Campbelltown Camden District Cricket Club first grade are still in the title hunt despite losing their one-day fixture against Sutherland on the weekend, reports Jason Ellsmore.
The Ghosts missed an ideal opportunity to cement second place as they failed to chase down Sutherland’s total of 9-155.
Having bowled well in the heat of Saturday morning, the Ghosts were dismissed for 128 in the 30th over of the afternoon session.
As Sutherland scrapped their way to 155, Josh Clarke led the bowlers taking 3/15 bowling tightly on the back of Tom Rogers, whose figures of 2/17 from 10 overs were more than respectable.
Luke Webb bowled well in support, finishing with 2/24.
The Ghosts opened their innings in fine style with Scott Coyte ruthlessly dispatching the Sutherland bowlers before he was dismissed for 32.
Coyte hit five boundaries and also cleared the fence as the Ghosts look set to comfortably win the match.
But it was the Sutherland spinners that enjoyed the rest of the afternoon.
Only captain Josh Clarke (29) and Jordan Gauci (24) made double figures out of the remaining Ghosts batsmen.
♦ Second grade travelled to Glenn McGrath Oval where upon winning the toss Jarred Lysaught and Jaydyn Simmons put on 162 runs for the first wicket of the day.
Lysaught finished with a well deserved century, scoring 112.
Simmons looked set to match Lysaught but was leg before wicket for 60.
The Ghosts then contributed a further 100 runs before being bowled out in the 49th over for 262.
Sutherland were creditable in their response of 8-256.
In a terrific team effort, almost every Ghosts bowler used by captain Dan Constable took a wicket each.
♦ The Ghosts third grade were set 200 to win by Sutherland after losing the toss on Raby #2.
Aaron Viles (3-23), Josh Langford (3-28) and Josh Appleton (2-48) had ensured the Ghosts had a good chance of victory in the afternoon. However, they failed in their attempt despite a half century from Josh Appleton.
Dale Breckenridge and Ryan Smith also contributed 40 and 31 runs respectively.
♦ The Ghosts fourth and fifth grades both had victories in the battle of the lower grades. The Ghosts posted 175 on a very difficult Sutherland Oval wicket.
A half century to Muneeb Shirazi with support from Josh Institoris (25 runs) was well earnt on the two faced pitch.
The Ghosts bowlers then did their job with Luke Miner (3/24), Mitch Taylor (2/10) and Nathan Baker (2/30) all bowling tightly and seeing the Ghosts to victory.
♦ The Ghosts fifth grade had a dominant victory which sees them clear of Eastern Suburbs sitting in first place.
The Ghosts batted first on Raby # 3 scoring 9-263 from their allocated 50 overs.
Sam Okely (52), Nick Mortimer (47) and Brandon Redman (37) were the main contributors with the bat.
In reply Sutherland struggled as the Ghosts enjoyed an early finish.
Sutherland’s total of 10-61 was mainly due to a wonderful bowling effort by Patrick O’Neill. O’Neill finished with 6/13 in helping to dismiss the Sutherland side inside of 25 overs.
♦ On Sunday the Ghosts Poidevin-Grady Shield (Under 21) and A.W. Green Shield (Under 16) teams played Parramatta and University of NSW in their respective representative competitions.
Playing at Old Kings against Parramatta the Ghosts P-G side won by 113 runs.
Batting first and scoring 222 on the back of a Daniel Constable 70 and a Jaydyn Simmons half century, Parramatta were all out for 109.
Constable and Simmons also starred with ball. Jaydyn Simmons bowled superbly taking 4-13 with skipper Dan Constable also taking 3-24.
The Ghosts Green Shield are unbeaten after two games, defeating both the University sides.
Against Sydney University the Ghosts defended 173 dismissing Sydney Uni for 108. Atharva Patil scored 46 before both Nathan Baker and Aryan Kate took three wickets each.
In Sunday’s AW Green Shield match the Ghosts youngsters won by two wickets. The Ghosts chased down the UNSW total of 9-171 when eight wickets down in the second last over.
• The Sydney Cricket Association competition will resume on January 9 when the Ghosts take on the Sydney CC in Round 9 matches. AW Green Shield competition continues with a match this coming Tuesday against St George on Raby # 1.
