Cricket Far North: top 10 players from the weekend across grades

The weekend was packed with great bowling performances across all grades in the Far North. SEE THE TOP PLAYERS HERE >>>

Totals were high and four-fors were aplenty during all the action in Cricket Far North on the weekend.

Here are the top performers from the round across all grades.

Batting

Aidan Firman, Norths United

A unstoppable partnership between Firman and opener Gareth Thomas had Norths United in cruise control as they took down Atherton in the Jimmy Maher Cup gold junior competition.

Firman walloped 91 runs including six fours and two sixes in the win, combining with 61 from Thomas in the 31-run win.

Brendan Falvo, Mareeba

A long day at the crease pay dividends for Falvo, who carried his bat and collected 83 runs including seven fours against Atherton in the fourth grade match.

While his efforts were notable, Atherton’s tail-end were able to reel off the handful of runs needed to eclipse the 159-run a Mareeba total.

Mulgrave spin bowler Will Robertson took four wickets for 27 runs against Norths. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE

Stuart Prest, Rovers

Another opener to have a great day in the batting, Prest struck 77 runs, including an impressive 10 fours and four sixes in a Rovers second grade win against Norths.

His total made it all too easy for Rovers to chase down Norths’ total of 139 runs in 18 overs to win by eight wickets.

Adam Trewin, Barron River

A difference maker in the middle order, Trewin combined with teammates Andrew Phelps (66 runs) and Harry Gardner (55) to tally 75 runs in Barron’s 144-run pumping of Atherton in the first grade stunner.

The statement victory from Barron pens the team as a finals contender early in the 50 over season.

Jacob Stanton, Mulgrave

A clutch effort of 69 runs from Stanton saw the beleaguered batsman guide Mulgrave to a four-wicket win against Norths in first grade cricket.

He guarded his wicket for 95 balls and 130 minutes, striking eight fours in the process.

Bowling

Bishal Tamang, United

In a third grade clash between Mulgrave and United, Tamang wreaked havoc on the former’s middle order, collecting four wickets for 17 runs in eight overs.

This included two ducks en route to United’s 61-run victory.

Joshua Chadwick, Rovers

A Rovers victory was made possible by the tremdous effort by Chadwick, who went 4-19 in 10 overs against the first grade Cyclones.

The spinner also reeled off a clutch 35 runs in Rovers’ innings to secure a seven-wicket victory.

Sean Prior, Barron River

While Trewin, Gardner and Phelps had Barron Rivers’ batting firing on all cylinders, it was Prior who held things in tow in the bowling, finishing the day 4-24.

Prior’s efforts were clutch in the first grade win, taking three of his wickets from Atherton’s tail end.

Thomas J Fricker, Mulgrave

In a four wicket-heavy fuelled weekend, Fricker claimed his share going 4-27 against United’s third grade side.

Taking the first three United batters quickly in the one day bout, United’s order adapted from there to put together 183 runs and a win.

Will Robertson, Mulgrave

Limiting a high-scoring Norths line up where he could, Robertson was able to stifle partnerships intermittently during a 4-27 afternoon of first grade cricket.

The spinner’s efforts helped Mulgrave claim its four-wicket win.

Top Cricket Far North performances October 9-10

As the first grade T20 season wrapped up, the one day season got underway in the Far North.

Junior cricket also got underway for the 2021-22 season, making for a packed weekend.

Here are the best performances with the bat and the ball from the weekend across all grades and ages.

Batting

Nathan Daley, Atherton

In his first game of the under-16 season, Daley guarded his wicket fiercely, belting 65 runs from 60 balls.

He proved damaging in the middle order, as Atherton rolled to a 167-run win.

Jack Porter, Mulgrave

Staring down a 144-run total set by Barron River, Porter powered through 96 balls to collect 65 runs including 11 fours.

He, and partner Ian De Lange (33 runs) saw Mulgrave to a 36-run win in the Jimmy Maher Cup.

Mitchell Warnock bowls for Norths. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE

Tom Van Den Berg, Rovers

Opening for Rovers’ second grade side, Van Den Berg struck 59 runs, including eight fours, against United.

