RED Cliffs Cricket Association won bragging rights over Broken Hill’s Barrier District Cricket League in Saturday’s second interleague challenge.
On their home decks at Quandong Park, the RCCA A and B Grade sides proved too strong, winning by eight wickets and 83 runs respectively.
Also joining in the fun was a Sunraysia Cricket Association women’s side, who defeated Barrier by 29 runs.
Resurrected from a series played between the two leagues in the 1960s and 70s, both leagues are aiming to make the Diggers versus Miners Shield a regular fixture.
RCCA secretary Geoff Christensen said it was a great day all around.
“It was just good to get some cricket played considering the rain at the start of the season,” he said.
“Council did a great job getting the pitches up and running. It’s just about the best we’ve seen them out at Quandong Park.
“They were happy to come down and had a ball, and now we’re looking forward to the return fixture in 2023.”
In A Grade, Tempy Tigers bowler Ben Mole tore through the batting order taking 4/8 from just four overs as Barrier were dismissed for 51 in 17 overs.
Ouyen Rams player and RCCA skipper Alex Morrish (3/18) and Nursery Ridge’s Jason Finch (2/17) also starred with the ball.
Sheldon Hall was the only batter to provide any real resistance for Barrier, scoring 27.
It took just 15.2 overs for RCCA to run down the total, finishing at 2/56 with Robinvale Euston’s Tim Lister smashing 39 not out from 50 deliveries. Lawrence Hebbard finished with 2/15.
In B Grade, Ridge batsman Mitchell Shaw blasted 80 from just 60 deliveries to lead RCCA to 7/205 from their 40 overs.
Cardross duo batsman Sean Leersen (40) and Aaron Graham (23) also played a part in setting up the run chase.
Despite 31 from Clint Pearce, Barrier could only managed 122 before being dismissed in the 32nd over.
Bowling spoils were shared between South West’s Aaron Negi and Tempy’s Harry McLean, finishing with 5/23 and 5/31 respectively.
In the women’s contest, Tania Kirirua-Gill led the bowling line-up with 2/15 as Barrier were held to 4/67 from their 20 overs.
In response SCA finished their allotted overs at 4/96, with Teoi Kirirua-Gill (17), Natalie Thomas (17) and Meagan Johnston (15) top-scoring.
