Alstonville, Byron Bay and Lennox Head are all hoping to press for a position in the top four of the 2016–2017 Coastal Cricket League after taking four wins each in the early part of the season.
With three wins from their last three games, the Lennox Head team is heading into the back half of the year with some form momentum and a real chance of making the finals, according to captain Justin Hooper.
On the weekend they beat Mullumbimby Brunswick who, after winning the toss and batting, were limited to a total of 87 from 30 overs.
Mark Duncan starred with the ball for Lennox taking 3/11 off three overs, with Joel Rudgely (2/12 off seven overs) and John Coppock (2/17 off five overs) also coming away with good figures.
In reply Lennox were 2/23 when they lost their second opener Zac Fren, but Luke Grainger was able to adapt to the conditions and put on 51 runs not out. They won with 4/98 after 21 overs.
The week before they took seven competition points off Tintenbar East Ballina, who are currently sitting in second place in the league.
The game was called off early owing to lightning strikes but not before Lennox Head was able to score 164 all out after 37 overs.
Grainger was again the mainstay of the innings, scoring 61, backed up by Adrian Simpson (30) and Toby deJong (15).
But Lennox really did the damage with the ball by reducing Tintenbar East Ballina to 7/97 of 20 overs, when the game was called off.
John Coppock (3/14 off five overs) and Mark Duncan (3/22 off six overs) once again got results with accurate and consistent bowling.
‘Our bowlers have done a really good job and were bowling really well, and getting sides out cheaply. Our batters are now starting to chase down those scores,’ Justin said.
Lennox sits in seventh place with four wins and six losses. Byron Bay is in sixth place also with four wins, but only five losses.
Byron Bay had a chance to play themselves into the top four on the weekend when they took on Alstonville, and kept the side to 9/138 off 40 overs after winning the toss and sending them into bat.
Chris Zygmunt picked up the openers in his 2/27 off eight overs, and was backed up by Oliver Cronin 3/29 (eight overs) and Matt Irwin 2/17 (eight overs).
But the Byron batsmen couldn’t settle against a strong attack and lost wickets early and regularly before being all out for 109 in the 35th over.
Alstonville’s R Pearce led with the ball taking 4/26 off eight overs. Alstonville is in fifth place on the table with a game in hand and four wins.
Terranora has a firm grip on first place in the competition with seven wins and two losses.
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