Conor McInerney and coach Peter Sleep help Woodville to remain unbeaten in SA grade cricket
A dark horse has emerged for the grade cricket premiership thanks to a former Australian spinner taking over as coach. Plus a Redbacks opener makes a case for a return with a mighty ton and more in reports from every match.
Local Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Tait’s Buffalos charging at top of the pack
- How to get the most out of your Advertiser digital subscription
Woodville and Kensington are the only sides still unbeaten in Adelaide grade cricket after a big round of one-day action, also for two-day points, on Saturday.
The Peckers have propelled themselves to 3-0 and have emerged as a dark horse for the title alongside the reigning premiers.
Check out who else snagged wins and what the coaches had to say in reports from all of Saturday’s matches.
WOODVILLE 6/269 ADELAIDE 9/245
Woodville has continued its dream start to the summer thanks to a timely ton from opener Conor McInerney.
In a battle of two unbeaten grade cricket teams at Woodville Oval, the Peckers posted 6/269 against Adelaide, with another handy Mitch Fuss contribution (40) and an unbeaten 40 from all-rounder Luke Francesca.
However, it was Redback-contracted McInerney who blasted himself back into state considerations with a mighty 125 off just 133 balls as Woodville got home by 24 runs.
“He’s brought a new flavour to the club.â€
— Ben Cameron (@BenCameron4) October 19, 2019
Woodville centurion (125 off 133 rocks) and Redback Conor McInerney says new coach Peter Sleep has inspired a 3-0 start to the summer, full wrap in the Sunday Mail tomoz. pic.twitter.com/CttG8pMOZ0
McInerney, who did not bat for nearly three months during the off-season after breaking his forearm in July while bowling at Redbacks training, praised new coach Peter Sleep for his immediate impact.
“He’s brought a new flavour to the club,” McInerney said.
“Just differences at training and differences around the group. He’s really good one-on-one … takes us aside and has a small word, he doesn’t have to say much to get his point across.”
The young leftie has plans to “knock the door down” and get back into the Redbacks squad through sheer crease occupation.
“I just told myself (today) to bat the 50 overs … Sleepy was in my ear,” he said. “Bat for as long as I can every week.”
Adelaide was starting to build at 3/95 before Fuss claimed the key wicket of Ben Pengelly caught behind for 39.
The Buffalos fell short with 9/245 in reply, despite a late charge from Brad Dingle.
After receiving a late call up on Saturday morning, Dingle made the most of his opportunity as he blasted 46 from just 26 balls coming in at No.9.
He also removed Fuss, who was damaging with 40 from 46, with an important run out.
GLENELG 9/193 SOUTHERN DISTRICT 4/194
Glenelg’s hot start to the grade cricket season went cool on Saturday when it was taken down by Southern District in a six-wicket loss at home.
Following last week’s big victory away to Tea Tree Gully, the Seahorses could not back up its supreme batting performance at Glenelg Oval.
Round one opening-pair heroes Liam Scott and Ben Bullimore were removed for 13 and 28 respectively as the hosts fell in a hole early on 6/64.
Harry Cunningham (65) and Josh Roach (34) then combined for a 103-run stand to salvage the innings as the Seahorses finished on 9/193.
But average bowling early let Southern get a strong start on the back of 81 from skipper Josh Barrett and the Stingrays reached 4/194 with three overs to spare.
Glenelg coach Grant Francis said his side was lucky Roach and Cunningham’s partnership got it to a competitive score, but inconsistent bowling and errors in the field were costly.
“Considering the position we were in, they did well to get us to just under 200 but that is a score that’s always going to be hard to defend,” Francis said.
“It’s a disappointing loss, considering the good start we had last week.
“We’re pretty settled with where we want to go with the batting. It’s more about execution from the batters.”
Southern’s new-found energy with bat and ball was on show again and the win propelled the Stingrays to fourth on the ladder.
Trent Riddle (3/44) and Huw Stone (3/37) went on the attack with the ball from the start, while Barrett led the charge with the bat alongside fellow opener Nicholas Bowen (24) and
Chris Russo (35 not out) as the Stingrays controlled play and the chase.
Barrett said his side’s ability to keep up the pressure all day was a key to its victory.
“To restrict them to that score was a very good effort,’’ Barrett said.
“Our bowlers, led by Stone and Riddle and Lewis Hatchett (1/35) in his first game back (ex Sussex) with us, all did a good job.
“It was important that we kept going after getting into a good position. We think we are about where we should be with the line up we have so we have to keep going.’’
PROSPECT 8/228 KENSINGTON 2/229
Kensington veteran Jake Brown shows no sign of slowing down after carving a brilliant century to guide his side to victory over Prospect.
The Browns moved to 3-0 and are top of the ladder following the eight-wicket triumph at Parkinson Oval.
It was their three-time Bradman Medallist who led the way – as he so often does – with a superb 110 as the hosts chased down the Pirates’ 8/228 with six overs to spare.
Brown, who passed the captain role on to Elliot Opie this season, hit seven fours and two sixes in over two hours at the crease with Alex Ross (58 not out) and John Dalton (47) providing vital assistance.
