Bowled Over By Hank Thompson
THE Tweed Coast Weekly’s popular columnist Hank Thompson returns for his third season reporting on Tweed District Cricket and the Far North Coast Hooker League.
AFTER a perfect winter, blue skies and meat pies, was it no surprise to see cloud cover on week one of this year’s cricket season.
“A few showers” that was the prediction, but thankfully it was less than that, with all games seeing a full afternoon’s play.
POTTSVILLE V LENNOX – Seabreeze
POTTY won the toss and gave Lennox the first use of the fresh deck at Seabreeze. This wicket usually plays slow early on in the season, and the Pelicans made an excellent start, rolling the visitors for a par 178. Young opening quicks Riley McCloy and Nath Wilson took three wickets a-piece. Potty then batted, limping their way to just 40 runs for the loss of three wickets. But with the Hoare brothers still to bat, there is plenty left to hopefully see the Pelicans over the line, in what should be a comfortable victory.
CUDGEN V MARIST – Oakes Oval
CUDGEN made the trek south to what is the best ground in the competition… Oakes Oval.
Winning the toss and still confident after last year’s premiership, Cudgen batted first hoping to set a huge total for Marist. Their hopes however were a long way from their performance, Cudgen crumbing worse than Jim’s pie, all out for just 80 runs. Top scorer was veteran Craig Wilson with 25. Marist then passed the total with ease however a few late wickets may just give the Hornets a sniff. Marist were 8/97 at the close of play. Best for the Hornets were Mick Anderson and Alan Bill Williams with two wickets each.
TERRANORA V BALLINA – Bilambil
TERRANORA lost the toss against this year’s premiership favourite, and were thrown straight into the firing line. Wickets fell at regular intervals, The Lakes’ gents making their way to 134 all-out. Best for Terranora was Dave Sloane with a well-made 49. Ballina then raced their way to 100 with the loss of just one wicket. It will have to be a big effort next weekend if Terranora wish to stay in this one.
MURWILLUMBAH V TINTENBAR – Rabjones
MURWILLUMBAH have been the busiest in the off-season recruitment stakes this year, picking themselves up some handy bowlers in Mick Granger and Andrew Meads, as well as veteran and district president Ian Rowlings.
Mur’bah were sent in, with Tintenbar expecting an easy stroll, but were met with some fight, Ian Rowlings scoring an excellent brisk 46, well supported by Phil Jones 28. Tintenbar battled their way to be 2/73 at stumps. With some quick wickets next week, anything could happen in this one.
TWEED REP V CASINO SCG CUP – Casino
THE first round of the SCG cup also got underway this week, with Tweed putting up a fairly formidable side. Tweed won the toss and batted in the Casino heat, struggling their way to just 166. Best was young 17-year-old Alan Bill Williams, with an excellent 53, well supported by Terranora’s Michael Gardner. The total of 166 was always going to be tough to defend but with a team full of bowlers, Tweed came out comfortable winners, by 12 runs to be exact. Best for the bowlers were Cal Zeibell and Michael Granger.
The boys now progress to the next round, most likely against Grafton or Tamworth.
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