Riverside batsman Nick Garwood is cleaned bowled in his innings yesterday against Launceston.
SOUTH Launceston claimed the points and the Ian Young Memorial Trophy after defeating Mowbray by nine runs on the first innings in a tight contest at Invermay Park yesterday.
Chasing Mowbray's total of 160, the Knights resumed at 1-33 in their run chase, and worked themselves steadily into a strong position at 3-103.
They lost four quick wickets after the lunch break to be in trouble at 7-118, but showed grit and determination to get home by a handful of runs in a hard-fought contest.
Talented teenage batsman Alec Smith batted sensibly, scoring 18 off 51 balls batting at No. 7 in a pressure situation and put on an important 37-run partnership with Jeremy Jackson who scored 23, to help get their side across the line. South was eventually dismissed for 169.
Opener Chris Hay continued his good form, top-scoring with 45, Mark Nutting made 34 and Cody Weedon 20. Justin Reeves picked up 3-27 and Ric Considine 3-31 to be the best of the Mowbray bowlers.
The Eagles were 3-64 in their second innings at stumps.
``It was as we expected and the Mowbray boys came out to play against us and took it right to the wire,'' South Launceston coach Ben Austen said.
``We knew it was going to be a tough day and effectively we got away with a win but there was nothing in it. You can't simulate that kind of pressure in the net and it's good for the boys to experience that in a batting situation in a home and away game.
``We're happy to come away with the points in our first game of two-day cricket and want to continue that form.''
LAUNCESTON had a comfortable 109-run victory over a disappointing Riverside in their game at the NTCA No. 1 Ground.
The Lions resumed on 9-195 and added nine runs to their overnight total, being dismissed for 204.
The Blues started their run chase and were 2-41 at one stage before they suffered a dramatic middle-order collapse that saw them lose 6-20.
They slumped to 7-61, and were eventually dismissed for 95, off 58.1 overs, with 22 extras in the total.
Alex Saunders was the best in a sorry batting scorecard, top-scoring with 25 and Tom Hay made 15. Ross Tulich picked up figures of 3-22 and James Bowen 3-21. Tom Gray grabbed 2-7.
The Blues were put back in and finished at 2-53 in their second innings at stumps with the Lions claiming the points.
``We're happy to get a win after a tough year and we set ourselves to play well,'' Launceston coach Paul Bunton said.
``There's a lot to salvage for us for the remainder of the season particularly after last week and we thought chasing 200 on that wicket would be tricky.
``We lost Rowan Smith and Matthew Wood and were two seamers down but we set ourselves to bowl and field well and we did that and got just rewards.''
Bunton praised the efforts of Bowen, spinner Gray, and particularly Tulich who picked up some important wickets during the middle of the Riverside innings.
WESTBURY defeated George Town outright by an innings and 23 runs in their match at Shaws Oval. The Shamrocks resumed at 5-231 and were dismissed for 280, with Gabe Bell bowling well and picking up 2-9.
The Saints faced a 157-run deficit and were knocked over in their second innings for 134, with Rohan Pooley top-scoring at the top of the order with 33, Zac Barber batting well for 34 and Adam Davie making 38 with some big hitting.
Nick Spencer continued his good bowling form taking 4-46 and Richard Howe grabbed 3-12.
``It was a good performance but there is still room for improvement,'' Westbury coach Adrian Tudor said.
``We continue to do the simple things really well as a unit and we're getting some good results - but I thought George Town weren't too bad today and they played pretty well and stuck at it.''