Earlier, Harvey Brennan top scored with 52 but too many of his Pirate teammates could not make the most of their starts.
Six Prospect batsman scored between 17 and 36 runs and the result was a competitive score instead of a big one.
Skipper Opie (2/34), Lloyd Pope (2/36) and Cam Fatchen (2/42) did the damage with the ball for Kensington.
ADELAIDE UNI 6/325 PORT ADELAIDE 7/272
A century to all-rounder Sam Kerber (124) and a half-ton from new recruit Will Bosisto (86) set Port Adelaide a target too tough to handle at Port Reserve.
The Blacks posted 6/325 as Magpies bowlers Jordan Thomas (3/57) and Alex Garlick (2/64) battled hard for the hosts, but they were given little support.
Young batsman Kyle Brazell made a quick 54 off 37 balls to help push Uni over 300 late in the innings.
Port made 7/272 in reply with openers Aaron Sayers (57) Aussie Umpherston (97) recording a 92-run partnership.
“We can’t really piece together a perfect game at the moment,” Magpies coach Matt Weeks said.
“When our bowlers bowl well, our batters probably let us down a bit.
“Our execution for our bowling went horribly wrong. (against Uni).
“Unfortunately if you can’t execute one-day cricket on a good wicket, bowling to good players, they are just going to kill you, which they did.
“325 is a pretty hard score to chase obviously and we made a pretty good fist of it, but we were sort of always behind the eight-ball.”
Weeks said Port’s clash with East Torrens away this Saturday could make or break the Magpies’ two-day grade cricket season.
They enter the match against the Reds with a 1-2 record.
WEST TORRENS 8/274 NORTHERN DISTRICTS 189
Northern Districts player/coach Mark Cosgrove is determined to focus on the positives, despite the Jets losing a third consecutive game.
Cosgrove’s side proved no match for West Torrens at Salisbury Oval in a battle of two winless teams.
The visitors set 8/274, a target too big for the Jets to conquer as they fell 85 runs short.
Youngster Cameron Laird was solid with the ball, taking 2/51 to receive Cosgrove’s praise.
Mitch Thomas (2/65) and Sam Hutchinson (2/17) were the Jets’ other multiple wicket takers.
“It was a disappointing day but we’ve played the top-four teams first up so it was always going to be a tough start for us,” Cosgrove said.
“We are slowly getting our team together. It’s been a tough couple of weeks but there are a few positives coming out of it.
“Young kids like Kabir Luthra and Cameron Laird are taking another step toward their journey and the way they are going about their cricket is a real plus for us.
“I think our batting has become reasonably solid, so hopefully we can transfer that into the two-day cricket which will give us a better chance to bat for longer.”
Mitch Thomas (39) topscored for Northern, while Zac Chapman made 36.
West Torrens meanwhile will be happy to notch its first win after two-straight losses to begin the campaign.
It was a consistent effort from the Eagles as seven batsmen reached double figures, led by half centuries from Daniel Drew (58) and Erik Carrington (55).
Logan Pastyn’s 4/44 was the sharpest of the Eagles’ bowling attack.
EAST TORRENS 193 STURT 7/196
Sturt avoided a 0-3 start to its campaign by edging out East Torrens in a tight clash at Price Memorial Oval on Saturday.
With two losses to begin the season the pressure was on the Blues and their bowlers, led by 4/35 from young all-rounder Corey Kelly, held the Reds to 193.
Henry Dall topscored for the visitors with 59 and wicketkeeper Coby Cornish added 42.
The sub-200 score was never going to be enough and Blues opener Jacob Dick (72) combined with skipper Brad Davis (39) for a 95-run second-wicket stand.
Tom Kelly chipped in with 24 and Ziggy Kulesza made 21 as Sturt reached 7/196 to secure victory.
WOMEN’S WRAP
A quickfire 55 runs off 40 balls from Ellen Falconer helped West Torrens bounce back with a 30-run win over Northern Districts their Twenty20 clash on Sunday.
Batting first at Parkinson Oval, Falconer led the way and combined with Paris Hall (30 not out) as the Eagles posted 3/144.
They then restricted the Jets to 9/114 to get a win on the back of the previous week’s defeat to Southern District.
Emerging talent Ella Wilson was the star on Sunday for the Stingrays, who made it back-to-back victories.
Wilson’s 50 from 55 balls was the key in Southern’s opening 7/132, which proved too much for Sturt who were held to 9/89.
The Stingrays have two wins and two losses on the season and have the bye this Sunday.
West Torrens will take on Kensington and Northern face Sturt, with both matches at Park 25.
THIS WEEK
■ Prospect v Northern Districts @ Prospect Oval
■ West Torrens v Glenelg @ Henley Grange Memorial Oval
■ Southern District v Tea Tree Gully @ Bice Oval
■ Adelaide v Kensington @ Glandore Oval
■ Adelaide University v Woodville @ University Oval
■ East Torrens v Port Adelaide @ Campbelltown Memorial Oval
■ Sturt – Bye