City United v Old Boys 13/2/10

1st Grade at Scully Park
Old Boys 223 (Tom Wilson 5-95, Nathan Whale 2-21, Aaron Flaherty 2-32) v City United 2-59 (Anthony Dutton 24x)
A game that is evenly poised, with City needing just 165 to topple the potential Minor Premiers. Wilson and Whale reduced Old Boys to 5-83 before a typical Ben Middlebrook aggressive innings aided by the consistent Josh Smith appeared to be taking the game away from us. As he so often does, Wilson came back and led the way through the tail. A great effort behind the stumps from Buddy Harriott with five catches. This is a game back in our favour as apart from one partnership, City has done everything right.

2nd Grade at Chaffey Park
Old Boys 232 (Daniel Lawrence 3-22, Richie O'Halloran 3-62, Jay Sippel 2-56) v City United 2-42 (Richie O'Halloran 20x)
The City boys kept scrapping in this game and are well in it. Daniel Lawrence was too good for the batsmen in a fine spell. Richie O'Halloran's seventeen overs of leg spin were very encouraging and he worked at containment early and then threw the ball over the eyeline and his fielders responded. There is a long batting line up, so first inning points are still very attainable.

3rd Grade at TREC
Old Boys 131 (John Kennedy 5-33, Simon Bellamy 2-6, Josh Allen 2-22) v City United 9-141 (Gary Whale 31, Simon Bellamy 30x, Josh Allen 20)
A couple of these young blokes stepped up today. Firstly Kennedy who took two wickets in his first over and was on the hatrick in his third, following another trademark opening spell from Allen who has consistently broken through the top order this season. Secondly, Bellamy, batting at five, dropped anchor and guided the side to first innings points with a patient and intelligent knock. He has a lot of high quality senior cricket ahead of him. He found allies in Allen and Bruce Eather, who both played important hands when they were needed. "Youngster" Gary Whale turned back the clock opening the batting and it was only a run out that could blunt his enthusiasm. Points in the bag, there's a most needed outright to play for next week.

4th Grade at Minor League 3
Old Boys 5-101 (Paul Lawrence 2-11) v City United 6-99 (Dave Smith 42, Ryan Hanson 25)
With both teams having faced their first 40 overs, the game couldn't be any more even. Kaine Philpott, Sam Langston, Steve Robinson and stand in Skipper Paul Lawrence all bowled tightly. The feature of the batting was a 57 run second wicket stand between Smith and Ryan. Poor old Budha was looking forward to refreshments as Ryan missed no chance to run the singles! Young Ryan has gone from strength to strength this season and he'll finish it an accomplished batsman. A very even contest this one.