By Barry Charles
Central 40 – (Picton 22, Sheppard 4/5, De Vries 2/8) Defeated by North 2/41 – (Bell 27 not out)
On a scorching hot Saturday at Alma Oval, much to his surprise North Skipper Dylan ‘Feathers’ Millsteed won the toss and with the shock of having to make a decision, took his time before deciding to bowl.
The match was reduced to a T20 due to the extreme heat.
With Jaxon Cain and Kieran McEvoy difficult to score off in the early overs, Ethan Kelly decided to take on the strong arm of Dunstal ‘Ranger’ Hibberd.
Hibberd bashed down the stumps with a direct hit at the keeper’s end to see Kelly off. Central 1/1.
Dwayne ‘Wish’ De Vries replaced Cain at the northern end and was into the action quickly, bowling Central captain RV Kumar for eight.
When McEvoy knocked over Dylan Foggo in the next over for zero, Central were in early strife at 3/14.
After a couple of tidy overs, De Vries made way for Joel Sheppard to come into the attack. Sheppard bowled both Callum Lawrence (0) and Nate Stenhouse (0) in his first over to have Central sinking further into the quicksand at 5/20.
Jake Picton, batting in support of Connor Turley, added some resistance and some respectability to Central’s total as they made it to 5/39 after 14 overs.
Sheppard continued after drinks, getting through the defences of Turley for four and Josh Fishlock for nought in the first two balls after the break.
North greeted Cohen Tonkin on the hat trick ball with a field reminiscent of the last over of a test match on day five, the hat trick ball just missing the leg stump. Sheppard, after struggling for wickets in previous weeks, ended with 4/5 off his four overs.
The carnage didn’t end there, with De Vries knocking over Picton for a well-made 22. De Vries finishing with tidy figures of 2/8 from his four overs.
Jaxon Cain shortly after knocked over Tonkin for nought. Cain bowled well again, with figures of 1/3 off three overs.
When Lachie Bell, on his return from injury, got through the defences of Kye Turley for nought, Central had lost 5/1 and were all out for 40 off 18 overs. Bell finishing with 1/1 off his single over.
McEvoy was the other wicket taker with 1/9 off four overs. Another comprehensive bowling display by an in-form North bowling unit.
With only 41 to knock off, Hibberd and Feathers Millsteed strode out to the middle to get the job done.
As has been the case in this season so far, even through its winning streak North lost early wickets again. Hibberd, looking to settle in, was trapped LBW by Dylan Foggo for just two. When Millsteed was clean bowled by Connor Turley for a single, North was off to a shaky start at 2/12.
With a bonus point up for grabs, Lachie Bell with the support of Jack Roach, got to work with some lovely stroke play and aggressive running between the wickets.
Bell looked very comfortable in his return finishing, with a well-made 27 not out, while Roach played second fiddle with four not out.
North got the job done with 10 overs to spare, securing a bonus point in an emphatic victory.
At two wins and three losses, North’s season was in the balance, but the team has grown in confidence as the five-game winning streak has progressed.
With West having the bye, North have shot into first place with a well-deserved bye coming up this weekend.
North then meet West in the biggest regular round B-Grade fixture this season in what could well decide the minor premiership at Norm Fox Oval on February 11.
