The Ballina Bears XI are in first place on the Far North Coast second grade (South) competition ladder after a win against Alstonville at their Hill Park Oval last Saturday.
Ballina won the toss and elected to bat, scoring 144 after being bowled out in the 28th over.
Jordan Holmes top scored with 37 while opener, Josh Slater went the distance to finish unbeaten on 30no.
Alstonville captain, Peter Van Zijl, led the attack with 3/24 off six overs with support from Aaron Hanna (2/12 off 6.2 overs).
All out for 69
In reply, Alstonville got off to a healthy start reaching 1/36, but crumbled to be all out for 69 in the 33rd over. Luke Hall did the damage for the Bears, returning 4/7 from eight overs, including four maidens and two caught-and-bowled.
Ravinderpal Singh added to the Alstonville collapse by taking 2/2 off his three overs. Hamish Clacher snared 2/21 off his eight.
The top four of the competition also includes Tintenbar East Ballina, Marist Brothers and Lennox Head.
Bangalow second grade picked up their second win of the season but did it with aplomb after scoring 6/353 off their 40 overs, after choosing to bat playing away at Megan Crescent Oval in Lennox Head.
McPhail scores 146
Bangalow’s opener Anthony McPhail did most of the damage scoring 146 including ten fours and 12 sixes. Jason Hinds added 58 runs from 56 balls, while Conor Bensley hit a quick-fire 75 off 39 balls including seven fours and five sixes.
Best of the Lennox bowlers was James Barnes with 2/70 off eight overs.
In reply, the Lennox Pirates were all out for 107 inside 19 overs. The top three batters were the only ones to make double figures with Connor Benfield top-scoring with 38.
Bangalow’s Sonny Singh took 4/53 off eight overs while Jameson Hinds collected 3/15 off 2.1 overs.
Bangalow are sixth place on the second grade (South) ladder.
In the Far North Coast (North) second grade competition Byron Bay are on top with five wins ahead of Terranora Lakes and Cudgen Hornets (four wins each). Mullumbimby Brunswick round out the top four.


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