Bottom Rises As Aberdeen Send Premiers Stiff Warning

Newcastle Herald

Friday October 29, 2004

Craig Kerry - Up the Valley

ABERDEEN and Denman have turned the Muswellbrook cricket competition upside down with impressive starts to the season.

The also-rans of last season downed the finalists of 2003-04 Workers Club and Valley Souths on Saturday to move to equal first place after three rounds.

Aberdeen added to Worker Club's dismal start to their premiership defence with a 33-run win at Olympic Park.

Glen Hamilton ensured Aberdeen reached a competitive total of 110 with a knock of 62.

But brothers Nigel and Greg Parkinson made in-roads into Workers Club from the outset.

Greg, who took five wickets last week, took two early scalps, and Nigel went on to take five as Workers Club crashed to be all out for 77.

At Denman No.1, the home side just scraped home against a nine-man Valley Souths in a one-wicket win.

The visitors scored 7-161 from 40 overs with all-rounder John Shaw hitting 78 in the unfamiliar role of opener.

Denman quick Cameron McIlveen continued his top form with four wickets.

In reply, Denman limped to 9-153 before teenage all-rounder Shane Givney (29 not out) and McIlveen (1 not out) steered them past the target. Shaw backed up his effort with the bat with three wickets and opening partner Mick Howarth also claimed three.

Work commitments again left Valley Souths short-handed but the club are confident of turning around the trend.

Tomorrow, Aberdeen are home against Valley Souths and Workers Club host Denman.

? Singleton rugby union halfback Gareth Ernst was shocked yesterday to be selected in the 23-man Newcastle squad to compete at the NSW Country Championships next year.

The 20-year-old, who was in the squad last year as the second-string scrum-half, was the only Singleton player to make the squad after what he described as their "pathetic" season.

The Bulls won only three games in a season marred by retirements and unavailability due to changing work rosters.

Ernst is in the running for the starting role this year but may have to withdraw because of work commitments.

He will complete an occupational health and safety degree at Newcastle University this year and said job opportunities outside the region may see him move.

? Defending Singleton cricket champions Valley will take on competition leaders PCH without young guns Joe Leighton and Taylor Nichols tomorrow.

They will be away with the Hunter Valley under-17 side but Valley skipper Wayne Chandler is confident of matching the unbeaten PCH.

PCH spinner David Gibson proved the difference last week against JPC.

Gibson took 5-5 to bundle out JPC for 54 after they were 4-45 chasing 95.

Matthew Richardson snared 5-14 for JPC while Hugh Smith (32) and Carl Baker (19) were PCH's best with the bat.

© 2004 Newcastle Herald

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