Round two of the MNCC Premier League tossed up some close games and also some surprise results in what is shaping up to be the most open competition with all teams looking evenly matched early on in the season.
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At Oxley Oval Port City won the toss and decided to bat first against Wauchope and early on it looked like a good decision as openers Sean Minns 35 and the evergreen Gordan Scott 41 were doing it easy and scoring at a reasonable rate putting on 89 for the first wicket but after that wickets fell at a regular rate as Port City lost 10 for 59 to be all out for 148.
To make matters worse Port City will now be without star fast bowler Brendan Badenoch as he broke a knuckle after being dismissed and he was unable to take any further part in the match.
Youngster Will Clarke in only his second game of premier league turned the game when he came on talking 1 for 23 off 8 overs restricting the scoring that helped the bowlers at the other end. Matt Day chimed in with 3 wickets but the star of the day was allrounder Nathan Lyon bowling his little mediums taking 3 for 11 with one of those wickets seeing the batsman bowled off a full toss in what Nathan explained was a planned move.
Wauchope then cruised to victory only losing 4 wickets in what was a very satisfying win for the club after a high turnover of players in the off season. Nathan Lyon continued off from last year smashing a brilliant 81 and was well supported by Mitch Quinn 24 , Lindsay Hopper 17notout and Matt Miller 13notout.
Wingham started their season on a winning note against Taree West at Cedar Party Reserve. Batting first Taree compiled 9-185 from 39 overs with P.Cox standing out scoring a well compiled 79.
He was ably supported by captain Dean Mills 18, B.Polson 23 and J.McLeod 16. Best for Wingham with the ball was JJ. Mctaggart with 4 for 31. Wicket keeper B.Cole took 3 catches. Wingham lost an early wicket but were in control and paced their inning to perfection reaching the target in the 38th over with the loss of 6 wickets.
B. Cole capped off a good game controlling the innings to finish unbeaten on 63. other valuable contributors were opener R. Morris 24, M. Stinson 24 nd allrounder JJ. Mctaggart who backed up his effort with the ball to hit 32 with the bat.
The final match of the round took place at Wayne Richards with United winning the toss and electing to bat first against the youth full Pirates. Things wern't looking good with United slumping to 6 for 53 before fast bowler Justin Boyd came to the crease and turned the whole momentum of the match with a whirlwind 50 off only 38 balls and clearing the fence on 5 occasions.
A. Pin 35 and Captain Ricky Campbell 23 also offered some support as well as one of united favorite sons David Stone making 20 at the top of the order. Adam Carroll and Brice Cook took 2 wickets each with Jarred Humphries being the star taking 4 for 13. Pirates then set out about chasing 170 to win but fell short being bowled out for 156 in 38th over.
Too many players got starts for pirates and didn't go on with it in what is a worrying sign as last week they had the same problem. Only Connor Cook 54 off only 36 balls and Marty Moate 21 made valuable contributions. Daniel Stone 3 for 22 off 8 overs put the breaks on the pirates batsmen but the pick of the bowlers was Justin Boyd who backed up his whirlwind half century in taking 3 for 30 off 8 overs.
