The seamer was twice on a hat-trick in an inspired six over spell that saw Newcastle plummet from 2-41 after nine overs to all out for 93 in reply to the home side’s 196.

After winning the toss, Quirindi captain Terry Cohen elected to bat first on a dry Jock Longfield Park deck.

Openers Greg Tideman and Ray Bastian faced some very good bowling from Paul Golledge and John Fryer but were able to steadily accumulate runs until Bastian was out for 13 with the score at 42.  

Not long after Tideman retired on 22.

Peter Jenkins (7) and Rick Sampson (22)  added 22, before Bob Haling and Mark Burgess joined forces.

Haling retired on 38 after an attacking innings that included seven fours and a six.

Burgess went on to make 37 and was also involved in a 45 run stand with Cohen. They took Quirindi through to 169 before Cohen departed for a well compiled 24.

Some lusty hitting from Jim Russell (13 not out), which included a mighty six over square leg into the grandstand and Dennis Moran (9 not out) ensured the home side reached a very good total.

Moran then struck with the third ball of the innings clean bowling Newcastle opener Gary Budden for a duck.

Newcastle skipper Jim Price came in and immediately attacked Moran’s bowling hitting 10 off his second over. He continued to attack and in quick time retired after striking 35.

Meanwhile at the other end the Russell bowled a well controlled five overs finishing with 1-16.

With Morgan’s introduction at the northern end the game then took an amazing and irreversible change.

Aided by some very good catching from Haling and Jenkins, and a caught and bowled, he claimed 6-16 to dismantle the Newcastle run chase.

The win was a very good team effort and a great way to wrap up the first half of the season.

Their next game is at Mudgee on January 14 against the Western Wildfires.