Tatts moves into outright first position on the NDCA second grade ladder

Tatts Cricket Club has claimed the outright first position on Narrabri District Cricket Association’s 2021-22 season second grade one day comp ladder following an eight-wicket win in a highly-anticipated top-of-the-table clash against Tourist Sports Bar at Hogan Oval on Saturday.

The two sides went into the match locked on 15 points following two wins and a loss each during the first three rounds of the season prior to the Christmas/New Year break and the January T20 competition.

When the one day season finally resumed on Saturday, Tatts was far too good in the round four fixture.

Tourist Sports Bar batted first after David McInnes won the toss and the side batted out the entire 40 overs to finish on 9-96.

Tatts was able to chase the required total down in 22.4 overs while only losing two wickets.

The eight-wicket victory saw Tatts move to 22 points. It is now a win clear of Tourist Sports Bar (16 points) and more than a win clear of both RSL and Tourist Hotel (13 points each).

In its round four match on Saturday, Tourist Sports Bar entered the 20-over drinks break just three wickets down but it had only scored 39 runs at less than two an over.

The side increased that run rate in the second session, during which it scored 57 runs for the loss of six wickets to finish with 9-96.

Adam Shields entered at number nine for Tourist Sports Bar and smashed two sixes on his way to a team-best score of 20.

Teammates Mick Smith (19) and McInnes (15) also reached double figures.

Tatts used seven bowlers in that first innings, six of whom claimed at least one wicket.

Captain Craig Gleeson (2-2 from one over), Darcy Gleeson (2-9 from five overs) and Bill Wood (2-18 from eight overs) all claimed two wickets each, while Chris Hartnett (1-10 from eight overs), Dylan Segundo (1-20 from eight overs) and Josh Rose (1-28 from six overs) all took one each.

Guy Gleeson was the only bowler not to take a wicket, but he finished with an economical 0-9 from four overs to help put pressure on Tourist Sports Bar.

He then came out and did the job with the bat. Gleeson opened with Mark Crutcher and the pair put on an 85-run opening-wicket partnership before Gleeson (37) was bowled by Brendan Jenkins in the 20th over of the innings.

His replacement, Ryan Steel, was run out for a duck in the same over.

Despite that double blow, the damage had already been done and Crutcher was able to guide Tatts to a memorable victory with an unbeaten 50.

Michael Hewett (10*) entered the middle at number four and his late cameo included a six to win the match in the 23rd over.

Tatts has now turned its attention to this Saturday when it takes on fellow round four winners RSL in the fifth round of the campaign at Gately Field or Cooma Oval.

Tourist Sports Bar will be looking to bounce back when it takes on clubmates Tourist Hotel at Hogan Oval.