THE Port City Leagues Magpies have expanded to include five teams in this year’s Hastings District Cricket Competition.
The defending premiers, the first-grade side, had their game against Comboyne washed out on Saturday following their resounding 101-run win the previous week over the Pirates – which include top scores of 56 from Jesse Schmidt and 37 from Phil McVicar, while Tim Harris spun his way to 3/12.
The second-grade ’Pies enjoyed a first round bye before going down in the grand final re-match to Wauchope by just two wickets in a tight contest – where Luke Jephcott scored 26 runs – while the wickets were evenly shared among the bowling attack of Peter Kew, Kevin Pascoe, Sean Staniforth and Ben Hutchins with two apiece.
The third-grade Swoopers made it back-to-back victories to open the season defeating Camden Haven Black by 52 runs (Greg Hall 91 and Chris Bosshardt 2/30) and then knocking over the Macquarie Turtles by 51 runs, where Ryan Doherty scored 25 and grabbed 3/23.
Meanwhile, in the same grade, the Strikers lost to Bonny Hills by five wickets (Rohan Kew 30 runs and Adam Power 3/44) and to the Pirates Buccaneers by 47 runs in the opening two rounds.
The fourth-grade Magpies and the current title holders won their first game of the season last Saturday following a first-round bye with a comprehensive 87-run victory over Beechwood with Ian Dickson and Rohan Kew both top-scoring with 45, while Jeff Kelsey snared three wickets.
