2nd Grade
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North Nowra inflicted a heavy defeat upon Batemans Bay in their top-of-the-table one-day clash last Saturday. Looking to build on the momentum generated by recent victories, the visitors staged a fightback in the field, before succumbing in their run chase, to fall short by 87 runs. Interestingly, both teams failed to bat for more than 34 of their allotted 40 overs.
Welcoming back pace spearhead Marc Stiller after a three-year injury-enforced lay-off, Batemans Bay struggled early on to hit their lines and were duly set upon by a North Nowra top order intent on imposing their dominance. The hosts rode their luck, taking a cavalier approach to their accumulation of runs. North Nowra shot out to a flier, to be cruising at 2-176 in just the 22nd over.
Sensing a blowout, Batemans Bay rallied to take the remaining eight wickets for just 33 runs, limiting what had threatened to be a monstrous total to a much more manageable 210. Evergreen slow-bowling seamer, Pat Griffin, again put the brakes on the opposition, snaring 3-14 from his four pinpoint overs. The introduction of club newcomer, Tony D'Costa, who took 2-24 from his five lively overs, complemented the two fine catches he snaffled in what was to be an auspicious day in the field.
Stiller's second spell was far too spicy for the lower order of North Nowra to handle. The big firebrand paceman finished with 3-39 from 7.2 overs as he rallied to find a more challenging line and length. Other wicket-takers included Lachlan Malcolm (1-26) and Andrew Malcolm (1-43). An area the Batemans Bay bowling unit will need to address next week is their consistency of line, as no fewer than 27 wides were sent down during the North Nowra innings.
The visitors' run chase got off to a shaky start when James Dickinson (4) was adjudged lbw in the second over. In-form number three, Lachlan Malcolm was then deemed to have been caught at the wicket. His contentious dismissal for five left the visitors teetering at 2-19 in just the sixth over.
The only partnership of note featured two of the three batsmen to post double figures for Batemans Bay. Dan Smith (23) looked assured at the wicket until being removed immediately following the drinks break. His partnership with Ryan Hall (33) netted 43 runs, in what was the only beacon of hope in the visitors' run chase. Middle and late order batsmen perished searching for quick runs, which led to injudicious shot selection, particularly against the spinning ball.
The Bay side welcome back form batsmen Sam Lee and Darcy Knight for next week's home clash against the improving Bay and Basin side. The side will also be awaiting a fitness test on leading wicket-taker, Justin Rumble, who failed to finish the previous game. Captain Stephen Knight will be hoping to see significant improvement in both application and scoring intent from his batters as the side clings tenuously to second place on the ladder.
3rd Grade
Batemans Bay posted a solid and much-needed victory against Bomaderry at Lyrebird Park. Bomaderry finished with 7-166 from their allotted 40 overs.
Wickets for the visitors were shared amongst several bowlers. Returning club stalwart Tom Purcell collected two wickets from his fizzing leggies. Josh Vanzetti stepped up to lead the attack in the absence of Mark "Buzzard" Templeman. He duly took an immediate wicket, caught and bowled. Jason Doherty, who finished with a couple of wickets, also took a handy caught and bowled, while Jed Salmon chipped in with a wicket, as did Shan Brahmanpally.
In his eagerly anticipated return to the club after nearly a year travelling around Australia, Jamie Prior nabbed two neat catches behind the stumps. Opening the batting, Prior also notched a sure-fire 21 runs to get the Batemans Bay innings off on the right track. Tyler Frawley justified his promotion to thirds after several eye-catching performances over the first third of the season. Two good overs and a catch marked a fine third grade debut for Tyler.
Despite a few wobbles, the visitors eventually ran down the total inside 37 overs for the loss of three wickets. Jed Salmon brought up his maiden senior half century in a very satisfying knock which included four boundaries. More is expected from young Jed, who continues to grow in stature and confidence.
An assured 70-run partnership between top-scorer Brahmanpally (58) and maestro Tom Purcell (27) steered the side to what was, in the end, a fairly comfortable victory.
Having now tasted success, thirds will be hungry for consecutive victories heading into the Christmas recess. Their cause will no doubt be bolstered by the imminent return of several in-form players across all grades. Thirds kick-start their two-day campaign this Saturday.
4th Grade
Batemans Bay completed a measured run chase of 5-105 inside 30 overs to defeat Shoalhaven Ex-Servicemen at Lyrebird Park.
In a team featuring the full gamut of experience and an age range of over 50 years between young and old, Fourths are gradually building into a formidable outfit under the astute development of evergreen cricketing troubadour, Paul Cullen. Cullen's wiles came to the fore as he returned the super-economical figures of 3-12 from five overs. Seb Giri continues to impress, taking another wicket. Luke Gallen snared 2-6 from his spell and recent recruit Hugh Tuckwell had a day out, snaring wickets and seeing the team home with an unbeaten 17 runs.
All told, the visitors kept a typically nagging line and length to limit the scoring potential of the opposition batters. Ex-Servos were bundled out in just 25 overs.
In reply, the Kings were once again central to Fourths' success. Opener BW King top scored with a crucial 28, while Bailey chipped in with a composed 14. J Phelan added an important 13 runs towards the modest run chase.
Fourth Grade now look ahead to some T/20 action prior to the Christmas break.