Despite the weekends poor weather we were able to get in four matches and extend our unbeaten start to the season picking up four impressive wins.
Credit to the umpires and opposition, especially hosts Hayfield & Dinting who sportingly got on with the game despite poor conditions.
SATURDAY
FIRST TEAM | DIVISION ONE
Hayfield 115ao v Dove Holes 117-0
Dove win by 10 wickets (20 points)
Skipper Gregory won the toss asked Hayfield to bat. He was rewarded by his opening bowlers Dan Gilbride (3-43) and Sean Critchlow (2-34) who both bowled the maximum 12 overs on the bounce to rip through the Hayfield top order. This left Dan Waterhouse (2-28) and Dave Cartledge (3-7) to mop up the tail, Cartledge rolled back the years with a superb diving caught and bowled. The hosts were all out for 115.
In reply the Dove openers reached the target for the loss of no wickets in just 16.4 overs. Despite a short rain break hosts Hayfield got on with the game as Dan Gilbride smashed 66 and Dan Jones hit 42 as Dove picked up the maximum 20 points.
SECOND TEAM | DIVISION THREE
Dove Holes 198-9 v Woodley 84ao
Dove win by 114 runs (19 points)
Dove were asked to bat by visitors Woodley and were soon on their way to a good score as in form opener Mark Turner hit 63. He was backed by Rob Hawkes (60) and skipper Mark Vernon (29) as Dove finished just 2 runs shy of full batting points on 198-9.
Woodley were then blown away by Cory Flint who picked up 6 wickets for just 25 runs in his 12 overs becoming the first player to get onto the DHCC honours board in 2021. Cory was backed by fellow bowlers who all picked up wickets as the visitors were dismissed for just 84.
SUNDAY
BISSENDEN CUP
Dove Holes 74-1 v Dinting 72ao
Dove win by 9 wickets
Like Saturday, Dove won the toss and bowled first. Skipper Gregory was again rewarded as his bowlers dismissed the visitors for just 72. Sean Critchlow 3-24 and Dan Waterhouse 3-9.
In reply, Dove lost just one wicket as Dan Gilbride 34 not out and James Gemmell 31 not out reached the target in 12.3 overs to see Dove into the next round.
HAWKE TROPHY
Dinting 100-8 v Dove Holes 101-3
Dove win by 7 wickets
Dove were asked to field by hosts Dinting who reached 100-8 in the 40 overs. Kieran Collins pick of the bowlers with 3-16.
In reply, the rain threatened to force a bowl out but the hosts continued to play in poor conditions meaning Dove were able to reach the target for the loss of 3 wickets, Mick Johnson top scored with 29.
Credit to Dinting for working hard on the pitch and getting the game to a result despite poor playing conditions.
Next week the First Team host league leaders Broadbottom whilst the Second Team travel to Hayfield.