Easts Cricket Club's first grade side have notched up another win this season, beating the Barbarians by four wickets.
Easts sent the Baa Baas in to bat first after inspecting the pitch and finding last week’s damp weather left it green on top.
Captain Sam Uphill said the side thought it would play in their favour with the ball in hand first but Barbarians dug in and stuck out the innings to finish on 9-188 after 41 overs.
"Will Green at the top of the innings batted time so he did really well,” he said.
“The likes of Clarrie Moran and those guys at the end scored a few runs and they got to capitalise on Will's hard work which was really good.”
Easts’ Matt Jackson starred with the ball, picking up six wickets including Green and Moran.
"We didn't bowl great but Jacko came and took wickets like he always does,” Uphill said.
"He leaked a few runs but that is what you always expect with a wicket taker like Jacko.”
Jackson then opened the batting alongside Cody Graham.
Graham was dismissed early for seven and then Aaron Whackett stepped up to the crease at number three.
Whackett scored 69 runs in his innings with six fours and two sixers.
"He did really well, he has been a bit light on this season for runs and has been getting a bit down on himself so it was good to see him get a few runs,” Uphill said.
"We lost a relatively early wicket so he had to go in fairly new when the ball was still moving around so he handled the situation really well and then capitalised at end after getting through the hard stage.”
He was backed up by Justin Hickey with 40 runs.
"They batted really well and capitalised on the loose balls,” Uphill said.
“They hit the loose balls for four but they also batted well against the good balls and batted with a lot of patience which was good.”
The match on Saturday was the last round for the year before the Christmas break but Easts suit up this Saturday in a Twenty20 clash against Hillgrove for Armidale District Cricket’s fundraising day at the sportsground.
The day will include the feature match along with other activities to raise funds and awareness for Beyond Blue.
Uphill said his side are looking forward to coming up against their rivals and hoped they would be able to raise a bit of awareness for mental health.
"Hopefully it is played in good spirits, we have good fun and most importantly we help out anyone that might need a little bit of help,” he said.
Ellen Dunger
Originally from the Blue Mountains, I spent my teenage years in the Riverina at boarding school before moving to Bathurst in 2012 to complete Bachelor of Sport Studies/ Bachelor of Communications (journalism) at Charles Sturt University. I started my career at The Blayney Chronicle in May 2015 and worked casually, one day a week at the Central Western Daily later on that year. I moved to Armidale in March 2016 to take on the role as the Northern Tablelands' sports journalist. Played a variety of sports in my lifetime including touch football, league tag, gymnastics, dance, cross country running and equestrian. Always happy to hear news and tips. www.facebook.com/ellendungerjournalist/
Originally from the Blue Mountains, I spent my teenage years in the Riverina at boarding school before moving to Bathurst in 2012 to complete Bachelor of Sport Studies/ Bachelor of Communications (journalism) at Charles Sturt University. I started my career at The Blayney Chronicle in May 2015 and worked casually, one day a week at the Central Western Daily later on that year. I moved to Armidale in March 2016 to take on the role as the Northern Tablelands' sports journalist. Played a variety of sports in my lifetime including touch football, league tag, gymnastics, dance, cross country running and equestrian. Always happy to hear news and tips. www.facebook.com/ellendungerjournalist/
