Central Queensland claimed bragging rights in their recent North Queensland Men’s Open Zone Cricket championship duels with Mackay-Whitsunday in Rockhampton.
Joe McGahan’s Central outfit were triumphant in both the limited overs and Twenty20 fixtures staged at Rockhampton Cricket Ground with spinner Logan Whitfield stamping his mark.
On a dicey wicket the Central Queensland X1 recorded a narrow 12-run victory in the one-day clash with the wily Whitfield proving the hero.
The spinner snared 5-16 in a magic seven over spell to skittle Mackay-Whitsunday for 107 and draw first blood in the challenge series.
Earlier skipper McGahan top scored with 48 and Todd Harmsworth hit 22 as Central posted a modest total of 119 with Mason Kohler (3-4), Isaac Borg (3-22) and Mitch Wadsworth (2-21) sharing the bowling spoils.
In the Twenty20 challenge Mackay-Whitsunday were routed for only 34, recovering from 5-6 with Lane Kohler clouting 17 runs and Central’s Callum McMahon (4-15 off four overs), Waqar Yunus (3-9), Whitfield (2-2) and McGahan (1-3) the chief destroyers.
Central (2-37) quickly reached their target with Harmsworth scoring 20 runs.
In Mackay Cricket Association’s Poole Cup first grade competition, Norths toppled an understrength Magpies by 54 runs in their limited overs clash at the Magpies Sports Ground.
The Devils won the toss and batted – registering 9-211 from their 40 overs with star batsman Darryn Dyer smashing 51 off 66 balls including two sixes and four boundaries with handy contributions from Lane Kohler (37) and Kai Higham (33).
Pick of the Magpies bowlers were seamer Tim Heard (3-28 off eight) and 17-year-old leg spinner Liam Zurvas (3-41).
Cruising at 3-136, the Magpies slumped to be all out for 157 despite valuable knocks from Wes Dyer (47 runs off 58 balls), Rhys McBride (39 off 33) and Jaxn Sign (34 off 31) to keep their side in the hunt.
Sharp bowling from left arm pace warrior Kerrod Tortora (4-45 off seven), quick Jason Butterworth (2-16) and off spinner Lachlan Brett (2-43) proved the difference as the Devils sealed victory in the 35th over.
Central Queensland spinner Logan Whitfield
