SUMMER sport got off to a hot start with the season opener of the Dungog and District Cricket Association competition.
The first match was between Karuah-Tea Gardens and Wallarobba-Stroud at Tea Gardens’ Memorial Park on Saturday 11 October.
The home team, the Sharks, hosted the newly amalgamated Wombats in 30-plus degree weather, with many happy for drinks at the end of the first 20 overs.
Karuah-Tea Gardens came into the new season on an 18-month undefeated high, which culminated in their 2024 grand final victory.
But reality hit early with the Wombats chalking up a total score of 4/241 after 35 overs and the home team all out for 72.
Even a few ducks were seen walking off the pitch, one of them golden.
Wallarobba-Stroud’s Owen Daley scored an impressive 128 not-out, while some very tidy bowling by the Wombats kept the Sharks to their lower scoreline.
The local boys did well enough on several counts. The top three scorers were Trent Page (27 runs) Ben Woolard (21) and Bowen Betts (12).
The best local bowlers for the match were Bowen Betts (2/42), Paul Mascord (1/25), and Matthew Price (1/51).
Several local rugby league players are keeping themselves fit in the off-season by running around the cricket pitch.
Some have been with the Sharks since their early years, including Ben Woolard and Jordan Barry, who have been involved with the seniors since they were 12-years-old.
There are only six teams in this year’s Dungog and District competition, as many players have retired or moved on, or been outplayed by farm-life commitments.
“We used to have six different age groups in the competition scattered between the Maitland and Dungog competitions,” Shark Mark Woolard told News Of The Area.
“I had retired from the game last year after the big grand final, but the young fellas talked me into it, and I rejoined after a big twist of the arm.”
Players at the Karuah-Tea Gardens team hail mostly from Tea Gardens, Karuah or Pindimar, but they are always ready to welcome new hitters.
The team trains on Tuesdays at 5:30pm at Tea Gardens Memorial Park.
The next game is against the Dungog Bunnies at Tea Gardens on 18 October at 1pm.
By Thomas O’KEEFE
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