Fourths steamrolled

Gunnedah’s total of 111 was nowhere near enough in last Saturday’s fourth grade cricket contest at Carroll Community Ground, as Old Boys romped to a nine-wicket victory.

Gunnedah’s innings lasted 35.1 overs before Old Boys raced to the target in just 13.2 overs, ensuring an early finish.

Paddy Paul and son Harry resumed their opening partnership for Gunnedah, with the duo scoring a single each in the first over before becoming tied down.

Only 25 runs were on the board when Harry was adjudged lbw late in the 15th over, before Paddy struck the second ball of the following over for six.

Ricky Dawson departed just three balls later, before Paddy Paul’s dismissal made the score 3-46 after 20 overs.

Shiran Ranasinghe hit a four and a six from successive balls in the 22nd over, but soon the innings collapsed as a double-wicket maiden was followed by two wickets for five runs in the next over.

Russell Johnston hit two fours and a six in his 19, and Jack Canham made the same score before he was last out.

Old Boys openers Rylan Byrne and Chase Wilson put on 19 runs in the first three overs, and then added 54 in the next four amid a flood of boundaries.

Having hit seven fours and three sixes in his 66 off 40 deliveries, Byrne was caught by Toby Blinman off Angus Johns from the fifth ball of the 11th over with the total on 97.

Hayden Hopwood-Young raised the 100 two balls later, and progressed to 11 not out before Wilson scored the winning runs.

Old Boys 1-112 (Rylan Byrne 66, Chase Wilson 32 not out) defeated Gunnedah 111 (Paddy Paul and Shiran Ranasinghe 24; James Wilkinson 2-7, Koby Byrne 2-14) by nine wickets.