FLANELLED FOOLS: 28 FEBRUARY 2017

Cricket Round-Up By GREG PRINGLE*

Bushfires hinder Country

Country veteran Andrew Heath has taken a leaf out of Joe Clayton’s book of diversionary fires and called a halt to Saturday’s big game against Magpies after he was controversially run out.

Heath was batting beautifully when word was sent out by captain Nigel Brazier to “get rid of him”.

Would you believe it, next ball Heath was run out by his slow batting partner Trent Frazer, going for a single that would normally be an easy three.

Luckily his team mates carried on as if Andrew wasn’t there, with Jock Hayes (41), Joe Clayton (23) and Nigel Brazier (37) all contributing as Country posted a good total of 5/186 at the end of their 40 overs.

Jock was struggling throughout his mammoth innings and was exhausted when he reached 6.

However a quick phone call from Premier Gladys got him going again and he never looked back, top scoring for Country for the first time since 1981.

Magpies bowled and fielded very well and were led by Mitch Christie who was outstanding in the field and bowling, taking 3/63, well supported by Luke Osborn with 2/30.

Magpies, chasing a big total, suddenly remembered that their gun batsman David Hobbs was still in the Freemasons hyperbaric chamber, following that terrible ingrown hair injury from December, and rushed to the pub to let him out.

Fully recovered, although a bit sleepy, David managed to pad up and fight for Magpies’ season.

Although at one stage having been 3/21, all was going well for Magpies as Hobbs was batting beautifully when suddenly Andrew Heath screamed: “My creek’s on fire.”

Before Joe Calyton could yell the code word ‘lobster’ all of Country’s players had declared a forfeit and vanished to fight Andrew’s fire, leaving Magpies on the cusp of victory at 3/49 (or was it 3/39? — ed).

The forfeit gifted Magpies a full seven points and probably a finals berth.

At Cudal the home team confirmed they have moved on from Steve Fairley by amassing an incredible total of 5/315.

Openers Chris Douglas (85) and M Bowden (30) took the game away from Telegraph with a brilliant partnership.

Kurt Adams (58), Tim Kennedy (35), Grant Williams (36 not out) and Troy Adams (35 not out) all contributed to the massive total.

Telegraph tried hard in the field but could not stem the avalanche of runs, with J Packham (2/34) and S Atkinson (2/44) the pick of the their bowlers.

Chasing such an imposing total was never going to be easy for the tired Telegraph players and, as expected, they capitulated to be dismissed for 98, with only the consistent Ed Twiss (37) and S Atkinson (41 not out) troubled the scorers.

Jock Hough (4/23) and Tim Kennedy (3/5 including a hat-trick) were the main wicket takers for Cudal.

With just one round of the Oilsplus competition left the race for the top three is almost settled, with only another bushfire enabling Telegraph to make the finals.

T20 — a rare defeat for Country

A very close T20 game at the Molong Rec on Thursday night saw Magpies defeat Country with just one ball to spare.

Batting first, Country scored 8/115. Mitch Christie bowled very well, taking 3/15. Magpies fielded very well, taking all catches that came their way.

In reply Magpies batted well, not taking too many risks and losing only three wickets in the chase. A great partnership between Brett Johnson (38 not out) and Jacob Evans (18 not out) took Magpies over the line in what was a rare loss for Country.

This Wednesday (1 March will) see Magpies up against Telegraph. A win to Magpies will see them collect their first T/20 trophy. The game starts at 6pm at the Molong Recreation Ground.

*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.