Ryan Merrick's 6-21 and skipper Matt Trappel's unbeaten 81 saved City United from an upset loss to Tenambit Morpeth Bulls at Robins Oval.
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Spinner Merrick tore through the Bulls line-up to help dismiss them for 135 in the 44th over.
Merrick earned his promotion to first grade after a 10-wicket haul for City in 2nd grade against Kurri Weston in round two in which he took 5-12 and 5-13 in City's outright win.
The normally stable City line-up was without Andrew Vickery at the top of the order and all-rounder Nick Bower. Aidan Eather was brought in to replace Vickery behind the stumps.
Despite the disruption to the batting line-up it seemed easy enough target but City was almost undone with Trappel's 81 not out proving the difference.
The only other batter to reach double figures was opener Ricky Dent with 13,
Lachlan Heit picked up four wickets to continue his good form with the ball for the Bulls.
Brooks spins Raymond Terrace to first win
Brayden Brooks spun through the Kurri Weston batting line-up to help Raymond Terrace to their two-wicket victory and their first win of the season.
Brooks took a match-winning 4-12 to help dismiss the Warriors for 115 off 45 overs at Jack Collins Oval.
Kurri Weston captain Sam Dalibozek was unbeaten on 39 and Michael Gibson was the only other batsman to make double figures.
The Lions made hard going of their run chase reaching 8/116 in the 32nd over.
Luke Thomas top scored with 33 for Raymond Terrace, following up his 46 against Thornton the previous round.
Skipper Daniel Upward with 18, teenage all-rounder Lachlan Page 19 and Liam Osborn 17 in his first game of the season contributed valuable runs.
James Dunstan took 4-39 and Alex Seamer in his return to Kurri Weston colours took 3-26.
Mid-wicket collision upsets Norths' momentum
A mid-wicket collision between Northern Suburbs openers Lincoln Mills and Mike Wilson left both players dazed and blunted the side's momentum.
Racing along at better than seven runs an oval, Wilson went straight off with blood coming from a wound to his head and Mills who was bent over was inconvenienced before finally coming off a couple of overs later.
Thornton halted play and did not attempt a run out.
Both players returned to bat and took their place in the field. Wilson received stitches to the cut.
Thornton were able to dismiss Norths for 215 restricting them after their bright start.
"Norths were on target to make 300 until the unfortunate mix up between Millsy and Mike Wilson. We didn't get our first wicket until the 28th over but did really well at the end to put the screws on and get them out for 215," Thornton skipper Matt Gabriel said.
In reply, Thornton's batting produced probably their best and most consistent performance of the season reaching their target with four over to spare after Jono Gabriel 50 and Jamie Krake 40 gave their a solid start.
Dan Willis 40 and Riley Petrie 35 produced a fine partnership and were unlucky not to be in at the end when their side reached their target.
"We aimed at building partnerships and scoring runs throughout the innings," Gabriel said.
"Jono and Krakey gave us a really good start before Jono was out in his 50s. Krakey and myself were out fairly close together so Dan and Riley had to start from scratch and batted very well together and were unlucky not to be their at the end."
The victory gives Thornton three wins from four completed games and they sit third equal on 21 points with City United and five points clear of Kurri Weston on 16. Norths are fifth equal on 11 points with Tenambit Morpeth.
Wests too good for Easts
Eastern Suburbs lost six wickets for eight runs to collapse for just 122 as Western Suburbs cruised to a five-wicket win at King Edward Park.
Easts were in good shape for 3-114 but when Josh Hicks was out for 35 and Jack Bennett for 19 all resistance was swept away.
Spinners Izach Dennis with 3-38 and Shaun Hill 2-16 did the damage.
Trent Park retired injured on 19 not out.
Wests reached their target with the loss of five wickets and plenty of overs to spare to keep their unbeaten record intact going into the Christmas break.
Maitland first grade cricket resumes on January 8, 2022