Port Hedland’s Ray Stoddart Shield season remains alive after downing Rovers

Port Hedland cruised to a six wicket victory over Rovers to move into third on the ladder with one round left in the Ray Stoddart Shield. Port seized control in the early stages of the game at Colin Matheson Oval on April 1, ripping out the Rovers top order to leave the batting side limping at 3/14. First drop Adam McLeod (47) did his best to wrestle the momentum back and found some support from Josh Harvey (20) but it proved too little to late. Harvey was dismissed by Chris Briody to leave the batting side 4/44. Rovers eventually limped to 7/112 from their 20 overs with McLeod the top scorer. Wickets were evenly spread between Ports spearhead attack, with Jarred Ams, Jarrad O’Dea and Glen Robertson taking two wickets a piece. In reply, Port looked to wrap the run chase up quickly with opener Kevin Johnston making a rapid 20 runs before he was dismissed. Briody steadied the innings, with a patient _ while Samuel Mason blasted 35 from 16 deliveries before being run out by some sharp fielding. In the end Port Hedland romped to the six wicket victory finishing their run chase on 4/114 in the 16th over. Meanwhile in the other round nine games, an unbeaten 86 from Razi Zain guided Miners to victory over Hedland Lions. Miners batted first with Zain powering his side to a dominant 6/157 from their 20 overs before a bowling clinic from the team secured the victory. The Lions were unable to get their run chase off the ground with regular wickets falling, eventually finishing on 6/105 to hand Miners a 52 run victory. And in the final game of the round, South Hedland skittled Wanderers for 99 runs on their way to a six wicket win. South were determined to wrap the run chase up quickly, chasing down the required runs with seven overs to spare and finish 4/101. The final round of the shield’s regular season will begin on April 6.