Third graders fade after strong start

A dream start for Gunnedah’s third graders last Saturday could not turn around the team’s fortunes as another hefty defeat was on the cards at McAndrew Park.

Having lost two wickets without a run scored and later suffered a middle order slump, Old Boys recovered as the visiting team tallied 193 runs in 33.5 overs before Gunnedah succumbed for 82 in 19.1 overs.

Gunnedah’s Matt Buck started with a wicket-maiden, with his sixth delivery producing a catch at point.

Moments later, Arthur Graham’s first delivery produced the second wicket as Baxter Young presented a catch to short cover.

Buck had figures of 1-1 in his first three overs before his fourth and final over cost 16 runs, following three fours including two off no-balls.

Old Boys stumbled to 6-81 in the 18th over, before the next wicket fell at 104 from the first ball of the 24th over.

Gunnedah really needed to dismiss Old Boys for less than 150, but Rodney Newton was quickly into stride as he struck the final two balls of the 24th over for four and then saw captain Shawn Earsman hit the next ball to the boundary.

The 27th over contained 12 runs, before Ryan Cooper broke through in the next over as Newton was stumped by Kate Gander.

The pendulum quickly swung again as Earsman plundered 20 runs from the first five balls of the 29th over, before the final delivery yielded two byes.

The expensive bowler, Lachlan King, gained some sort of payback in his next over as he bowled Earsman. The damage was done in any case as Earsman’s knock off 66 from 43 balls, including nine fours and a six, took Old Boys to 9-179.

Two fours were hit during the final wicket stand of 14 before Lachlan Swain held a caught-and-bowled from a full-toss.

Tom Swain scored a single off the first ball of the run chase before Cooper hit the next ball to the boundary, but the third ball cruelled the home side as Cooper was bowled.

Buck hit a six in the second over, before the loss of Tom Swain made the score 2-16 after three overs.

Buck and King made 20s as the total raced to 55, before six wickets fell for just five runs as an all-too-familiar batting collapse unfolded.

There was some lower order resistance as two of Gunnedah’s youngsters enjoyed some time with the willow, with Kate Gander scoring 15 while Graham made his first runs in senior cricket.

Old Boys 193 (Shawn Earsman 66; Tom Swain 2-17) defeated Gunnedah 82 (Lachlan King 26; Shawn Earsman 3 wickets) by 111 runs.