IT was a Remembrance Day to forget for Wingham cricketers in the Mid North Coast Premier League clash against Taree West at the Johnny Martin Oval.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
An abysmal batting display saw them humiliated when bowled out for just 20 runs.l.
A hat-trick by former Wingham opening bowler Ryan Williams was the catalyst for the debacle as he captured 5./ 5 off 5.2 overs. After 89 wickets over four seasons for Wingham, Williams sent former team-mates Brad Staff, Brock Hynes and Jake Mullen packing, reducing the depleted batting line-up to 4/13 in the process.
Jonathon Paff, while lesser in pace, was equally accurate at the other end and claimed career best figures of 5/ 8. Winghams innings lasted just 10.2 overs and included six ducks. Not surprisingly, no batter reached double figures.
It was Wingham’s lowest score on the ground, by one, and only slightly bettered their lowest ever* total of 16 recorded against Mt George on the Eastbank ground at Dingo Creek way back in the 1938/39 season.
Earlier, Taree West had their own top order wobbles but recovered from 5/30 to post 136, thanks mainly to John Burton (46) and Nathan Johnson (19), who added 54 for the sixth wicket. Nathan Plummer also contributed 22 batting at 9 to give West some sort of total. Although the wicket was not at its best, there was nothing to suggest that Wingham shouldn’t challenge that score.
Steve Allwood claimed four of the first five wickets at a cost of 36 runs, while Ryan Smoothy snared the prized scalp of Josh Meldrum, caught at gully for five. He also removed Burton in his second spell, brilliantly caught by Jake Mullen, to finish with 2/18 off eight. Ben Scowen (2/29) and Brad Staff (2/31) removed the tail between them.
Both sides went into the contest severely understrength with Taree West without Dean Mills, Paul Cox, Nayden Moriarty and Ben Jonas. Wingham were forced to make seven changes to last week’s team, with Dave Rees, Mick Stinson, Rhyce Kliendienst and Matt Essery notable absentees.
In the match at Wauchope United could manage just 97 in reply to the home side’s 125. United captain Ricky Campbell won the toss and sent Wingham into bat.
(* Records collected so far)