Chasing 430 runs is a tough ask at the best of times let alone when NSW and Australian big guns Doug Bollinger, Gurinder Sandhu and Ben Rohrer turn up for day two – in ideal bowling conditions, reports Jason Ellsmore.
The first-class players joined their Lions mates in the field at Raby 2 on Saturday and had an immediate impact removing the Ghosts top order
Only Ghosts captain Scott Coyte and Jaydyn Simmons provided any real resistance to the visitors’ attack.
Coyte’s 85 runs featured 11 boundaries as Simmons played a nice support role adding 35 before being caught behind off Sandhu.
The Ghosts were dismissed for 171 runs just before afternoon tea.
In second grade, the Ghosts started their chase in positive fashion with opener Aaron Yabsley playing freely for 55 runs before becoming the second wicket with the score at 109.
Jack Bray (33) and Faisal Nasim (31) both got away to good starts.
Aditya Mavaru top scored for the Ghosts with 59 runs in the middle order before the Ghosts were dismissed for 230.
The Ghosts’ third grade total of 159 was not enough runs on Raby 3 as the Lions passed them declaring 8 wickets down for 227.
Ghosts captain Pryan De Zoysa completed a good personal effort adding three wickets to his previous week’s 63 not out.
The Ghosts started a second innings and were 4/103 when stumps were drawn.
The fourth grade match played on Fairfield Oval resulted in the Ghosts taking the competition points. Defending 192 runs, the Ghosts rolled the Lions for 159.
Michael Strong (3/19), Joshua Langford (3/23) and Pat O’Neill (2/57) setting up victory for the Ghosts with ball.
The fifth grade match saw the Lions cruise to victory passing the Ghosts previous weeks total of 192 for the loss of just three wickets.
Next week the Campbelltown Camden Ghosts take on Parramatta, with second, fourth and fifth grade at Raby Sports Complex.
