A GRADE: JURD & VELLA SEAL COMPREHENSIVE VICTORY OVER HAPLESS ROOS
North 3/235 (Jurd 106, Wilson 42*, Hack 39) def South 48 (Vella 6/2, Wilson 2/2, Cain 2/29) by 187 runs
It would be the dazzling lights of the Alma Oval which would play host for the final game of 2023 as North claimed a resounding victory over the South Broken Hill Cricket Club in emphatic fashion.
Captain Hack lost the toss and was surprisingly asked to bat by South which proved to be a very regrettable decision by the Roos.
The familiar combination of ABC Broken Hill’s finest weekend sport presenters would open the North account, as Captain Hack was joined by his ever-reliable cohost Riley Bomford at the crease.
Bomford’s stay would however be short lived as he missed a full and slow delivery to have his stumps castled by Matt Gray. Ultimately departing for a paltry duck, leaving North reeling at 1-2 at the conclusion of the first over.
However, much to delight of the building crowd, this brought the man of the hour Benjamin Jurd to the crease. Jurd, who has been in impeccable form of late, wasted absolutely no time in stamping his authority on the match.
Hack and Jurd combined in a sublime stand, striking an array of incredible shots to various parts of the Alma Oval.
The pair began to resemble the profound duo of Bradman and Ponsford, as each donned a baggy cap after the drinks break and continued their viscous assault against the weakening South bowling attack.
Hack however would eventually fall victim to a nice piece of bowling from Tristen Smith to be bowled for a well-made 39.
This brought the young gun Austin Wilson to the crease who played an immaculate supporting role to the in-form Jurd in what has been described as an innings of insurmountable maturity and discipline.
It would be later in the innings that a momentous moment took place. Jurd may as well have been a Pearl Jam album, as he reigned supreme throughout 90s, navigating this part of the innings with ease. It was with profound skill and aplomb he elegantly struck his way to a well-made century, soundtracked tastefully to the raucous applause of the now overwhelming crowd which had descended upon the oval to watch this master of the game in action.
Jurd would eventually be dismissed for a salubrious 106, an innings of tremendous talent which is sure to send a strong message to all clubs in the league.
This brought the seasoned campaigner coach Codie Howard to the crease, who battled some early nerves to deliver a sublime late flourish.
Wilson and Howard (in a stark juxtaposition between young and old) combined wonderfully to complete the North innings at 3-235, with Wilson finish 41* and Howard 25*.
Set a gargantuan total of 236 for victory, the opening bowlers of Maalste and Cain had their work cut out for them, as South openers Nicholas and Smith struck several lusty blows early in the piece.
This resistance would however be short lived, as Cain would eventually dismiss the dangerous Nicholas LBW, to see south 1-43.
This opened the flood gates for an all-time collapse from the Roos, ultimately losing 9-6, with Cain picking up another wicket, with a very sharp leg side stumping from Tobias Hack.
Young gun Austin Wilson would also get in on the action, taking two wickets in an over to further dampen the woes of the now embattled South innings.
With the middle-to-lower order now exposed, the stage was set for the returning veteran Jordan Vella to mop up the tail, with usual programming now resumed.
With a bowling display of what critics are dubbing “effervescent”, Vella, with much exuberance and jubilation ran rampant through the remaining batters. Each delivery was dangerous, with some even managing to turn ever so slightly, as Vella secured the victory for the Blue and White, to finish with incredible figures of 6-2. Vella absolutely delighted with his efforts, certainly reminded his teammates that he truly is the number one spinner for his club.
Sealing a monstrous 187-run victory, this was the perfect way for North to round out 2023. We will return on 13 January, with an all-star clash against West set to re-open the season for 2024.
We wish everyone a happy and safe Christmas and look forward to your company in 2024!
B GRADE: THREE IN A ROW AS DOGS DOWN SOUTH IN ALMA THRILLER
North 95 (Millsteed 16*, Langford 3/15, Azam 2/8, Sebastian 2/18) def South 83 (Gray 33, Sheppard 3/17, McEvoy 3/18, J Maalste 2/6)
On a beautiful sunny day at the Alma Oval, it would be a B Grade clash between North and South in the first of a men’s double header.
On a low and slow Alma Oval wicket, captain Kieran McEvoy had no hesitation in winning the toss and batting first.
