After the Christmas break and a spell of wet weather, senior cricketers finally returned to the Nutrien AgSolutions fields for the first matches of 2025 on Saturday. Despite playing on astro turf wickets and enduring intermittent showers, the matches remained highly competitive.
Rookies v Peto Marine
The Rookies won the toss and elected to bat first. A shaky start saw the team at 2/8 after the first over. However, Dan Olditch steadied the innings with a crucial 52 runs off 39 balls. The highlight of the innings came from Alex Stillhard, who delivered a dominant performance, blasting 116 runs off just 49 balls, including 14 sixes, before being bowled. The Rookies set a formidable total of 8/215 from 25 overs.
Peto Marine responded strongly, with notable contributions from Kris Wright (62 runs from 29 balls), Brad Parravicini (42 from 20), and Greg Flanagan (27 from 15). Despite their efforts, Peto Marine fell just short, being bowled out for 200, handing the Rookies their first victory of the season.
Alliance Pharmacy v Crowned Mongrels
The Crowned Mongrels won the toss and chose to bat. The Alliance Pharmacy bowlers were in fine form, with Farhan Sarwar taking 3/17 and Damien Ricketts securing 3/7, including two caught-and-bowled dismissals. Batting contributions from Andrew Wallwork (62 runs from 46 balls) and Alexander Romeo (36 runs) helped the Mongrels reach a total of 165 before being bowled out.
The Alliance Pharmacy batters wasted no time in the chase. JD Wilkins anchored the innings with an unbeaten 60 from 33 balls, while Lee Watts provided stability with 29 runs from 67 balls. Despite a brief rain delay, Alliance secured the victory, finishing at 7/178.
With a hopeful spell of sunshine in the coming week, the fields are expected to dry out in time for the next round of matches. Fixtures for Saturday, 1 March, will see Alliance Pharmacy face Peto Marine, while the Crowned Mongrels take on the Rookies.
Contributed with thanks to Home Hill Cricket Association.
Dan Olditch - 52 runs from 39 balls for the Rookies
Alex Stillhard - 116 runs from 49 balls (including 14 sixes) for the Rookies
Damien Ricketts - bowled 3/7 (3 overs)
Farhan Sarwar - 3/17 (overs)
Bowling for Alliance Pharmacy
JD Wilkins - 60 runs not out for Alliance Pharmacy
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