Port Jackson Red were crowned NSW Senior Cricket champions in Tamworth on Thursday after dominating the five day competition with both bat and ball.
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Port Jackson met Newcastle Lord Taverners in the final at Dick Edwards Oval, with the Novocastrians winning the toss and electing to bat in perfect sunny conditions.
The Lord Taverners sufffered a top order collapse under some quality length and line bowling before Peter Fleming and James Price put on good 63 run partnership scoring 41 and 26 not out respectively to boost their side to a respectable total of 5-136 after 40 overs.
Peter Harrison was the best of the bowlers taking 2-12 in four overs to slow the run rate down in the closing overs, while Brian Scott finished with 2-27 from seven overs.
In rely the Port Jackson top order went straight to work as Simon Lyon and Jim Robson both put on unbeaten knocks of 43, before Mark Ridge guided them home with an unbeaten 26 as the champions cruised to victory three wickets down in the 35th over.
Across the road in Division 2 the Central Coast side took the title, while in Division 3 the coasties went down to the Hastings Dolphins, who chased down Central Coast’s 7-137 with three overs remaining.
Tamworth had a side in each division, and while they mightn’t have featured in the finals the first side did claim a victory over Coffs harbour on the final day.
Tamworth’s Division 3 side didn't have as much luck, scoring 120 bating first before Armidale rivals UNEX hit the total with ten overs in hand.
Chief co-organiser and Tamworth all-rounder David Head said that most of their wins came away from the crease as the competition continues to go from strength to strength every year.
“It has been an absolutely tremendous week,” Head said.
“The competition is very strong and very close.”
This season the carnival attracted a record 17 teams from all over the state, and despite Tueday’s play being rained out all teams had nothing but glowing reports for the tournament.
“It is the best competition I have seen so far,” Head said.
“All the results even indicated how much stronger the competition is in all divisions.”
“Teams are scoring 200 runs and getting beaten which never would have happened a few years ago.”
“It was our biggest and strongest carnival yet and it looks like it will just keep getting better which is great to see.”
All teams attended a championship dinner on Wednesday night at West leagues Club before the finals and Tamworth President Doug Crowell said it was a great night to cap off a great week of cricket.