to Tatts Cricket Club Match Reports

RSL claimed the Narrabri & District Cricket Association first grade premiership for the second year in a row with a hard fought 25 run victory over Tatt’s at Collin’s Park last Saturday. Captain Jason Trindall led by example to claim the man of the match medal with a strong bowling display to claim 3/10 from 8.2 overs and contributed a valuable 23 not out with the bat. RSL won the toss and batted on a perfect batting wicket. Craig O’Connor was the first wicket to fall when he was caught and bowled by Craig Gleeson for 6. Mick Davis (15) and Mick Dowdell (45) steadied their side with a forty three run partnership before Davis was bowled by Steve Ford. Jim Pitman (13) and Dowdell then combined to take the score to 78 in the 32nd over before Pitman was caught on the fence trying to increase the slow run rate. Rod Tomlinson (18), Shane Smith (19), Jason Trindall (23*) and Bruce Bell (13*) all scored with urgency to lift their team total to 6/158 after 45 overs. Tatt’s best with the ball were Russell Wood 1/16 from nine overs and Nathan Ford 0/16 from his nine overs. Tatt’s run chase began well with 26 on the board before Phil Rainger (9) was caught behind off the bowling of Justin Saunders. Rod Kirk (12) and Neil Hatton (43) took the score to 60 before Kirk spooned a full toss straight back to Rod Tomlinson. The Tatt’s innings began to flounder with the introduction Jason Trindall and Jim Pitman and the pressure of a slowing run rate led to wickets with Brad Higgins(4), Tony Meppem (13), Craig Gleeson (15) all falling. Tatt’s innings never settled after the loss of the early wickets with short bursts from Russell Wood (14) and Nathan McGinnity (8*) getting Tatt’s to within 25 of their target when Jason Trindall bowled Nathan Ford to claim the last Tatt’s wicket.

The presentation of the Col Cameron Shield was made to the victorious RSL team after the game and Trindall capped off a day to remember when he was named cricketer of the year for the second time after a season that yielded 40 wickets at an average of less than five runs.

Tatt’s captain Craig Gleeson choose an opportune time to score his highest first grade total last Saturday at Collin’s Park in the Narrabri & District Cricket Association first grade final against Tourist Hotel. Gleeson blasted four sixes over the boundary on his way to scoring 95 runs and combined with Tony Meppem (55) to put on a 136 run fifth wicket stand. Tatt’s had earlier been in all sorts of trouble at 3/11 with Jason Barnes on fire with the new ball claiming 3/7 from his first six overs. Meppem and Rod Kirk took the score to 41 before Kirk was dismissed off the bowling of Mark Fielder for 13. The match winning partnership then started in a subdued manner with Tatt’s at 4/99 at the thirty over drinks break. Tatt’s raised the tempo in the last fifteen overs to score a further 113 runs with the loss of a further four wickets before finishing with a match winning score of 8/212. Tourist Hotel tried hard in the field and with the ball with Jason Barnes proving the standout bowler with his early spell while Mark Fielder 2/32 and Nathan Kidd were also successful.

The Tourist Hotel run chase never got rolling with in form opening batsmen Mark Fielder and Jason Barnes both bowled by Nathan Ford 2/12 with 15 runs on the board. Steven Ford 2/30 also chimed in for the wickets of Jason Duff (13) and Nathan Kidd (8) to have the Tourist side reeling at 4/38. Kane Vosey (14) and Matt Trindall (17) provided a faint glimmer of hope to the tourist Hotel supporters however, Nathan McGinnity 2/23 and Russell Wood 3/7 cleaned up the remaining batsmen for a total of 80 runs.

Tatt’s will now take great heart into the grand final against minor premiers RSL this Saturday after three weeks of good batting performances with most batsmen in the top order scoring runs. Tourist Hotel will look at the game as the one that got away after having Tatt’s at 3/11 at one stage only to end up chasing 213 for victory.

