FLANNELLED FOOLERY: 13 FEB 2019

Cricket Round-Up By GREG PRINGLE*

Cudal and Country win

Last season’s Grand Finalists, Country and Cudal, both recorded comfortable wins on Saturday to consolidate first and second positions in the Oilsplus Senior Cricket Competition.

With just two rounds remaining, this leaves Molong Bowlers and Millthorpe to fight it out for third, the last finals position.

Magpies claim the wooden spoon, the first time in the club’s history.

Playing at Hunter Caldwell — rather than at the Re — due to wet weather, Country batting first and had little trouble on the synthetic pitch, losing only three wickets in their total of 191.

Brett Wykes top-scored with 74. Andrew Heath (31) and John Mulhall (56 not out) also batted very well.

Rohan Wilson was the pick of the Bowlers, taking 1/33 from 10 economical overs.

In reply, Bowlers got of to a poor start with their first three batsmen quickly back in the shed and not reaching double figures.

However some good batting by Andrew Drady (26), J Quigly (20) and veteran Rohan Wilson (53 not out) gave the Bowlers a slight chance, but the tail fell away and they were only 154 at the end their 40 overs, well short.

It was another easy win for the Country juggernaut, with Sean Clayton (2/28) and Trent Frazer (3/32) the pick of their bowlers.

At Cudal, the home team batted first and veteran opener Andrew Smith led from the start, top-scoring with 76.

Jock Hough (42), Lee Cornish (22) and Steve Fairley (24) all made valuable contributions as Cudal amassed 200 at the end of their 40 overs, eight down.

Magpies bowlers struggled and were once again let down by some poor fielding, particularly by Dylan Wilson who is having a dreadful season, dropping countless catches, mostly sitters.

In addition his batting is hot and cold (mostly freezing) and his bowling, once feared by the competition, is now a shambles.

Captain Jacob Evans will be looking to deflect the heat of Magpies’ first-ever wooden spoon and he has his eyes firmly fixed on Wilson, who has to go.

In reply, Magpies were dismissed for 169, well short of Cudal.

Michael Thomspon was marched LBW despite the ball hitting his bat first when he was looking good on 24.

Jacob Evans topped scored with 33. It was a great effort by Jacob who badly tore his hamstring during his innings.

It happened in the drinks break when Jacob chased Bridgette around the car park looking for a kiss and couldn’t keep up with her. Apparently there’s no kiss until he wins a toss.

Troy Adams capped off a great game for Cudal, taking 4/26 from his 10 overs and also taking a great catch.

Oilsplus Ladder

Country 75, Cudal 62, Molong Bowlers 49, Millthorpe 49, Magpies 38.

NSW State Over-50s Championships

The NSW Over-50s State Cricket Championships were run this week with three full games at Molong’s Dr Ross Oval and 22 teams competing.

Several Molong players were selected in the Canobolas Cougars team which unfortunately lost all three games.

However Brett Johnson, Charlie Harvey, Peter Tattersal, Allan Hubbard, Joe Clayton and David Hobbs all played well and did the area proud.

Rohan Wilson played well in the first game but was badly injured in the second game in Orange when he suffered a significant hamstring tear whilst drinking a cup of tea at the second drinks break.

It will be a big loss for the Molong Bowlers in the local comp as he appears out for the season.

*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.