Although only five runs separated the teams in each of Temora’s two derby clashes in the opening round of the South West Slopes Cricket League competition on Saturday, both victors were convincing winners. The Temora Bowling Club Tigers A Grade side (1/115) defeated the Tigers B Grade team (7/110). B Grade won the toss and elected to bat first at Nixon Park. Their opening batsmen, Richard Potter and Peter Stimson, started well, producing a partnership of 44 runs before Stimson’s wicket was the first to fall when outfielder Corey Robinson caught him from a Matthew Gillard delivery. Potter continued at the crease to finish as the B Grade side’s highest run scorer with 40 runs from 79 balls faced. The A Grade wicket takers included Corey Robinson (2/7), Matthew Gillard (1/8), Edward Oliver (1/11), Charlie Watson (1/12), Josh Gillard (1/12) and Billy Winkley (1/14). It took just 10.4 overs for the A Grade side to reel in the target. Opening batsman Cody Lynch was the only wicket to fall for A Grade when he was clean bowled by Harry Cockfield for 15 runs. Nate Breust (45 not out) and Patrick Robinson (42 n.o) produced a great partnership to record the necessary runs required for victory. The Tigers’ B Grade Captain, Lincoln Macauley admitted it had been a “tough day at the office” for his side. “We batted with only eight players, so we were happy with a total of 110,” Macauley said. “Harry Cockfield was the best of our bowlers with one wicket, but he nearly had Pat Robinson out for a duck with young Mikey Macauley nearly holding on to a screamer catch. “All in all, their batters were too strong for us and they easily passed the total in the 11th over.” Meanwhile, in the other local derby game, the Temora Exies Renegades (4/180) defeated the Shamrock Leprechauns (7/175) at The Oval. The Renegades won the toss and put the Leprechauns in to bat first. The Leprechauns’ top order collapsed when Dom Bennett and Jackson Reid were out for a duck and Shubham Bhardwaj was out for a golden duck, leaving the B Grade team in trouble at 4/11 in the early stages of the game. Ash Kober was the star batsman in the losing side, finishing on 82 n.o from 83 deliveries. He smashed six 4s and five 6s during his time at the crease. The Renegades’ wicket takers were Mark Wilesmith (2/17), Chris Block (2/20), Paul Oliver (2/36) and Oscar Block (1/10). In the run chase, Paul Oliver starred with the bat with an unbeaten 102 n.o from 86 deliveries, in his innings which included eleven 4s and three 6s. He was ably supported by Adam Swanston (49 n.o), who formed the partnership to reach the target needed for victory. Daniel Flack (3/29) led the Leprechauns’ bowling attack, while Jackson Reid (1/27) was the other wicket taker. In Saturday’s round 2 games, starting at 1.30pm, the A grade Tigers will face the Leprechauns at Nixon Park, the Renegades will host the Grenfell Blues at The Oval and the B grade Tigers will have a bye.
