Park claim tight encounter

Collingwood Park have bounced back from their loss on Saturday against Denmark to edge out North County by 23 runs in a tight contest on Sunday at home in round 11 of the Albany Cricket Association.

After bowling County out for only 87, Park made a shaky start before a 23-run partnership between Tim Pyle and Hayden Burling put them within striking distance. As Pyle went on to finish the job with Lachy O’Shea, as Park ended their innings all out for 110.

With veteran Craig Tonkin and former Test cricketer Neil Ferriera opening the batting for County, the pair got their side off to a steady start until Ferriera fell victim to Ben Carter to leave them at 1-38.

Harry Broomhall followed soon after, again courtesy of Carter’s bowling.

Fabian Bolton was the next to go in a devastating two-over spell from Bryce Jackson that saw him take 4-2, including the prized wicket of Tonkin, who top scored with 25 runs.

Jackson finished with impressive figures of 5-21.

There was some resistance from the tail as Nathan and Aiden Benson combined for 20 runs for the eighth wicket but County were eventually bowled out for 87, putting Park in a strong position as they went in to bat.

Some inspired bowling from Harry Broomhall in the opening stages had Park reeling as he claimed three early wickets to have them at 3-19 in the seventh over.

That was followed by another two wickets from Broomhall a few overs later, and when Gary McGlade had Bryce Jackson caught behind the game was evenly poised, with Park sitting at 6-48.

The steadying partnership from Pyle and Burling came at a vital stage of the game and when Burling was dismissed by McGlade, Park were 7-71 and within sight of victory.

Pyle and O’Shea finished off proceedings as Pyle top-scored for his side with 22 runs.

Broomhall was the pick of the bowlers for County, finishing with 5-18 from 10 overs.

In the other round 11 fixture, Railways recorded a comfortable 120-run victory against Denmark after Matt Walters fell one run short of a century.

Walters hit 99 off 103 balls, which included an 80-run partnership with Hayden Davies (33) and a 68-run partnership with Jack Steel (26) as the Tigers finished their innings at 5-246. Matthew Ellul took two wickets for the Magpies.

Denmark were bowled out for 126 as they struggled to find any substantial partnerships.

Peter Ross top-scored with 35 not out.

The Tigers’ attack shared the spoils as Coen Marwick finished with three wickets, while Walters, Ryan Tindale and Simon Harvey each had two wickets.