IT was a disappointing round for Clyde Cricket Club on Saturday with A, C and D grades losing close encounters.
The only bright spot was F grade that notched up its first win for the season.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:A GRADE
The game at Clyde against Merinda Park was all set for a tight encounter with the Cougars chasing 176 and starting the day at 1/8.
Brian Zerbst got Clyde off to a steady start before the Cobra bowlers struck.
Dave Denton fell early and Zerbst fell for a fighting 30 with the score at 3/44.
The loss of two quick wickets saw Clyde in trouble at 5/48 in the 20th over.
Captaincoach Noel O’Brien came to the crease and was looking for partners, but the loss of three wickets in five overs and Clyde were in dire straits at 8/80 after 31 overs.
Inform bowler Bryan Guthrie joined O’Brien and together they batted through till tea and kept the runs coming.
With the score 8/127 and still needing 50 to win there was still some hope.
O’Brien went past 50 just after tea in another gutsy knock and when Clyde got to 8/147 an improbable victory loomed.
A crucial bowling change from the Cobras saw the 67run partnership broken when O’Brien went lbw for 60 and then Guthrie was caught behind for 23.
The Cougars fell short by just 24 runs.
With plenty of time remaining Merinda Park batted again and was in trouble early at 2/9 when Guthrie and Callum O’Hare took a wicket each and the Cobras finished on 2/90.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:C GRADE
Defending 189 set last week at Upper Beaconsfield, Clyde was looking for early breakthroughs.
Paul Adkins 0/41 from 16 overs bowled a sensational spell of fast bowling consistently beating the bat and having two chances grassed.
To the Maroons’ credit, they stuck to the task and went to tea without loss.
The opening partnership of 108 was finally broken when David Taylor fell for 60.
Daniel Waite bowled extremely well to take 4/40 from his 16 overs, but Upper Beaconsfield cruised past the total.
Tom Sinnema took 1/48 from his 13 overs of leg spin and Steve Houlihan, Brodie Yapp and Ian Knox all chipped in with late wickets.
Clyde lost by 56 runs, but stuck to the task all day, especially young subfielder Nick Miles in a game that was played in good spirit.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:D GRADE
Clyde was chasing 240 set by Beaconsfield at Hillcrest.
Both openers were dismissed early before captain Chris Hymas was joined by Luke Moxley and they compiled a partnership that was unbroken at tea at 2/90.
With the game set up to win they tried to lift the tempo but Hymas fell for 34, followed closely by Moxley for 58 that included four fours and a six.
This was the start of a collapse as Clyde plummeted from 2/113 to 6/125.
Young Michael Bain showed some resistance with 20 runs and new recruit Stefan Young also made a handy 22 runs as Clyde was all out for 181.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:F GRADE
Clyde was looking for its first win this season against Beaconsfield away.
A brilliant bowling display saw the Tigers cleaned up for just 63.
Clyde then easily passed this and built the total of 4/150.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:UNDER 16
Playing against the undefeated Cobras at Merinda Park, Clyde won the toss and bowled.
The Cobras put in a top performance in the field with two runouts and the bowlers shared the wickets in the total of 9/143.
Matt Venning took 2/16 from eight overs and Nick Miles, Shane Hook, Nathan Henderson, Shane McBride, James Denton and Darcy Manks all took a wicket each.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:UNDER 14
Also playing Merinda Park, Clyde won the toss and batted on its home ground.
The Cobras started well, quickly moving to 2/80 after 18 overs with Ben Riley making 28 and Joel Avard retiring on 30 before coming back later to end with 39 not out including five fours.
Dylan Hadfield batted well while wickets fell around him to make a handy 20 runs in the total of 9/154.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:UNDER 12
Due to good numbers Clyde was able to submit a second under12 team – the Clyde Cougars.
Clyde played Devon Meadows White and will be chasing a total of 107 runs this week.
Clyde Cougars batted well making 8/125 against Merinda Park Red away.
Pick of the batsmen were Kane Avard 13 not out, Sam Adamson 10 not out, James Harmes nine, Josh Nessan seven and Jonty McPherson three not out.