He and fellow opener Stuart Prest (30 runs, five fours), were able to dig into United’s total en route to an eight-wicket win.

Gurpreet Chana, Mulgrave Punjabi

Chasing 76 runs to eclipse Atherton’s total, Chana chomped through with an impressive 56 runs in the second grade T20 match.

This included seven fours and three sixes; Mulgrave Punjabi would win the game by four wickets.

Jayden Giddins, Cassowary Coast Cyclones

Giddins got the Cyclones off to a cracking start in their third grade T20 game against Mareeba, carrying his bat and striking 54 runs.

Despite this, Mareeba would make short work of the rest of Cassowary Coast’s order, resulting in a 39-run win.

Bowling

Stirling McAvoy, Cassowary Coast Cyclones

McAvoy bowled his last innings for the Cylcones in style, taking a ripper 5-26 against Mulgrave in the initial round of one day first grade action.

He also struck 52 runs, making him instrumental in the Cyclones’ six-wicket win.

This would be McAvoy’s last game in the Far North, as he returns to playing first grade in Sydney.

Cairns pace bowler Stirling McAvoy. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE

Gupreet Chana, Mulgrave Punjabi

As well as his quality work with the bat, Chana proved just as lethal with the ball against Atherton, finishing with four wickets for 10 runs in the win.

Brecon Weatherstone, Mulgrave

Weatherstone did plenty of damage on the weekend in his side’s five-run loss against United.

The under-16s player collected four wickets for 12 runs.

Ian De Lange, Mulgrave

As well as piecing together a quality innings with the bat, De Lange rolled to a 4-13 afternoon with the ball against Barron River.

De Lange took out the top four batters for Barron, who were only able to tally 17 runs between them.

Mitchell Warnock, Norths

The Norths skipper cleaned up the wickets against Atherton, taking four wickets for 20 runs across nine overs.

He did what he could against a quality Atherton batting order, who were able to snatch a four-wicket victory.

Joshua Duff, Mulgrave

A four wicket morning for Duff highlighted a tough loss for Mulgrave against Norths.

He allowed 22 runs in three overs; Norths were able keep a lid on Mulgrave on their way to a 20-run second grade win.

Roachy whacks a century, but Fusion falter on very last ball

A Far North Fusion all-rounder was voted player of the tournament in the Bull Masters Country Challenge, but a last-ball heartbreaking sent the team packing in another preliminary final bow out.

Mulgrave’s Jake Roach showed no mercy at the crease, receiving the Dirk Tazelaar medal for his efforts on the weekend at Bundaberg.

He struck an aggregate of 217 runs across the four games as well as a nifty 3-69 across three matches in the bowling.

Roach had two outstanding innings late in the weekend – a century against the Mackay-Whitsunday Nitros, followed by a hefty 96 runs against the North Queensland Monsoon in the four-wicket prelim loss.

He and fellow Fusion opener Justin Reid (37 runs) got off to a top start against the Monsoon in the opening 40 minutes.

However, it was tough goings for the Fusion’s middle order who could only conjure a total of 19 runs between six batsmen.

Roach (2-30) and fellow Fusion bowler Ben McCarthy (2-26) did what they could in the Monsoon’s innings, but North Queensland tailender Justin Dixon was able to eek out a run in the final ball to get the win.

The Monsoon will play the Gold Coast in the final.

Cricket Far North: top 10 players from T20 round three

Nailbiters made for a thrilling third round of the Cricket Far North’s T20 season.

Here are the top performers across all grades from the round.

Batting

Angus Warnock, Norths

Atherton put together a noble total of 135 runs against Norths at Griffiths Park, but Warnock looked something fierce chomping 66 runs out of it.

His side shy of the win by just three runs.

Matthew Wilkins, Mulgrave

Wilkins carried his bat with 66 runs in his squad’s nine-wicket win against Rovers.

Wilkins – who whacked eight fours – worked well throughout the innings with fellow opener Justin Reid (38 runs) to chase down Rovers’ 114 runs.