With a lot of the B Grade boys having not batted a lot on turf pitches regularly, it was a bit of an adjustment for footwork and judging length. Dwayne De Vries and Scott Rogers were the first cabs off the rank.
Both De Vries and Rogers showed plenty of intent, rotating the strike and finding the odd boundary while respecting the good deliveries. Just as things appeared to be ticking along well, Rogers on 10 attempted a trademark cut shot, but in doing so edged to slip off the bowling of Tom Langford. A sharp chance taken by Matt Gray, North 1-20.
Tom Aylett was next to join De Vries. Aylett’s stay was unfortunately short lived bowled for zero, going back to a Langford delivery that stayed a bit low. North 2/25. De Vries on 13 followed shortly after bowled by Binu Sebastian. North in early Trouble at 3/28.
The two new batters Tom Davey and Dunstal Hibberd did their best to rebuild the innings, predominantly defending as they attempted to build a platform for a partnership to springboard from.
Just as the bleeding had stopped, Davey on seven received a well flighted delivery from impressive youngster Kai Lloyd and was trapped plumb LBW. North’s struggle continued now 4/39.
Hibberd was starting to look solid and was joined by a reliable partner in crime in Lachie Bell. The pair guiding North to 4/50 at the halfway mark. At this point, based on the situation and the conditions, it was a fair reassessment that 100 would be a competitive score in this match and working towards that score as a minimum would be the goal.
Not long after the break, Jawad Azam got one right through Bell on four, North’s demise continued at 5/51. Hibberd was joined by Jason “The Good” Maalste.
Maalste started well, crashing an impressive boundary through cover. Finally, some positive signs. Again though, just as North appeared to gain any momentum it was short lived. Hibberd who had worked so hard for his 11 tried to up the ante and was cleaned bowled by Azam. When McEvoy was bowled by Gray for a duck, North were in massive trouble at 7/61.
Never fear though, Dylan Millsteed came to the crease and batted with the kind of intent that was a trademark off his success in the 2018/19 premiership season. Maalste might have struggled to catch his breath at times, but Millsteed was electric between the wickets as he turned several twos into threes.
The pair swung some momentum back into North’s favour as they started to put pressure back on the bowlers. Maalste was eventually dismissed for 12, LBW off the bowling of Sebastian. North now 8/88, the situation looking much better than it had been about half an hour earlier.
Joel Sheppard next joined Millsteed. After falling over his own feet when he got off the mark it wasn’t looking like his day. He was soon run out for two in an attempt for quick runs. North now 9/93.
William Peacock in his first innings for the club was next to join Millsteed. Unfortunately, his innings were short lived, bowled by Langford for zero.
North was bowled out for 95, certainly something to bowl at on a slow track with a strong bowling attack. This was largely due to Millsteeds 16 not out. He gave North a huge chance in this game.
It would be Tom Davey and Kieran McEvoy taking the new rock. McEvoy had been in rare form with the ball and got straight into his work clean bowling Jimbob Carlaw for three. When he got one through Binu Sebastian for a duck, North had their tails up with South at 2/4.
Matt Gray was next to join Justin Wonson at four. North knew Gray was the key wicket being a regular A grader and one who was comfortable with batting on the Alma Oval surface.
Wonson and Gray put the foot down and while Davey did his best to stop the onslaught, he couldn’t quiet find his usual length. With boundaries starting to come at ease, it was McEvoy who would strike again, knocking over the dangerous Wonson for eight. North back in the hunt, South 3/32.
Gray was next joined by J Langdon. Gray was looking ominous, and he was starting to stamp his authority on the match as he counter attacked against the North medium pace attack. They do say that it’s best to fight fire for with fire and with the game at the crossroads, McEvoy decided to change the pace up, introducing the leg spin of Joel Sheppard into the attack.
The move brought near immediate success. Gray on 33 off just 30 at the time with South cruising at 3/53 in the 10th over, Gray attempted to whack a well flight delivery into the Zinc Lakes, but missed and was cleaned bowled. North pumped up, South now 4/53.
Sheppard was looking for a partner in crime to be a foil at the other end and that turned out to be the Good Maalste, Jason. Maalste started to strangle the South middle order and bowled Langdon for two with an absolute jaffa! South now 5/53, the match in the balance.
As Sheppard and Maalste sustained the pressure, backed up by excellent fielding, Maalste would strike again knocking over the handy Tom Langford for three. South 6/58.
