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Teams clash in first midweek fixture of season

David EckhartNorth West Telegraph
The teams battling it out at Kevin Scott Oval last Thursday.
Camera IconThe teams battling it out at Kevin Scott Oval last Thursday. Credit: Picture: Sophia Constantine

The new-look South Hedland CC and last year’s runners-up, Wanderers CC, battled it out in the first midweek fixture of the season, played in week two of the Nor West Crane Hire Port Hedland Cricket Association season.

At the Thursday night match at the Kevin Scott Oval, Wanderers won the toss and chose to bat first, with Chris Wichura and Michael Mobilia showing a good understanding for a newly formed opening pairing, quickly rattling on 112 runs for the first wicket before Wichura departed for his second consecutive half-century of the season.

Mobilia and Richis Douglas accelerated the scoring with a rapid 60-plus run partnership in less than six overs before Douglas departed for 22.

Mobilia completed his maiden century in Wanderers colours as the “green machine” closed their 20-over innings at 2 for 205.

The gap between the seasoned players of the Wanderers and the newly formed South Hedland players was immediate and stark, as the Southerners struggled to a final score of 71 all out at the end of the 15th over.

Wanderers remain unbeaten in the Ray Stoddart Shield competition, going into the bye weekend for the regional inter- association tournament.

In the Friday night fixture between Mines and Port Hedland, both innings went the journey before Port notched their maiden win for the season by 11 runs.

After winning the toss and batting first, Jarrad O’Dea kept the innings together at the top of the order with his maiden 50 for the club.

Good support from captain Glenn Robertson (47 no) saw Port close at 6 for 137 from their 20 overs.

The Mines reply had a hiccup early, with Nick Witham departing for nought after just three balls, but consistent scoring from captain Taurean Williams (26), Izzy Kalzee (23), Neil Smith (21) and Aaron Andrich (31) kept the Mines in sight of their target.

Consistent, tight, line bowling from 13-year-old Sajana Gunathilake (1/17 from 4 overs) slowed the chase, affording the Port team to celebrate their first win for the season.

Play will resume in the Ray Stoddart Shield T20 competition on October 13, with the first of the 35-over matches beginning the following night, both games to be played at the Kevin Scott Oval.

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