Helensburgh Cricket Club – Weekend Wrap (Round 17)

It was a mixed weekend for Helensburgh Cricket Club across the grades, with rain impacting several matches. While two games were abandoned due to the weather, Fourth Grade secured a strong win and First Grade welcomed two new debutants.

First Grade – vs Balgownie

Rex Jackson Turf Field

Helensburgh won the toss and elected to bowl first at home against Balgownie in the Round 17 one-day fixture. The Tigers produced a solid performance with the ball, restricting Balgownie to 141 all out in 47.3 overs.

Harry Fairfax led the attack with an excellent spell of 2/15 from his 10 overs, while Will Hoy also bowled well, finishing with 2/19 from 10 overs as the bowlers kept things tight throughout the innings.

In reply, Helensburgh’s run chase was disrupted by rain, with the match eventually decided under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method. The Tigers were 68 all out from 20.5 overs, with the revised calculation leaving Helensburgh needing 121 from 32 overs, resulting in a loss under the DLS method.

Rhys Fowler top scored with 15, while Nathan Marciante added 12 runs.

Despite the result, it was a special day for the club with Rob Craig and Kaiden Wildey both making their First Grade debuts. Congratulations to both players on reaching this important milestone.

Second Grade – vs Balgownie

Judy Masters Oval

Second Grade also faced Balgownie, winning the toss and electing to bowl. The Tigers produced a strong bowling effort, holding Balgownie to 9/130 from their 50 overs.

Brett Morris was outstanding with the ball, finishing with 3/7 from 10 overs, while Ben Stewart supported well with 2/29 from 10 overs.

Unfortunately, rain intervened before Helensburgh could begin their run chase and the match was abandoned due to weather.

Third Grade – vs Wollongong White

Thomas Dalton Park North

Third Grade’s match against Wollongong White was also impacted by rain. Wollongong finished their innings at 9/171 from 45 overs before the weather forced the match to be abandoned.

The pick of the Helensburgh bowlers were Logan Ackerman, who claimed 2/32 from 6 overs, and Curtly Lloyd, who bowled well to finish with 2/21 from 9 overs.

Fourth Grade – vs Wests Red

Rex Jackson Oval West

Fourth Grade provided the highlight of the weekend, recording a convincing win over Wests Red.

Helensburgh’s bowlers set the platform by dismissing Wests for 89 in 33.1 overs. Hugo Dwyer was the standout with 3/13 from 5 overs, while Geoff Mallon chipped in with 2/18 from 7 overs.

The Tigers chased down the target comfortably, finishing at 3/92 in 12.3 overs. Michael Barilla led the way with a strong 41, supported by Brent McQuillan with 24, sealing a well-earned victory for Fourth Grade.

Despite the rain disrupting much of the weekend’s cricket, there were still plenty of positives for the Tigers, including strong bowling performances across the grades and the First Grade debuts of Rob Craig and Kaiden Wildey. Helensburgh will look to carry that momentum into the next round. 🏏🐯