Five-wicket hauls

It has been quite the two weeks for Albion Cricket Club after two players picked up a five-wicket haul in consecutive games.

Last week, Ash White impressed in a win over Mornington and James Mack followed suit, finishing with 5-23 in Albion’s three-wicket victory over Court House at Wolseley Oval.

Court House won the toss and elected to bat, setting a total of 100 runs for Albion to chase down. Grant McIlveen and Jye Hicks opened the batting and looked comfortable at the crease, scoring 21 and 13 respectively.

The Mack brothers joined together to take the early wickets, with Andy dismissing Hicks as Court House were 1/30 and James taking Oscar King for one, Kyle Gallen for a duck, Mitch Harding for a golden duck and McIlveen shortly after. The top order collapse saw Court House at 5-48 and in desperate trouble.

Another family pairing saw Keaton Walters and his father Ken stabilise the ship, putting on a solid partnership with the pair scoring 27 and 19 respectively. 

The under 13s representative, Keaton, has stepped up to the plate in recent weeks and is truly showing his sheer potential as one of Gunnedah’s rising stars in the cricket scene.

The partnership saw Court House finish all out for 99 after 33 overs faced. On top of James Mack’s 5-23, Andy was 2-14 and Ash White finished 2-19.

With Albion needing 100 runs to secure the win, opening batter Damien Baldwin scored a quick-fired 35 runs off 39 balls to continue the side’s dominance at Wolseley Oval.

Andy Mack was the second highest scorer on the day scoring 21 off 37 after coming in for captain Brad Cady who was dismissed by Peter McCormack for three.

Similar to last week, a top and middle order collapse saw Albion struggle to the finish line. 

James couldn’t find similar form that he had with the ball, falling for a duck. 

Jakob Vearing went for four runs as Daniel Head and Richard Webb followed in quick succession with the pair sent packing for golden ducks. 

Ash White was the saviour for Albion yet again, partnering with Nate Vernon to score the winning runs as the team continued its unbeaten run at the top of the Gunnedah District Cricket Association ladder.

Gallen was the pick of the Court House bowlers, with 4-24. K Walters finished 2-13 as McCormack took 1-17. Matches continue this Saturday at 1pm with Albion facing the Kookaburras at Kitchener

Oval as Mornington welcome Court House to Wolseley Oval.