Gunnedah Cricket Club’s first grade side was unable to defend its total against Redbacks in the Tamworth District Cricket Association, with the visitors securing a six-wicket victory at Wolseley Oval.

Batting first after winning the toss, Gunnedah struggled to build momentum against a disciplined Redbacks bowling attack, losing regular wickets throughout its 40 overs to finish at 9-104.

Aidan King top-scored for Gunnedah with an unbeaten 37 from 79 deliveries, providing some resistance as wickets fell around him.

Captain Izaak Merlehan contributed 20 from 30 balls, while Keaton Walters made 19 from 59 deliveries.

Redbacks’ Michael Rixon and Rory MacRae were the chief destroyers with the ball, claiming three wickets each. Tim Wergan also made an impact with two wickets, while Jacob McGoldrick picked up one.

In reply, Redbacks made light work of the target, reaching 4-105 in just 24.1 overs to secure victory.

Blake Scicluna led the run chase with an unbeaten 54 from 68 deliveries, including four boundaries, while Michael Rixon added 19 from 50 balls.

Gunnedah made an early breakthrough through Ashley White, who dismissed Redbacks captain Devon Hamley for three, but Scicluna steadied the innings and ensured there were no further concerns for the visitors.

Peter McCormack was Gunnedah’s most successful bowler, taking 2-24 from four overs, while Sam Doubleday and White claimed one wicket apiece.

Challenging outing for second grade side

Gunnedah Cricket Club’s second grade side faced a challenging outing against Redbacks, going down by 132 runs.

Redbacks batted first after winning the toss and posted an imposing 6-255 from their 40 overs, with Nate Grasnick and Samuel Thompson leading the way with the bat.

Grasnick top-scored with an impressive 86 from 98 deliveries, including eight boundaries and a six, while Thompson remained unbeaten on 66 from 88 balls.

Samuel Holt also made a valuable contribution with 25 from just 15 deliveries as Redbacks built a strong total.

Adam Veli-Gold was Gunnedah’s leading wicket-taker, claiming 4-40 from eight overs, while Jaycob Price and Jack Canham picked up one wicket each.

In reply, Gunnedah was bowled out for 123 in 33.4 overs, falling short of the target despite some useful contributions from the middle order.

Ken Walters top-scored with 31 from 50 deliveries, while Patrick Paul made 28 from 54 balls and Ben Irwin added 21 from 31 deliveries.

Redbacks’ Charles Jensen proved difficult to contain, taking 5-28 from eight overs, while Bradley Redshaw claimed three wickets and Marc Tyler one.

Gunnedah’s innings struggled to gain momentum following the loss of early wickets, with the side eventually dismissed for 123.

Quirindi chases down third grade target

Gunnedah Cricket Club’s third grade side was unable to defend its total against Quirindi, with the opposition chasing down the target to record a five-wicket victory.

Gunnedah won the toss and elected to bat, posting 10-135 from 30.3 overs after a mixed innings that featured some valuable lower-order runs.

Lachlan King provided the highlight with an aggressive 42 from just 22 deliveries, striking eight boundaries and a six to lift Gunnedah’s total.

Oscar Middlebrook made 15 from 28 balls, while Digby Grimm contributed 16 from 30 deliveries and Graeme Hockings added 13.

Quirindi’s Jake Chapple was the standout with the ball, taking 4-22 from six overs, while Joshua Barty claimed 3-42.

In reply, Quirindi made a strong start and reached 5-139 from its allotted 20 overs to secure the win.

Andrew Stevenson top-scored with 35 from 31 deliveries, while Jake Chapple added 24 from 23 balls.

Brendon Jones remained unbeaten on 20 from 17 deliveries, with Luke Sevil also finishing not out on 13 from nine balls to guide Quirindi home.

Naveen Yarasingu was Gunnedah’s leading wicket-taker with 2-34 from five overs, while Jeremy Grimm, Zoe Fleming and Digby Grimm claimed one wicket each.

Fourth grade secures four-wicket victory

Gunnedah Cricket Club’s fourth grade side secured a four-wicket victory over Quirindi, chasing down the target after an impressive bowling performance.

Quirindi won the toss and elected to bat but was bowled out for 105 in 19.1 overs, with Gunnedah’s bowlers sharing the workload before Sally Keeler produced a standout spell.

Keeler was the pick of the attack, claiming an outstanding 6-10 from 3.1 overs, while Harvey Stokes took 2-16 from four overs.

Ricky Hird top-scored for Quirindi with 44 from just 20 deliveries, including eight boundaries and a six, but received little support as wickets fell regularly.

In reply, Gunnedah reached 6-107 in 16.3 overs to secure the win, despite a difficult start that saw the side slump to 4-24.

Thomas Swain steadied the innings with an unbeaten retirement on 50 from 32 deliveries, striking seven boundaries and a six.

Cooper Whitton also played an important role, finishing unbeaten on 12 from nine balls, while Nate Partridge contributed 12 from 18 deliveries.

Quirindi’s Archie Webster claimed 3-7 from four overs to put early pressure on Gunnedah, while Alfie Donoghue and Hudson Pryor took one wicket each.

However, Swain’s half-century and Whitton’s late contribution ensured Gunnedah reached the target with 21 balls remaining.

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