IN Hastings District Cricket, the Port City Leagues Magpies first grade side edged out Comboyne in Laurieton on Saturday by just a single wicket.
The Tigers were dismissed for 110 with City’s Craig ‘Macca’ McElroy returning from injury and tearing through the opposition with 5/26 supported by Scott Dickson with 2/6.
In response, only Kyle Bray with 40 runs and Tim Harris on 30 stood up as wickets fell all round them to eventually guide the competition leaders to victory, reaching the target for the loss of nine wickets.
The second grade Leagues Magpies also snuck home in a close one against the Pirates at Oxley Oval chasing 143 for victory with B.J. Schneider top scoring again with 44 while Luke Hutchins and Kade Fens both knocked up 37 runs each. Captain and part time tweeker Jamie Hall grabbed 2/8 and Brendan Cunningham 2/29 with the ball.
The third grade Swoopers suffered their first loss of the season in a top-of-the-table clash against Bonny Hills at the Kendall International Sportsground.
The Hills batted first reaching 6/203 with Kurt Crane (3/37) and Nik James (2/43) the main wicket takers.
Greg Hall then put on a gritty captain’s knock of 68 not out and along with Mal Callaway with 41 and 22 runs each to Ray Atkins and Brett Wasson the Port City side fell just five runs short. Several dropped catches and the loss of four wickets in the final over were major factors in the Swoopers’ demise.
The third grade Strikers also lost their game against the Pirates Mutineers by 33 runs.
Clinton Cocking (42 runs), Jack Steinmetz (29) and Dave Moore (20) got the ‘Pies to 9/144 while bowlers Josh Felton (2/18), Rob Mooney (2/23) and Steinmetz (2/34) did their best to contain the opposition.
A nine-man fourth grade Magpies side scored a remarkable six-run win over the Pirates Rum Runners.
Batting first, Port City could only manage a total of 91 with Ian Dickson (26) and Peter Doble (24) top scoring.
Dickson then dismantled the Pirates batting line-up with Mitchell Johnson-like figures of 5/11 and along with Kyle Blanch (3/20) had them all out for 85.
There’s only one more regular season match this weekend before the Christmas-New Year break. However, all teams will compete in a series of Twenty20 matches on 21 December and 11 January, while first grade Twenty20 matches to be played under lights at Wayne Richards Oval will commence on Wednesday 8 January.