Stirling McAvoy, Cassowary Coast Cylcones

A week out from belting 87 runs, McAvoy was at it again for his club whacking another 60 against Barron.

McAvoy’s total benefitted from four sixes, however Barron were able to come away with a eight-wicket win.

Ben Shrimpton, Barron River

While opponents Cassowary Coast put up a fight, it was Shrimpton’s 54 runs that proved the difference-maker for Barron in their eight-wicket win.

The opener carried his bat in the win; his innings included six fours.

Justin Reid, Mulgrave

Reid held his ground in Mulgrave’s eight-wicket win over Atherton, whacking a hefty 51 runs.

He was eventually ran out by quality Atherton all-rounder Chris Adams, but by then the damage had been dealt.

Bowling

Henry King, Rovers

King showed no mercy in the fifth grade match between Rovers and Atherton, collecting an impressive four wickets for six runs.

In his side’s 10-run win, King took three wickets early on to set his fellow bowlers up for an efficient innings.

Shane Kennedy, Rovers

A nifty 4-16 had Kennedy top a quality innings for Rovers’ second-grade bowlers against Mulgrave, who were limited to 111 runs in a 33-run loss.

The all-rounder also opened with a team high 49 runs in the win.

Bishal Tamang, United

Tamang only played 1.3 overs, but the United all-rounder finished 3-3 against the Cyclones in his team’s 73-run win.

The clutch performance had Tamang claiming all three wickets in succession at the tail end of the innings to seal his side’s victory.

Shane Soper, Atherton

Soper opened the innings against Barron River’s seconds in spectacular fashion, bowling 3-3 in Atherton’s one-run nailbiting win.

Despite Soper’s start, Barron came back in the middle order to bring the match down to the wire, but Soper’s work in the field helped his team secure the win.

Jack Sell, Barron River

Sell’s prowess across the innings had his squad humming to at 73-run win against United.

He tallied three wickets for just nine runs across a team leading four overs in the win.

Pair of young spinners earn Far North Fusion debuts

New faces will reinvigorate Far North Fusion in its quest to reclaim the Bulls Masters T20 Country Challenge title in Bundaberg next month.

Eight players have been retained from the side that was knocked out in the preliminary stages of last year’s tournament, following a nine-wicket loss to the Darling Downs.

While they will be determined to redeem the painful loss, two young-gun spinners who are eager to make a mark could be the difference.

Mulgrave’s Will Robertson has been rewarded for his standout 2020-21 summer, in which he took 31 wickets at an average of 10.5 for the Toads.

The left-arm orthodox spinner also played for the Piccones Badgers in the Barrier Reef Big Bash T20 tournament, taking 10 wickets in eight matches with an economy rate of 6.32.

Fusion coach Steve Kerwitz said Robertson’s inclusion was a “no-brainer”.

“He had a very good season for Mulgrave last year and forced his way in,” he said.

“I haven’t had much to do with him but I speak to the Mulgrave guys and he’s always going that little bit extra, very good around the team.

“I’ve been very impressed with his bowling and he’s always trying to improve. He’ll be very good for us.”

Former Mackay-based cricketer Ben McCartney will join Robertson as the side’s debutants.

The young leg-spinner made a name for himself since arriving in the Far North in January, taking eight wickets at an average of 15.63 and an economy rate of 3.57 in five games for Norths last summer.

Playing for the Piccones Badgers in the Barrier Reef Big Bash last season, McCartney finished in the top five most economical bowlers, with an economy rate of 5.41.

“He’s a good up-and-coming leg-spinner, and with Chris Stanger no longer available, we were looking for one. He’ll be very handy,” Kerwitz said.

The Fusion will be without former Australian Country all-rounder Chris Stanger, who is expected to suit up for Northern Monsoons after he moved to Townsville last summer.

Barron River shot-maker Ben Shrimpton and Mulgrave spearhead Blake Raper have been recalled to the T20 side after only playing representative one-day cricket in 2020-21.

Justin Reid will take the gloves in the absence of Angus Warnock, who was unavailable, while Dan Parnell will retain the captaincy.

