WESTBURY reaffirmed their position at the top of the Cricket North first grade ladder with a 137-run first-innings victory over South Launceston at NTCA No.2 Ground on Saturday.
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After dismissing the Knights for 105 last week, the Shamrocks led by 10 runs heading into the second day’s play at 2-115.
Wicket-keeper Daniel Murfet was the first to fall for 24 after a 46-run partnership with Shaun Leatherbarrow (46), who both departed in consecutive overs to have Westbury 4-145.
Dane Anderson hit 26 before Jack Young claimed his scalp and from there regular wickets fell with small contributions from the lower order to take them to 9-242 off 90 overs when Westbury captain Michael Lukic pulled the pin with a 137-run advantage.
Knights skipper Alec Smith ended up with 3-40 off 17 overs and Jack Young collected 2-52.
Sean Harris and James Lee got South off to a handy start in their second dig with a 37-run opening stand.
However, Harris was caught behind for 31 before Smith (10) and Lee (12) followed suit not long after.
Charlie Eastoe (38) and Luke Johnson combined for a 90-run partnership to give their side a 20-run lead at the close of play.
South Launceston finished 6-157 as Lukic (3-18) and Joey Cullen (2-34) performer strongly.
“It was a really solid day for us but it could have went either way,” Lukic said.
“We lost a few wickets towards the end but we really worked hard to get in front a push hard for a result but couldn’t quite get it done.
“Credit to them they did make it difficult for us but it was pleasing to be able to scrap out 242 as it was a tricky deck.
“We had those contributors with the bat but unfortunately we didn’t have anyone to go on and make a big score.
“You can’t win them all but it was a really good bounceback for us after Launnie.”
MOWBRAY defeated Launceston on first innings by 134 runs at NTCA No.1 Ground.
The Eagles resumed the second outing at 3-100 – 28 runs in arrears on first innings – and quickly went about building a lead for a shot at an outright victory.
Captain John LeFevre (29) added five more runs to his personal total before being caught behind off Tom Bennett’s bowling.
Clinton Reid (58) doubled his score from day one, while Luke Scott (15 not out) and Rhys Watson (18) helped the visitors to 8-178 when LeFevre declared at the end of the 62nd over – 50 runs ahead.
Lions captain Rowan Smith finished with 3-43, Bennett collected 2-29 off 13 overs and Luke Badham took 1-16.
Mowbray paceman Jerome Illingworth removed Launceston opener Aram Cox (4) cheaply to get the ball rolling before Justin Reeves had Launceston 2-30 when he had Bennett caught for 12 in the 12th over of their second innings.
Alistair Taylor was then joined at the crease by Zac Oldenhof to pair up for an aggressive 113-run partnership to help guide the Lions to 5-184 of 45 overs at the end of the match
Taylor finished with 70 off 90 balls and Oldenhof bashed 63 off 64, while Maison Carstensen was not out on 13.
Watson (2-33), Jerome Illingworth (2-30) and Jarrod Freeman (1-11) were Mowbray’s wicket takers.
“It’s a pleasing win,” LeFevre said.
“It was pretty hard going to start with as they were bowling in good areas with a couple of wet patches on the wicket.
“We had to adjust our game a bit and play good shots to score.”
TOP PERFORMERS | DAY 2
- Alistair Taylor (LTON) 70
- Zac Oldenhof (LTON) 63
- Clinton Reid (MOW) 58
- Luke Johnson (SOUTH) 46
- Shaun Leatherbarrow (WEST) 46
- Michael Lukic (WEST) 3-18
- Alec Smith (SOUTH) 3-40
FULL SCOREBOARDS: Pages 54-55