Easts form reversal nets outright win
By Tim Howard
A dramatic reversal of fortunes has earned GDSC Easts outright points in the Premier League clash with Coutts Crossing at Ellem Oval Grafton on Saturday.
After losing on the first innings by just two runs, Easts showed why it is the competition titleholder, chasing down 148 in its second innings to secure the eight points up for grabs.
It was not total doom for Coutts, which received seven points for its first innings win.
The Easts chase was built around a hard hitting dig of 49 from first drop Aidan Tredennick.
He was in on the third ball of the innings when aggressive all-round Shannon Connor was caught on the midwicket fence for a second ball duck.
Connor left the field muttering his disappointment as he nailed a pull shot that flew straight to the fielder Coutts had placed there specifically for that shot.
![Easts first drop batter Aidan Tredennick sets the tone for his team's successful run chase, smacking Coutts Crossing opening bowler Hayden Woods for six from the third ball he faced.](https://thenorthernriverstimes.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/NRT021223CricketTredennick-668x1024.jpg)
Easts first drop batter Aidan Tredennick sets the tone for his team’s successful run chase, smacking Coutts Crossing opening bowler Hayden Woods for six from the third ball he faced.
But that was the last good news for their cause.
Tredennick came in and belted a six and a four in that over to set the tone for the Easts run chase.
He was finally out for 49, but with opener Chris Chamberlain scoring 44 and Sean Whaites nailing a quick 34, Easts got the job done.
Coutts player Andrew McLachlan said the second innings had not gone to plan for his team.
“We planned to bat at least to 5pm, but didn’t make it that far and that gave them enough time to chase down our score,” he said.
“It was just one of those days for us. Every time we moved a fielder, the ball went there.
“We got Shannon early, but Aiden came in and hit the ball all over the park from the first delivery.”
He said all the bowlers copped some stick, but Hayden Woods picked up a couple of wickets as Easts reached 5/148.
At Ulmarra Lawrence was in complete control of the game against Tucabia Copmanhurst, but couldn’t take wickets quickly enough to secure outright points.
![Easts opener Chris Chamberlain cracks a ball off the back foot through the covers for a boundary on his way to 44.](https://thenorthernriverstimes.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/NRT021223CricketChamberlain-1024x619.jpg)
Easts opener Chris Chamberlain cracks a ball off the back foot through the covers for a boundary on his way to 44.
Lawrence resumed at 4/79 chasing Tucabia’s first innings 119 and didn’t lose any more wickets they were well in front.
Not out batter Doug Harris belted 89 and his partner Rowan Green finished on 48no as Lawrence raced to 7/247 before sending Tucabia back in.
They lost an early wicket, but Andrew Ellis, 27 and Rohan Hackett batted stubbornly taking the score to 48.
Hackett found a strong ally in Travis Anderson who score 50 and nearly batted out the innings.
At 4/129 Tucabia and a few runs in front, Tucabia looked to have comfortably avoided the outright, but there was a sting in the tail of the innings.
Luke Moloney took 3/7 in four overs to get the Tucabia hearts racing, but stumps came too early for the visitors to do any more damage.
Harris and Chris Townson each picked up a couple of wickets.
On Saturday Coutts is back at Ellem Oval to play Tucabia in the final two-day before Christmas.
At JJ Lawrence Field Turf Easts and Lawrence also play in a two-day game.
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