WET weather again played havoc with local matches in the Hastings District Cricket Competition last weekend. However, despite several delays and interruptions a number of games were completed.
After the first day was washed out Port City and Port Pirates began their fixture at Oxley Oval on a rain-affected wicket, causing a few problems for the batsmen.
Pirates were sent into bat and crashed to be 9/30 before a last wicket partnership of 31 took their final score to 61 runs.
Magpies’ Adam Eckermann tore through the batting line-up, finishing with figures of 4/19, well supported by Scott Dickson with 3/5 and Jesse Schmidt 2/16 – while B.J. Schneider brought the team home with the bat and an unbeaten 26 runs to give Port City a five-wicket first-innings victory.
The second-grade side enjoyed a bye while the two third-grade sides went head to head at Wood Street in the inaugural Battle of the Nest. With the game reduced to 35 overs, the Strikers did well in testing conditions to rack up 7/116 with Jack Steinmetz top scoring with 32 and Dave Moore 27.
Darren Hall (2/8) and Dylan Lewis (2/17) were the pick of the Swoopers’ bowlers.
In response the undefeated Swoopers reached the target for the loss of four wickets, courtesy of Ray Atkins 43 and Wayne Popplewell’s 32 runs. Sean McGrath grabbed 2/13 for the Strikers.
The fourth-grade Leagues ‘Pies lost to the Pirates Sea Dogs by six wickets after the home team managed 155 in their allotted overs with Peter Doble cracking 61 runs and Rohan Kew 26 but the bowlers couldn’t stop the opposition from gaining the runs required.
On Sunday, five Port City players represented the Oxley Thunder over-35s tepresentative team at Oxley Oval in their match against Gloucester. Sean Staniforth (2/19) and Nik James (2/9) did their part to restrict the opposition to just 86 runs on another tricky wicket affected by rain.
The Hastings side was lucky to escape with a one-wicket victory courtesy of Ian Hughes and his 19 not out and along with Jamie Hall 14 and Greg Hall 13 they scored half the Thunder’s runs.
Meanwhile, the Port City Leagues ‘Mo-Pies’ Cricket Club has raised $1500 during Movember with the donations made by several team-mates and local businesses like the Plaza Newsagency, Better Homes and Designer Living Kitchens.
The team of Sean Staniforth, Nik James, Paul Byrne and Tony Bransdon were shunned by their partners but encouraged by their peers over the past four weeks to make a very worthwhile donation to assist with men’s health issues.
