Tweed Cricket with Hank Thompson
AN interesting week of cricket, with the five round underway. Terranora, the competitions most fairest side came up against Pottsville, the competitions worst side in regards to sledging, Cudgen came up against their opponents from last year’s grand final, and Murwillumbah made the joyous trip to the scenic Oakes Oval.
Terranora v Pottsville
A massive game this one with both teams looking for their first win of the season.
The Pelicans won the toss and confidently decided to give Terranora first use of a dry flat Bilambil surface. Things were looking great for Pottsville, with Terranora limping to 7/108, but some late order hitting saw the Lakes to a modest yet competitive 160.
Best for the Lakes were Luke Baker (32) and Dylan Catt (33), while Riley McCloy took four wickets for just 25 runs off 13 overs for the Pelicans. Pottsville then batted, and crumbled, losing nine wickets for just 62 runs. Veteran seamer Dave Parkes the destroyer, taking a career best of 5/25 from nine overs. Only Aiden Rogers (18) and Jay Hoare (11) made double figures, and looks like one of the upsets of the year is about to unfold.
Cudgen v Tintenbar
The third week in a row sees the Hornets playing at home, against a team they have struggled to beat over the years of the L.J. Hooker.
Thankfully though, Cudgen won the toss and batted first, on a wicket that looked superb, with very little grass. Things didn’t start well though, with young opener Callum Gall out for 0, Cudgen struggled to 4/60 before the partnerships began to flourish. Tait Burns (52), Jamie Wilson (103) and Calem Zeibell (56) were the best for the hornets, compiling a mammoth 304 all out from just 68 overs. Tintenbar took to the crease, losing one for 22, and will look to their guns to run down a total one once thought was impossible (until Cudgen couldn’t defend 319 earlier this year).
Murwillumbah v Marist Brothers
Murbah won the toss and chose to field first, on a wicket that looked like it could play a few tricks. However, few tricks came to the fore, Marist cruising at 0/93 before finally declaring at 7/198. Best for the Murbah were Adam Meads with 2/30 and Vinnie Quigley with 2/14. A bit of a cocky declaration one would think, however it looked to pay a few dividends with Murbah losing wickets regularly, eventually finishing at 5/75.
At one stage Murbah was 5/42, but an excellent fighting stand between Vinnie Quigley (26 not out) and Riley Willemse (17 not out) saw Murbah in a position where a victory is not too far away. With veterans still to bat, this one may go down to the wire.
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