-over format when it defeated Old Beach by 95 runs at Tynwald Park last Saturday. Thanks to an opening stand of 135 from Seb Wishart (53 runs) and Jordan Willoughby (51), the Red Caps were able to post the good score of 9-244 from their 50 overs. Wishart was on fire, scoring his half century from just 61 balls in what was a great display of batting from the pair. Jordan Banks-Smith again got among the runs with 31. In reply, the visitors were bowled out for 149 from 45.2 overs. Jye Lester — who has bowled superbly this season — send down 8.2 overs, taking 4-28 . Seb Wishart capped off a great day with 3-34 from his 10 overs, and Jordan Banks-Smith took 2-33 (10). New Norfolk I now sits five points clear on top of the ladder.

Second Grade
GRETNA I recorded its second win, defeating the Marquis Tigers by five wickets at home. The visitors won the toss and elected to bat. After a slow start they got things going and finished with the good score of 7-205 from their 50 overs. Aaron Maddox again did his bit with the ball, taking 2-29 from his 10 over while Corey Ransley — who also did some keeping — bowled superbly with just 1-10 for his 10 overs, including three maidens. Spinner Craig Cunningham did well, taking 1-21 (5). In reply, the Gretna top order led by example, finishing 5-206 to clinch a narrow win with just three balls to spare. Opener Craig Cunningham made a welcome return to form with 56 while Zac Crosswell put together a well-made 53 runs. Crosswell put on a 40-run stand with Cunningham and then 67 with Ben Rainbird, who made 34. Gretna needed six runs to win with one over remaining. Aaron Maddox (16 not out) kept a cool head, hitting two runs followed by a four to give his side victory. Congratulations to Gretna’s Rhys Browning, who played his 150th club match on Saturday during his team’s win.

In the other Second Grade match, Molesworth I went down to Richmond/Cambridge by four wickets at Richmond. Winning the toss and batting , Molesworth made 8-149 from their 50 overs. In reply, Richmond finished 6-150 from 46.5 overs to take the win. No other details were available.

Third Grade
AN unbeaten century by New Norfolk II captain Jake King helped his side to a convincing 138-run win over Old Beach in the Third Grade match at Tynwald Park on Sunday. King opened the batting and was there until the end, finishing on 130 not out from 163 balls, including eight fours and two sixes. He shared a 81-run partnership with Cody Neads, who made 43 from just 38 balls. Down the order Aaron Drew made 55 from 46, sharing a 100-run stand with his captain. After Drew was dismissed Jye Bearman took over, belting 52no from just 42 balls, building an unbeaten 110-run partnership with King. The Red Caps finished with 5-331 from 50 overs. In reply, the visitors were no match for the home side, finishing on 9-193 from 41.4 overs. Capping off a great day, Aaron Drew took 3-27 from 8.4 overs. Stewart Rice finished with great figures of 2-16 (10) including four maidens. David Mitchelmore took 2-45 (7). While Old Beach was batting, a swarm of bees crossed the ground, flooring almost every player including the umpire who were trying to steer clear of being stung.

Fourth Grade
BOTHWELL I got its first 50-over win, defeating St Aidans by 77 runs at Pontville Park. The win was helped by a great all-round performance from veteran Mathew Eyles, who top-scored with 43 runs and then sent down 10 overs to finish with 5-23. The Bucks made 9-197 from their 50 overs and in reply St Aidans finished 9-120 from 33.3 overs. With the bat, Kelvin Eyles made 36, Josh Eyles 24 and Stuart Eyles 21. With the ball Nathan White took 2-40 (8), Josh Eyles 1-23 (7) and Nathan Eyles 1-29 (8.3).

In the other Fourth Grade match, Gretna II was defeated by Hobart by five wickets at Risdon Vale. Having first hit, Gretna was all out for 154 from 46.5 overs. Opener Trent Grand did well with the bat, making 64. Josh Whitford-Marriott got 27 and Jordan Hastie 11. In reply Hobart finished 5-158 from 31.4 overs. Jake Campbell was the main wicket taker with 3-41 from 9.4 overs

Fifth Grade
BUSHY Park lost its first 50-over match, going down to St Annes by four wickets at home. In a low-scoring match, Bushy Park was sent into bat and was bowled out for 75 off 25.4 overs. Ben Triffett was the only batsman with double figures , making 23 not out.  In reply the visitors didn’t do it easily, finishing with 6- 76 from 29.3 overs. All the Bushy Park bowlers did well, with Dylan Grand getting great figures of 2-4 from six overs with three maidens, and Jasper Gerhard Marias also doing well with 2-16 (6).

In the other Fifth Grade match, New Norfolk III went down to Lindisfarne at Lindisfarne by 57 runs. The home side had first hit, making 6-233 from its 50 overs. In reply, New Norfolk was bowled out for 176 off 40.2 overs. Opener Chris Ashcroft made an excellent 70 to get his team off to a good start. Captain and fellow opener Steven Sillifant made 30 with the pair putting on an 83-run stand while Corey Field made 20. With the ball, Brad Kemmler was the main wicket taker with good figures of 2-28 (10).

Seventh Grade
MOLESWORTH II defeated Bothwell II by just nine runs at Boyer Oval. Molesworth had first hit, making 4-194 off 40 overs. In reply, Bothwell gave it a good shake to finish just short at 8-185 from the 40 overs. With the bat for Molesworth , opener Nick Piuselli made a very good 87 to set his team up. Braydan Chaplin made 22 not out and Brent Slater 17 not out. With the ball for the Bucks, Adam Pearce bowled exceptionally well, finishing with 2-7 off five overs. In the run chase, Brodie White put in a big effort, just missing the half century with 48 not out. Ashley Browning got 30 and Anthony White 25. Of the Molesworth bowlers, Larry Menzie took 2-2 from two overs, Kye Tomkinson 2-38 (7), and Nick Piuselli did very well with 1-12 off eight overs in a very good spell.

WADE GLEESON

NEXT GAMES: SCA 50-OVER MATCHES
Round 4 — All matches start at 10.30am 
First Grade - Saturday: New Norfolk I v Claremont at Tynwald Park
Second Grade - Saturday: Gretna I v Molesworth I at Boyer Oval.
Third Grade - Saturday: New Norfolk II v MacKillop Beltas at North Warrane Oval.
Fourth Grade - Sunday: Bothwell I v Montagu Bay at Geilston Bay Oval; Gretna II v Wellington at Gretna.
Fifth Grade - Sunday: Bushy Park v Bagdad at Bagdad; New Norfolk III v St Virgils at Tynwald Park.
Seventh Grade - Sunday: Bothwell II v Wellington at Eady St Oval No.1; Molesworth II v St Aidans at Boyer Oval.