North West Sydney Hurricanes crush Lane Cove in Shires cricket

EVEN a delayed start due to waterlogged pitch could not stop North West Sydney Hurricanes from thrashing Lane Cove.

Cricket

EVEN a delayed start due to waterlogged pitch could not stop North West Sydney Hurricanes from thrashing defending champions Lane Cove by 164 runs in the only first grade Sydney Shires cricket game played on Saturday.

Lane Cove, resuming at 2-54 at Bruce Purser Reserve around 2.30pm - in reply to the Hurricanes' 303 - were bowled out for 139, with left arm paceman Joel Scurr the destroyer, taking 6-69 from 23 overs.

This followed his match-saving knock of 84 when the Hurricanes were 6-80 on the first day. Justin Nelson had struck 99 in that innings.

Spinner Joel Ambrey grabbed 2-6 off two overs to hasten Lane Cove's demise.

The Hurricanes are joint fourth on the table, and second in the club championship on 872 points, behind Burwood Briars (1095).

* Second grade, who made 132 on the first day, were unable to defend it after play resumed at 3pm, with Lane Cove reaching the target with three wickets in hand. Shaun Brenner raked in 6-54 off 20 overs in a valiant effort. The Hurricanes were 5-78 in the second innings at stumps.

* Rain affected the other three grades with only the thirds able to claim first innings points thanks to their performances on the first day, when Lane Cove were dismissed for 88.

* The Hurricanes' undefeated Frank Gray Shield side will host a qualifying final against Epping Bulls at Bruce Purser this Sunday at 10am, after routing South Sydney Rabbitohs by eight wickets. Souths were dismissed for 112 in 42 overs, with the Hurricanes romping to their target with 16 overs. Brad Seath top scored with 51 not out.

* This weekend sees first four grades take on Roseville with the firsts at Roseville Chase, seconds at Bruce Purser, thirds at Roseville Park and fourths at Charles McLaughlin.