SHOALHAVEN’S Jeffrey Cup side, coach by Ulladulla United’s Aaron Wester, slumped to a 10-run loss to Highlands in their opening round match of the Greater Illawarra Zone competition on Sunday.
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Played at the Lackey Park Sportsgrounds, the Highlands won the toss and elected to bat first.
The hosts started strongly with the willow, as openers Ravi Wikramanayake and James Morton both got starts, before the former was dismissed by Justin Rumble for 23.
One wicket quickly became two when Max Whelan sent Fionn Parker on his way for a duck.
But that ascendancy for the visitors was then halted by James Morton and Benjamin Tucker, who scored 61 and 40 respectively, to set up the hosts innings.
Despite Darcy Murchie (one) and Ryan Morton (one) failing with the willow, solid contributions from Blake Denney (31) and Nicholas Wilson (12) saw their team finish their 50 overs at 8/198 – with both Mason King and Nicholas Gardner finishing on two not out.
With the white ball, three Shoalhaven bowlers Christian Sargood (2/17), Justin Rumble (2/33) and Rhys Burinaga (2/33) claimed two scalps each, with Max Whelan (1/42) finishing with one.
In reply, Shoalhaven’s innings started poorly when Chaise Boulding was dismissed for a duck by Blake Denney.
Ryan Henry and skipper Max Lans then dug their heals in, both reaching double figures before the former was dismissed by Mason King for 10.
Rhys Burinaga then joined his captain at the crease and the pair added 25 to the total before the North Nowra-Cambewarra product fell for 14.
Lans was the next for fall, for 26, with the score at 4/63.
John Bowern fell one run later, for five, being caught leg before by Fionn Parker.
Just when it appeared the hosts were getting on top, Sussex Inlet’s Christian Sargood and Berry-Shoalhaven Heads’ John Ulrick paired up in the middle.
This duo put on a 99-run stand, before Sargood fell for 39 – with the score on 6/163.
His dismissal started a collapse for Shoalhaven, as Ulrick (61), Jacob Higgins (zero) and Nathan Simmons (eight) fell in quick succession.
In the end, Shoalhaven finished on 9/188 from their 50 overs, with Max Whelan four not out.
The chief destroyer for Highlands was Nicholas Gardner (5/53), with Blake Denney (2/35), Fionn Parker (1/23) and Mason King (1/34) also taking wickets.
Shoalhaven squad: John Bowern, Max Whelan, Ryan Henry, Rhys Burinaga, John Ulrick, Dale Ramsden, Justin Rumble, Christian Sargood, Max Lans, Chaise Boulding, Jacob Higgins, Nathan Simmons, Seb Jeffrey and Jack Pritchett.