Inverell grade cricket finished up on a high at the weekend with some thrilling cricket played.
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In A Grade, Campbell & Freebairn were able to overcome long-time rivals Staggy Creek in a high quality match at Varley Oval. C & F Rebels won the toss and elected to bat. The first over passed without much incident but ball one of the second over saw that change. Brendon Reynolds was put down off the first delivery but continued to drive hard at the ball. He would be the first to fall and within a short time he was joined in the pavilion by Campbell and Cole with the side 3/33.
This left youngster Nick Page at the crease with Jarrod Uebergang. They would put on 30 but both Uebergang and Gardner fell quickly to see Rebels 5/76 and Staggy Creek on top. Page was joined by Jake House and they set about resurrecting the score. Page was put down at slip but remained undeterred as he and House pushed the total passed 100. They saw off a great spell by Mick Kenny of 8 overs 1/14 and then batted intelligently to take the score past 150. House was out with the score at 155 for a well compiled 31. Nick Page carried his bat for 62 to be the backbone of C&F's innings as they finished at 7/159. It was the match defining innings.
Going to the break Staggy needed 160 runs at four runs an over to bring home the trophy. The break saw a storm come past which called for the wicket to be covered. The delay was about 25 minutes and reduced their overs to 35 and the target to 140. Staggy started well but a further shower halted play again. After a short break and the wicket being covered the game recommenced. The wicket had a bit of extra zip from the moisture and Brendon Reynolds exploited this to take 3/15 form his spell. Matt Sparke was the key as he built his innings but he fell just as he was accelerating for a well-made 30 runs. At 5/46 Staggy were in some trouble as Mick Kenny and Troy Brabant put on a good partnership of 41 but Brabant was trapped in front for 12. Kyle Chilcott joined Kenny and were chipping away at the total . Charlie Gardner came back in to the attack but had to be removed after a third over the waist ball. Nathan Marsh came on to finish the over and in doing so knocked over Kenny. This was a major blow as Kyle Chilcott pushed closer to the target. Marsh took 2 further wickets as Staggy Creek fell short of the target to be all out for 110. Campbell and Freebairn has claimed victory in a great Match.
In B Grade Square & Compass were able to overcome a gutsy Warriors team in another close tussle. S & C won the toss and batted. They made a great start as Alex Smith(27) and Liam Spalding (25)put on 55 for the first wicket. At this point Warriors came roaring back into the game as they captured 5 quick wickets to have S & C 5/81. Ray Connors was the destroyer taking 5/32. Compass chipped away and inched their way to 120 all out due to 21 from Tom Mitchell , a very valuable 11 from Jarred White and Tom Bell 6 not out. Rod Blair took 2 wickets with Ryan Walker and Andrew Blair one a piece.
The Compass bowlers were a little wayward early as they gave away a few sundries. Warriors were being anchored by Preston Connors(23) who was seeking partners to stay with him. At 4/86 Warriors seemed in control. But some classy bowling from Tom Mitchell 4/39 and Joseph Smith 3/9 saw Warriors collapse to be all out for 109. Derek Blair made 19, Marshall Blair 13 and Rod Blair 13 as Square & Compass closed out the match.
The C grade was the closest match of all as Tingha triumphed by a single run over Invincibles. Tingha batted first as they were a few players short. They made a very commendable 186 with Justin Smith 37, Lex Livermore 30, Corey Livermore 29, Ingram Williams 21 all helping to post a defendable target.
No individual details were available for the Invincibles team but Dan McLachlan almost got them over the line as they were bowled out for 185 runs. Lex Livermore backed up his batting with 4/22 and Ingram Williams took 2/34. The last wicket was a run out as Invincibles were scrambling runs as they closed in on the target.