City United posted a big tally and a huge warning to their rivals on the first day of play in the 2018-19 Maitland first grade season.
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City were 6/303 at the close of play off 72 overs against Port Stephens Pythons at Robins Oval on Saturday and will look to further their advantage with eight overs still to bat next week.
Northern Suburbs also showed they will be as formidable as ever as all-rounder Jordan Callinan (5-15) claimed one of two five-wicket hauls on the opening day of the season as Norths dismissed Eastern Suburbs for just 138.
At Coronation Oval, Western Suburbs’ Matt Shone went one better than Callinan taking 6-46 in an evenly-poised match again Kurri Weston.
Warriors’ teenage star Isaac Barry made an impressive start with his new club clubbing 85 not out as the Kurri Weston posted 235, with West 2/42 in reply.
Raymond Terrace’s title defence got off to a shaky start dismissed for just 152 by Thornton.
At Robins Oval the batting delivered everything City United skipper Matt Trappel wanted apart from no one scoring a 100, but with four scores of 50-plus including 60 to himself he was a happy man.
“The only thing missing was one or two of us going on to a big score, but in terms of addressing our batting problems from last year I couldn’t ask for a much better start,” he said. “We carried momentum throughout the innings and were able to build good partnerships which was a problem last year.”
Trappel and his brother Josh top scored with 60 each, Anru Kriel made 53 and Michael Heinrich was 57 not out and set to continue next week with Ben Davies on six.
Ricky Dent made 30 in an 88-run partnership with Josh Trappel after Jordan Burton was bowled by a terrific delivery from Allan Baldwin who became Port’s first wicket taker in first grade. Dent and Trappel were both out with the score on 100.
“Josh probably threw his wicket away with a rash shot,” he said. “I had the flu last week and was pretty much done physically when I was out.
“I was particularly pleased with Anru and Heiney’s innings it really is good to see them get good runs.”
Trappel said he was impressed with Port Stephens’ attack in taxing humid conditions for batting and fielding.
“Young Liam Eveleigh was the pick. He bowled a really good line and finished with 1-18 off 10 overs, he will be a handful this season,” he said.
“I think the biggest test for their bowlers was when they hit the 50 over mark which I think they and everyone else thought might be the case.
“We were about 3/160 at tea and were able to take advantage as their attack tired.
“It’s a change in format which will take them a bit of time to get used to, but they showed they belong in the comp.
“We will have to bowl and field well to get the result as they have some quality batsmen. The Moxey brothers (Jarrod and Josh) are both Maitland representative players.
“I’m looking forward to see how they go.”
Northern Suburbs are in the box seat to claim victory finishing at 0/49 stumps after bowling Easts out for 138 from 50.1 overs.
Jordan Callinan was the chief destroyer taking 5-35 with his spin from 11 overs, while Cael Smith took 2-34. Lincoln Mills and Tim and Mitch Field picked up the other wickets.
Mills scored 31 in a quick time and will resume on day two with opening partner Jason Brewer on 10.
Matt Shone was the star with the ball at Coronation Oval as the fortunes of the game fluctuated throughout the day.
Shone finished with 6-46 claiming the first three wickets and then cleaning up the tail.
Kurri Weston skipper Josh Tuckwell dominated early, scoring 62 before caught with the score on 72.
Warriors teenager Isaac Barry took up Tuckwell’s lead scoring an unbeaten 85 with excellent support from Steve Abel who had 44.
Wests captain Tom Irwin said it was an excellent day of cricket by both sides with plenty of runs and wickets.
Thornton hold the upper-hand against Raymond Terrace after spinner Dan Willis made the initial breakthrough dismissing both openers with the score on 62.
Joe Harden (24) and Leigh Osmond (28) gave the Lions a solid start but once they were gone only skipper Steve Smith (33) and Nick Savage (31) were able to offer any real resistance as they were dismissed for 152 in the 74th over..
Willis finished with 3-45 from 25 overs and Brent Dawes followed up his breakthrough taking 4-14 including the prized wickets of Smith and Savage.
Thornton will resume on 1/9 with Jamie Krake out for five.