Joeys survive early crash
ST JOSEPH’S battled to the cusp of victory against Newtown & Chilwell, but not before having to negotiate a torrid session at the crease where it was reduced to 4-22 in pursuit of 102.
“There was some really good bowling from Nick McGuane (4-49), he was shaping the ball, he got wickets with some really nice balls at good pace,” Joeys coach Andrew Hodgson said at the close of the first day’s play.
“When you bowl a side out for 102 and then get reduced to 4-22, you do get very nervous.”
Despite McGuane’s heat inducing the staggers for St Joseph’s, Leigh Kentish (20 not out) and Mitch McMullan (36 not out) steadied the innings over the final 79 minutes in an unbroken 59-run stand.
“‘Kento’, defensively, and Mitch, on the attack, was really proactive without playing any silly shots,” Hodgson said of the union that pushed Joeys to a stumps tally of 4-81.
“It is pretty frustrating when your bowlers get you into that position and then you drop 4-22.”
Earlier, Will Simson was the shining light for Newtown & Chilwell, carrying his bat to the eighth-wicket in a teamhigh, 143-minute 41.
Harry Christie was next best with 27, while the Joeys shared the wickets among Matt Tarbett (3-23), Tony Caccaviello (3-23), Justin Foss (2-21) and Jack O’Donoghue (2-9).
“I think our bowlers were super,” Hodgson said.
“‘Bushy’ (Tarbett) having a year off, we knew he wasn’t going to get wickets every week, but he’s building into the bowler that he was before he got injured.
“And the bouncier the wickets, the better Tony is, we’re really excited about what he might be able to do for us in the next two months.
“While Andrew Tozer (1-15) has been able to come in and build pressure for us, along with taking wickets.”