cricket
DYLAN SMITH
Wet weather washed out Gunnedah’s first and second grade fixtures in the Tamworth District Cricket Association competition, but the third grade side took to the field against South Tamworth, going down despite a determined unbeaten knock from Lachie Straney.
Chasing South Tamworth’s total of 8-192 from 40 overs, Gunnedah was dismissed for 125 in 35.4 overs.
Straney provided the highlight of Gunnedah’s innings, finishing unbeaten on 41 from 55 deliveries, including two fours and three sixes.
Julian Hockings was the next highest scorer with 17, while Naveen Yarasingu made 13 and Graeme Hockings contributed 10.
Gunnedah lost three wickets for 40 runs before a collapse left the side reeling at 7-51.
Straney and Hockings then combined to add some stability, taking the score to 90 before Hockings was dismissed. Straney continued to fight through to the end, but South Tamworth’s bowlers wrapped up the innings to secure the win.
Jackson McDonald was the chief destroyer with the ball, claiming 4-23 from eight overs, including two maidens. Joji Antony was also economical, taking 2-10 from eight overs, with three maidens.
Earlier, South Tamworth had won the toss and elected to bat, scoring 192 runs for the loss of eight wickets.
Muhammad Mustafa Rabbani top-scored with 44 from 55 balls, including four fours and two sixes, while Hamish Blackman made 39 from 58 deliveries.
Elijah Skilton remained unbeaten on 29, helping South Tamworth post a competitive total.
Jason Bowler led Gunnedah’s bowling attack, taking 4-33 from eight overs, while Julian Hockings claimed 2-23. Lachie Straney and Yarasingu picked up a wicket each.
Despite Bowler’s efforts with the ball and Straney’s unbeaten innings, Gunnedah was unable to keep pace with the required run rate as South Tamworth secured the win.
Gunnedah fourth grade narrowly beaten by South Tamworth
Gunnedah’s fourth grade went down by four wickets to South Tamworth.
South Tamworth chased down Gunnedah’s total of 6-119 with 16 balls to spare.
Gunnedah won the toss and elected to bat, putting together a patient innings across its allotted 40 overs.
Cooper Whitton top-scored with 25 from 96 deliveries, while Bryttany Frost contributed 24 from 36 balls.
Kevin Frost made 12, while Sally Keeler finished unbeaten on 14 and Mat Whitton added an unbeaten 11 from just seven deliveries to give the innings some late impetus.
Gunnedah reached 6-119, with Jacob Anderson the pick of the South Tamworth bowlers, taking 2-20 from eight overs. James Shirdon, Michael Godwin, Joshua Applebee and Luke Godwin claimed a wicket each.
In reply, South Tamworth made a shaky start, losing three wickets for 31 runs as Gunnedah’s bowlers applied early pressure.
Alexander Budden, Charlette Keeler and Sally Keeler each took a wicket during the opening stages, while Cooper Whitton also struck to leave the visitors at 4-47.
However, Joshua Applebee and Brett Beattie helped steady the innings, with Beattie scoring 18 from 19 deliveries before his dismissal.
Applebee made 19 from 45 balls, while James Shirdon retired not out on 13.
Jacob Anderson remained unbeaten on 15 and Stephen Rake finished 12 not out as South Tamworth reached 6-120 in 37.2 overs to secure the victory.
Sally Keeler was Gunnedah’s leading wicket-taker with 2-17 from four overs, while Budden claimed 1-6 from four overs and Charlette Keeler finished with 1-10.
In this weekend’s fixture, Gunnedah first grade plays the Redbacks in the T20 competition at Kitchener Oval on Friday evening.
Second grade will play the Olds Boys at Wolseley Oval on Saturday, third grade against the Redbacks at Kitchener Oval on Saturday, and fourth grade against the Redbacks at McAndrew Field.
To order photos from this page click here
