NORTH West has missed out on the finals at the NSW CHS Boys’ Cricket Carnival after Sydney South West proved too strong with the ball yesterday in Hornsby.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Kel Walls-coached side had no answer to the SSW opening bowlers who ran riot over the top order and left the side with a total of only 104 to defend.
“It wasn’t the best display of batting we have shown,” Walls said.
“Although their bowling was excellent and they will probably contest the final.”
SSW opening bowler Liam Hatcher was sending balls down at over 130kmh, holding one end up, whilst his partner Niran Widjewardene was moving the ball off the wicket to do the damage.
Only four North West batsmen made double figures, with Inverell High’s Richard Wilson top-scoring with 18, with Ryan Meppem next with 15.
Widjewardene ended with figures of 5-28 before their leg spinner cleaned up the tail to bowl NW out in the 41st over.
SSW then went to the crease and got the runs in 22 overs with only the loss of four wickets.
Under the rules, games are played until 3.30pm regardless of result and the Sydney team ended at 6-181 off 41 overs.
Jake Brayshaw was the pick of the bowlers, taking 2-43 off 10 overs, whilst off-spinner Meppem bowled tightly to take 1-15 off five.
“We bowled well and stuck at it,” Wells said.
“We just didn’t have anywhere near enough runs.”
Just before drinks, a few difficult dropped catches went down in the field, although they were the only blights on an impressive fielding effort.
“Against a quality opposition you have to take those chances and score at least 200 runs to be competitive,” Wells said.
“It was a tough match and a steep learning curve for the boys who haven’t played at this level before.
“They never gave up though.”
The boys will have one last game today against either Riverina, Sydney North, North Coast, or Western to see where they finish on the table.
With the game and run rate counting towards their final place, as well as possible selection in the CHS side, there is still plenty to play for.
Tamworth players Matt Everett and James Psarakis have played for CHS before, and will be looking for runs today to secure another cap.
Psarakis’s 81 on Tuesday and 78 on Monday will stand him in good stead, although with other keepers performing well, Everett will be out to impress in the final game.
