Crisp powerful stroke play was matched by top-flight bowling when the Bush Stone-Curlews met the Forest Dragons in the delayed round three of the Far North Coast’s O/45s Emerging Greys Cup.
At the end of the day, the Curlews backed up their second-round win, and collected the points, after being sent into bat.
On a crisp, clear morning, the top three for the Curlews, Ross Kendall (20no off 40 balls), Geoff Tunks (9 off 20) and Bruce Young (28no off 40) were able to lay a platform to take the side to 1/50-odd in 15 overs.
From there, the shot-makers came into their own, and pushed the score to an above-par 5/248 that included numerous fluent innings including three score-retirees. Leigh Simpson scored 43no off 33, including nine 4s, to start a fantastic day of cricket that was to earn him another bottle of wine.
Luke Grainger got the score card flowing coming in at number 5 with 42no off 19 balls (largely through boundaries including three 6s and five 4s). Jason Trisley (40no off 31) found his touch in the final overs, supported by Shaun Greening (13no off 5).
Forest Dragon’s opening bowler, Ben Hills (2/47 off 8 overs), led from the front, along with Ben Redden (who had the best economy rate of 3.75). They kept things tight early, but wickets were hard to come by.
Mark Vallette returned 1/35, including two of the inning’s three maiden overs. Damian Senz chipped in with 1/17 off his four overs.
In reply, Forest Dragons’ openers Brett McPhail and Mark Valette scored 13 by the end of the first over, including three 4s.
But it didn’t last, as Leigh continued his day snaring Mark (9 from 6) at the end of his first over, the second of the innings.
Still, the Curlews had their work cut out when Mal Hancock came to the crease and wasted no time with an innings that could have turned the game.
He finished with the top score of the day, a quickfire 57 off 33 that included six 4s and four 6s.
But wickets fell too regularly around his innings for the Dragons to build momentum.
All out for 110
With the score at 8/82 when Mal returned to the crease after a temporary retirement, he had much to do. After adding eight runs Levi Shouldice had him caught behind in a relatively short stay at the crease. The Dragons were all out for 110.
But the innings belonged to Leigh (5/33 off 8 overs) who conjured up the competition’s first five-wicket haul. It was a spell where he landed it on a dime, was supported in the field, and seemingly could do no wrong.
Mal also took home a bottle of wine for his stroke play. Next week, the Forest Dragons head south to take on the Clarence Coast Emus at Harwood Oval. With both teams eyeing their first win of the competition there will be plenty to play for.
The Curlews will take on the Red-Necked Pandemelons, and one of these sides will endure their first loss.
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