Creeks Zoom To Equal Top Spot But It's Bye For Now

Newcastle Herald

Friday October 28, 2005

Craig Kerry - Up the Valley

CREEKS will enjoy their first bye tomorrow in Singleton district cricket after maintaining their hold over Valley with a seven-wicket win at Cook No.3 last week.

The defending premiers and PCH are now top of the A-grade table heading into round four tomorrow after their second victories of the season last Saturday.

PCH, who beat JPC last week, play Glendon tomorrow at Cook No.3 and JPC take on Valley at Howe Park.

Chad Solman was the standout for Creeks last week, hitting 49 on a difficult day for batsmen.

Valley batted first on the rain-affected pitch and managed just 94.

All six Creeks bowlers used took wickets. All-rounder Warren Gillespie was the best with 3-21.

Creeks made a shaky start, losing opener Rod Luxford (0) in the first over.

Solman then took over before opener Darren Nichols (10) fell with the score at 54.

Solman fell with Creeks at 64, but Gillespie (19 not out) and captain Gavin Wake (14 not out) ensured victory.

PCH downed fellow second-round winners JPC at Howe Park.

All-rounder Peter Winsor led PCH to success in another bowling-dominated match.

Winsor scored 63 at No.4 as PCH set JPC a target of 6-147. Hugh Smith (24) and Ian Neely (22) provided valuable support either side of Winsor in the batting order.

Debutant Mark Dunstan, who took the new ball with captain Matt Richardson (2-23), was impressive for JPC with 2-26.

A depleted JPC attacked the run chase aggressively and were put in a position to win by Robbie Hedges (28), Shane Duggan (24) and Chris Unicomb (24).

But the tail quickly collapsed after the top-six batsmen fell to leave JPC all out for 99.

Captain David Gibson (2-15), Allan Lantry (2-13) and Darren Wilkinson (3-17) were the best with the ball.

? Workers jumped to within two points of the Muswellbrook district cricket lead with an easy win against defending champions Denman last week at Olympic Park.

Unbeaten leaders Valley Souths had a washed-out draw with Aberdeen at Werraman Field but maintained the frontrunning on 10 points.

They take on Denman at Denman Oval tomorrow, while Aberdeen play Workers at Olympic Park.

Workers moved to eight points after rolling Denman for just 55 last Saturday. Chris Merrick snared six wickets and Dave Dever four in the demolition.

Workers then cruised to victory one wicket down with Rod Nyman and Danny O'Sullivan unbeaten.

Valley Souths will be under pressure to maintain their lead in the next three weeks as star all-rounder Jon Shaw will be out with work and representative commitments.