By Casey O'Connor
Defending premiers RSL have shown they will once again be a force to reckon with a 197 run win over Souths in the opening match of the 2023/24 Stanthorpe Cricket season at CF White Oval.
Prior to the start of play a minute’s silence in remembrance of former Stanthorpe cricketer Paul Turpin and Colin ‘Dinger’ Bell a past President of Stanthorpe and District Cricket and a former Umpire who passed away recently.
Stanthorpe and District Cricket Association president Chris Haynes paid tribute to both men for their contribution to Stanthorpe Cricket.
In the rematch of the 2022/23 grand final, RSL (premiers) and Souths went head-to-head on CF White Oval. RSL won the toss and elected to have the first look at the CF White wicket.
RSL dominated an understrength South’s attack posting an impressive total of 284.
Souths had a promising start with the ball dismissing the RSL openers cheaply.
Sam Dowie joined Rohan Brady at the crease in the fourth over after Nick Lawer (16) was clean bowled by Liam Lanza.
What followed was a great display of power hitting. The pair took the score from 2/40 to 3/184 before Dowie skied a ball which was caught by Andrew Burgess.
Dowie’s 63 came from 45 deliveries and included four boundaries and one six.
Three overs later Rohan Brady fell to a ball from Andrew Burgess which was safely held by Mark Lanza in the deep. In an impressive batting display, Brady was out for 84 midway through the 22nd over. Brady hit 10 boundaries and two sixes as he dominated the bowling attack. His 84 coming off 59 deliveries. The score 4/204.
RSL showed depth in their batting line up. Middle order bat Noah Mackenzie opened his season reaching a half century before he was dismissed for 54. RSL went on to set South’s the task of chasing down 284 runs.
RSL opening bowler Noah Mackenzie had South’s opener, Danny Folkers trapped LBW in the first over. It was the worst possible start for Souths with one of their strongest batters back in the clubhouse with the score 1/7.
Folker’s opening partner Dave Burgess and Liam Lanza took the score to 36 before Burgess was caught by Ethan Mackenzie off a Nick Lawer delivery for 14.
With Liam Lanza at the crease Souths supporters were hopeful. Lanza added 26 runs off 28 deliveries before he was caught behind by Chris Haynes off the bowling of Tom Garland. Andrew Burgess (7) was dismissed soon after without any addition to the score. Souths were down on personnel in their season opener and were in trouble.
RSL took full advantage and bundled out the remaining Souths batters for a total of 87 in the 17th over. The win earned RSL bonus points.
The other first round match between Wanderers and Valleys on Sheehan Oval was much closer. Valley’s won the toss and chose to bowl first.
Wanderers’ openers Barry Bulow (22) and Mitch Drayton (17) put on 44 runs before falling victim to the bowling of Valley’s captain Damien Andersen. Middle order bat Adrian Hill top scored with 37 with few other Wanderers players reaching double figures. Wanderers were all out for a very gettable total of 126 in the 32nd over.
Anthony Coup was the best of the Valleys bowlers bagging three wickets and finishing with 3/7 from four overs.
Things did not begin well for the Valleys batters. Opener Anthony Coup cleaned bowled by barry Bulow for a duck in the opening over. Youngster Tom Petrie claimed the wickets of Sweet and Crome and Valleys were 3/10. Daddow and Alldridge came and went cheaply before captain Damien Andersen steadied the ship. Unfortunately, wickets fell around him before he was dismissed for 30. Valleys were 8/70 when Sandro Stefanon gave Valley’s supporters hope. He added some sting at the tail getting his team within range of the Wanderers total. Stefanon was not out 26 when he ran out of batting partners. Valleys dismissed for 110 in the 28th over.
One of the highlights of the game was the bowling of teen Tom Petrie who led the Wanderers bowling figures taking 3/18 from six overs.
