General News
31 January, 2023
Century for Clarke
MATHEW Clarke scored an unbeaten 101 for Cobden’s division three side last week.
MATHEW Clarke scored an unbeaten 101 for Cobden’s division three side last week.
An in-form Clarke proved unstoppable at the crease against Heytesbury Rebels on Saturday, with his innings including five sixes and 13 fours.
Clarke’s contribution saw his side take the win by 52 runs.
He was well supported by team-mate Benjamin Clarke with 38 – which also included four boundaries.
Alongside Clarke’s ton, Cobden youngster Lenny Walsh celebrated his first hat trick, finishing the day with bowling figures of 3/6 from four overs.
Cobden division one captain Simon Murfett praised the division three side, saying it was a “great day” for them and highlighted the efforts of both Clarke and Walsh.
“Mathew was unbeatable at the crease and to finish on 101 not out is a great effort,” Murfett said.
“This was his maiden century and one that will no doubt be long remembered.
“Lenny Walsh is only about 12 years-old and is already showing a lot of talent with the ball. I think he’s played three or four games in division three so far this season and this (last weekend) was his maiden hat trick.
“It’s something many of us have yet to achieve and probably never will so to do that at such a young age, playing senior cricket, is a great achievement.”
Cobden’s division three side finished the day on 4/328 while containing Heytesbury Rebels to 9/186.
While Murfett was “thrilled” with the performance of the division three side, the same couldn’t be said for Cobden’s top grade which struggled against Noorat, going down by 45 runs.
“For the second consecutive week we really struggled with the bat,” he said.
“To finish on 10/72 is disappointing; and Noorat really got on top of us and made 117.
“It’s something (batting) we really need to work hard on and will be a focus of our training sessions.”
Murfett attributed poor shot selections to his team’s overall performance – with the bowling efforts of Angus Uwland – 6/12 of 8.2 overs – the only real highlight of the day.
“With only three of our batsmen to reach double figures; Jack Hutt on 13, Eddie Walsh 10 and Campbell Walsh 10 not out it was a disappointing day overall,” Murfett said.
“But we’ll now look ahead and hopefully this weekend, against Heytesbury, we can turn the tables. If we don’t bat well we will again be pushing uphill.”