District firsts captain Rodney Kirk received a very rare opportunity from his Tatt’s skipper last Saturday at Collin’s Park when he was thrown the ball in his sides match against Tourist Hotel. The match had special significance for both teams with the winners being assured of second place on the ladder in next weeks final and the right to go straight into the Grand Final the following week if a wash out occurs. Kirk accepted his captain’s challenge with open arms even though he is more renowned as a keeper and batsmen and returned the amazing figures of 5/6 from 5 overs with a very slippery ball. Kirk also received another surprise for the day when the Tourist Hotel scorers informed him that he had claimed a hat-trick with the last ball of his fourth over and the first two of his last over. Tatt’s had earlier won the toss and batted first with Matt Trindall making early inroads to have Tatt’s 3/33 in the 8th over. Tony Meppem (38) and the consistent Phil Rainger (47) then combined to take the score to 91 before Rainger fell four balls before the 30 over drinks break. Craig Gleeson (33) then increased the tempo to lift Tatt’s to 9/168 from their 45 overs. Matt Trindall returned bowling figures of 3/34 to be the pick of the Tourist Hotel bowlers. Tourist looked to be cruising at 3/111 until Russell Wood 2/15 and Kirk combined to claim the last six wickets for just 14 runs.

Tatt’s opening batsmen Neil Hatton smashed his first first grade century on Collin’s Park last Saturday against a Commercials side short on numbers after some senior players let their team down by failing to show up as promised. Hatton negated the slow out field with power hitting to and over the fence striking nine fours and four sixes on his way to posting his century. Tatt’s enjoyed a massive opening stand of 188 runs before Hatton’s more subdued partner, Phil Rainger was dismissed for 57 in the 29th over. Rod Kirk (32) and Craig Gleeson (35) continued the power hitting to lift Tatt’s to an imposing total of 5/279. Commercials tried hard in the field with Chris Jollow covering plenty of country and pulling off a diving catch at deep cover to dismiss Brendan Ward late in the innings. Jollow also returned the best bowling figures claiming 3/39 from five overs. The hard effort in the field obviously had an adverse effect on the Commercials batsmen as they collapsed to be all out for 64. Tatt’s best with the ball was veteran spinner Russell Wood with 2/9 from five overs.

It doesn’t happen very often in cricket, however, last Saturday’s top of the table clash between RSL and Tatt’s at Leitch Oval produced a rare event with the match ending in a tie when Nathan Ford smashed the last ball of the innings to the deep square leg boundary to level the scores. Tatt’s had required 10 runs from the last over to force an unlikely victory with only one wicket remaining intact. Brothers Nathan & Steven Ford produced the Michael Bevan like heroics as they negotiated the last 30 runs required against the RSL attack of Jason Trindall and Jim Pitman. With Pitman bowled out the last over was left to Mick Dowdell to bowl. Dowdell started well and with two balls remaining the Ford boys needed seven runs for victory. Smart running between the wickets produced a two from the second last ball and then Ford picked out a small gap in the outfield in which to deposit the last and executed his plan to perfection when a slightly short ball was served up by Dowdell. Earlier in the day RSL had powered to 5/173 with Jim Pitman looking in good touch scoring 49 while Rod Tomlinson 45 and Mick Dowdell also hit the ball well. Tatt’s captain Craig Gleeson continued his good form with the ball to be the pick of the bowlers with figures of 2/21 from his nine overs. In contrast to recent weeks the Tatt’s innings began solidly with Rod Kirk (40) and Phil Rainger (40) combining well to have the underdogs in a strong position of 2/104. Tatt’s suffered a mid innings collapse as Jim Pitman 4/28 claimed wickets however, just as all seemed lost the Ford boys produced some magic to end the game with no winners or losers.

Nathan Kidd’s Tourist Hotel first grade cricket side took a major step forward in their ambition of featuring in this year’s Narrabri first grade cricket grand finals with a morale boosting win over an ordinary Tatt’s side last Saturday at Leitch Oval. The win was the first time Tourist Hotel had defeated either of the competition front runners and the authority of the victory would have lifted the side’s confidence with the final only six matches away. Tourist Hotel won the toss and took first use of a dry wicket baked by the scorching sun. Jason Barnes showed determination and patience to score 42 at the top of the order despite early wickets falling around him to see his side 4/63. At this point the game turned from Tatt’s being in charge to Tourist Hotel taking control with Kane Voysey joining Barnes to begin a punishing onslaught against the Tatt’s bowlers that saw him score 85 before he was eventually bowled by Craig Gleeson. Voysey struck four sixes and seven fours of controlled hitting as the hapless Tatt’s bowlers struggled with line and length. Tourist Hotel eventually scored a formidable 8/193 from their 45 overs. Tatt’s best with the ball was Russell Wood with 2/8 in a bowling stint cut short by a finger injury from a dropped caught and bowled from Voysey. The Tatt’s run chase began well enough with the side 2/50 after 14 overs and Phil Rainger in control at one end. Unfortunately for Tatt’s only Neil Hatton (18) and Tony Meppem (13) could manage double figures to assist Rainger who scored (57) to help his side to 124 before being all out. The Tourist Hotel attack was best served by Matt Trindall with 2/14 and Jason Duff 3/34.

