Umina heads for cricket finals

The finals are drawing closer for Umina District Cricket Club with five of its eight teams in the running to contest the finals series.

"Our first grade has now had two close losses in a row, but a win in the last game against Lisarow should see the Devils qualify," said publicity officer Mr Gary Blake.

"At the weekend Umina tried valiantly to defend a modest 178, this score was achieved after being 5/28 before Matt Duggan (42), Troy Spicer (25), Craig Di Blasio (31 not out) and Colin Smyth (25) combined with a solid rearguard action.

"The bowlers struggled late on in the wet conditions but unfortunately Gosford-Mountains scored the runs with an over left.

"The second grade game was washed out early in the day with Umina at 2/91.

"The draw leaves the Devils well placed to qualify for the finals.

"Third grade can't make the finals, but we had a good win over Gosford-Mountains.

"Umina scored 181 thanks to a century stand between Gary Blake (72) and Tim Radford (37), then were able to restrict the opponents to only 126 thanks to a solid team effort with the ball from all bowlers, notably under-16s' players Bryce Cox (3/23) and John Seymour (1/15).

"Fourth grade struggled against The Entrance suffering a first innings loss.

"In the Limited Overs Competition, our sixth grade ('A' Grade) have wrapped up the Minor Premiership with two matches still to play.

"Kurt Smith with his maiden century (102 not out) starring in the washed out draw with Toukley, then Steve Searston (4/7) destroyed Lisarow to set up a comfortable win.

"Seventh grade can't make the finals, but have now chalked up three wins on the trot with some good team performances and no real standouts.

"This team were a clear last on the table at Christmas, but have now moved up to eighth place and are really enjoying their cricket.

"Eighth grade are sitting in the top four and despite losing on the weekend after their previous game was washed out will certainly be in the running when the big matches are on.

"Our ninth grade (our father and son team) are running second and had a good win over Gosford, the batting was based on a strong partnership between father and son Jamie and Jordan O'Donnell, with 60 and 28 respectively, before Jordan with two wickets, and Tom Frazer 3/31 put Gosford out of the game.

"A highlight of this game was one of the dads, Greg Manson, taking his first wicket in a competitive match.

Results of Round 10 two-day competition were:

First grade - Mountains-Gosford 7/180 (Craig Di Blasio 2/21, Warwick Botfield 2/39) def. Umina 9/178 (Matt Duggan 42, Craig di Blasio 31no, Troy Spicer 25, Colin Smyth 25)

Second Grade - Umina 2/91 (Justin Gerrie 30no) v Mountains/Gosford Play washed out, match drawn

Third Grade - Umina 181 (Gary Blake 72, Tim Radford 37, Ashley Jones 30) def Mountains/Gosford 126 (Bryce Cox 3/23, Gary Blake 3/25)

Fourth Grade - The Entrance 212 (Nathan Mitchell 3/34, Lewis Black 2/19, John Carroll 2/41, Paul Wright 2/57) def. Umina 74 (Luke Egan 25) 1st Innings

Round 19 Limited Overs:

Sixth Grade A - Umina 4/232 (Kurt Smith 102no, James Archibald 64, Stephen Gregg 32) v Toukley. Play abandoned after 41 overs due to rain, match drawn.

Seventh Grade B - Umina 124 def Toukley 73 (Alistair Lock 4/24, Andrew Friend 3/12, Nick Clarke 2/6).

Eighth Grade C - Umina v Mountains-Gosford washed out.

Ninth Grade D - Umina 189 (Jamie O'Donnell 60, Jordan O'Donnell 28) def. Gosford 111 (Tom Frazer 3/31, Jordan O'Donnell 2/9, Greg Manson 1/7)

Round 20 Limited Overs:

Sixth Grade A - Umina 6/58 def. Lisarow 51 (Steve Searston 4/7, Bendon Jones 2/15, Tim Bell 2/18).

Seventh Grade B - Umina 144 (Adam Fyfe 29) def. Terrigal 133 (Sean Ellard 4/21, Richard Southan 2/16, Kendall Thonpson 2/17, Alistair Lock 2/24)

Eighth Grade C - The Entrance 7/140 (Tim Knight 2/24, Scott Aitchison 2/35) def Umina 57

Ninth Grade D - Bye

Press release, 24 Feb 2009 Gary Blake, Umina District Cricket Club