Lithgow Hotel 1’s first two batsmen took to the pitch and failed to get going with only two runs between them.

Fortunately Matt Dickson made an impact with 42 runs before he was dismissed by Valley 1 spinner Ben Sheehan.

Lithgow Hotel’s Brendan Horner (37) and Matt McManus (28) helped take their final score to 9-150.

Horner also showed his bowling ability taking two wickets, but it wasn’t enough to take the win over Valley.

Valley 1’s Sheehan (25) came out swinging with batting partner Eli Felton (21) proving too strong for Lithgow Hotel.

They were followed up by Nick Miller (55) who got a half century before he was bowled by Jon Cronin.

Connor Roebuck and Juzen Takahira guided Valley 1 home with unbeaten knocks of 10 and 23 respectively, helping their side to a three-wicket win.

Hartley bowler Mitch Blanchard was instrumental in securing a win in their match against Lidsdale on Saturday.

Blanchard took 4-20 in a devastating spell of bowling to restrict Lidsdale to 8-91, sending three opposition bats to the duck pond as well.

It wasn’t all ducks though, with Lidsdale’s Brendan Roach top scoring with 28 before being dismissed by Hartley’s Darren Duncan.

Set 92 to win, Hartley started slowly and it wasn’t until Shorne Holt strode out to the crease that his side managed to turn the match around.

Holt’s 31 not out, and a good knock from Josh Blanchard (23), helped bring home a five-wicket win.

Valley 2 star Sonu Kumar took a mesmerising 4-13 off seven overs in his side’s impressive five-wicket win against Lithgow Hotel 2.

Valley’s bowlers led the way, with Kumar’s haul and impressive showings from Sam Johnson (2-20) and Riley Bell (2-9) helping bowl Lithgow Hotel out for just 70.

Lithgow Hotel’s Jason Murray (22) was the only one to get a start, but he eventually fell to Kumar.

Valley 2’s opener Steve Moore (30) top scorer in the chase, but fell with the score on 42, leaving Sam Johnson (11no) to guide his side to a five-wicket victory.

Jason Murray was the pick of the Lithgow Hotel bowlers, taking 3-14 from his eight overs.

It was a cracking contest when Hampton and Portland 1 met on Saturday, with Portland claiming a narrow eight-run win. 

Portland 1’s batsman Sam Cameron (52no) anchored his side’s first innings total of 3-99 from 30 overs, with his brother Joel Cameron (23no) also ending the innings unbeaten as the pair put on 50 for the fourth wicket.

In pursuit, Hampton’s Nick Byrne (16) top scored for his side but when he fell to the bowling of Dan Scott (3-22), regular wickets fell.

Alongside Scott, Portland’s Shane Green proved tricky to get away, taking 3-27, helping his side roll Hampton for 91.

La Salle Hornets 1 won the match 0-22, while Portland was bowled all out for 20.

No score sheets were handed in.

Lithgow Hotel 1’s Mitch Brain was bowled out for a golden duck off the bowl of Valley 1’s Juzen Takahira.

Valley 1’s H. Wren was caught by Lithgow Hotel 1’s Kobe Hunter putting him in the duck pond with teammate Trent Bunting who was bowled out by Valley’s Brendan Horner for a golden duck.

Hartley’s Z. Jones was caught out by Lidsdale’s Brendan Roach.

Lidsdale’s L. Ward was also sent to the duck pond getting bowled out by Hartley’s Darren Duncan.

Hartley’s Mitch Blanchard was on fire taking Lidsdale’s Blake Bender for a golden duck. 

He also bowled out B. Achurch and Phil Wright sending them straight to the pond.

Hampton’s Rob Arnott was bowled out by Portland’s Joel Cameron.

Kim De Govrik from Hampton’s side was caught out gaining him a place in the duck pond.

The competition has been split with the top six teams taking on each other and the bottom five taking on each other until March 2.

Top six:

Bottom five:

Round 12 on Saturday January 19:

First/Second grade:

Third grade:

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