In last week’s Round 15 of matches in the Huon Channel Cricket Association the Kingston Crows scored comfortable victories in their top 3 grades but unfortunately our C2 team missed a great opportunity to consolidate their position in the top three. In Round 16 matches on the weekend of 20 February A grade is at home to Woodbridge and B1, B2 and C2 are all away to North Huon, Huonville and Snug respectively.

A grade took on Longley at our home ground. With it being “Sponsor’s Day” we were hoping that we would put in a good effort. Batting first Dan Elliott and Joel Palmer got us off to a solid start taking the score to 90 before Joel was dismissed for 27 in the 27^th over. Dan played a delightful innings before being bowled off his body for 81 that included 14 4s. At 3/157 off 40 overs we were looking for a late charge and veteran, Brett Stevenson, certainly delivered as he made 107no with 9 4s and 6 6s. His last 56 runs came off only 19 balls. Our innings ended with the total 4/249.

After Trent Pearce snared an early scalp Longley took their score to 30 before Jamie Knott took their 2^nd wicket. Assisted by excellent catching behind the wicket Jamie took two more wickets in quick succession to leave the “Bunyips” staring down the barrel at 4/38. A couple of their batters played mini cameos but we dismissed them in the 43^rd over for 157. Jamie took 3/21, Trent 2/16, Dale Punshon 2/22 and Dan Elliott 2/36.

B1 took on Slab Road on their home ground in a clash that was first versus second. Slab got off to a good start adding 28 for the first wicket but from there the Crows’ bowlers strangled the life out of their batters as they crashed to 6/53 and then all out for 81 that took them 43 overs to make. Skipper Andrew Henley was superb with the bowling figures of 10 overs 5 maidens 3 wickets for 6 runs. Ash Woodhead, a late call up to the team took 3/26 off his 10 overs.

The Crows’ openers then added 38 for the first wicket and we passed the required total for the loss of only one wicket. Jason Cripps was 35no and David Bain 27no. Special mentioned to Bernadette Doyle and Les Kenna who filled in to umpire after no “official” umpire was appointed to the game.

This game also marked Shannon Woolley’s 150^th appearance for the Crows. “Shags” is a very popular and well liked member of our Club he was very pleased to receive his 150 game medal back at our Club Rooms on Saturday night.

B2 were at Snug where we were in a bit of trouble early when 4/49 and then 5/105 but good innings by Gareth Percey 39, Ross Hinkley 33no and Marcus Newman 30 saw us reach 201 before being dismissed in the 47^th over.

Snug’s openers got them to 30 before they lost their first wicket. Once the initial breakthrough was made we were able to pick up wickets pretty regularly and eventually dismissed them for 99 in the 31^st over. Chris Tomlin 3/24, Mal Scriber 3/28 and Ross Hinkley 2/26 were the successful bowlers.

C2 were at home to North Huon on Sunday where we made 185 being dismissed in the 42^nd over. This was probably a better score than we could have hoped for when 7/107. Daniel Woodhead played another good innings making 77 with 9 4s but the only real assistance he received was from “fill in” Brad Bailey who made 40 batting at No. 9.

We then fielded poorly, dropping a number of catches and bowling 28 wides and no balls as North Huon passed our total in the 37^th over for the loss of 7 wickets. Jonathon Cashion took 3/37, Matthew Creek 2/37 and Dale Hayers 2/44.

Thanks to Andrew Downie for hosting our “Sponsor’s Day”