Nick Neagle claims a historic hat-trick … but its not his first
Royal Park Brunswick paceman Nick Neagle tore through Glenroy’s batting order and snared what could be a historic hat-trick but it’s not the first time he’s claimed the rare achievement.
Local Sport
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Nick Neagle wrote his name into the Royal Park Brunswick record books on Saturday.
The paceman claimed what could be the club’s maiden First XI hat-trick with a “devastating” spell of bowling against VTCA Division 1 North high-flyer Glenroy.
However, it’s not the first time Neagle has earned the rare achievement.
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Neagle claimed a double hat-trick – four wickets in four balls – in 2017-18 in a VTCA Thomas Shield C4 match against Aberfeldie Park.
His second career hat-trick couldn’t have come at a better time for the struggling Parkers.
After being skittled for 65 earlier in the day the club was staring down the barrel of a heavy defeat until Neagle put the team on his shoulders.
Neagle claimed two early breakthroughs before delivering his historic hat-trick, bringing Glenroy to its knees at 5-9.
“It was certainly a devastating spell of bowling, one of those days where everything he went his way,” president Rhys Contessa said.
“Nick bowled 11 overs on the trot, had a three-over break, came back and managed to pick up another one.
“In my time, I’ve been at the club basically all my life, and that’s the first First XI hat-trick I’ve seen.”
Malith Cooray (four) was Neagle’s first victim, caught at third slip, before the quick clean bowled both Tyler O’Neill (zero) and Sarwar Khawar (zero).
He would finish the day with the startling figures of 6-7 and Glenroy reached stumps 8-32, still 33 runs in arrears with Anthony Greaney (two) and Austin Wynne (zero) at the crease.
Entering the game, Glenroy were equal on points with Westmeadows and West Coburg at the top of the ladder, but could miss a home final if it can’t recover.
“Coming into the game there was a bit of a difference in ladder positions but … having them 5-9 certainly puts us on the front foot,” Contessa said.
“We lost a few early, which put us on the back foot, but we managed to get ourselves to 65.
“We needed early wickets and then Nick’s hat-trick, it was a funny day of cricket.”
Parkers batsman Hamish Stafford top scored with a patient 27 that could prove match-winning.
The match will conclude this weekend.