Magnificent seven-wicket haul for Sam

A seven-wicket haul from Sam Doubleday was the highlight of an intriguing day of first grade cricket involving Gunnedah and City United at Wolseley Park last Saturday.

With the Tamworth District Cricket Association (TDCA) starting a series of two-day fixtures following a series of one-day fixtures, the game on Gunnedah turf was interestingly poised at stumps last Saturday.

Gunnedah will resume this Saturday at 1-35 in its first innings, after dismissing City United for 174 as Doubleday captured 7-65 from 19.2 overs.

The visiting team was on track for a total well above 200, until the final six wickets fell for a paltry three runs.

Ateeq-ur Rahman grabbed the first wicket with the total at 37 in the 18th over, before Doubleday’s first wicket left City United 2-78 in the 34th over.

The first boundary did not come until the 24th over, when Richard O’Halloran clubbed the third ball of Doubleday’s second over to the fence.

Doubleday struck with successive balls to make the score 4-91, before Tom Fitzgerald and Sam Davis provided consolidation.

Fitzgerald posted a half-century, until his dismissal sparked the extraordinary collapse.

Ben Irwin broke the partnership before Doubleday struck twice in four balls, with Davis stumped before Matt Rodgers was bowled to give Doubleday a five-wicket haul.

Attacking shots against Doubleday’s tweakers brought about two catches in the mid-wicket region, and Irwin also picked up another wicket.

City United’s innings lasted 59.2 overs before Gunnedah faced 24 overs.

Gunnedah openers Justin Carter and Alistair Hillard batted very carefully as they put on a partnership of just 31, until Hillard departed in the 23rd over.

Gunnedah 1-35 (Alistair Hillard 16; Andrew Baines 1-3) trails City United 174 (Tom Fitzgerald 56; Sam Doubleday 7-65, Ben Irwin 2-24) by 139 runs on the first innings with one day remaining.