HAWKESBURY Cricket Club’s first grade team has started its season in fine style, with a solid home victory over North Sydney at the weekend.
Second grade and fifth grade also had wins over North Sydney, while third and fourth grade lost their one-day matches in the first round of the newly named NSW Premier Cricket.
Joshua Clarke made a big impact for Hawkesbury in his first match for the club after coming over from Campbelltown-Camden, reaching 95 not out at the number three position to anchor Hawkesbury’s runs chase.
Hawkesbury won the toss on Saturday morning at Bensons Lane, and sent North Sydney in to bat.
North Sydney made 202 runs from 50 overs, and lost just six wickets. Hawkesbury chased down North Sydney’s total in just under 46 overs, and had six wickets in hand.
Former Hawkesbury batsman Kerrod Gordon was the top scorer for North Sydney, making 42 not out.
Another of Hawkesbury’s newer players made an impact, with bowler Abdul Hameed Kherkhah, who joined Clarke coming from Campbelltown-Camden, taking four wickets.
With state cricket yet to start, Hawkesbury was also boosted by the inclusion of rising youngster Arjun Nair, who took one wicket and also opened the batting, making 14 runs.
Nair was joined by Brent Atherton, another younger Hawkesbury player, at the crease to open the innings.
Atherton only lasted three runs longer than Nair, before Clarke came to the crease at number three to guide Hawkesbury to victory.
Wicket keeper Corey Lowe was stumped for 19, while Jordan Gauci, another new comer to the club, was out for 24.
Hawkesbury captain Jay Dyball came in at number six and made an unbeaten 29 to finish off the match alongside Clarke.
This weekend is another round of one-day matches, with Hawkesbury set to take on Parramatta.
Hawkesbury will be keen to make an impression against Parramatta and take the win.
Last season, the first grade team had a big round one win over Manly-Warringah, but it proved to be one of only two wins the entire season for the team.
