Rain aids Ponds
THE rain worked in Waurn Ponds’ favour as it dismissed the recently demoted Manifold Heights for 116 at a sodden Hirst Reserve on Saturday.
Sent in to bat first, the Sharks were cruising at two wickets down as tea was called 15 minutes early due to rain, but lost five wickets immediately after the break.
The Eagles had to face 17 overs in fading light, including a fearsome spell from Manifold Heights captain-coach Ben Knight.
He took four wickets to keep his side in the game. The Eagles resume next week at 4-28, still 88 runs in arrears.
New Waurn Ponds captaincoach Matt Kennedy had no hesitations in bowling first on what was a ‘‘soft’’ wicket.
‘‘The covers had been on all week and all Saturday morning before the game. They took them off and it was really soft,’’ Kennedy said.
‘‘They lost one wicket early but then struck up a good partnership before we got one just before tea and then five quick ones after it, no doubt the break helped us.’’
Opening bowler Casey Lang led the charge with 3-28 while Kennedy and the promoted Ian Newtown took two wickets apiece.
Wise head Shane Skene showed all of his experience in the dying stages, taking 3-11 and ending the innings in his 12th over.
Newton stepped into the shoes vacated by Troy Oakley, who unexpectedly departed to Tasmania for work commitments this week after one game. Kennedy hoped his opening bowler would return after Christmas.
Skene, unbeaten on 14, will be at the crease with Mehul Naik (3) when play resumes next week on what is expected to be a dryer, flatter wicket.
‘‘We’ve still got a couple of very handy cricketers in the sheds with the two guys at the crease as good as any,’’ Kennedy said.
‘‘We’re confident we can get the job done. We’ve just got to come out next week and get the 80 or so runs, that’s all we can think about.’’