First grade: United v Wingham first day
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CHATHAM Park played host to the two day cricket match between United and Wingham.
It was first versus third with United looking to secure first place, while Wingham were vying for a place in the top two.
Wingham's captain Adam Carney won the toss and elected to bat on a pretty good looking wicket.
Returning from injury Brad Staff opened the batting with Jonathon Craig-Dobson and the pair started to dig in for the grind.
In the 10th over Jackson Witt got a ball to keep low, sneaking between Staff's bat and pad, bowling him for eight. Jake Mullen came and went for two, being trapped in front by Witt LBW.
This was the same for Daine Williams who Witt also removed without troubling the scorer being caught by Laurie Weeks.
Captain Carney joined Craig-Dobson at the crease with score at 3/38 and looked to steer Wingham out of danger.
After a brief hit back Carney (12) too was sent packing to the pavilion, top edging a delivery by Ricky Campbell which was caught by Witt.
Michael Stinson was the new man in with Wingham struggling at 4/68.
The pair of Craig-Dobson and Stinson helped resurrect Wingham's innings, grinding the score past 100 and bringing up their 50 run partnership.
Craig-Dobson rode his luck bringing up his 50 and pushing on to be 86 not out by the tea and Stinson 40 not out after the tea break Craig-Dobson pressed quickly for runs to bring up his century, however it wasn't to be, being bowled between bat and pad by Tom Burly for 95 which consisted of 11 fours and a six.
This also brought the end to Craig-Dobson and Stinson's 100 run partnership which had taken Wingham to 5/171. Stinson seemed fired up and began dominating the United bowlers racing past his 50 and into the 80s.
This seemed to be a stumbling block for Stinson as he chipped a delivery off Campbell into the welcoming hands of Burly. Stinson departed after a brilliant 82 which also sounded a mini collapse for Wingham as they lost 4/15 as they reached the end of the days play at 9/245.
For Wingham Ryan Morris remains 11 not out and is partnered by Rhyce Kleindeinst who is yet to score.
The best bowling for United was: Witt 3/33 off 13, Campbell 3/38 off 16, Carr 2/48 off 18.
Wingham will be looking for quick runs at the start of play next week before they attempt to bowl out the premiership leaders.
Second grade: Wingham vs Old Bar first day
THE Wingham second grade cricket team are in a good position at the end of the first day's play against Old Bar in its two day match.
Coming off only their second defeat of the season against Taree West the previous week, Wingham lost the toss and were asked to field at Cedar Party Reserve and got off to a great start when Tye Brislane removed Old Bar's first batsmen with his third ball when he cleaned bowled him.
Steve Allwood took the ball at the other end and was soon on the spot and together bowled tightly to have the visitors 1/25 after eight overs.
In a double bowling change Robby Hynes and Scott Blanch were brought on and in the 12th over, Blanch bowled the other opening batsmen and the score was 2/46. At the first drinks break Old Bar had moved the score to 2/68 after 16 overs.
On resumption of play, Mitch Niven and Allwood were bowling in tandem and had slowed the run rate right down until the 22nd over when Allwood took a wicket and the score was 3/76.
Niven bowled without luck, so a change was required and had immediate results when Brislane, in his first over of his second spell, removed the dangerous Phillips for 48 and then again in his third over having the batsmen caught behind. This had the game on a 50/50 position at the tea break with Old Bar 5/152.
After the break Niven and Jye Kleindeinst took up the attack and in his first over with his first ball, removed Duck caught behind for 52, and with the last ball took another wicket caught in the slips.
Old Bar were under a little pressure at 7/176.
In his third and fourth overs also managed wickets with another catch to the keeper and one in the covers. Niven was finally rewarded when he had the Old Bar skipper caught as well. In a great session of play after tea Wingham took 5/43 and Old Bar were all out for 195.
Bowling figures were: Jye Kleindeinst 4/28, Brislane 3/32, Allwood 1/38, Blanch 1/33, Niven 1/38 and Hynes 0/21.
With an hour and 20 minutes to bat ,Wingham's aim was not to lose too many wickets, but the Old Bar bowlers had other ideas and after playing a glorious cover drive, Andrew Cross was bowled with the last delivery of the first over and the score was 1/4.
Jye Kleindeinst joined Dennis Smith at the crease and the pair went about playing positive shots with Kleindeinst playing a couple of lovely pull shots, but in the 10th over he just lost a bit of composure and played at rash shot which resulted in him being bowled for 22.
Wingham were now 2/35.
This brought Mitch Niven to the crease who joined Smith in what could be crucial point in the game with 40 minutes to bat out until stumps.
Like a seasoned pro, Niven played shots to all parts of the ground from the start and together the pair pushed the score along but not without luck as both players were dropped which would have been devastating to Wingham's chances.
Both batsmen made the most of their luck and survived until stumps with Smith on 18 not out and Niven on 23 not out to have Wingham 2/70.
It will be important that these two batsmen can continue their partnership next week for Wingham's chances of first innings points.
Third grade - Wingham v Old Bar
WINGHAM third grade achieved its "best win of the season" according to captain, Leigh Niven after defeating Old Bar one by 18 runs on a parched Central Park.
Man of the match, Faron Saxby was pivotal in the win scoring 80 runs and taking 3/14. Captain's knock of 52 from Leigh Niven and a valuable 28 from Bruce Bird helped Wingham reach a slightly below par total of 9/237. The Wingham bowlers toiled hard with Fletcher Lewis 2/32 the pick of the quick bowlers, before a crucial over from Bruce Bird dismissing Berick for a duck and running out Bloomfield (36) then enabled Saxby and Mark Thompson (2/13) to put pressure on and dismiss the tail.
With Old Bar 2/125 at the halfway mark the Wingham fielding effort was outstanding, including some excellent glove work from keeper Darryl Johnson, ultimately resulting in Old Bar being dismissed for 219.
Wingham remains well placed in its pursuit of the finals in a very tight competition this season.