A century to Kurri Weston's Jack Bennett and six and five-wicket hauls by Easts bowler Josh Hicks and Thornton’s Daniel Willis were the highlights of an intriguing day of Maitland first grade cricket on Saturday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Bennett’s 104 and 61 by Warriors skipper Michael Heinrich allowed Kurri Weston to post a respectable 263 against Raymond Terrace as the final six batsmen were bundled out for 25 on day one of their two-day fixture.
Hicks’ 6-46 helped Easts restrict City United to 161 after City looked set to post a big total when they were 4/137. The game is evenly matched with 4-48 in reply at stumps.
Willis (5-26) and Elliott Thompson (4-44) combined to dismiss the powerful Wests batting line-up for just 156 to leave Thornton on top after finishing on 3-78 at stumps.
City United v Eastern Suburbs
City United and Easts clash at Robins Oval is evenly poised with the Griffins at 4-48 at stumps after dismissing City for 161.
Josh Hicks was the hero with the ball claiming 6-46 as City slumped from 4/137 after seeming being in control and ready to post a big total.
City United skipper was left stranded on 59 not out as Hicks and Callum Sargeant claimed the final eight wickets between them after Dallas Crane and Brendon Allen made the initial breakthroughs.
Trappel said the first hour would prove crucial next week in deciding the outcome.
“We were disappointing with the bat after a good start, but managed to bounce back with the ball to take four wickets,” he said.
“It could have been five but we dropped Matt Crane (19 not out), which hopefully won’t be too costly.”
Thornton v Western Suburbs
Daniel Willis (5-26) and Elliott Thompson (4-44) got on top of the Western Suburbs batsmen early and maintained their dominance to allow Thornton to dismiss the Plovers for 156.
Thompson claimed the first three wickets including the prize wicket of Aaron Mahony for five.
Wests skipper Andrew Trappel top scored with 44 as the majority of Plovers batsmen made starts but couldn’t go on with their innings.
Thornton were 3/78 at stumps with opener Ricky Mace and No.5 Peter Gabriel the not out batsmen on 27 and 5 respectively.
Johathan Gabriel’s dismissal for 27 sparked a mini-collapse but Thornton have the upper-hand in grabbing their first win of the season.
Kurri Weston v Raymond Terrace
Kurri Weston were on the way to a 300-plus total until Raymond Terrace fought back to restrict the Warriors to 263 off 75 overs.
Jack Bennett set up the innings with 104 continuing his excellent return to cricket after shoulder surgery to take his tally from four innings to 283 at an average just over 70.
Warriors skipper Michael Heinrich scored his second half-century of the season to make 61 as Kurri Weston’s tail-end collapsed around him.
Josh Tuckwell (37) and Casey Capper (21) gave Kurri a solid start.
“We were in a position to go on to post a big score after Jack’s great start and were victim to a few poor shots but a few really good balls as well,” Heinrich said.
“Their bowlers maintained a disciplined line, particularly after they got Jack out.