ALTHOUGH the first-grade and second-grade Port City sides enjoyed the weekend off, with a wash out and a bye respectively, the lower-grade Leagues Magpies walked away with three comprehensive wins in the most recent round of Hastings District Cricket.
At Tuffins, the third-grade Strikers made it four in a row with an outstanding 138-run victory over the Pirates Billhooks. Batting first Port City finished at 9/243 from their 40 overs with Mick Hourigan breaking his bat on the way to a top score of 77 with Scott Grant (64) and Clinton Cocking (33) providing plenty of support. In response the Pirates were bundled out for 105 with Adam Power (3/28) and Cocking (3/31) doing most of the damage.
Across town at the Wood Street venue, the third-grade Swoopers also scored a comfortable win, defeating the Macquarie Dolphins by eight wickets. The Dolphins were all out for 102 with Wayne Popplewell (4/16) and Dylan Lewis (2/11) bowling their way through the opposition’s defences and wicketkeeper Ian Hughes claiming an impressive five catches.
New recruit Michael Richardson, who recently moved from Darwin, slammed a quick-fire 59 not out and along with Popplewell on 24 they scored the winning runs within 20 overs.
Meanwhile the fourth-grade Leagues ’Pies knocked up an amazing 2/273 with Mick Gordon cracking 135 runs, Peter Doble 73 and Ian Dickson 43 not out against Bonny Hills, which managed a respectable 3/163 in reply with opening bowler Kaleb Crowhurst taking 2/22 with the ball.