Ashley Christos, a very handy and experienced A Grade campaigner joined a gritty Jawad Azam at the crease just before drinks. Sheppard was looking to pluck one out for a beverage and when he struck Christos on the pads on zero, the umpire had no hesitation in raising the finger. South now 7/58 at drinks, the momentum all with North as South had lost 4/5 from the Gray dismissal onwards.
After the break Sheppard and Maalste continued the pressure but were flawed by Azam and the gutsy youngster Kai Lloyd. The pair doing their utmost to get South back on track. After defending well against Sheppard, Sheppard got through the defences of Lloyd on two, South 8-69.
It was clear now that Azam, a regular A-Grader himself, was the key to getting South home and he was next joined by the reliable Michael Webeck.
With Sheppard soon to be bowled out and Maalste nearly done as well, McEvoy brought himself on and swung Maalste around to the clubroom end. McEvoy unlucky not to get a fourth wicket. With six overs left and Maalste having just one over up his sleeve, McEvoy turned to the golden arm Scott Rogers.
Azam and Webeck continued to blunt the attack and keep the scoreboard ticking. Something had to give and eventually Rogers got through the brick wall defence of Azam for 15 off 50 balls, a gritty mix of defence and some attack towards the end. A huge wicket for Rogers, South 9/81, the match still up for grabs.
Buddy Clark joined Webeck at the crease and started well sweeping Rogers out towards the fine leg boundary.
With Maalste finished, De Vries came back into the attack. De Vries was on the money straight away, full and straight as he knocked over Webeck for four to seal the 12-run win! South bowled out for 83.
Sheppard 3/17, McEvoy 3/18 and J Maalste 2/6 bowling six overs each were instrumental in getting North home with figures of 8/41 off 18 overs collectively. De Vries 1/14 and Rogers 1/3 were the other wicket takers and hugely important.
A win that could be considered season defining, with South naming several regular A-Graders who had far more experience playing in these conditions than that of the North side.
With three wins in a row and some help from West, North now leap frog Central into second on the ladder. North has a well-deserved Christmas break before meeting the Warriors at Zinc Oval on Saturday, January 13 which shapes as the match of the season so far.
Merry Christmas to all and many thanks to our supporters for getting amongst us, you certainly helped us get over the line yesterday and it doesn’t go unnoticed!
WOMEN’S: NINE WICKET WIN OVER SOUTH ENDS FIRST HALF OF THE SEASON
North 1/79 (S.Balman 41*, B.Gibson 17, L.Sloane 1/27) def South 3/77 (L.Sloane 26*, S.Milne 2/10, B.Tangey 1/15)
Round 8 saw the Bulldogs taking on the Roos at the Jubilee Oval, on a perfect night for cricket.
President Bomford had the BBQ going and drinks on ice for sponsors night. Proud sponsor Jacci Webb from Jacci’s Family Daycare came to cheer our ladies on.
The night started with Captain Milne losing the toss and getting told to have a bowl first. South had a couple of players missing but still were ready for another fight. Sloane and a fill-in (sorry no name) opened the batting, Milne struck in her first over bowling fill-in for a duck.
Webeck joined Sloane at the crease and a good little partnership began, happy just plodding along to keep North in the field for as long as possible. The partnership ended at 37 with Webeck chipping a catch straight into Balman’s hands off Tangey’s bowling, and South were 2/40.
Bugmy helped up the run rate with some good hitting and a couple of boundaries. Milne took out the stumps of Bugmy in the last over.
Sloane carried the bat for a well-made 26* and after 20 overs, South were 3/77. Good bowling from the North ladies and supported by the fielders, having our least extras for the season.
The smell of the BBQ was enticing, the girls wanted the game over and done. Balman and Gibson opened the batting, an over to get the eye in was enough for Gibson hitting a couple of fours off the second over.
Balman started middling a few, the openers were going at a good rate until Gibson was caught and bowled by Sloane. One wicket down and North were 1/44 after five overs.
Robinson was next, straight away into the runs, Balman finished off the game in style watching the ball all the way over the boundary. North chased down the total in the eighth over, with Robinson eight not out and Balman 41*.
The first half of the season done, and we sit comfortably on top of the ladder without a loss.
Thanks for the food and drinks after the game Mr President and thanks to everyone who came to watch.
First game back on February 4 against West. Everyone have a safe Christmas and Happy New Year.
