A SPARKLING 63 not out from junior James Howard helped guide Devon Meadows Cgrade to 6/277 against Lyndhurst Vikings at Glover Reserve on Saturday.
After being sent in, Mick Cloutter and Glen Fairbrother made a steady start to the Panther’s innings, sharing a 66run opening stand when Cloutter (24) was forced to retire after being struck on the leg.
Tony Scott (24) joined Fairbrother and upped the tempo before becoming the first wicket to fall after mistiming a pull shot shortly before the interval.
After the break, skipper Matt Davidson (14) and Fairbrother (65) made steady progress before the pair fell in quick succession and the Panthers were stuttering at 3/143.
Mick Floyd and Howard steadied the innings and began to accelerate the run rate, their 46run stand ended when Floyd hit a return catch when on 34.
The Panthers then lost 3/2 and at 6/191 and were in danger of again failing to bat out their overs.
However Howard showed great maturity and with support of Mick Aughtie, the pair added 86 runs off the final nine overs of the innings.
Howard’s innings included seven boundaries hit to all corners of the ground showing great composure in a difficult part of the innings.
Aughtie returned to form with 35 not out, giving the Panthers an excellent chance of their second win for the season.
E GRADE
James Howard’s younger brother Luke took 5/59 to put his side in a matchwinning position at Lyndhurst.
Brett Vance (1/37) and Justin Mentiplay (1/34) took early wickets, but from there it was the Panthers’ under15 brigade that took control.
Howard’s persistent line and length netted him his careerbest figures and helped reduce the home side to just 8/147 at tea.
A 60run ninthwicket stand was broken by Daniel Marascia, who then claimed the final wicket to finish with 2/46 and dismissing the Vikings for 236.
Chris Morrell chimed in with 1/34.
With 20 overs to face, Ian Hopper (42 not out) and Steve Brewster (30 not out) guided the Panthers to a dominant position of 0/78 at stumps.
UNDER 15
The Panthers day didn’t get off to a great start after conceding 5/177 against Merinda Park Red.
An early wicket to Luke Howard (1/10) got the Panthers off to a promising start, Jarryd Harley bowled well to take 1/12 and Chris Morrell claimed 2/30.
The rest of the bowlers struggled to contain the Cobras on the lightening fast Glover Reserve and will need to bat well to win their third game of the season.
UNDER 13
Devon Meadows White defeated Merinda Park by 14 runs on Friday night.
Spencer Churchill top scored with an impressive 29, while L. Sharpe (14) and L. Williams (14) also batted well.
L. Thomas, T. Sannen and G. Baker were the better bowlers in an excellent team effort.
