Sport
2 March, 2022
Atherton bows out of finals
ATHERTON first grade entered their final game at Walker Road on Saturday needing to beat Minor Premieres Mulgrave (Rovers would also have to beat Norths), to stand any chance of securing a spot in the semi-final.
After a delayed start, Mulgrave won the toss and elected to bowl first on what looked like a pretty good pitch.
Opener Chris Adams got Atherton off to a good start scoring 31 form 34 balls before getting trapped LBW by spinner Will Robertson.
The middle order all made starts chipping in with some handy runs, Mulgrave showed their class in the field with two direct hit run outs and some quality slip catching.
Atherton seemed in trouble at 7-116 with captain Paul Nasser back in the sheds before Mason Blaney and Pete Sceresini upped the run rate playing some excellent lofted shots all around the ground. An unbeaten partnership of 65 got Atherton to a respectable 7-181 from 40 overs.
Paul Nasser and Luke Parnell struck early claiming a wicket each in their opening spells giving Atherton the perfect start with Mulgrave at 2-4.
Jake Roach and Justin Reid fought back as they have done so many times before, showing real class and experience.
Spinners Tom Boorman and Dan Parnell managed to take the two big scalps to get Atherton well and truly back in the driving seat. Atherton took frequent wickets bowling the home side out for 125 clinching a 56 run victory.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough as Norths beat Rovers by 4 wickets securing their spot in the Cricket Far North semi-final this weekend against Barron River.
Ex captain Dan Parnell announced his retirement after 18 first grade seasons with the Atherton club. Dan has been a valuable member of the team for many years and will be sorely missed.