RSL & Tatts strengthened their hold on the top positions in the local first grade cricket competition last Saturday with victories over Tourist Hotel & Commercials respectively. At No 3 oval Tatts had to overcome a spirited young Commercials outfit that put solid pressure on the Tatt’s batting with enthusiastic fielding and tight bowling. Commercials had earlier won the toss and batted with Steven Page returning to form to top score with 51 of his side’s total of 128. Commercials were in a solid position at 1/89 however the need for an elevation in the run rate in the last fifteen overs saw a flurry of wickets. Tatt’s best with the ball was Nathan McGinnity with 2/11 from 9 overs of accurate medium pace while Craig Gleeson picked up wickets at the end to claim 4/16 from five overs. Tatt’s seemingly easy run chase proved more difficult than expected with newly promoted opener Paul Hulbert scoring 31 at the top of the order while Phil Rainger (3) Brendan Ward (6) and Captain Craig Gleeson (0) all lost their wickets. Nathan McGinnity (7) and Russell Wood (8) also departed and Tatt’s were 6/75 and looking along way from their modest target. Tatt’s veterans Rod Kirk (40 not out) & Tony Meppem (27 not out) joined forces and guided their side to victory in the 40th over with an unbeaten 56 run seventh wicket partnership. Commercials bowlers all bowled well with Danny Laws 2/19 & Andrew Cory 2/26 being the standouts.

The match between RSL and Tatt’s saw RSL batting first to score 5/169 from their 45 over stint at the crease. Mick Dowdell again top scored with 51 with good support from Jim Pitman with 37. The pick of the Tatt’s bowlers was again Nathan McGinnity with 2/25 from 9 overs. In a similar pattern to the other match Tatt’s looked to be cruising to a victory at 3/104 with Brad Higgins (33) and Craig Gleeson (57) in control. The loss of Higgins wicket and then Gleeson with the score on 143 opened the door for RSL and skipper Jason Trindall 3/10 and Craig O’Connor 2/28 claimed the necessary wickets to dismiss Tatt’s 9 runs short of the target set by RSL.

Tatts had a comfortable victory over a determined Commercials line-up missing Lachlan Cameron who was trialing for a Central North under 21 spot at Collins Park. Tatt’s won the toss and batted first with the reliable Phil Rainger scoring 42 at the top of the order and captain Craig Gleeson also continuing his good form with 31 runs. Paul Hulbert slapped the bowling around at the end of the innings to score a valuable 38 runs to push the Tatt’s total to 201. The Commercials innings began poorly with Nathan McGinnity 2/7 and Gareth Chalmers 2/12 claiming early scalps to have Commercials at 5/25. Evergreen veteran Geoff Page showed defiance at the top of the order to remain 38 not out and Zac Woodward’s new patient approach proved fruitful as he scored 41 at number 7 to help his side over the century. Commercials were eventually dismissed for 107.

RSL first grade cricket new recruit Mick Dowdell  smashed an unbeaten 131 to set up a victory for his side over Tatt’s on Hogan oval last Saturday in the Narrabri first grade cricket competition. Dowdell’s century was composed of six sixes and fourteen fours as he pounded the hapless Tatt’s attack to all parts of Hogan oval. Earlier Tatt’s had batted strongly to post an imposing 8/206 with Craig Gleeson returning to form to score 50 and other solid contributions from Neil Hatton (30), Brad Higgins (36) & Phil Rainger (21). RSL’s best with the ball were skipper Jason Trindall with 3/33 and left-arm swing bowler Bruce McConnell 3/32. Whilst Dowdell did dominate the Tatt’s attack the RSL innings didn’t start that well with Gareth Chalmers claiming three quick wickets to have RSL in trouble at 3/28. Dowdell finally found a willing ally in James Shelton who performed the anchor role to score 37 not out and put on an unbeaten 124 run partnership with Dowdell to claim victory and the competition lead from Tatt’s.

Last seasons grand finalist Tatt’s & RSL have opened up a handy lead in the Narrabri & District first & second grade cricket competitions with convincing wins over Tourist Hotel & Commercials respectively last Saturday. The two clubs are locked together on 33 points in both grades with a two win or twelve point gap to third placed Tourist Hotel in first grade and third placed Commercials in second grade.

