Gunnedah’s third grade cricketers fell to their third successive defeat despite a competitive showing against Old Boys at McAndrew Park last Saturday.

The hosts produced their best batting display in their three outings so far, as they lost by 27 runs when chasing a target of 210 in their allotted 40 overs.

There were missed opportunities from both sides, while another factor was a sluggish start to the run chase.

Momentum swings were regular in the Old Boys innings, after Gunnedah elected to bowl.

The first over yielded 11 runs before the second over was a maiden, and then the third contained a wicket and a boundary from successive balls.

Harry Burkett and Andrew Swain struck four fours each but neither reached 20, and their departures in quick succession left Old Boys 3-47.

Jye Young’s first five scoring strokes were 4, 4, 6, 1 and 6, with both sixes coming in the 11th over which contained 20 runs.

The 16th over included a dropped catch from a skied shot into the sun, before the 100 was raised in the next over.

Following the drinks break, Young fell to a juggling catch which made the score 4-122 before Mal Green advanced to a half-century.

The fifth wicket fell at 155 before the next two wickets fell at 175, but a crucial 24 from Charlie Stuart at number nine ensured a total beyond 200.

Gunnedah registered only 23 runs when the first wicket fell in the 10th over, before the second wicket fell in the 21st over which cost 14 runs.

Having conceded just two runs in four overs, Xanthe Hewitt struck twice in her fifth over as Gunnedah tumbled to 4-73.

Alex Seach lifted the tempo as a 50-run fifth wicket stand unfolded before he was caught on the boundary when seeking his third six, and then Julian Hockings was caught off a full-toss.

Jack Hayes played several fine strokes before he departed as Gunnedah was 57 runs shy of the target.

Matt Hannay clubbed 10 runs in two balls to reduce the equation to 35 runs from five overs, but his dismissal soon afterwards virtually sealed Gunnedah’s fate.

Green had the best bowling figures and top score for Old Boys, while Hewitt had the next best bowling figures.

Max Sheridan also starred, having taken 2-15 from eight overs.

Old Boys 9-209 (Mal Green 50, Jye Young 37; Josh Green 3-47) defeated Gunnedah 9-182 (Alex Seach 34, Matt Hannay 26; Mal Green 3-27, Xanthe Hewitt 3-30) by 27 runs.

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