IT’S been a massive week for the Port City Leagues Magpies Cricket Club, culminating in another trophy for the cabinet after taking out the 18th annual Beechwood 7s Competition last Sunday.
The Magpies defeated the Port Pirates in their opening round clash before eliminating last year’s champions Wauchope in the semi-final and then going on to beat Comboyne in the grand final by three wickets.
The squad of Tim Harris, Kyle Bray, Jesse Schmidt, Jamie Glason, Chris Cole, Phil McVicar, Ian Hughes and Dylan Lewis all made significant contributions with bat and ball to dominate the opposition and claim the title.
The win came just a few days after the Port City Bowling Club signed on to continue their major sponsorship in what is a long standing association with the oldest and most successful club in the Hastings River District Cricket Competition.
Bowling club CEO Russell Stockham said the board had no hesitation in throwing their support behind the Port City Leagues Magpies considering their outstanding work both on and off the field.
Magpies president Paul Byrne said the pressure was now on to finish the season strongly, especially considering that all five teams were in semi-final contention and were leading the club championships.
In results from Saturday afternoon the first-grade Magpies defeated Comboyne by seven wickets (Cole 52 runs and 5/17, Craig McElroy 4/17).
Port City’s second-grade side beat Pirates by 36 runs (Nathan Marsh 70 not out, Peter Kew 3/26 and Brett Wasson 2/21) while the third-grade Swoopers picked up maximum points following Beechwood’s forfeit and the third-grade Strikers went down to Wauchope Blue by four wickets (Ray Atkins 70 runs, Brendon Pateman 2/15 and Les Witts 2/19). The fourth-grade Leagues ’Pies were also beaten losing by five wickets against the Pirates Sea Dogs (John Stace 20 runs and Billy Knight 2/19).
