U17 cricketers cop hammering at Singleton

Gunnedah’s U17 representative cricketers suffered a demoralising defeat for the second Sunday in a row, as they had a 212-run loss to Coalfields at the Singleton-based Rose Point Park.

Coalfields amassed 318 runs for the loss of seven wickets in 50 overs, before Gunnedah was dismissed in 31.4 overs.

The defeat wasn’t quite as bad as what occurred on February 2, when Gunnedah was rolled for 42 in 19.4 overs after Tamworth Gold posted 7-352.

In both cases the team batting first had a century-maker, after Gunnedah temporarily looked capable of restricting the total to more manageable proportions.

Coalfields was 1-9 in the sixth over when Keaton Walters made the first breakthrough, before partnerships of 45 and 43 unfolded.

For the second successive Sunday, Harry Paul held a catch off his own bowling to dismiss the opposition number three.

The 100 was raised in the 21st over, just two balls after the fall of the third wicket.

Riley Brown and Lachlan Eather added 105 runs in just 12.3 overs before Eather departed for 67 off 39 balls, having hit seven fours and two sixes.

The next wicket made the score 5-228 in the 37th over, before Coalfields skipper Ryder Howard made 34 in a brisk 61-run stand.

After hitting the final ball of the innings to the boundary, Brown finished with eight fours in his 124 not out from 139 balls.

Seven of Gunnedah’s bowlers were hit around a lot while opening bowler Jonah Cameron had economical figures of 1-32 from 10 overs.

Gunnedah lost a wicket without a run scored, and crumbled to 4-17 in the ninth over before Cameron showed some form.

Cameron struck seven fours in his 44 off 49 balls before he and Riley Price departed in quick succession to leave Gunnedah 8-71.

A 34-run ninth wicket partnership between Noah Kelly and Harvey Stokes added a sliver of respectability to the total, before Kelly finished on 21 not out.

Jacob Callan was the standout bowler for Coalfields with 3-10 from 10 overs, including four maidens. William Officer also impressed as he took 3-26 from six overs.

Coalfields 7-318 (Riley Brown 124 not out, Lachlan Eather 67; Toby Blinman 2-40) defeated Gunnedah 106 (Jonah Cameron 44; Jacob Callan 3-10, William Officer 3-26) by 212 runs.