In Hastings First Grade Cricket, the Port City Leagues side earned maximum points with an outright victory over Port Magpies in their two-day game at Oxley Oval.
Resuming at 2/31 at the start of the second day, the Magpies were unable to get on top of the Leagues’ bowling attack, with Andrew Glover (3/21 from 9 overs) and Nik James (1/9 off 8 overs) keeping the batsmen tied down and the wickets tumbling. Ben Lawrie (2/20 off 10) and Scott Dickson (2/14 from 6) then completed the rout and had Magpies dismissed for 92. With an overall first innings lead of 97, Port City were determined to set up a big lead and went for quick runs in their second dig, compiling 7 for 106 before declaring with an overall lead of 203. Glover and Jeff Soffer top scored with 23, while James remained not out on 17. Magpies then attempted to chase down the target with only 25 overs remaining in the day. Chris Cole, who earlier grabbed 4/32 against City, then unleashed a barrage of boundaries before being dismissed for 55, which saw the rest of the Magpies batting lineup crumble to be all out for 112. Glover ripped through the Magpies with 5/19 (from 5.2 overs) and was supported by Lawrie with 3/50. City also took 11 catches during the two innings in an impressive fielding display. The gutsy win places Port City in second spot on the table just behind Wauchope. Port City and Magpies will meet again at Oxley Oval today in the final of the May Kelly 20/20 Cup competition commencing at 2.15pm. The Third Grade Leagues side also enjoyed a successful afternoon with a 7-run win over Wauchope Blue. Batting first, City finished at 8/156 with Sean McGrath (29*), Steve Mullin (27) and Rohan Kew (26) leading the charge. In response, Wauchope were dismissed for 149 with 5 balls remaining. Kurt Crane (3/28), Tony Glavurdic (2/30), Ryan Doherty (2/32) and Mullin (1/9) picked up the wickets.
