Harwood juggernaut rolls over Tucabia
By Tim Howard
After threatening multiple times this season, Harwood has broken through for its first outright win in the Clarence River Cricket Association first grade completion at the expense of Tucabia Copmanhurst.
Harwood were bowled out for 179 on day one of the clash with Tucabia at Ulmarra Showground, but had the hosts reeling at 5-25 at stumps.
On Saturday they followed through, rolling them for 54, which would have been a lot less except for a freewheeling 24no from Brad Chard batting at number 9.
Coming in 7-27, Chard a six and three fours in 29 balls, while the other batters scored just three.
Ordered to follow on, Tucabia fared worse, succumbing for 40 scored in 29.4 overs with only Bohdi Henwood, 13, reaching double figures.
Harwood opening bowler Troy Turner did the damage in Tucabia’s first innings, taking 5-21 from 12 overs.
Corey Lewis gave a hint of what was to come taking 4-1 in eight overs to wrap up the tail.
In the second innings Lewis was unplayable taking 5-9 in 9.4 overs.
Ben McMahon was also in good form, snaring 3-16 from eight overs.
Harwood’s leading bowler for the season legspinner Jacob McMahon was only required to bowl six overs for the game and went wicketless.
In a remarkable feat at Ellem Oval South Services/Westlawn were able to withstand a punishing century from leading all rounder Shannon Connor, 102, to snare a win over GDSC Easts.
Defending a modest 156 Souths knew the wicket of Connor, who was 58no, was key to their chances of success.
But he was forced to play a lone hand and when he fell caught and bowled by Scott Avard the score was 6-133 with 24 more required to win.
But the Easts tail couldn’t get it done and the final four wickets fell for five runs.
Veteran seamer Nathan Blanch held his nerve during the Connor onslaught taking regular wickets with a stump to stump line.
His figures of 5-74 in 19 overs unchanged kept Souths/Westlawn in the game and stopped Connor from establishing a partnership that could have turned the game.
Avard picked up a couple of easier wickets to finish with 3-11 from 3.4 overs and skipper Dylan Cleaver bowled a long spell to take 2-51 from 13 overs.
Connor, who took seven wickets on day one, had a massive game, but did not get the support he needed to get a vital win for his team.
Sent back in for a second innings Souths Westlawn reached stumps at 1-67 scored in 24 overs, with opener Brenden Cotten not out on 47 including four boundaries and a six.
Lawrence held off a tenacious bid from Coutts Crossing to chase down their first innings total of 161 at Lower Fisher Turf.
The difference between the two teams was Ben Shaw, who took 7-30 from 13.5 overs to help dismiss Coutts for 123.
Coutts first drop Lewis Chevalley, 41, and opening bat Tim Tilse, 32, threatened for a while, but Shaw had Chevalley caught by skipper Nathan Ensbey and then took six more wickets as the Coutts resistance fell away.
With two games to play before the semi-finals, the top three, Harwood, Souths/Westlawn and Lawrence look set, but Coutts is under threat in fourth spot, just a point ahead of Tucabia.
On Saturday leaders Harwood host Souths/Westlawn at Harwood Oval, Tucabia and Coutts Crossing tussle at Lower Fisher Turf, Grafton and Lawrence and Easts meet at Ellem Oval.
In representative cricket CRCA will need Coffs Harbour at Ellem Oval, Grafton, on Sunday in the grand final of the North Coast Cricket inter district competition.
Selectors have chosen a team of Matt Dougherty (c), Beau Sevil, Shannon Connor, Tim Tilse, Lewis Chevalley, Rohan Hackett, Dylan Cleaver, Jamie Firth, Nathan Anderson, Dylan Lucas, Nathan Blanch, Dave Duroux. The game begins at 10am.
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