Cricket: Mines dig deep

Great cricket conditions greeted players over the weekend, with Mines taking on Wanderers and South Hedland facing off against Port.

After both teams suffered losses the prior week, the game between Mines and Wanderers was always going to be hard fought.

Mines won the toss and elected to bat, which proved to be the right decision, as they were cruising along at 2/132.

However, some spirited bowling from Bob Hagan (4/38) ensured the Wanderers side were not going to roll over easy. Half centuries from Neil Smith (61) and Ross Haagman (52) allowed Mines to post a solid total of 6/214.

Wanderers’ chase got off to a shaky start, but was steadied by Shane Farrell (50) who knocked up another half century.

After Farrell was run out, Mines bowlers pinned down the Wanderers batsmen with Ross Haagman and Rob Bigmore bowling superbly to take 4/36 and 4/33 respectively.

However Wanderers middle order batsman Chris Rees nearly guided his side to victory only to run out of partners on 47 not out and fall 38 runs short with six overs to spare.

In the top of the table clash Between South and Port Hedland, South Hedland won the toss and decided to bat.

After a disastrous start, which had South reeling at 7/27 due to a wicked spell of bowling from Mat Dosa (6/26), somebody had to stand up and deliver. Enter Bryce Watson who made a commanding 72 along with Jayden Pascoe (36) that brought South Hedland back in the contest. After digging deep, South Hedland made a respectable 10/177.

The Port Hedland chase was always going to be hard, but the loss of regular wickets was making it harder by the over. Port Hedland continued to chip away at the target and were in cruise control at the 20-over mark.

A fight back was required by the South Hedland crew and it was delivered by Dean Lapham (4/31) and Abu Rafferty (3/15), which gave South Hedland the upper hand.

With only one wicket left and plenty of overs still to come, Matt Dosa and Tim Woodward had to work hard to score the vital 8 runs required of victory.

In the end, after a tense battle, Port Hedland took out the game all out for 186 with Matt Dosa finishing not out on 86.

There will be a bye round next weekend due to the long weekend with all the action starting up again on June 11 from 12pm.

As per always, food and refreshments are available at the ground, so come on down and enjoy an afternoon at the cricket.