Coalfields Cup Week 3
Round three of the Coalfields Cup Cricket competition was played last Saturday, and it was the first time that all five matches were completed.
Bellbird remain the side to beat as they disposed previous undefeated Wine Country by 48 runs at Carmichael Park.
The Tigers posted a modest 148 batting first, with competition leading run-scorer Jason Orr again leading the way with 48. Rob Drage (25), skipper Joey Main (22) and Nic Siers (14) were the other batsmen to make an impression. Hudson Smith (4-24 off 8.3), Steve Abel (3-15 off 10) and Luke Jeans (3-34 off 7) shared the wickets for Wine Country.
The Wood Ducks were all out for a neat 100 in reply, with skipper Andrew Fensom (36), Abel (20), and Jeans (16) leading the way. Zach Kronholm bagged 5-24 off 8 for the home side, with Main (3-22 off 5.4) and Scott Miller (2-22 off 8) supporting nicely.
Greta/Branxton are the only other side undefeated after three rounds, keeping their record in check with a three-wicket victory over JPC at Miller Park.
JPC won the toss and elected to bat, and posted a competitive 170 even though they were bowled out in the 35th over. Alex Thrift blasted 84 off just 40 balls, with Brandon Carman (41) and Kye Dann (13) offering support. Will Regan (3-19 off 5.1) and Brent Watson (3-53 off 7) took a treble of wickets each for Greta/Branxton, with veteran Darren Thomson (2-40 off 8.5) picking up a brace of wickets against his former club.
The Blues looked comfortable throughout the entire run chase, reaching the target with still ten overs to spare. Josh Dagg (49) played his familiar productive role, Reuben Andrews (39) continued his recent good run of form, with Jace Lawson (19) and skipper Joey Butler (13) leaving the JPC club still searching for their maiden win in two seasons. Hayden Moorcroft (3-47 off 8) and Matt Sidebottom (2-27 off 5) were their best with the four-piece.
Valley snuck over the line by 12 runs in their clash with Creeks. With the venue switched to Baddeley Park, Cessnock, Valley were all out for 153 batting first, with Dan Storey making it back-to-back half centuries with another hard hitting 54. Opener Nathan Bagnall was the only other batsman in double figures with 49. Jarrod Campbell bagged 5-35 off 9.4, with Nathan Stapleford (2-43 off 6) back on his former home ground and skipper Blake Cook (2-26 off 7) picking up a couple of wickets each.
Creeks looked dead and buried at 9-71, but a fighting 70-run final wicket stand between Mark Unicomb (35) and Blake Cook (28no) saw them fall agonizingly short of the target. Daniel Tracey (23) and Stapleford (14) were the other main contributors. Sam Barry (3-34 off 8.5), Brad Maher (3-31 off 10) and Daniel Hayes (2-34 off 10) shared the wickets for Creeks.
PCH recorded their first win by comfortably accounting for the Piranhas by six wickets at East End. Chasing just 93 for victory, the current Singleton District premiers reached the target in the 22nd over after losing four wickets. Skipper Jackson Cox (40no), brother Brad (18) and Jake Mackaway (16) got the job done. Piranhas skipper Matt Hopley (3-17 off 6) bowled tidily, but the low target was always going to be difficult to defend. Earlier in the afternoon the home side were dismissed for 92, with Mick James (23), Fletcher Sharpe (19) and Aaron Sweeney (16) making starts. Barton Jones (5-4 off 8) produced the best figures of the round, with Jackson Shade (4-34 off 8.1) bowling well in tandem.
In the final game, Mulbring jumped into outright third on the ladder following their comfortable 91-run win over Glendon at Mulbring Oval.
The Marlins posted 8-181 after winning the toss and batting, with club secretary Chad Lewis leading the way from the top with 62. Most other batsmen made starts, with brother Josh Lewis (28), Mick Mascord (25) and Drew Olsen (21no) adding to the healthy total. Cael Smith (2-16 off 9) and Anthony Bailey (2-36 off 7) were the pick of the Glendon attack.
Glendon were rolled for 90 in reply, with Bailey completing a fine all-round game with 29. Dan Higgins was next best with 15, while for the home side Scott Robertson (3-8 off 2), Hilal Abbas (2-21 off 7), Greg Sheehan (2-27 off 9) in his return game for the club, and Cameron Ross (2-8 off 3.5) sharing the wickets.
Points Table - After Rd 3
Coalfields Cup
P W L D P NRR
Bellbird 3 3 - - 18 1.98
Greta/Branxton 3 3 - - 18 1.20
Mulbring 3 2 - 1 15 1.51
Wine Country 3 2 1 - 12 1.37
Valley 3 1 2 - 6 -0.71
PCH 3 1 2 - 6 -0.82
Piranhas 3 - 1 2 6 -1.99
Creeks 3 - 2 1 3 -1.42
Glendon 3 - 2 1 3 -2.64
JPC 3 - 2 1 3 -0.95
