In Round 5 of the Hastings River Cricket First Grade competition last weekend, Port City Leagues proved too strong for Magpies with a 140-run victory at Stuart Park.
After winning the toss and electing to bat first, Leagues Captain Andrew Glover promoted himself to open the innings and went on to score 92 not out, which included 10 boundaries, to guide his side to a total of 5 for 221 following the completion of 38 overs.
He was unlucky not to score a century as the Magpies’ slow over rate prevented the final two overs from being bowled. Glover was well supported by Nick Maxwell with 29 (for a 59-run partnership), Jamie Hall 41 (80 runs combined) and Keegan Glavurdic who came out swinging with a 27* (65-run partnership).
In response, Magpies were on the back foot from the outset, losing two quick wickets in the opening three overs before the middle order collapsed.
With his lethal in-swinging yorkers, Nik James knocked over the batsmen’s stumps three times in five deliveries, just missing out on a hat trick and ending up with the impressive figures of 5 for 22 from his eight-over spell. Mitchell Dick chimed in with 2/26 while Josh Kew cleaned up the tail with 3 for 7 from 2.4 overs.
Magpies were dismissed in the 22nd over for 82 runs.
The Third Grade Port City side also did the club proud with a comprehensive 55-run win over Comboyne in Wauchope. Batting first, Port City compiled 147 with young gun Peter Kew smashing his way to 55, supported by experienced campaigner Darren Hall with 49.
In a KFC Man of the Match performance, Kew then snapped up 3 for 7 and, along with Ryan Doherty (2/7) and Sean McGrath (2/34), had Comboyne all out for 92 in the 29th over. Port City also managed to claim eight catches during the innings, with Mick Kennedy and Darren Hall grabbing three apiece.
