Bolters Aiming To Capitalise On Superb Season Start

Newcastle Herald

Friday December 10, 2004

Craig Kerry - Up the Valley

MUSWELLBROOK cricket surprise packets Aberdeen and Denman have good chances to open up an even greater gap to their more-fancied rivals in round-10 matches tomorrow. Second-placed Denman thumped Valley Souths last week and will play defending premiers Workers Club at Olympic Park. Meanwhile, competition leaders Aberdeen, who beat Workers in round nine, will host Valley Souths. Aberdeen lead on 24 points with six wins. They won by three wickets at Olympic Park last week. David Thwaites was the star for Aberdeen with 4-35 to help restrict Workers to 126. Rick Clifford took 3-17. Thwaites then scored 34 not out to steer his side past the target in 32 overs. Glen Hamilton (32) and Andrew Hill (20) also contributed well. Aaron Payne (3-28) and Marty Blenman (2-5) were the best with the ball for Workers. Blenman (23) was also one of their leaders with the bat. Jade Lees hit 42 and Brad Swann, who continues to battle a finger injury, scored 20. Denman, who are on 22 points, inflicted a more convincing win in their game last week. They scored 170 in 41 overs at Denman Oval. Kyle Thrift (39), Steve Harris (34) and Al Murphy (32) led the way. Valley Souths fell for just 82 in 30 overs in reply as Andrew Mepham (5-31) and Cameron McIlveen (4-41) ran through the Valley Souths list. McIlveen, the older brother of Merewether quick and last season's Australian Country cricket player of the year Duncan, has been a regular wicket-taker with the new ball for Denman. ? Only rain will stop Singleton playing their first John Bull Shield cricket match of the season on Sunday. They will face Maitland at Lorn Park, while the colts meet at Thornton Oval. Singleton senior side's only match so far this season was a Country Cup game against Merewether. They won on forfeit against Dungog in the John Bull opener last month, but Maitland are certain to field a side despite some of their players being unavailable and injured. Muswellbrook will play Dungog in the second-round matches. ? Muswellbrook rugby union captain-coach Mick Hickling is almost certain to return in the same role next season. The No.8 will be back as a player and he is hoping to find an assistant to help with the coaching duties. "Our reserves coach Les [Robinson] and Keith [Googe] were a huge help last season for me, but we are scouting around for someone else in a non-playing role to help me out," he said. Hickling has won the past two Cyril Burke medals for the best-and-fairest player in the A-grade Newcastle and Hunter competition. The Heelers lost this year's grand final to Merewether Carlton.

© 2004 Newcastle Herald

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