TWO wickets in the opening two overs of the morning's play gave Hamilton-Wickham the early momentum in their win over Toronto Workers in the Newcastle district cricket match at Ron Hill Oval on Saturday.
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Toronto Workers resumed on Saturday at 2-63, needing a further 194 runs to eclipse the Hamwicks' 256. Any plans Toronto might have had to bat with freedom and take the challenge to the bowlers went out the window when they lost overnight batsman Josiah McCredie (15) and NSW Country rep Greg Hunt (12) without addition to the total.
McCredie drove at the bowling of Sam Webber, only to edge the ball behind to Ben Balcolm in the first over of play.
Things did not improve for the home team in the second over when Greg Hunt survived a dropped catch in the gully, only to be bowled later in the same over by Mitch Casey.
The double blow brought Joe Price and skipper Paul Toole together for another rescue mission under overcast skies and on a pitch offering the quick bowlers assistance. Price finished unbeaten on 58, while Toole battled hard for 13.
The Toronto skipper caught many by surprise when he declared the Toronto innings closed at 8-167 - still 89 runs shy of the first innings victory total. But any chance of securing an outright win was dashed when Hamwicks added 181 in their second innings.
Price claimed 5-55 and Brinn Osland 3-38.
Toronto came out hard in the fourth innings, finishing at 2-75 from just 10 overs.
After starting the day's play together at the crease, McCredie (10 not out) and Hunt (44 not out) finished it together, too.