With Kinross Blue already established as the mid-season Centenary Cup leaders, in Saturday’s final rounds of 2018 Orange City pushed into a share of Orange District Cricket Association second grade lead and the Gladstone moved clear in thirds.
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The Warriors comfortably took down Kinross at Country Club Oval in reserve grade to lock things up at the top of the ladder, they’re now sharing top spot on competition points with Cavaliers.
The maroons had the bye on the weekend, although they do still enjoy a slight advantage on quotient, their 1.27 enough to give them the upper hand over Orange City (1.20).
The Warriors’ victory was inspired by a strong, all-round bowling performance, backed up by Shaun Churchill and Troy O’Keeffe half-centuries.
Dave Boundy (3-4), Brant Mann (3-21) and Pav Melnichuk (2-24) all took multiple wickets to help skittle Kinross for 144, with opener James Thompson (33) the students’ best with the bat.
After losing Boundy (4) early, Churchill (53) and O’Keeffe (51 not out) added 101 for the second wicket before the former was removed. Skipper Adam Cowden (22) made sure his side got the job done with O’Keeffe after that.
In Saturday’s other second grade clash CYMS broke their 2018-19 duck, scoring their first win of the year by downing Centrals by five wickets.
Ike Dean (3-19) led the way for CYMS as they rolled Centrals for 128, before Kira Churchland (35 not out), Tom Wilson (31), Rohan Bouffler (26) and Jono Savill (17 not out) all chipped in to get their side home with five wickets and 10 overs to spare.
Meanwhile in Saturday’s Third Grade Twenty20 rounds the Gladstone rolled to back-to-back victories over Orange City and then Kinross to move into the outright lead.
They had been in a share for top spot with the Warriors, but Orange City’s back-to-back losses on Saturday afternoon proved costly in that regard.
In the Gladstone’s first win Luke Wilson smashed 79 to lead the side to 7-164 from their 20 overs, with the Warriors managing just 5-104 in reply. They backed that up with an easy win over Kinross.
MORE IN CRICKET: Cavaliers lock up semi-final berth by hammering old rivals CYMS
Orange City’s second loss came at the hands of Spring Hill, the Wood Ducks chasing down the Warriors’ 5-143 with seven wickets and just two balls remaining.
Dal Marsh (42) led the way in the Wood Ducks’ chase, with Simon Obourne (38) and Dan Lamb (35) pitching in with valuable, top order runs as well.
In the other Third Grade Twenty20 games – of the results available at time of publication – Waratahs picked up back-to-back wins over Cavaliers and Centrals, while the maroons defeated CYMS.
The second and third grade seasons resume on January 12, while Centenary Cup continues it break until February 2.
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