Denman In Front After Big Win At Aberdeen

Newcastle Herald

Friday December 24, 2004

Craig Kerry - Up the Valley

A POWERFUL run chase has allowed Denman to overtake Aberdeen as leaders of the Muswellbrook first-grade cricket competition at the halfway mark of the season.

The two top sides met at Aberdeen Oval on Saturday and the home side set a good tempo to finish on 210 from their 45 overs.

Glen Hamilton was the mainstay of the innings, finishing six runs short of an unbeaten century, and Andrew Hill scored 31.

Cameron McIlveen and John Apps snared two wickets each for Denman.

Denman lost seven wickets but needed only 35 overs to pass the target.

Steve Harris (44) and Kyle Thrift (39) were the main contributors.

Hamilton and Aberdeen captain Ricky Clifford took two wickets each.

The result put Denman two points clear of Aberdeen at the top of the table heading into the three-week Christmas-new year break.

In the other round-11 game, a blazing century from big-hitting Valley Souths batsman Darren Easterbrook destroyed Workers Club in the rematch between last season's finalists.

Valley Souths batted first and piled on 216.

Easterbrook was out for 107 before the drinks break at the 22-over mark, and his side were 6-159.

He smashed 19 fours and two sixes in the whirlwind innings.

Mick Howarth (35) and Rob Jordan (21) provided solid support.

Workers, who were without top batsmen Rod Nyman and Brad Swann, managed only 162 in reply.

Bowling leg spinners instead of his normal seamers, Brian Scott took a handy 7-36.

Marty Blenman (65) and Chris Merrick (44) were Workers' best.

Workers are now 10 points behind Valley Souths in last place.

© 2004 Newcastle Herald

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