A Grade

SIMON Close has continued his stellar season for Pigeon Ponds, falling just short of his second ton, after he made a hard-earned 95 off 174 balls at Dahl Turf.

Close was out in the sweltering heat for a gruelling 211 minutes, which showed his ability to remain concentrated for very long periods of time.

After winning the toss, Close started well with Ponds’ captain, Peter Staude and while wickets fell around Close all day, he remained in the middle working hard to anchor the innings.

Pigeon Ponds’ innings went in stages, as the visitors started well before losing a few quick wickets, the middle order stabilised the scoreboard again, before the lower order was dismissed almost without scoring.

Hamilton captain, Simon Sharrock, was pivotal with the ball, taking the important wickets of both openers and finishing with figures of 2-29 off 10 overs.

When Staude was removed for 38, it began a quick loss of wickets for the visitors as Michael Close (two), Noah Hildebrand (duck) and Hugh Douglas (five) fell within quick succession.

In a similar fashion to the previous game, Close was the only batsman to make it past 40 and without him, it would’ve been an uphill battle to generate a competitive score.

Cameos from the likes of Anthony Close (24), Hamish McCrae (28) and Jack Beaton (33-not-out) down the order were enough to push the score north of 200.

Blues’ young spinner, Archie Buck, got Lachie Craig for an eight-ball duck, as the last three wickets fell for just six runs to leave Pigeon Ponds all out for 231.

Cam Templeton persisted with the ball and despite the heat, he bowled 21.5 overs to finish with 3-45, while Buck took 2-36 from his nine overs.

D GRADE

Coleraine d Grampians

IT was the highest D Grade score of the year which set Coleraine’s win up, scoring 5-351 at Dunkeld Hardwicket against Grampians.

The Maroons batted first after losing the toss and Will Jackson’s 106-retired and 82-not-out from Karl Dwyer were the key contributors.

Mark Lazzari was the only multiple wicket-taker with two.

A 73-run opening partnership between Ken Bird and Lazzari looked positive, but only Myles Alderman (29) and Mick Alderman (54-not-out) were able to offer resistance with the Pumas all out for 177 inside 36 overs.

Dwyer topped the wickets with three for the visitors.

Hamilton d Pigeon Ponds

PIGEON Ponds’ tough season continued on Saturday, travelling to Haymes Paints Oval and being well-beaten by the home side.

The Blues won the toss and bowled first, with Andrew Colgan (21) the only batsman to reach double figures, as the visitors were bowled out for 43 inside 22 overs.

The home team’s run chase was comfortable, eventually declaring at 5-186 from 25 overs.

Ethan Cook (55), Nick O’Brien (43-not-out) and Ben Starkie (30) all found the boundary at will to claim the big win.