Sport
13 March, 2023
Atherton secure home semi-final
ATHERTON second grade has secured their place in the Cricket Far North finals after a high scoring win over Norths at Griffith Park on Sunday with over 400 runs being scored over the course of the game.
After winning the toss Atherton decided to throw on the pads and put up a defendable score and both their openers, Ben Howard and Alex Nasser, settled in quickly.
Howard made a quick 18 before he was dispatched while his opening partner remained strong at the crease.
Patrick Stevens came in at number four after the third batsman fell for eight and worked with Nasser to continue running up the score before Nasser was caught just six runs shy of a half century.
Atherton’s middle order worked overtime as each batsman made it into the double figures including captain Greg Misener who ended up with 30 before being run out.
Stevens was the pick of the batsman as he charged his way towards a 62 off 47 balls with eight boundaries.
Atherton’s tail wagged to push them over 200 and the rest of the order managed to scrape together a few runs to get Atherton to 236 after their 40 overs.
With such a huge total to defend Atherton looked well in truly in front however Norths were not going to take the loss lying down and their batsman banded together to make the chase.
The second and third batsmen made 34 and 33 respectively while four and five both fell to Misener for ducks.
The middle and lower order made some runs as Norths edged closer to Atherton’s total however Nash Coghlan put a quick stop to that taking four wickets, three in the lower order.
Norths fell shy of the total and were all bowled out for 184 in the 39th over.
After the win Atherton have claimed the second spot on the table.
