Grade Cricket Back for 2020
13th January 2020
Grade cricket got back underway on Saturday as our 1sts and 2nds took on Toronto in a 2 day fixture.
Nathan Hudson won the toss at Ron Hill and chose to send Toronto in. The early signs were good, as we took regular wickets to have them at 7/144. Toronto's tail wagged, and Josh Westwood (96) batted well to put on 94 for the final 3 wickets and get them to 238. Hudson (5/61) was the pick of the bowlers, continuing a rich vein of form. Seamers Ben Sullivan and Jono Twomey picked up 3 and 2 wickets respectively. We then batted for 15 overs to close the day and are 1/19 at stumps.
2nds had a delayed start due to the morning rain, and lost the toss and were sent in on a wet one. Openers Kieran Brackenbury (20) and Sean Lynch (17) looked comfortable despite the conditions. However, their dismissals set the tone for the day, with most batsman getting a start, but the top score being just 25 to skipper Josh Brackenbury. We ended up with 173, bowled out in the 51st over. Bad light meant we were only able to bowl 8 overs of our own, taking a crucial wicket to have them 1/16.
3rds and 4ths played one day fixtures against Toronto in their first games after the Christmas break.
Dropped catches were once again 3rd Grade's demise, with repeated missed chances allowing Toronto to reach 9/232 from their 40 overs. Tommy Sheehan's 4/30 was the best effort from the bowlers. Jono Burke (62) and Jack Dundas (48) put on a big partnership in the middle order to give them hope, but ultimately they were chasing too many, finishing at 9/192, 40 runs short.
4th Grade had a much better day out, bowling first and restricting Toronto to 9/99 from 40 overs after Toronto chose to bat first. Nathan Tubs Grabham was the best of the bowlers with 3/13 off 8 overs, but Steve Christie (4/30) picked up yet more wickets to add to his tally. The chase was over quickly for the loss of no wicket for a bonus point win. Luke Mannix (49*) and Martin Francis (42*) got the job done with a 100 run opening stand.
In the C&S, our C5s took on Hamilton North and found themselves chasing 202 for victory after bowling first. They batted well to get to 172 from their 35 overs, and in a similar story to 3rd Grade they will be left to rue missed chances in the field.
The D2s had a comfortable win against Teralba at Finnan Oval. Bowling first, Isaac Cruckshank took 4 wickets at the top of the order, with the talented youngster proving to be the key to dismissing Teralba for 110. Mike Wheeler made sure the chase was completed quickly as we got there 1 down in the 22nd over to move into 3rd on the ladder.
