Premiership front runners Brothers and Norths Devils produced an enterprising run fest in a quality Poole Cup first grade showdown in the Mackay Cricket Association competition last weekend.
In a fine exhibition of batting, the Brothers top order featured prominently to help set up a crucial 18-run victory at Harrup Park’s George Gorrie Oval.
Talented opener Wiets Buys led the way with a stylish 63 off 90 balls that included eight boundaries and a six with support from Joseph Hackney (41), skipper Matthew Wicks (39), club stalwart Chris Dunn (37) and 15-year-old young gun Jack Law (33 off 34 balls) as Brothers posted an impressive total of 252.
Buys shared an opening stand of 58 with Wicks before combining with Hackney for a second wicket partnership of 74.
Dunn, a St Patrick’s College Mackay cricket mentor, also demonstrated his vast experience by adding 65 runs for the fourth wicket with schoolboy prodigy Law.
Pacemen Kerrod Tortora (3-62) and Mason Kohler (29) and off spinner Lachlan Brett were the pick of the Devils’ bowlers.
Dashing Norths batsmen Darryn Dyer (59) and Chris Day (43) provided an ideal springboard for their team in reply – blasting an opening stand of 104 to keep the Devils in the hunt.
The flamboyant Dyer faced 33 balls and cracked four sixes and six boundaries while Day carved out five boundaries and two sixes during his 37-ball knock.
Other batsmen to contribute were Jason Butterworth (35 runs off 48 deliveries), all rounder Tortora (23) and the Kohler siblings Mason (21) and Lane (20) as the Devils came perilously close to sinking the competition leaders.
Brothers’ off spinner Cameron Tomerini (3-47), quick Mitch Wadsworth (3-66), the fearless Law (1-19), wily Dunn (1-34) and Floris Duvenhage (1-32) grabbed key wickets in a tense finish.
PIONEER VALLEY continued the Magpies’ woes by recording a thirty run triumph at the Magpies Sports Ground.
The Valley posted 8-149 off their 40 overs with top knocks by Cody Filewood (52) and Lochi Whitehead (48) and an unbeaten 14 from Jade Filewood.
Missing five key players, the Magpies applied plenty of pressure with the ball with 16-year-old rookie quick Myles Cochrane stamping his mark.
In only his second top grade appearance, the Whitsunday Anglican schoolboy snared 3-25 in a lively seven over spell with support from spin twins Isaac Borg (2-23) and Liam Zurvas (2-28).
Turning point was the crucial second wicket partnership of 99 by Valley batsmen Cody Filewood and Whitehead.
Magpies’ premiership-winning skipper Ben Zurvas bounced back to form with a classy 47 and kept his side on track with a vital seventh wicket stand of 44 with Isaac Borg (25) after the home side were reeling at 6-67.
Valley pace ace Bailey Camilleri grabbed 4-18 off eight overs to give the visitors the edge with support from Cody Filewood (2-13), skipper Tim Cridland (2-15) and Harry Kirkwood (2-33).
A SUPERB half century from legendary Walkerston keeper-batsman Sam Vassallo piloted his team to a stunning victory over Souths at Great Barrier Reef Arena.
The Mackay-Whitsunday Open mens representative skipper smashed 72 off 59 balls as Walkerston (5-184) eclipsed Souths (4-183) in a hard-fought tussle.
Vassallo hit seven boundaries and a six during his epic knock and shared a vital second wicket partnership of 84 with St Patrick’s College schoolboy ace Etienne Pretorius (35 runs off 51 balls).
Jakob Frerichs chipped in with an important 23 runs for the Walkerston warriors.
Souths registered a competitive 4-183 with top contributions from Liam Burgess (64), Shaun Austin (35), Muhammed Wahab (33) and Kellen Powell (26 not out).
Burgess clouted nine boundaries and a six in a classic display and shared an opening stand of 72 with Wahab to ignite the Souths innings.
Left arm spinner Pretorius (2-28) and off spinner Jacob Christensen (2-42) spearheaded the Walkerston bowling attack.
