By Casey O'Connor
Souths have recovered from a first round loss for a comprehensive victory at Sheehan Oval over Valley’s in round two of the Stanthorpe and District 2023/24 cricket season at the weekend.
Both Souths and Valleys were hoping to bounce back after suffering first round losses.
Valleys won the toss and elected to bat. Valleys lost their first wicket when Craig Cook fell to a Liam Lanza delivery which Savannah Bamberry caught.
Some tight bowling from the Souths attack saw a procession of batters heading to the clubhouse as Valleys struggled to put together any form of partnership,
It was again left to tailenders Anthony Coup and Sandro Stefanon to some much needed runs on the board.
Stefanon top scored with 21 while Coup was out for 11.
Valleys bundled out for 93. Byes and a no ball contributing 18 to the overall total.
The best of the South’s bowlers were Fletcher Fox and Will Sheather who each took three wickets.
Liam Lanza was very economical with the ball and when it came to bat the all-rounder top scored for Souths. His 31 runs
coming off 31 deliveries.
Openers Sachepal Singh and Dave Burgess put on a 27 run partnership before Singh was out for 17 bowled by Damien Anderson. Burgess went
on to score 28 before Levi Fittock dismissed him.
Souths reached the required total in the 17th over for the loss of three wickets.
On the CF White Oval RSL were sent in after Wanderers won the toss.
RSL got off away to a blistering start with Tom Garland scoring a 51 from 28 balls
before he was bowled by Naveen Koppula.
Luke and Rohan Brady were both dismissed cheaply, father and son both out for 17.
Noah Mackenzie chipped in with a well timed 42. RSL suffered a middle order
wobbland lost some quick wickets. Nate mackenzie added a much needed 19 runs
as RSL posted a handy total of 185 although they were dismissed with still 10 overs
remaining.
Andrew Einam bowled well taking 2/28 from his eight overs while Barry Bulow
chimed in with 2/36 from five. Jamie Carnell also took two wickets .
Noah Mackenzie had Wanderes opener out for a duck in the first over with the score
1/1.
Jamie Carnell is always solid with the bat and grafted a half century before he
became another victim for Noah Mackenzie, this time caught by Rohan Brady.
The Wanderers middle order all got starts and contributed valuable runs to the tricky run chase.
RSL were able to break partnerships when it mattered taking wickets at regular
intervals.
However it looked like Andrew Einam and Wanderers might be able to take the game away from RSL before the loss of Einam’s wicket for 25. He was dismissed with the score at 157 and it was all downhill from there.
Wanderers out for 159 in the 36th over.
Ethan Mackenzie took three wickets and
Rohan Brady two. Chris Haynes gloved two catches behind the stumps.
This week there is no senior cricket fixtures. All teams have a bye due to the clash with the Stanthorpe Cup.
There will however be Junior fixtures on Saturday morning.
