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CRICKET: 16 FEBRUARY 2016

Cricket Round-Up

By GREG PRINGLE*

Cudal claim minor premiership

Cudal have won the Oilsplus Molong Cricket Minor Premiership at the completion of the preliminary rounds.

After five months of cricket Cudal have just pipped Country for the minor premiership and will head into the finals series as the team to beat for this seasons premiership trophy.

Despite a much improved showing by both Magpies and RSL, the two top teams Cudal and Country both won their last round matches easily.

At the Molong Rec third-placed Magpies hosted first-placed Cudal.

Magpies captain Jacob Evans won the toss and elected to bat despite the prospect of batting on a green-top pitch.

Openers Jim Gavin (21) and Greg Barnes (17) got Magpies off to a solid start, and they were supported by Jacob Evans who top scored with 24.

Most of Magpies top six batsmen all got a start but unfortunately none progressed to post a big score that would provide a total big enough to put any pressure on Cudal. Magpies all out for 109, their first score over 100 in six weeks.

Cudal were well served by all of their bowlers, with Tim Kennedy (3/11 of 10 overs) outstanding. He was well supported by captain Troy Adams with 2/31 of 8 overs.

Cudal found the going tough in the run chase with none of their top four batsmen making a significant contribution and at drinks were struggling at 5/56.

Magpies bowlers were brilliant and caused a lot of grief to arguably the best batting line-up in the competition, but after the drinks break Magpies bowlers seemed to lose momentum.

The impeccable line and length that was on show in the first 20 overs went out the window, replaced by short, loose bowling taking the pressure away from Cudal and allowing easy scoring shots.

Grant Williams and Chris Douglas had little trouble chasing the remaining required runs, both batsmen posting 28 not out when they passed Magpies total winning comfortably with five wickets in hand.

Bohdie Johnson was the pick of Magpies bowlers picking up 3/17 from six overs.

Overall, a much improved effort by Magpies although once again let down by their batting.

At Hunter Caldwell Oval, Country played RSL. Batting first, RSL’s top order fired, with the team scoring a massive 212 which is their highest score ever.

It’s hard to believe that it was only a week ago they were dismissed for 45!

RSL were well served by Andrew Drady (23), Trent Cornellsens (33), Mitch Brown (19), Ed Twiss (45) and top scorer Dillon Wilson (69). B Cook also pitched in at the end of the innings with a useful 19 not out.

Country’s bowlers tried hard in unfriendly conditions and they all shared the wickets.

Defending a large total is a rare luxury for the RSL bowlers. Unfortunately their bowlers, who are normally the ones to provide highlights in most of their games, were unable to make any break throughs and Country’s openers, Andrew Heath and Trent Frazer, had no trouble posting a remarkable opening stand of 163 before the first wicket fell.

The two openers batted superbly, taking the game away from RSL.

Heath was unlucky not to record a century and with 98 not out was Country’s best followed by opening partner Frazer with 70.

John Mulhall was there at the end with 22 not out when Country passed RSL’s total only one wicket down with still eight overs to play!

A tremendous win by Country by nine wickets chasing such a large total will give them plenty of confidence going into the finals. For RSL an outstanding batting performance also puts them in good stead heading into the finals.

*Greg Pringle is Secretary/Treasurer of Molong District Cricket. He plays for Molong Magpies but swears he is as hard, if not harder, on his own guys as the opposition.

Magpies bowler Ellis Johnson moves into to bowl to Cudal batsman Chris Douglas at the Molong Rec on Saturday. To the left of the photo, fielding at mid-wicket is one of Magpies best, Jim Gavin, waiting pounce "like a tiger". Photo: Greg Pringle.

OILSPLUS COMPETITION TABLE

At the completion of matches on 13 February, the final round of the season, the Molong District Oilsplus Saturday cricket competition table stands at:

Cudal 64 (10 wins, 2 losses) — MINOR PREMIERS

Molong Country 62 (9 wins, 2 losses, 1 washout)

Molong Magpies 36 (3 wins, 9 losses)

Molong RSL 30 (1 win, 10 losses, 1 washout)

Next weekend sees the start of the competition's finals series, with Minor Premiers Cudal up against Molong Country in the Major Semi-Final on Saturday, and Molong Magpies playing Molong RSL in the Minor Sem--Final on Sunday.

Both games will be played at the Molong Rec, starting at 1pm.

Greg Pringle's predictions on the semi-finals will be published in separate articles.