FLANELLED FOOLS: 15 DECEMBER2017

Cricket Round-Up By GREG PRINGLE*

Magpies, Country record comfortable wins

The Oilsplus Senior Cricket competition moved into rotation three — or the halfway mark of the season — last Saturday.

The two top teams, Country and Magpies, both recorded wins.

At the Molong Rec, batting first, Freemasons struggled against the Magpies bowlers on turf, only just reaching triple figures before being dismissed in the 24th over for just 109.

Only J Dalton (24) and M Pearce (21) offering any real resistance.

Magpies bowled and fielded well, led by Tim Milne (3/23) and Dylon Wilson (2/17).

Magpies had a few issues chasing the modest total but managed to do so in the 25th over although losing five wickets along the way.

After talk in the camp about the axe heading his way, Jim Gavin responded with a great knock of 47 not out to keep his critics at bay.

Rod Jones and Glen Meehan were disappointing for Magpies, offering nothing with the bat really and putting their team mates under pressure.

Ben Brown, Matt Hobbs, Bohdie Johnson and J Starnding all picked up a wickets for Freemasons.

At Cudal, Country recorded a crushing 10-wicket victory against Cudal.

Batting first, Cudal struggled from the outset with only veteran Andrew Smith offering any resistance.

When Smith was dismissed for 35 the Cudal innings fell apart and they were dismissed for just 85 in the 28th over.

All of Country’s six bowlers contributed by taking wickets, with the annoying Joe Clayton at it again with 3/19 off six overs, with Jock Brazier taking 2/5 and Trent Frazer 2/13.

Chasing the small total was a walk in the park for Country, passing Cudal’s total in the 18th over without losing a wicket.

Mark Frazer (34 not out) and, after some stinging criticism, a welcome return to form Andrew Heath (41 not out) led the way for Country for their easy win.

Oilsplus Points Table

Country 47

Magpies 35

Cudal 31

Freemasons 27

Tomorrow’s games see 1v2 (Country and Magpies) at the Molong Rec, and 3v4 (Cudal and Freemasons) 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.