HAWKESBURY's early season run came to an abrupt end when it was hammered by 87 runs by Eastern Suburbs in the Sydney Cricket Association at Waverley on Saturday.
Former Hawk star Peter Forrest was dismissed for just four when he chipped a return catch of Jay Dyball's medium pacers, but it was Forrest who had the last laugh as his new club dominated the match from start to finish.
Forrest ran out Sean Clarence and took a catch to dismiss Shane Mott in what was a mixed day in his first outing against his old club.
Batting first, Easts made a steady start to reach 0/55 before losing the two quick wickets, but they recovered to be in good shape until the introduction of spinners Anthony Kershler and Tim McKay brought the Hawks back into the contest.
McKay (2/21 off 10) continued his fantastic start and Kershler bagged 3/32 before late hitting helped the Dolphins to 215.
Hawkesbury's run chase began poorly with Jameel Quereshi out in the first over and three run outs crippling the top order to 4/46 as only Justin Nelson made an impact with 25 off 16 balls.
Regular wickets continued to fall and the Hawks were bundled out for just 128, with keeper Nathan Carroll topscoring with 35.
The Hawk batsmen will spend the week finetuning their game before meeting two more ex-teammates in James Henry and Chuck Matt- hews with their new club UNSW at Owen Earle Oval this Saturday in what is sure to be an interesting encounter.
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SECOND grade kept its spot in the top six with a 41-run win over Easts at Owen Earle Oval.
Batting first, the Hawks made a rocketing start through openers Rob Allen and Steve Simons, who added 50 for the first wicket until Allen chased a wide ball.
Veteran Michael Goeke joined Simons in winding the clock back 20 years in a vintage display, with Simons making 55 from 58 balls and Goeke hitting 68.
Dale McKay produced a stunning knock of 77no from just 58 balls, and with handy assistance from Dean Laing, took the Hawks to 5/286 from their 50 overs.
McKay showed no discomfort of his dislocated finger which ruled him out of round two in a comm- anding display, and with two half centuries to start the season McKay, at just 17, is beginning to put pressure on the bats in the top grade.
The Hawks made a terrific start to their defence Scott Heaney taking a wicket in his first over, but the Dolphins took over to race to 1/100 in under 20 overs.
Heavy rain reduced the match to a 39 over contest with a revised tar- get of 225 and under heavy cloud and on a damp wicket the game changed with young quick Jamie Cruickshank taking a wicket in the first over back to swing the game.
Simons (3/28) and Matt Williams (4/29) took full advantage with offspin and medium pace respectively to rip the Dolphins out for 184, with 16yo wicketkeeper Tom Decent in outstanding form with two catches up to the stumps and a smart stum- ping, no doubt impressing the NSW under 17 coach who was in Easts' batting line-up.
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TH IRDS couldn't maintain the momentum in chasing Easts' 230 at Trumper Park, going down by 66 runs.
Young quick Matt Gooley grabbed 4/32 in a good performance before Hawkesbury set itself up well at 2/100 as Aaron Beach made it back to back half centuries with 52, but they couldn't keep up the pace.
Fourths' poor batting form continued as they crashed from 2/70 in the face of the more experienced Dolphins' spin-attack to be all out for 151, with the visitors cruising past the total for the loss of just two wickets.
Fifth grade fell just nine runs short in a thrilling contest at Snape Park, Maroubra.
Easts made 9/219 with Brendan Vella and Alan McGregor bagging two wickets each and in reply the Hawks kept themselves in the game with Tim Wilson (28) and Mark Bartolillo (28) leading the way, but none could post a match winning score.
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