Graham Clark’s winter form with Newtown & Chilwell CC shows no signs of slowing after he recorded a second century of the Australian season during last weekend’s tense win over South Barwon.
The right-hander scored exactly 100 as those around him crumbled in their chase of 210 for victory as Two Blues snuck home by one wicket in a thriller.
Clark struck 13 boundaries in his 183-ball innings, combining in a crucial sixth wicket partnership of 67 with Yves Roussety that seemed to have swung the game in their favour.
It was drama until the last as the Durham man fell with seven still required. Following 15 straight dot balls with two required, number ten Jackson Davis hit four to seal the win.
There was less luck for Clark’s side the day after, though, as they were defeated in the Geelong First Grade T20 final to Geelong City.
Ross Elliot’s scintillating 133 boosted ‘City’ up to 187/3 in the first innings with Clark taking 1/31 from four overs. In reply, he raced to ten from three balls before being run out, with Newtown & Chilwell ending up short on 151/8.
Also continuing his excellent form over the weekend was Nathan Rimmington as the Queenslander racked up yet another five-wicket haul.
The right-arm seam bowler recorded 6/69 off 21 overs, his fourth five-for of the summer, to help bowl Sunshine Coast out for 203 in the ongoing Queensland First Grade match at Trevor Hohns Field.
Rimmington took two wickets in his opening spell before returning to decimate the middle order & rounding off another fine effort with his sixth.
His Sandgate-Redcliffe side are in pole position for the win after reaching 100/2 in reply as they aim to keep pace with the top sides, chasing what would be their third title of the summer.
Over in Western Australia’s First Grade, Cameron Steel helped keep Claremont-Nedlands at the top as they defeated Subiaco Floreat.
Steel scored 44 from 113 balls to anchor his side’s chase of 221 to win, with Perth Scorchers star Tim David striking an unbeaten 121 to see them over the line in fine fashion.
North Canberra Gungahlin’s Liam Trevaskis scored 11, including a four & a six, as they made 187/7 off 48 overs against Queanbeyan.
In international cricket, Barry McCarthy has travelled to South Africa for warm-up fixtures as Ireland prepare for the World Cup 2019 Qualifiers in Zimbabwe.