MARK Cosgrove stepped straight in for Northern Districts on Saturday, smashed 100 and led them to an impressive win over Southern District a Bice Oval.
Chasing the Stingrays’ modest target of 161, the Jets went about getting some batting practice and finished the day 9/295.
Coach Russell Thompson said Cosgrove’s innings was outstanding.
``He blew the game apart,’’ Thompson said.
``The outfield was considerably better than the week before but the way he played and took it to their bowlers put us on the front foot.’’
Most of the Jets’ batsmen got their eye in with Cam Francis making 33, Ben Wright (26), Andrew Frick (43) and Chris Duval (38).
``I thought we bowled and fielded terrific last week then for everyone to chip in around Mark (Cosgrove) was good. They all got a hit under their belt,’’ Thompson said.
The Jets face a resurgent Port Adelaide this weekend that is coming off an impressive win over Kensington.
``They looked like they played all right. They beat Kensy and have a couple of new players in their side,’’ Thompson said.
``After a good win for them it’s important we keep going as well.’’
Northern Districts may be without Cosgrove and Duval due to state commitments this weekend but Thompson has plenty of players to call on.
``Kirk Pascoe was named but didn’t play and Trent Burge made 60 odd in B Grade,’’ Thompson said.
``Merv Westfield arrives from England and may be ready to play and we’ve got a stack of young bowlers waiting for their chance as well.’’
Lewis Hatchett was the best of the Southern District bowlers with 3-32 while Canberra recruit Michael Delaney and Robert McCard both took two wickets.
``I think Cossie was the difference between the two sides,’’ Southern Districts coach Abe Moore said.
``They had the better of the conditions but he (Cosgrove) was very good.’’
The Stingrays hit back on Sunday by downing Adelaide in their one-day clash, handing Moore his first win as coach of the club.
Shaun Tanner and Simon Roberts both made half centuries.
``It’s good for everyone’s confidence going forward,’’ Moore said.
BULLS CRUMBLE WITH THE BAT
TEA Tree Gully coach Peter Sleep said his players would spend a ``lot more’’ time in the nets this week as they look to bounce back from a disastrous start to the Grade Cricket season on Saturday.
The Bulls were skittled for just 82 in reply to University’s 175 at Uni Oval.
``We need to work very, very hard on our batting,’’ Sleep said.
``The batting deck was really good, better than last week.
``I was very happy with the way we bowled but it was a poor batting effort by everyone really.’’
Sleep said after a big pre-season he was surprised by the way his team crumbled.
``No excuses whatsoever, we’ve done all the right things, trained very hard,’’ he said.
``They had (Alan) Wise and (Dan) Christian, both state bowlers, and you could say it’s the first game of the season, but that’s no excuse.’’
Wise went on a wicket-taking rampage, dismissing Tea Tree Gully’s first three batsmen for a combined total of 12 runs.
The Bulls slumped to 5/17 and only Tim Davey (34) and Scott Gillies (18) showed any promise.
Wise finished with 7/32 and Christian 3/29 before the Blacks returned to the crease for a second innings.
For a moment they looked like suffering their own batting collapse when they were 2/4 but Andy Delmont steadied things with 52 before the side was all out for 125.
Scott Strangio and Jake Haberfield both found form with the ball for the Bulls with three wickets.
VINTAGE BRADBROOK FAILS TO GET REDS OVER THE LINE
A VINTAGE knock from Craig Bradbrook wasn’t enough to lift East Torrens to victory in its Grade Cricket season opener against Glenelg on the weekend.
Chasing a challenging 301 at Campbelltown Oval, the Reds made a good start with openers Chris Adams (35) and Ben Schlicker (47) putting on 81 for the first wicket.
Bradbrook came in at 2/87 and played a near match-winning innings before being dismissed for 67.
``He played beautifully and did a really good job,’’ East Torrens coach Greg Quinn said.
``He batted down the order and came in and played really sensibly.’’
Mark Eichler added a handy 35 batting at No.9 but East Torrens lost wickets at crucial times to leave them 42 runs short, all out for 259.
``We were right up with the run rate and matched them,’’ Quinn said.
``We just lost a couple of wickets along the way, one before and straight after lunch which put us on the back foot.’’
Quinn said he was pleased with his team’s effort but it didn’t change the fact it was still a loss.
``We batted all the way down and that’s what we’re looking for this year.
``Things went to plan, but we were knocked off by 40 and that’s still a loss unfortunately.’’
Neil Rowe was the pick of Glenelg’s bowlers with 5/69, including the key wicket of Bradbrook caught and bowled.
TOP ORDER FIRES FOR STURT
STURT’S top order fired and led it to victory over Adelaide in Saturday’s Grade Cricket season opener.
The Blues’ top four batsmen all made starts Jason Borgas (28), Brad Davis (24), Cam Borgas (39) and Tom Moffatt (35) and a well-timed 52 to Oswald-Jacobs at No.6 helped the side to 207 in reply to Adelaide’s 148.
Nathan Job was outstanding for the Buffalos with 4/32 from his 17 overs while Dan Cullen and Sam Williams both took two wickets.
BRAVE PROSPECT FAILS TO ‘NAIL IT’
WEST Torrens took the points but Prospect was far from disgraced in their Grade Cricket season opener on Saturday.
Chasing 278, the Pirates were in deep trouble at 2/10 but gutsy knocks from Ben Wyman (63) and Peter Brown (72) put the side back on track.
At 6/197 Prospect still looked in the game but the tail crumbled to be all out for 219.
Nick Lopez was the other Prospect batsman to make any score of note, finishing with 37, but the load was left to too few.
Former Redback Trent Kelly made a welcome return to the West Torrens side with 3/44 while David Bourn and James Smith both finished with two wickets.
``They (Prospect) played really well. But they had two huge partnerships and the game of cricket doesn’t go on like that,’’ West Torrens coach Grant Wyman said.
``So the momentum was going to turn at some stage when they lost a couple of wickets we got ourselves out of a bit of a hole.’’
Wyman said the efforts of Bourn and Smith with the ball helped secure victory.
``David bowled well when it was crucial for us, when we had to keep it tight, and Smithy was a partnership breaker,’’ he said.
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