Far North Fusion team to play at the Bulls Masters T20 Country Challenge in Bundaberg: Justin Reid, Jake Roach, Wade Matthews, Blake Raper, Will Robertson (Mulgrave), Dan Parnell, Chris Adams, Paul Nasser, Tom Boorman (Atherton), Rhys Camilleri (Cassowary Coast), Ben Shrimpton (Barron River), Ben McCartney (Norths).

Cricket Far North: Top 10 performances of the first two rounds

Cricket Far North’s T20 season is underway, with plenty of stellar performers from the outset.

Here are the top performers from the first two rounds.

BATTING

Stirling McAvoy, Cassowary Coast

Stirling by name, sterling by reputation.

The Cyclones opener got his 2021 campaign under way in cracking fashion, scoring 87 runs in a thrilling super-over win against Atherton.

Locked up at 4-166 apiece after 20 overs each, McAvoy added another 13 to his total to see his team to the win.

Barron River’s Tim Ward leaps to the crease. Picture: Emily Barker

Daniel Parnell, Atherton

Despite his side’s nailbiting loss to the Cyclones, Parnell showed plenty of fight, belting 86 runs including four sixes and seven fours.

Nathan Crane, Rovers

Crane carried his bat for Rovers in the club’s 18-run win over Atherton, tallying 53 runs from 52 balls, including four boundaries.

Justin Reid, Mulgrave

The Mulgrave skipper and classy opener cracked a half-century on his way to 52 runs, which included four sixes.

Despite Reid’s efforts, Norths made short work of the rest of Toads’ order to record a six-run win.

Barron River’s Andrew Phelps. Picture: Emily Barker

Andrew Phelps, Barron River

Three sixes and four fours topped up a tally of 52 runs for Phelps against Atherton.

Barron River opened strongly with 33 runs from Tim Ward, but it was Phelps’ half-ton in the middle order that had the side leave Griffiths Park with a 21-run win.

BOWLING

Linden March, Norths

March showed no quarter against Mulgrave, claiming 4-14 in a clutch six-run win.

Mulgrave’s Justin Reid had his side humming, however March would collect the wickets of Matthew Wilkins and Max Davies-Griffith, both out for ducks, in quick succession to wrap things up.

Luke McAvoy, Cassowary Coast

While Stirling McAvoy had the batting end covered against Norths, older brother Luke held up the bowling, with figures of 3-13, as the Cyclones claimed a 34-run win.

Atherton's Matt Hopkins bowls to Barrons’ Tim Ward at Griffith Park. Picture: Emily Barker.

Will Robertson, Mulgrave

The left-arm orthodox spinner picked up where he left off last season, playing a major role in his side’s eight-wicket win.

Robertson claimed figures of 3-14 to restrict Barron River to 9/81 from their 20 overs.

Thomas Boorman, Atherton

Boorman bowled out Rovers’ Marcus Berryman for a golden duck to cap off his stint with figures of 3-16.

It wasn’t enough, however, to account for Crane’s half-century, which yielded the 18-run win for Rovers.

Max Davies-Griffith, Mulgrave

A strong spell in the latter portion of the innings from Davies-Griffith guided his team to a seven-wicket win over the Cyclones.

He picked up two late wickets to finish a quality game with figures of 3-18.

Joshua Chadwick, Rovers

Chadwick took care of Atherton’s middle order to finish with figures of 3-20 in Rovers' 18-run win.

He managed to put an end to Atherton opener Chris Adams’ lusty start, before doing the same to danger man Boorman later on in the innings.

Cricket Far North’s T20 tournament returns to Far North pitches for the third and final round this weekend, with the T20 grand final to be played under lights at Griffiths Park on October 8.

CFN T20 FIRST GRADE – ROUND 3

Friday, September 24

6.30pm: Rovers v Norths at Griffiths Park

Saturday, September 25

10.30am: Mulgrave v Atherton at Walker Road

10.30am: Barron River v Cassowary Coast at Griffiths Park

2pm: Rovers v Mulgrave at Walker Road

2pm: Atherton v Norths at Griffiths Park.

Originally published as Cricket Far North: top 10 players from the weekend across grades