Park triumph as Duckworth-Lewis puts dampener on Pies

Collingwood Park have registered their third win of the season, chasing down 119 in their rain-reduced clash with Denmark at Turf East on Saturday.

The fixture was reduced to 38 overs each after rain halted Denmark’s batting innings for a significant period.

The Magpies finished with 9-114 from their allotted overs, which became 117 via the Duckworth-Lewis method.

Park, led by Nathan Dovey and Nathan De Graaf, always looked in control as they chased down the victory target with four overs to spare and continued the Magpies’ winless season thus far.

Leroy van den Dool and the returning Chad Hitchcock made starts and when Jesse Spaanderman fell cheaply Park still had work to do at 3-64.

De Graaf played a patient innings, reaching 33 before he was undone by seamer Matt Ellul on 33 from 49 balls.

Dovey then became the man to get Park home as he defied the Magpies in a sturdy 60-minute stay.

Graeme King removed Myles Jackson on four, leaving Park 5-99 but Dovey and experienced cricketer Ben Grey would see their side to victory in the 34th over.

Park required 19 runs from the last seven overs as Dovey (35 not out) and Grey (6 not out) held firm to secure a five-wicket win for their side.

Dovey is the second-leading runscorer in the competition, his unbeaten knock taking him to 310 runs at an average of 51 this season.

King bowled well for the Magpies, taking 3-40 from his eight overs.

The return of Ellul was also welcomed as he snared two scalps.

English import Ben Attrill continued to impress with the bat as he made 35 in the Magpies’ interrupted innings.

After the early dismissal of Dan Robson, the Magpies steadied through Attrill and opener Matt Burton.

Attrill was well supported by Burton (25) and youngster Oliver Pluckhahn (20) but the Magpies’ lower order was unable to add much to the scoreboard.

Attrill was dismissed at 4-78 and as a result they lost 6-36 to finish on 114.

Hitchcock claimed 3-16 in a lively spell and Park skipper Matt Heberle continued his wicket-taking season, snaring 2-20 off five overs.