Friday 28th January
CW Red v CW Green
at the CWBCC Stadium
Indications that CWBCC Stadium toss may be the most influential of any this season, CW Green was made to feel in the two-facedness of its own pitch. Kyle Wright won the toss and elected to take first strike on a belter of a wicket. With the wonderful strokeplay of Rob Dauth proving the basis for a huge score, almost all the batsmen got in.
Stedman and Dobson contributed maiden FC half-centuries, whilst Mørk played another solid innings at the top. Frustrated in the field, the Greens then found themselves batting with 4 overs remaining on day four in overcast conditions. A wicket fell before the close and the third day pitch looked a far cry from what the Red batted on.
Indeed, the wickets tumbled on a surface with inconsistent bounce and several cracks. Purposeful innings by Sajith and Gray were not enough and debutant Borcich got the ball in the right areas often enough to start his career with 9 wickets.
Cricket Web Red 1st Innings 411 for 7 dec.
Cricket Web Green 1st Innings 132 all out
Cricket Web Green 2nd Innings Following On 136 all out
Cricket Web Red won by an Innings and 143 runs.
CW Blue v CW Black
at the SCG
Despite a topscoring effort from the nightwatchman Tom Halsey, Cricket Web Blue could not prevent yet another crushing 5D defeat at the start of this season. Collapsing at will against the rookie bowlers of CW Black, the commitment was once again lacking from last season's 5D champions.
Yet the batting was not the only problem, and Black maximized upon some inconsistent bowling and sloppy fielding to escape from the potential danger of 5/2 to a 180-run 1st innings lead at 329 all out. The front line bowlers struggled for penetration and were frustratingly met with poor fielding when the good deliveries were produced.
David Kearsley advanced calmly to his second career FC century, captain Richards sticking around long enough on this occasion to see him to the milestone. Batting a second time, early wickets found Tom Halsey at the crease near the close of the second day and he batted resolutely throughout most of the Blue innings for a career-best, whilst the spin of Black collapsed the more established batsmen around him.
Cricket Web Blue 1st Innings 139 all out
Cricket Web Black 1st Innings 329 all out
Cricket Web Blue 2nd Innings 180 all out
Cricket Web Black won by an Innings and 10 runs.