Kirk continues to dominate as Tatts Cricket Club’s second XI end the regular season on a high

Tatts Cricket Club’s second XI scored their third win of the campaign on Saturday when they downed Tourist Hotel by 26 runs at Hogan Oval in the 12th and final round of Narrabri District Cricket Association’s regular season.

The two sides were already locked in to meet in this Saturday’s preliminary final at the same venue, and their round 12 match was a dead rubber as Tourist Hotel had already secured second spot on the ladder. However, Tatts were hoping to take momentum into the finals series, and they achieved that with what was just their second win in the one day comp to go with the one victory they earned during the T20 campaign.

They batted first after skipper Jesse Packer won the toss and made 6-138 in 40 overs before restricting Tourist Hotel to 112 runs in 30.1 overs.

The loss was Tourist Hotel’s sixth of the season as they fell even further away from the minor premiers and defending champions, RSL, who had the bye in round 12.

RSL finished with 100 points after scoring nine wins this season to go with two washed-out draws, four byes and just one loss, while Tourist Hotel ended up on 67 points following three wins, three washed-out draws, four byes and six losses. Tatts also had three wins, but they lost eight games, had one washed-out draw and four byes as they picked up a total of 61 points.

Tatts were guided to their 26-run round 12 victory by club stalwart and top run-scorer Rod Kirk, who finished off the regular season in style. He entered the middle at number four in the 10th over when Tatts were on 2-28 after Robert Packer (4) had been bowled by Chris Smith and Nick Stewart (1) had been run out. He then anchored the innings as he put on a 61-run partnership with his skipper Jesse Packer (25) followed by a 44-run partnership with Jake Cooper before he departed in the 37th over, having scored 61 runs.

Cooper (12) and Emily Hartnett (2*) were the side’s only other scorers, and Tatts were also assisted by 33 extras.

Tourist Hotel skipper Kaleb Mowle (0-13 from eight overs) bowled well for no return, and teammates Adam Gordon (1-8 from three overs), Alan Whitmore (1-22 from eight overs) and Smith (1-33 from eight overs) all took a wicket each. There were also two runouts in the innings.

Tourist Hotel openers Matt Wall (30) and John Lawlor (29) got their side off to a positive start, and Lawlor was at the crease until the 28th over when he departed having lost six partners. No other Tourist Hotel batsman was able to reach double figures in that innings.

The chasing side were 1-70 at one stage but then lost 9-42 to lose the match by 26 runs.

Kirk backed up his superb efforts with the bat as he took a match-best 4-11 from five overs with the ball. Jesse Packer (2-11 from 5.1 overs), Cooper (1-19 from six overs), Brinley Davis (1-31 from six overs) and Rhett Myers (1-40 from eight overs) all took wickets and there was also a runout.

This Saturday’s preliminary final between Tourist Hotel and Tatts will be played at Hogan Oval from 1pm.