26 Oct 2022
PSSA Cricket knockout report - Lennox Head PS vs Maclean PS 25 October 2022.
Thrilling. Entertaining. Inspired. These are some of the adjectives that those present would use to describe the recent PSSA Cricket Knockout victory by Lennox Head PS over Maclean PS at Williams Reserve on October 25.
The visitors from the Clarence Valley won the toss and elected to bat on a pitch that more closely resembled a lake only a mere 24 hours earlier. Harry R quickly found his rhythm taking the off stump of the opening batsman with the very first ball of the match and claiming a second victim soon after. Three overs gone and Lennox were off and running with Maclean reeling at 2/8. The visitors from down south soon swung the game back in their favour through some handy batting partnerships and looked to be headed to the drinks break with their noses in front. Enter Ed N who managed to find a chink in the armour of the Maclean No.3, cartwheeling his leg stump, and then combined with Max P to remove their big hitting captain with a fantastic catch in the outfield.
Maclean limped into the drinks break with 4/47 off 13 overs and came out after the break in search of quick runs. Lennox rose to the challenge through continued tight bowling and ran through the remaining batsmen for only 35 runs with Maclean posting 82 off 23 overs. For Lennox Head, Archie B and Beau G picked up two wickets with Kobe M one wicket and the highlight being Beau G's runout off some tight Hayley A bowling through the middle overs. As always, Zac D was lightning in the field saving may vital runs for his team.
Billy B and Henry R strode to the crease with 83 runs needed to secure victory and take the pride of the Ballina Shire through to the North Coast final. After a solid start, both openers were unlucky to lose their wickets and this brought Joel W and captain, Tully C to the crease. Both boys played vitally important roles for their team with Joel holding his end whilst Tully turned on a truly inspirational captain's knock in the stifling heat. The boys put on a solid, and much needed, 40 run partnership to steady the ship and put the home side in the box seat.
Some minor jitters through the middle order gave Maclean a sniff of victory but Harry R and Kobe M took the game by the scruff of the neck and surged the mighty team from Lennox Head to an exciting victory. Lennox Head won the match 5/88(23overs) over Maclean 10/82 ( 23 overs). The team now await the results of other games to see who they play in the North Coast final.
Mr Robb would like to thank all parents for their help, especially Kerryn K and Terry R for scoring and Nathan P for helping with the field set up. A special thanks to Tully C for giving up an hour of his afternoon on Monday to help with preparing the field for Tuesdays' play.