Wingham Premier League opening batsman Michael Rees set what is believed to be a club record as he bludgeoned a half century from just 19 balls at Laurieton Oval on Saturday.
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Chasing Port Panthers Pirates total of 100, Rees combined with Josh Davis to engulf that score inside 14 overs.
Rees dominated from the start clipping the third ball he faced neatly off his toes for six.
He followed with another major four balls later, then a square drive to the fence from the last ball of the over.
Boundaries from each of the next two overs preceded 19 from Matt Fosters’ fourth and last over, including two towering straight drives for six, one which cleared the carpark.
Foster had claimed five wickets last match but finished with 0/45 off 4, applauding Rees’ 50.
The knock contained five dot balls and eclipsed the 26 balls it took Michael Couch to pass 50 at Chatham Park in 2004/05.
Rees was dismissed for 56 when he skied a ball to mid wicket.
At that time Davis had 21 and the score was 79 in the 11th over.
Davis then blossomed, striking three boundaries to bring up victory with Dave Rees (5) at the other end. He remained unbeaten on 39, commenting that he was happy to sit at the other end and watch Rees blast away.
Play was delayed by 20 minutes due to the soft wicket and the Port skipper’s decision to bat first came into question as Dave Rees again picked up three early wickets.
Given the soft conditions Wingham skipper Ben Scowen altered his plans and gave the new ball to Josh McTaggart who again bowled tidily in his first spell, but without success.
He was replaced by Steve Allwood who picked up the next four wickets at a cost of just eight runs, before succumbing to a thigh strain. Pirates had now slumped to 7 for 49 just after drinks.
Michael Rees took over from Allwood but copped some tap from newly selected Australian Under 16 off-spinner, Connor Cook, who hit three lusty sixes.
At the other end Brad Staff claimed two wickets in three balls before McTaggart finished the Pirates innings, having Foster caught behind from a short ball. Cook was left stranded on 34 which bolster their innings to the neat century. Tom Connolly occupied the crease for 20 overs in compiling 22.
Dave Rees finished with 3/17 off his 8, Staff 2/20 from 7 and McTaggart 1/19. Allwood appears in doubt for Saturday’s tussle with United at Chatham where victory will ensure a top two finish for Wingham.
Second grade victory
Wingham second grade are into the grand final after a solid victory over minor premiers United at Chatham Park.
United were restricted to 8/146 as Rhys Kleindeinst took 3/35 and Jake Mullen and Bruce Bird two wickets each. Mullen played a captains knock of 61 and joined with Tim Bridge (40) to knock off the runs for the loss of six wickets. They will play the winner of United and Old Bar on Saturday week.
Third Grades’ season is over following a heart-stopping last ball loss at Bulahdelah. Wingham posted the solid tally of 7/160 as Blake Thompson passed 50 only to see the home side hit a boundary from the last ball to progress to the decider.
