At Woodward Oval: Cambridge 8/143 in 40 overs (Billy Porter 42, Zac Bayliss 30, Grant Dunn 21, Shane Jones 15, Chris Howarth 4/9 off 3) lost to Cowra Bowling Club 7/144 in 39.4 overs (Nick Berry 72no, Chris Day 22, Jonah Ruzgas 2/27 off 8.4, Shane Jones 3/43 off ten, Hudson Hawke 1/19 off five, Billy Porter 1/26 off ten). Cowra Bowling Club won by three wickets with two balls to spare.

A well presented Woodward Oval provided the idyllic setting in ideal weather conditions for a titanic battle between two very competitive teams as the strong Cowra Bowling side just scraped home to defeat a gallant Cambridge team with the match only being determined in the last over of the day.

Outstanding Cowra cricketer Nick Berry, who has achieved considerable success during his career in First Grade Sydney Cricket, proved to be the key player behind Bowling Club’s exciting victory as he batted right throughout the entire innings to score 72no and steer his team to victory.

Batting first Cambridge were given a splendid start to their innings through Zac Bayliss (30) and Grant Dunn (21).

These two players put on 52 runs for the first wicket.

Zac has again demonstrated that he is one of the rising stars in Lachlan cricket as he played some thunderous drives during his smart innings.

Shane Jones (15) and Billy Porter (42) added 49 valuable runs for the fourth wicket to boost the Cambridge tally.

Billy is most certainly demonstrating he is a very competitive and whole hearted young player.

Cambridge lost several wickets to Chris Howarth (4/9) as they attempted to boost their total towards the end of their innings.

Parkes gained a major breakthrough when captain Zac Bayliss executed a stunning catch to dismiss Cowra’s Michael Curtale just when the Cowra master blaster appeared to be in ominous form.

Youngster Corey Thompson held onto two vital catches to dismiss Tim Berry and Kurt Johnstone.

The Cambridge team fought like caged lions to deny the Cowra Bowling Club batsmen runs.

Youngsters Jonah Ruzgas and Ryan Dunn demonstrated maturity beyond their tender years as they sided with the ageless Shane Jones who seems to be playing in excellent form to bowl a consistent line and length.

Shane Jones in taking an incredible low caught and bowled really inspired the Cambridge side.

Meanwhile, the most solid defence of Nick Berry proved a stumbling block for Cambridge.

Nick in scoring 72no, with top help from Chris Day (22), eventually saw Bowling Club to victory. The understrength Cambridge team, minus key representative players Anthony Heraghty and Jacob Harvey, should be proud of their efforts in this game.

Parkes Colts had the bye on 9/12 and will now face Cowra Valleys in Cowra on Saturday while Cambridge enjoy the bye.

Galahs on top over Honey Badgers

At Northparkes Oval: Honey Badgers 72 in 20.3 overs (Dan Gordon 17, Carl Redenbach 14, Andrew McCurdy 12, Nathan Gaidzionis ten, Brad Parker 4/5 off six, Matt Townsend 4/19 off 4.3) lost to Galahs 4/73 in 18.1 overs (Steve Maier 30no, Mitch Hutchings 17, Jayden Pusterla 2/22 off six). Galahs (5pts) defeated Honey Badgers (zero points) by six wickets.

Inspired by a very accurate, probing bowling spell by Brad Parker (4/5 off 6) and a well complied innings of 30no by seasoned campaigner Steve Maier the Galahs recorded a relatively easy six wicket victory in their local derby. Matt Townsend chimed in to take 4/18 to dismiss some late order Honey Badger wickets.

Pythons crush Beefeaters

At Spicer Oval: Pythons 5/269 in 30 overs (Jacob Townsend 82, Adam Ashford 78no, Joe Van Opynen 50, Alan Smith 35, Matt Spedding 3/65 off six, Dan Wilson 1/3 off one) defeated Beefeaters 135 in 20.4 overs (Dan Wilson 44, Mitch Wheeldon 33, Matt Spedding 19, Sam Standen 25, Joe Van Opynen 3/8 off 2). Pythons (five points) defeated Beefeaters (0pt) by 134 runs.

This game saw a rampant Pythons batting line-up record the big score of 5/269 in their allocated 30 overs. Opener Alan Smith (35) and Joe Van Opynen (50) paved the way. Big hitting from Jacob Townsend (82) and Adam Ashford (78no) greatly contributed to the Pythons run spree. Matt Spedding (3/65) was the Beefeaters most successful bowler.

In reply, Dan Wilson (44) and Mitch Wheeldon (33) gave the Beefeaters a good start before Joe Van Opynen (3/8) turned the game heavily in the Pythons favour to see them eventually win by 134 runs.

Raptors too strong for Star Hotel

At Keast two: Raptors 6/298 in 30 overs (Jacob Hutchings 128, Ben Coultas 63, Max Keith 35no, Matt Clark 22 and Ken Keith 7no, Dane Thorne 2/30 off five and Corey Rowbotham 1/36 off six) defeated Star Hotel 8/61 off 10.3 overs (Matt Clarke 22, Dane Thorne 15, Andrew Bourke 12, Scott Knights 2/7 off two, Ken Keith 2/17 off two, Max Keith 1/2 off two and Adam Parker 1/17 off three). Raptors (5pts) defeated Star Hotel (zero points) by 237 runs.

Pitbulls and Bowling Club have a tied match

At Harrison Field: Bowling Club 147 in 29.4 overs (Player scores were not received) tied with Railway Pitbulls 6/147 in 30 overs (Batting - Nic Parker 48, Tim Allen 20, G Parker 18, Ray Obrien 17 and Bowling – Jacob Parker 3/11 off six and Gary Dukes-Rankmore 3/25 off six). Railway Pitbulls (three points) tied with Bowling Club (two points) Reedy Gold on top over Rusty Buckets. At North Parkes: Reedy Gold 4/184 in 30 overs defeated Rusty Buckets 7/134 in 30 overs.

Reedy Gold (five points) defeated Rusty Buckets (zero points) by 50 runs. A completed scorecard was not received for this match. Point score (after matches played on Saturday, December 9).

Raptors 35, Reedy Gold 32, Railway Pitbulls 26, Pythons 23, Reedy Green 21, Galahs 19, Rusty Buckets 19, Bowling Club 14, Honey Badgers 14, Star Hotel 8 & Cambridge Beefeaters 2.

Draw December 16

B grade:

Lachlan Premier Cricket:

Following matches played on December 16 the PDCA B grade competition will have a Christmas/New Year break until the weekend of January 19-20, 2018 while Lachlan Premier Cricket will resume on Saturday, January 13, 2018 when Canowindra play Cambridge and Parkes Colts play Cowra Bowling Club.

-by Luke Nash