The Kingston Crows Cricket Club completed Round 2 of the HCCA competition with good wins in B1, B2 and C2 but A grade lost to Margate in a thriller on our home ground. 

The Crows batted first and as has become a normal routine we had Daniel Elliott anchoring the innings making a solid 63. Most of our other first eight batsmen got starts but were unable to go on and pass 20. Virtually all throwing their wickets away with undisciplined batting. At 8/159 we looked as if we would struggle to make a competitive score but Robert Chapman with 36 batting at No 9 took us to a fair total of 210 before he was the last man dismissed in the final over. 

Margate got off to a good start assisted by a couple of missed chances. After 14 overs they were 2/74 and well in control. The Crows then took a couple of quick wickets and then with Elliott being introduced into the attack wickets began to fall fairly regularly. At 7/144 we were back on top but again missed opportunities were to be crucial. With the final over to be bowled Margate required 8 runs to win with 1 wicket in hand. In an action packed over we saw a difficult caught and bowled chance go down, a leg side wide that shaved leg stump and then a run out chance missed which resulted in an overthrow which produced another run out opportunity and saw another overthrow. Margate stole a leg bye off the 5^th ball to give them a thrilling victory. Daniel Elliott finished with 3/17 off his 10 overs, Dale Punshon took the first 3 wickets to fall for a cost of 28 and Heath Lovell took 2/20. 

B1 travelled to Glen Huon to take on North Huon. The Warriors batted first and appeared well place when they lost their 5^th wicket at 191. The Crows were able to fight back and dismiss them in the 50^th over for 227. Shannon Woolley bowled very well and finished with 5/35 while Jason Jones, Jason Cripps, Ash Woodhead and Andrew Henley took a wicket each. 

In our run chase we appeared well placed at different stages but twice lost 2 wickets for little addition to the score. This was no more evident as when we looked comfortable at 5/212 only to find ourselves 7/212 and a lot of work to do. We were able to get over the line with 8 wickets down but actually score the winning run on a dropped catch. Geoff Freeman opened the batting a scored a hard hitting 65, Chris Honner continued his good work with 41, David Bain made 36 and Andrew Henley 23. 

B2 batted first in their game at Longley and were soon in trouble at 3/45. At 7/151 a big score didn’t look likely but enter Andrew Denton on his return to the Club. He made 62no with 8 4s and a 6 and enabled us to reach 9/248. Other batsmen to score runs were Chase McConnon 45, Dwain Swan 40, Ritchie McInnes 21 and Michael Langford 20. 

Scott Sward took the new ball and with the first ball of the innings Longley’s opener shouldered arms only to see his middle stump knocked back. Welcome back Swardy.

He finished with 3/38 but it was youngster Dean Heywood who stole the limelight with 5/19. 

C 2 batted first at home against Slab Road on Sunday and they too were in all sorts of trouble when 3/17 and then 8/85. Malcolm Scriber batting at No.10 top scored with 31 and he added 55 for the 9^th wicket with Alistair Triffett who made 26 and this enabled us to make 159 being dismissed in the 42^nd over. Earlier Dale Hayers also made 26. 

Slab Road looked to be making a real challenge when they reached 2/69 but then crashed to 6/82 before being bowled out for 109 in the 30^th over. Malcolm Scriber completed a great match taking 4/18 with his leg spin, Manning Parkinson took 3/15 and Zac Scriber 2/26. A good first up win for the team.  

This Saturday night we are holding a Family BBQ at the Clubrooms.