Norths stutter then make short work of Barron chase
NORTHS underlined why they are the Cricket Far North first grade premiership favourites with a commanding eightwicket win against Barron.
The Bulldogs set a competitive total of 150, as Norths’ eight-strong bowling attack overcame Barron’s strong start to restrict the total.
Barron welcomed back representative batsman and player of the year Andrew Phelps, who topscored with 45.
The early loss of two wickets had Norths on the rack but, as they have done so well this campaign, they protected their wickets and built the chase.
They did not lose another wicket, with Angus Warnock (63 not out) and Dan Freebody (53 not out) steering the league leaders to the target after only 28 overs.
Michael Raso has made an impressive season debut for Atherton, topscoring for the Tablelanders in their 91-run win against Rovers.
Raso scored a near run-aball 89, which featured eight boundaries and two sixes, as Atherton reached 6-200 from its 40 overs.
Brenton Edwards (2-28 from eight overs) and Harry Halpin (2-21 from eight overs) did well with the ball.
Rovers never really got started with the bat, as Atherton took regular wickets to stifle any hope of a successful run chase.
Ben Vikionkorpi led the way with the ball, taking 4-20 from his eight overs.
Meanwhile, Mulgrave marched to a monstrous ninewicket win after destroying Cassowary Coast with the ball.
Blake Raper (3-6 from 5.4 overs), Daniel Kendrick (3-5 from 5 overs) and Maxwell Davies-Griffith (3-9 from 5 overs) reduced the Cyclones to a soft breeze as they smothered any scoring opportunity and earned the breakthroughs.
Cassowary Coast held out for 34.4 overs on its way to 65 – a rate of less than 1.9 runs per over – with Andrew McFadden (12) the only batter to reach double figures.
Mulgrave reached the total in just 8.1 overs.