Norths build win on positive perspective

Bonus-point triumph sees team raise pressure on leaders Mulgrave

SECOND-PLACED Norths are nipping at the heels of the Cricket Far North’s competition leaders Mulgrave, following a seven-wicket, double bonus-point win over Cassowary Coast at the weekend.

Returning Norths skipper Chris Stanger and keeper Angus Warnock were instrumental in chasing down Cassowary Coast’s 112-run total.

The experienced duo steadied the Norths ship after opening bats Mitchell Warnock (7) and Daniel Freebody (4) gave up their wickets cheaply.

“We went out with a pretty positive mindset to try and chase the total down fairly quickly,” Stanger said.

“We lost a couple of early (wickets), but when Gus and myself were at the crease, luckily we got a few loose balls to get ourselves going early in the innings.

“We just kept with the momentum and kept going hard and were able to get the total in just under 15 overs.”

Stanger said Saturday’s wicket was “probably the best Griffith Park 1 pitch we’ve played on all season”.

“It was definitely a bit more batter friendly, but our bowling attack bowled really good areas and we were able to sustain pressure throughout (Cassowary Coast’s) whole innings,” he said.

Cassowary Coast captain Luke McAvoy said despite a “generally disappointing performance”, his team could take a few positives out of Saturday’s match.

“We batted out our overs, which is something we’ve spoken all year about,” he said.

“We didn’t score a huge total in doing so, but Norths bowled very well, so we’re proud of that.”

He said young-gun Sterling McAvoy and Dan Bradford got off to good starts, but were un- fortunate to get out when they did.

“They really showed some grit to get us through to the back-end of our overs,” McAvoy said.

“With Sterling being the youngest guy in the side and batting at number three – it’s not easy.”

He said Norths were one of the competition’s benchmarks were just too good on the day.

“They’re a pretty polished outfit from 1-11, with a lot of big names and a lot of experienced cricketers,” he said.

Norths’ bonus-point win keeps the side in touch with Mulgrave at the top of the Cricket Far North one-day ladder.

“It keeps us three points behind them,” Stanger said.

“We’ve got Barron next, so we’ll look to try and be nice and confident again and get a comfortable win next week as well.”

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