FLANELLED FOOLS: 14 NOVEMBER2017

Cricket Round-Up By GREG PRINGLE*

Oldies top score in close tussle between Country and Cudal

Country defeated Cudal in a close one and Magpies thump Freemans to cap off the start of phase two in the Molong Oilsplus Senior Cricket Competition.

At Cudal, the game witnessed the two oldest players from their respective teams (Mark Frazer of Country and Andrew Smith of Cudal) top score with the bat.

Country batted first after winning the toss. Most of their batsmen got starts but only Mark Frazer (45), Stu Brisbane (41 not out) and J Brazier (39) offered major contributions.

This was enough to allow Country to post a total of 8- 190 at the completion of their 40 overs.

Whilst 190 seems a good total, Cudal is a small fast ground and it is not uncommon for big scores to be run down with some sensible batting.

Cudal used eight bowlers in an effort to unsettle the Country batsmen.

Most came away with a wicket but Adam Clunes was the pick with the great figures of 3-29 from 10 overs.

In reply, Cudal got off to a steady start but Adam Clunes was unable to repeat his last centurion innings and was dismissed for 12.

A good partnership between Andrew Smith (89) and S Pearce (39) had Cudal in the box seat and at 4-136 they looked the goods for an upset.

However a big collapse and some great bowling by Trent Frazer (5-35) saw Cudal fall short, dismissed for 176.

Country remain undefeated after four matches.

At the Molong Rec, Magpies batted first after a rare toss win.

Jim Gavin looked superb and batted with great zest until bowled trying to sweep for 18.

Brad Mann (39) and Dylon Wilson (30), Luke Osborn (18 not out) and Tim Milne (12 not out) all contributed to a big score as Magpies completed their 40 overs at 9-193.

Freemasons struggled with only eight players on the field but captain Max Pearce (3-40), Bohdie Johnson (2-40) and Ellis Johnson (2-10) all bowled well.

The Freemasons innings was over in a flash, with the side all out for 62.

Luke Osborn capped off a great all round game taking 2-10. He is a greatly improved cricketer and a real asset for Magpies.

New recruit Dylon Wilson also at last justified his huge salary by also capping off a great game taking 3-13 to add to his handy knock of 30 with the bat.

The other Osborn, Adam, also bowled well taking 3-15.

OILSPLUS POINTS TABLE

Country 28 (four wins)

Magpies 20 (two wins)

Freemasons 16 (one win)

Cudal 16 (one win)

This Saturday sees Cudal and Freemasons clash at the Molong Rec, and Country and Magpies play at Hunter Caldwell.

*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.