The Temora Bowling Club Tigers A Grade side suffered its second defeat of the season last Saturday at Albert Park, Cootamundra. The Tigers (10/124) lost against the Cootamundra Bulls (7/125) in their fifth round South West Slopes Cricket League game. The Tigers won the toss and elected to bat first. They were in trouble early when opening batsman Cody Lynch’s wicket fell first, leaving the Tigers on 1/3. Setting a decent target, Billy Winkley was the Tigers’ highest run scorer with 29 runs from 39 deliveries. In their bid to defend their total, the Tigers struggled against the Bulls’ opening batsman James Smith, who finished as his team’s highest run scorer with 77 runs during a patient innings, facing 107 deliveries before losing his wicket. When Smith did eventually depart the crease, the Bulls required just another 11 runs for victory with plenty of wickets to spare. The Tigers’ wicket takers included Cody Lynch (3/12), Josh Gillard (2/31), Matthew Gillard (1/14) and Billy Winkley (1/37). In the Tigers’ run chase, opening batsmen Cody Lynch finished on 29 not out and Matthew Gillard on 12 n.o. to secure the win. Lynch hit two 4s and three 6s from 13 deliveries during his time at the crease. Meanwhile, in the other games featuring Temora teams, the Shamrock Leprechauns (9/180) had a big win against the Grenfell Blues (10/147) at Lawson Oval. The Leprechauns won the toss and chose to bat first, setting a huge total, while lasting the full 40 overs. Shubham Bhardwaj produced a great knock to finish as the Leprechauns’ highest run scorer with 39 runs. He faced 46 deliveries in his innings that included two 4s and three 6s. Bhardwaj was ably supported by Adam Fouracre, who racked up 33 runs. In their bid to defend the total, the Leprechauns got off to a great start when Ryan Kemp clean bowled opening batsman Bailey Edwards for a duck with the second delivery of the opening over. However, Grenfell steadied the innings and had notched 140 runs before losing their second wicket, but it wasn’t enough as the Leprechauns’ bowlers ripped through the tail to secure the win. The Leprechauns’ wicket takers were Ryan Kemp (4/22), Shubham Bhardwaj (3/19) and Maulik Patel (2/3). The Exies Renegades (10/57) were also in action, but were not as fortunate. The Renegades (10/57) lost their home game at Nixon Park against Stockinbingal (7/197). Winning the toss and electing to bowl first, the Renegades started fairly well, keeping runs to a minimum, but fine knocks from Stockinbingal’s Captain Nick Holt (53 runs), Harvey Holt (37 runs) and Sam Annetts (32 runs) helped put the result beyond doubt. The Renegades’ wicket takers included Leo Furphy (3/25), Adam Swanston (3/30) and Joey Cotton (1/4). In the run chase, the Renegades’ batsman who provided the most resistance was Joe Furphy, who finished as their highest run scorer with 19 runs in a patient innings, facing 58 balls. Captain Adam Swanston was the only other Renegades’ player to reach double figures with 11 runs. The Tigers’ B Grade side won when the Grenfell Blues forfeited the match. In Saturday’s round 6 games, starting at 1.30pm, the A Grade Tigers will host the Boorowa Big Bottles at The Oval, the B Grade Tigers will have an away game against the Bribbaree Rams at the Bribbaree Cricket Ground, the Leprechauns will travel to Albert Park, Cootamundra to face the Cootamundra Bulls and the Renegades will host the Harden Hornets at Nixon Park.
