A Grade
The Margaret River Hawks travelled to Barnard Park to take on last year’s grand finalists in what was a huge game in the context of the close season so far.
A win would push the Hawks to third position and set up a massive clash against arch rivals Cowaramup this weekend to cement a top four position. A loss would take the Hawks to fifth and make the next match crucial for the club.
Skipper Tognolini won the toss and decided to bowl on what had been a much maligned wicket this season. An early chance and a brilliant Grant Garstone run out appeared to justify Tognolini’s decision.
When Clarke was caught by a brilliant Peter Crimp catch; YOBS were 2 for 40 and Hawks were feeling confident. Soon the home side were 5 for 100 before being dismissed for 149 runs.
Rumesh Silva again was unplayable and unlucky with 0 for 11 from 9 overswhile Paul ‘Poly’ Farmer was the pick of the bowlers with 4 for 18 from 8.4; while Grant Garstone took 2 for 32 from 10.
Special mention must be made to Kade Dittmar with 0 for 15 from his 4 overs and the pick of the fielders. Dittmar brings an energy into the team that spreads to all players and at 14 years of age has a very bright future in the sport.
In reply, Hawks started promisingly with 9 off the first 5 balls before Garstone was dismissed for 8 which brought Dave Holmes to join Shane Joyce. Holmes and Joyce put on 44 before Holmes was dismissed for 19; being caught behind by Clarke.
Some small partnerships followed, but nothing of real note. When the 2 Hawks veterens, Mat Kent and Michael Earl were at the crease, Hawks needed 35 runs with 2 wickets in hand. A bit of dejavu from the previous week.
However the previous weeks heroics were not to continue and when Kent and Earl were dismissed in consecutive deliveries, Hawks fell 26 runs shy in a result that will eat at the team for weeks to come.
This week the A grade side will travel to Cowaramup in a must win match. Cowaramup will go in as favourites and the Hawks will look to take the points for the second time this season over their arch rivals.
B Grade
Coming back off a disappointing loss the week prior, the Margaret River Hawks were determined to bring home the win this week.
Things were looking promising with the captain Maurice Shinnick winning the toss who then elected to bat; opening with himself and his son Jude Shinnick who were both determined to make a big score.
However, this being B grade’s first turf game on a mind boggling pitch, runs were going to be hard to come by.
Both openers fell short of a big score scoring 22 between them, which brought both Col Baker and Mason Beecham to the crease however this did not last with a big mix up which brought mason Beecham back to the pavilion.
The following batsmen Michael Sorenson steadied the ship but a questionable decision saw Michael Sorenson out for 8 unfortunately wickets continued to fall for the Hawks when partnerships started to form honourable mentions with Col Baker 26 and a brilliant knock by Aeodhan Bailey with a solid 15*.
But it was the bowlers who stole the show with Jordan Stanbury being on a hat-trick 3 ball of the innings finishing with a delightful 5/28 off 8 overs with his other opening bowling partner James Gannaway picking up 3/36 off his 9 overs.
Mitchell Broun grabbed a cheeky 2/13 off his 3 overs bowling out Vasse for 74 taking the bonus points to win by 46 runs placing the Margaret River Hawks B grade side into fourth position.
C Grade
The Hawks won the toss and elected to bat on a warm afternoon. The openers again did a great job putting on 69 before Sam Leigh departed.
Al Wilkie brought up his first half century of the season with some fine strokeplay and fell shortly after drinks for a well made 56. A really tight period of bowling from the Saints boys meant runs wouldn’t come easily.
Joel Lawrance set about upping the total and banged his way to his first half century of the season whilst dragging the total, with good help from Ian Currell and Ellie Hopkins, to a defendable 172.
Benn Dillon and Angus Currell bowled well in the first 10 overs to keep the total down before Wilkie continued his day out with a great spell of bowling picking up 3 crucial wickets including a vintage caught and bowled.
Unfortunately for the Hawks the runs kept flowing for the experienced Saints batsmen, despite a brilliant performance in the field especially from Hawks debutant, Jono Outred who seemed to be a ball magnet.
The total was passed in the 36th over for the loss of 5 wickets. Al Wilkie took 3 while Dillon and Darcy Currell picked up one each.
The B grade side will host Dunsborough, with a win pushing the Hawks towards the top of the ladder. Dunsborough will come into the game keen to atone for a loss over Saints last weekend.
The Hawks C grade team will travel to Nannup and with some juniors away this weekend on association duties will take a different side across the Mowen for the game.
