Bellbird opener Jason Orr kicked the second season of Coalfields Cup off in great fashion by scoring a century in his side's seven-wicket win over Valley at Carmichael Park.
In an action replay of last season's opening game where he also notched a ton, Orr brought up his third in total in the competition. The incumbent Coalfields Cup player of the tournament faced just 87 balls to carry his bat with 103no, an innings that included sixteen boundaries and three maximums.
In a replay of last season's cup decider, the team from the Western Suburbs of Cessnock once again proved too good for their Singleton counterparts.
Valley batted first and posted a competitive 7-161 from their forty overs in the sticky conditions, with Isaac Barry finding some good early season form with 58. He received good support from Daniel Storey (25no) and Daniel Hayes (24no). Bellbird skipper Joey Main was the pick of their attack with 3-51 off 10, with Zach Kronholm chipping in with 2-48 off 10.
The Tigers lost a wicket with the very first ball of their innings in pursuit of the target, but they recovered thanks to Orr's classy century, and they breezed to the target with more than 12 overs to spare and seven wickets left in the sheds. Elliott Gyler played a supporting role with 44. C. Bates (1-29 off 7), Sam Barry (1-40 off 4) and Daniel Hayes (1-36 off 6.4) were the wicket takers for Valley.
Greta/Branxton also opened their Cup account with a comfortable 47-run win over a depleted PCH side at Miller Park. Dubbed as the "Super Bowl" clash between last season's CDCA and SDCA champions, the defending Cessnock premiers came out on top.
Batting first, the Blues posted 8-168 from their forty overs, with Reuben Andrews again leading the way with 36. Skipper Joey Butler was next best with a patient 29, with Darren Thomson (18), Will Regan (13no) and Nathan Holz (13) all making useful contributions. Jackson Shade (3-51 off 10) and Daniel Oldknow (3-34 off 10) picked up a treble of wickets each for the visitors.
PCH were all out in the 34th over in reply for 121, with opener Brad Cox playing a lone hand with a well-constructed 86. Unfortunately wickets fell at regular intervals around him, with brother Jackson the only other batsman to reach double figures with 13.
Jace Lawson (3-38 off 10) and veteran Darren Thomson (2-23 off 7) were the pick of the Blues' attack.
In the only other match played, Wine Country were far too good for an out-of-sorts Glendon at Allandale. Wine Country batted first and accumulated nicely to close their innings at 7-179. Jason Ambrose led the way with 46no, with Steve Abel (34), Sam Peacock (28) and Brendan Briedenhann (13no) all keeping the scoreboard ticking over. Dan Higgins (2-28 off 10) and Anthony Bailey (2-39 off 10) picked up a brace of wicket each for Glendon.
The visitors capitulated in reply to be all out in the 27th over for just 59. Bailey was the lonesome willowman in double figures with 11. Hudson Smith (4-15 off 6.1), John Barrett (3-21 off 6) and Briedenhann (2-3 off 3) shared the wickets for the Wood Ducks.
The match between Creeks and Mulbring at Mulbring was washed out, as too was the scheduled match between the Piranhas and JPC at East End.
Points Table 2021-22: Bellbird 6, Greta/Branxton 6, Wine Country 6, Creeks 3, JPC 3, Mulbring 3, Piranhas 3, Glendon 0, PCH 0, Valley 0.
SDCA - Second Grade results:
Second Grade games were played at Denman and on synthetic wickets in Singleton and the Draw was altered so that T20 games could be played to allow for double up games.
Denman White 8/131 defeated Denman Maroon 8/118.
Denman White: Dave Sowter 26, Chris Sowter 20 not out, R Butta 2/17 and Alex Loredo 2/24. Denman
Maroon: Karl Bowd 53, Shaun Wilkins 22, Brady Bowd 2/35, Jackson Ball 2/8 and Shaun Wilkins 2/16.
Glendon 5/66 defeated PCH 63.
Glendon: Marcus Downes 42 not out, Kyle Bailey 13, Austin Maher 2/8, Chad Vesper 1 for 4 and Matt
Bock 1/6. PCH: E Moss 26, Riley Knodler 10 not out, Chris Orlowski 2/2 amd Mason Knodler 1/7
JPC Gold 8/139 defeated Creeks 45.
JPC Gold: L Crump 45, Brandan Carmen 26, Rod Pearce 21, A Thornberry 3/2, Matt Chick 2/1, Clint
Harman 32 and 2/7, Cale Rainey 2/31.
JPC Black defeated Valley by forfeit.
Singleton has again entered a representative team in the Hunter Valley Cricket Council John Bull Shield competition. Maitland and Newcastle Suburban Districts have not entered teams so the Competition will include teams from Upper Hunter, Singleton and Cessnock. Hunter Valley has also entered a team in the Newcastle Summer Bash T20 Competition. Hunter Thoroughbreds will play two games on each of two days, 19th December and 16th January. Anyone T20 player who would like to try out for the team, please contact Helene Goadsby as soon as possible. 0438 731573
