By Casey O'Connor
Souths have moved to the top of the Stanthorpe Cricket Association ladder with a solid win over Wanderers in trying conditions on Saturday afternoon at CF White Oval.
Conditions were overcast and how the wicket and weather would play out was unknown.
Souths won the toss and took a punt on batting first. It proved a be a good decision.
The Souths openers put together a half century partnership before Sachepal Singh (22) was caught by Barry Bulow off the bowling of Rachel Andrew in the 15th over.
Tommy Clement (41no) joined Danny Folkers at the wicket and the pair quickly took the score to 144 before rain interrupted play.
Danny Folkers, who was dropped five times in his innings, had more than his fair share of good luck to make it to 65 not out.
Best of the bowlers before rain intervened were wicket the lone wicket taker Rachel Andrew who bowled seven overs, one maiden and 1/30. Andrew Einam bowled well without luck.
The rain brought the Duckworth Lewis system into the equation and when play resumed Wanderers found themselves chasing 174 runs off a reduced 29 overs. A tough ask in the conditions.
Wanderers were hunting quick runs and instead lost quick wickets. Opener Issac Hill was solid scoring 21 before he was dismissed by Navaika. (the score 4/32)
As the battling line up collapsed Rachel Andrew showed her ability scoring 30 not out.
Although the bowlers had their own challenges, they were able to dismiss Wanderers for 83. Navika the best with the ball took 3/10 from five overs. Souths taking the points again.
On Sheehan Oval RSL won the toss and had no hesitation sending Valleys in.
The RSL bowlers were on song early and Di Bella had the openers back in the clubhouse in the fourth over.
Valley’s captain Damien Anderson (17) was the only batter to show resistance before falling to the son and father combination of bowled Brady caught Brady, Valleys bundled out for 66.
Many of the batters found Rohan Brady’s spin bowling almost unpayable in the conditions. He finished with 3/27 from five overs.
Ethan Mackenzie also bowled well taking 2/12 from four overs.
The weather was looking increasingly unpredictable and the RSL players took little time chasing down the Valleys total in just 13 overs.
Opener Will Lawer (5) was the only batter dismissed as RSL cruised to a comfortable win under the guidance of Sam Dowie (no 33) and Rohan Brady (no 25).
Valleys still chasing a win and RSL now chasing South’s on the competition ladder.
