CRICKET

Gunnedah First Grade has suffered a narrow two-wicket defeat against Redbacks in a closely fought T20 encounter at Kitchener Oval.

Batting first after winning the toss, Gunnedah posted 9-117 from its 20 overs, with Keaton

Walters top-scoring with 37 from 37 deliveries.

Walters struck two boundaries and two sixes in a patient innings, while Aidan King contributed 17 from 18 balls and captain Izaak Merlehan made a quickfire 10 from five deliveries.

Josh Langdon remained unbeaten on nine, with Gunnedah losing wickets regularly as Redbacks’ bowlers kept the scoring in check.

Jacob McGoldrick was the pick of the Redbacks attack, claiming 3-34 from four overs, while Devon Hamley finished with 2-18.

In reply, Redbacks reached 8-118 in 19.2 overs to secure victory with four balls remaining.

Merlehan led Gunnedah’s bowling effort, taking 3-14 from 3.2 overs, while Walters was also effective with 2-12 from four overs.

Tim Wergan provided Redbacks with an early platform, blasting 32 from just 16 deliveries, including three fours and a six.

However, Gunnedah continued to fight its way back into the

contest, with wickets shared among the attack.

Maxwell Daly contributed 23 from 34 balls, while Joseph Holt added 16 before Cooper Brayshaw helped guide Redbacks home, finishing unbeaten on 12 from 10 deliveries.

Walters’ economical spell and Merlehan’s three wickets kept Gunnedah in contention, but Redbacks eventually reached the target to claim a two-wicket victory.

Gunnedah second grade falls eight runs short

Gunnedah Second Grade has suffered a narrow eight-run defeat against Old Boys in round four of the Tamworth District Cricket Association competition.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, Old Boys posted 6-167 from their 40 overs, with Ben Middlebrook anchoring the innings with an unbeaten 80 from 86 deliveries.

Middlebrook struck eight fours and a six, providing the backbone of the Old Boys total, while Eathen Byrne contributed 34 from 30 balls and David Heyman added 23.

Gunnedah captain Braithen Winsor led the bowling attack, claiming 3-28 from eight overs, while Ben Irwin, Josh Langdon and Harrison Paul picked up a wicket each.

In reply, Gunnedah finished on 7-159 from its 40 overs, falling just short of the 168-run target.

Sam Doubleday top-scored with 38 from 37 deliveries, including two fours and a six, while Patrick Paul made 31 from 56 balls.

Adam Veli-Gold provided a late contribution, remaining unbeaten on 20 from 20 deliveries, with Chris Holliday finishing not out on seven.

However, Gunnedah’s run chase was hampered by early wickets, with the side reduced to 4-36 before Paul and Doubleday combined to rebuild the innings.

The pair added valuable runs to bring Gunnedah back into contention, but Old Boys continued to take wickets at important stages.

Clayton Holden was among the leading contributors with the ball, claiming 2-22 from 7.1 overs, while Neil Newton, Michael Barber, Peter Cord and Hayden Amos took a wicket each.

Gunnedah third grade beaten by Redbacks

Gunnedah Third Grade has gone down to Redbacks by five wickets in its latest Tamworth District Cricket Association fixture, with the opposition chasing down a modest target inside 19 overs.

After winning the toss and electing to bowl, Redbacks restricted Gunnedah to 106 in 30.4 overs at the crease.

Ken Walters top-scored for Gunnedah with 39 from 55 deliveries, including five boundaries, while Vikat Sankhe made nine and Naveen Yarasingu contributed eight.

Gunnedah struggled to build partnerships, with Brendan Chaffey doing much of the damage for Redbacks, claiming 3-16 from eight overs.

Henry Ingall and Charles Jensen also proved effective, taking two wickets apiece as Gunnedah was dismissed for 106.

In reply, Redbacks reached 5-107 in just 18.1 overs to secure a five-wicket victory.

Adam Miller led the run chase with an aggressive 31 from 20 deliveries, striking three fours and two sixes, while Mathew Rose provided an early boost with 20 from 17 balls.

Hamish Stafford remained unbeaten on 16, while David Rose contributed 14 and Martin Ward added 10.

Gunnedah had some success with the ball, with wickets shared across the attack.

Vikat Sankhe produced an economical spell, taking 1-0 from his solitary over, while Zoe Fleming, Naveen Yarasingu, Oscar Middlebrook and Digby Grimm also claimed a wicket each.

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