In the match at No 1 oval last seasons Narrabri Cricketer of the Year Phil Rainger had a field day scoring his third century in two seasons against Tourist Hotel with an innings of 116 not out in his sides total of 3/218 in reply to Tourist Hotels 215. Tourist Hotel had first use of the crease and this season’s first grade find Bowen Pennell scored his third half century of the summer so far with a top score of 70 for his side. Jason Duff also chimed in with 48 handy runs at the end of the innings. Tatt’s best with the ball was Josh Booby with 4/22 from 4.5 overs of off spin. Tatt’s run chase always looked comfortable with Rainger combining with Nathan McGinnity (21) for a 79 run opening stand. Senior Tatt’s club official Darren Pitt was again impressed with McGinnity’s defence and technique. Pitt said he would be talking to the youngster about building an innings through the twenties & thirties this week at training. Russell Wood (41) was promoted up the order to score quick runs and as usual the big hitting veteran answered the call. Tatt’s eventually scored their big target with six overs to spare.

The full points score for both grades is in first grade: Tatt’s 33, RSL 33, Tourist Hotel 21 & Commercials 9. In second grade the points score is Tatt’s 33, RSL 33, Commercials 21 & Tourist Hotel 9.

Against R.S.L at Collins Park Tatt’s won the toss and chose to bat on an excellent batting wicket with good pace and bounce. Phil Rainger continued on his good form of the recent weeks with a hard hitting 36 at the top of the order however, his team mates again failed to fire with Paul Hulbert (25) being the only other batsman to reach double figures. Tatt’s were bowled out for 93 in only the 30^th over as Alanor Malik 3/6 relished the promotion to first grade to cut a nice hole through the Tatt’s top order while Neil Brayshaw 2/13 and Craig O’Connor 3/17 took care of the rest. O’Connor returned with the bat to cap off a solid match by scoring 41 not out to guide his side to their target with the loss of just 3 wickets.

Tatt’s remained undefeated in the Narrabri first grade cricket competition after a come from behind victory over a determined Tourist Hotel side last Saturday at Leitch Oval. Tatt’s won the toss and decided to bat on a soft wicket with last years cricketer of the year, Phil Rainger looking to return to the form that saw him top the run list last season. Rainger batted superbly to carry his side with a score of 84 of his sides eventual total of 135. No other Tatt’s batsmen scored more than 14 runs as Matthew Tout 4/23 cleaned up the middle order to deprive Rainger of batting partners. The Tourist Hotel run chase began poorly with the side slumping to be 4/17 after some good early bowling from Gareth Chalmers 3/18. Nathan Kidd & Mark Fielder then put together what looked like a match winning partnership of 58 runs before Kidd was bowled by Brad Nott for 23. Terry Baker 19 then joined Fielder and the pair pushed their total within 20 runs of victory when Nathan McGinnity had Fielder caught on the boundary for a well compiled innings of 60. The removal of Fielder gave Tatt’s a chance of an unlikely win and McGinnity 3/16 and Craig Gleeson bowled the last three Tourist Hotel batsmen to bowl their team to victory with just nine runs spare.

Last season’s runners-up Tatt’s scored an upset win over reigning premiers RSL at Collin’s Park last Saturday in the first round of the Narrabri & District Cricket competition. RSL’s new signing Mick Dowdell (47) joined with last seasons grand final top scorer Mick Davis (39) to pound 89 runs at the top of the order in just 14 overs to have Tatt’s on the ropes. The introduction of Phil Rainger with his well flighted off spinners brought the breakthrough when Dowdell was stumped. The RSL run rate then eased as formerly retired spinner Russell Wood 3/32 and Rainger 3/34 put the breaks on the run flow. Shane Murphy (26) and Jason Trindall (20) provided a late spark to lift their team to 165 as Lucas Shields 3/22 cleaned up the last three batsmen with good straight bowling. Tatt’s leading run scorer from last season Phil Rainger (17) began in a rush before he fell to a good outfield catch by Justin Saunders. Nathan McGinnity (21) showed good early form while his middle order collapsed to be 5/54 at one point. 17 year old Brendan Ward (61*) and Paul Hulbert (46) rescued the innings with a match winning partnership of 100 runs for the sixth wicket. Hulbert struck the ball sweetly with one big six clearing the grandstand on the full. Meanwhile Ward played a more conventional innings showing the benefit of his years in junior representative sides for North West with a mixture of straight drives and sweeps. The reintroduction of Jason Trindall 4/22 gave RSL a glimmer of hope when he claimed three wickets in his last over to have the opposition 8/154, however Ward and Lucas Shields saw Tatt’s home with 4 balls to spare.

2nd Grade