Following a tremendous struggle between traditional cross town rivals the Cats, inspired by a high class innings from Anthony Heraghty (87*), managed to record a victory over a gallant Colts side.

The match finished in fading light conditions after an afternoon of high temperatures, fluctuating fortunes and high quality cricket. Once again an immaculately presented Woodward Oval set the scene for the thrilling contest.

Batting first Colts opening batsman Paul Durford struck a splendid off drive to the boundary off the first ball before he fell LBW to Hunter Hawke (2/37).

The Yelland family pair of Peter (87) and Jock (60) then combined with oodles and skill and determination, striking 11 boundaries between them as they put on 139 runs for the second wicket.

The Cats worked manfully in the field to restrict the scoring before the Colts innings concluded at 5/197 off 40 overs.

Anthony Rink (17) got the Cats innings off to a good start after the early loss of the in-form Harry Bayliss thanks to a Brent Tucker (1/18) gem.

Zac Bayliss (28) though was in fine form as he slammed two sixes and two fours before Phillip Dunford (1/29) pinned him LBW. Andrew Britt (2/26) took two key wickets for the Colts, but he conceded 46 runs from his five overs.

The Cats score was 5/78 after 14 overs and they looked in a bit of trouble but the sixth wicket pairing of Heraghty and Mitch Wright got them back in the game with some responsible cricket.

Heraghty demonstrated why he was a highly rated representative player as he smashed 12 fours and two sixes on his way to 87* while Wright played a mature innings of 34* to help his partner add 123 runs - securing victory for the Cats.

Parkes umpire Trevor Chatman deserves credit for a fine performance in such trying weather conditions.

Parkes Colts 5/197 (Peter Yelland 87, Jock Yelland 60; Hunter Hawke 2/37) defeated by Parkes Cats 5/201 (Anthony Heraghty 87*, Mitch Wright 34*, Zac Bayliss 28; Andrew Britt 2/46) by five wickets

Point score: Parkes Raptors 19, Cowra Bowling Club 18, Parkes Cats 18, Cowra Valleys 15, Parkes Colts 12

Draw for Saturday December 5 (games begin at 1.30pm): Parkes Cats vs Cowra Valleys at Northparkes Oval and Parkes Colts vs Parkes Raptors at Woodward Oval

The everyman Joe van Opynen played a key role with both bat and ball for the in-form Galahs in their big win over the Master Blasters.

Master Blasters 115 (Joe van Opynen 4/40, Jacob Parker 2/18, Tim Allen 2/23) defeated by Parkes Hotel Galahs 7/194 (Joe van Opynen 58, Nick Parker 30, Nick Strudwick 23) by 79 runs

It was a cruisy win for Northparkes after they bowled out the Honey Badgers for just 77.

Northparkes Cricket Club 3/80 (Jonty Ralph 27*, Gary Dukes-Rankmore 22*; Jacob Foran 2/16) defeated Honey Badgers Cricket Society 77 (Dan Gordon 22; Gary Dukes-Rankmore 3/15, Reuben Bondareff 2/13) by seven wickets

Under 17's

Forbes Livestock 7/88 (Tom Maslin 31; Brodie Clarke 3/8) defeated by Parkes 6/210 (Harry Bayliss 54*, Hunter Hawke 48 ret., Ryan Dunford 25; Joseph Pereira 2/9, Douglas Irvine 2/9) by 122 runs at Gaggin 2, Forbes

Best fielders: Liam Moody and Cooper Towns

Forbes Engineering 5/147 (T. Hurford 30*, J. Morrison 17*; H. Mackay 2/6) defeated Forbes KMWL 8/106 (W. Reid 34, G. Jones 23*; J. Morrison 2/3, J. Smith 1/1) by 41 runs at Grinstead Oval, Forbes

Best fielders: H. Hodges, R. Glasson, A. Little

Under 14's

Parkes Raptors 9/103 (Maddy Spence 27*, Kade Ticehurst 17; Luke Freeman 2/8, Ewan Moody 2/10) defeated Parkes Crushers 6/58 (Ewan Moody 14*; Aiden Rayner 2/3, Sam Rayner 2/9, Thomas Ball 2/9) by three wickets at Woodward Oval

Best fielders: Eamon Moody, Harry Kennedy, Tristan Ross

Forbes Machinery 4/87 (O. Walker 18; I. Page 1/4) defeated by Forbes Adept Plumbing 5/94 (T. Glasson 13* D. O'Connell 12*; G. Field 1/4, T. Greenhill 1/5, C. Hall 1/6) by six wickets at Gaggin 1, Forbes

Best fielders: T. Whitly and C. Hall

Under 12's

Parkes Crushers 53 (Henry Kross 14*, Eamon Moody 13; Anderson Ball 2/3, Will Watson 2/3) defeated by Parkes Colts 97 (Harry Yelland 31; Jayden Kuun 3/2, Pat Skinner 1/7) by 44 runs at Harrison Park, Parkes

Best fielders: Pat McPherson and Jayden Kuun

Forbes Sportspower 4/109 (C. Metzeling 24*, A. Thomas 17; G. Field 2/22) defeated Forbes Hazel Field 6/105 (M. Hazell, 27, G. Field 14*; C. Metzeling 2/16) by four runs at Botanical Garden 1, Forbes

Forbes Hutcheon Pearce 5/108 (T. Hurford 35, C. Gordon 22*; K. Schulz 2/6) defeated Forbes Nutrient Ag 69 (T. Livermore 14*; C. Gordon 3/4) by 39 runs at Botanical Gardens 2, Forbes

Best fielders: A. Keene, E. Rippon and K. Schulz

Under 10's

Games are not played for points

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Two outstanding centuries by up and coming Parkes juniors were the highlight of the representative results for last weekend, with Jack Milne (125*) and Harry Yelland (171*) in glorious touch.

10 year old Harry, playing for the under 12's Parkes side in their game against Dubbo, slammed 26 fours and three sixes in his amazing innings at Keast 1, following his superb 97* against Wellington/Gilgandra on November 15.

13 year old Jack, playing for the under 14's in their game against Wellington/Gilgandra scored a high class 125* off just 116 balls with 17 fours and one six at Keast 2. Jack has been in top form recently, top scoring with 68 last week against Dubbo.

Both boys are sons of prominent Parkes cricketing identities - Peter Yelland and Stuart Milne.

Under 12's

Parkes 4/230 (Harry Yelland 171*, Henry Kross 13; Reggie Peet 2/16) defeated Dubbo 66 (Jack Brewer 15; Alfie Rosser 3/6, Ari Albert 2/5, William Watson 2/7) by 153 runs at Keast 2, Parkes

Henry Kross excelled himself in the field with four catches while Parkes wicketkeeper Nina Richardson-Bartley continues to improve as she only conceded seven byes behind the stumps. Henry also chimed in with some handy runs and wickets while Will Watson, Ari Albert and Alfie Rosser bowled very well. Alfie even did a Brett Lee impersonation as he celebrated a wicket with a chainsaw!

Under 14's

Parkes 4/206 (Jack Milne 125*, Sam Rayner 21; Will Younghusband 1/20, N. Robinson 1/20) defeated Wellington/Gilgandra 59 (Luke O'Neill 21; Jake Dunn 2/0, Jack Milne 2/1, Aiden Rayner 2/14) by 147 runs at Keast 1, Parkes

The Rayner twins, Sam and Aiden, demonstrated their improving talents as they played important roles in the victory alongside Jack. Sam, who scored 21 runs, combined with Jack to add 141 runs for the fourth wicket.

*Thank you to Greg Morrissey OAM for his assistance in filling out this edition's cricket reports