CRICKETERS FINALLY GET TO PLAY
Big hitter belts 104 runs, bowls 2-33 and runs out opposition player
AFTER losing more than 15 matches to wet weather in the past three months, we knew Cricket Far North’s first graders would be itching to get out in the middle at the weekend.
But it seemed no one was feeling that itch quite like the big-hitting, lumber-wielding Jake Roach.
In Saturday’s highly anticipated first-versus-second clash at Griffiths Park, the Mulgrave all-rounder blasted the white ball all over the park to notch up his season’s maiden ton and guide the Toads to an important bonus-point win over Norths.
The victory helps Mulgrave extend its lead at the top of the Cricket Far North one-day ladder, with Norths now 10 points in arrears.
With Mulgrave batting first, Roach came to the crease earlier than he would have liked after Toads skipper Justin Reid edged a fiery Brendan Smith delivery straight into the gloves of Norths’ keeper Angus Warnock.
The opening scalp had Mulgrave in a shaky spot at 1-13, but Roach, along with opening batsman and partner-in-crime Marcus McGregor-Cassady, started to wrestle back the momentum.
The pair went on to put on a 100-run partnership, before Marcus McGregor-Cassady was dismissed for 55 runs off 74 deliveries.
Roach continued the slugfest without him, belting his way to 104 runs off as many deliveries, including finding the rope on seven occasions and clearing it on five.
At the completion of their 40 overs, Mulgrave had compiled a handy total of 5-229.
Mulgrave bowler Blake Raper was fierce in his opening spell, dismissing Norths open- ers Daniel Freebody (4) and Mitchell Warnock (3) cheaply.
Raper finished with figures of 3-16 off 7.4 overs.
Not content that he’d done enough with the bat, Roach chimed in with wicket-taking duties as well, taking 2-33 from his six overs.
Norths skipper Chris Stanger (40 off 45) did his best to keep the run rate ticking over, before costly run out.
Still not done, Roach later showed his prowess in the field when he featured in the run out of Conor Punshon.
As the season rolls into its fourth-last round this weekend, there will be plenty at stake on Far North wickets as teams jostle for a finals spot.
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