Day 1

Third Grade took on the 3rd placed Southport Labrador Black at home this weekend, needing a win to keep our finals chances alive.

The day started off well, we won the toss and had a bat, but after losing a couple of early wickets we found ourselves 3/14in the 6th over.  A solid partnership between Ash Curtis (19) and Tim Douglas (8) settled things down, but after they departed the score was sitting at 5/50.  Kai McMahon (4) was brilliantly run-out from the deep, and Mark Davies was out hit-wickets after being hit in the head and dropping his bat onto his stumps.  A hard-hitting partnership from Pete Norman (25) and Kieran Le Jeune (11) saw us reach 100 but we didn't progress too far, bowled out for 103 after 35 overs.

Defending a small total was always going to be tough, and Southport got off to a good start, reaching 0/28 before losing 2 quick wickets.  The next wicket wouldn't come for another 50 runs, as they finished the day on 5/105, taking first innings points at the end of day 1. Pete Norman bowled well (2/12), as did 3rd-grade rookie Dave Cook (1/26) and Craig Gannon (1/21).