Dave Spillane, his partner throughout almost the entire innings, fell just short of a century of his own, finishing on 98 after being bowled by Brayden McCann. 

His was the only wicket to fall in La Salle Hornets innings, with the team declaring on 1-264. 

Portland No 2’s batting attack made a strong start, with Chris Hann recording a century of his own. He was bowled for 107.  

His efforts were not able to be repeated, however, with the following three batsmen taken for a combined 10 runs. Brayden McCann was the next highest run-scorer, making 15. 

La Salle’s bowling attack shared the prizes, with Alan Cronin backing up from his extraordinary batting performance to take three wickets. Wickets also went to Chris Isley, Lachlan and Jeff Thompson, Peter Cronin and Robert Spillane. 

Richard Sharp top-scored for La Salle on 90, leading his team to an 89 run win over Hampton. 

His effort was supported by David Glasson (27), Richard Wheeler (24 not out) and Jordan Smith (23 not out) on the way to 7-234. 

Matt Palmer was the top bowler for Hampton, taking 3-49. Wickets also went to Ryan Bilby, Mick Byrne, Rob Arnott and Matt Tuxford.  

In reply, Matt Palmer top-scored for Hampton on 37. Fazeel Tariq (27) and Rob Gracy (28) were there in support. 

But Luke Brown was having a very good day with the ball for La Salle, taking 5-29 in his six overs. Todd Walsh also took three wickets as the Hampton team was restricted to 9-145. 

A solid team effort with the bat from Portland and a blistering bowling performance by Isaac Fardell secured a win on Saturday, October 27 against Hartley. 

Fardell’s day did not get off to the best start, caught for a duck. 

Josh Blanchard was enjoying huge success with the ball for Hartley, taking a total haul of 5-37. 

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Stephen Bender, Sam and Joel Cameron all stepped up to make scores in the 20s, with small totals from the following batsman adding to a total of 8-136. 

In reply, Warren Stevens had a good start with 36, before becoming the first of Isaac Fardell’s four scalps for the day. 

Wickets fell cheaply after his dismissal, with only Josh Blanchard reaching double figures (15 not out). 

Fardell finished with 4-14, with Joel Cameron also taking two wickets, limiting the Hartley innings to 77. 

No 1 proved itself top dog in the battle of the Valley teams on Saturday, October 27. 

No 2 opened the batting, with Steve Moore adding 34 before being caught out. After his dismissal the early order found it difficult to get a start, with only Jarrod (26) and Mick Inzitari (18) making an impact. 

A number of Valley No 1’s bowlers shared in the action, with Nick Miller, Chris Guigni, Nic Kenniff and Jono Reid all taking two wickets. The remaining wicket went to Aron Crowder.

Nick Miller’s knock of 82 not out spearheaded the Valley No 1 run chase, assisted by Hayden Wren (16), Nick Kenniff (15) and Aron Crowder (15 not out). 

Matt Williams took Valley No 2’s two wickets. 

It was an exciting match as Lithgow Hotel No 2 took on Lidsdale on Saturday. 

Half centuries by Brendan Roach (68) and Phil Wright (54), with a handy 30 from Dom Dellabosca led a successful Lidsdale chase. 

Dan Hine (3-52) and Jason Murray (2-39) led the bowling attack for Lithgow Hotel. 

Jason Murray was the best of the Lithgow Hotel batsmen, bowled by Dom Dellabosca for 53. Brett Holyoake held up the tail with 36 not out as the team finished on 7-191. 

Dom Dellabosca finished with two wickets, while Brendon Roach, Luke Giokaris, Logan Ward, Tony Dellabosca and Jamie Giokaris all claimed one wicket each. 

It was a swift chase for Lidsdale in reply, with Roach smashing 10 boundaries in his 68.

Isaac Fardell had a great day with the ball for Portland but was not so lucky with the bat, falling for a duck in his team’s win over Hartley. On the Hartley team, Zach Jones was caught out off Fardell’s bowling for a quacker. 

For Valley No 2, Lou Kappos was bowled for a duck at number two by Nick Miller, while team mates T Buck and D Hartley joined him in the duck pond. 

Troy Chalmers failed to make any score for Portland No 2. 

Hampton had three batsmen who did not record a score, Mick Byrne batting in the number one spot, Alan George and Brett Campbell at six and seven. 

Lithgow district’s senior cricket competition is heading into round four this weekend: 

La Salle Hornets No 1 v Lidsdale at Conran

La Salle No 2 v Lithgow Valley Cricket Club at Turf 1

Portland No 2 v Lithgow Hotel CC No 1 at Kremer Park

Hampton v Lithgow Valley CC No 1 at Hampton Park

Lithgow Hotel CC No 2 v Hartley Cricket Club at Turf 3. 

Portland has the bye for this round.