TORONTO Workers showed plenty of steel to reach 2-169 and earn a hard-fought draw against Charlestown in a rain-affected Newcastle cricket match at Kahibah Oval on Saturday.
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Play was delayed until 3pm, giving the Kookaburras 55 overs to face on a rain-affected pitch.
Responding to Charlestown's first innings total of 9-273, Toronto's top order provedresolute.
"Given the circumstances and the bowler-friendly conditions, the way our batsmen dug in was outstanding," Toronto Workers president and cricket manager Aaron Gray said.
An opening stand of 86 between Nathan Hudson (47) and Corey Brown (53) set the tone.
A maiden first grade half-century for Brown was a highlight, Gray said.
"Corey is a very promising cricketer, a determined cricketer, and at just 19 offers a lot off the field which makes him an ultimate club man," he said.
To score a 50 in such testing conditions was "a glowing endorsement" of his approach.
Joe Price (57 not out) continued the solid start.
"The batsmen really put their pride on the line on Saturday," Gray said.
The influence of captain Paul Toole was starting to make "a steep impact" at Toronto, he said.
"Paul talks about the word respect a lot. Respect for the opposition; respect for your wicket; respect for the next ball; respect for the batsman when you're bowling."
Toole, a former Randwick batsman, was mentored by the likes of former Test bowler Mike Whitney, and helped to mentor Test batsman Simon Katich.
He has brought a wealth of cricket know-how to Toronto since he joined the Kookaburras in 2006, Gray said.
Uni a tough test
THIS Saturday, Toronto will return to Ron Hill Oval to take on University in a one-day fixture.
The home team will be missing representative players Nathan Hudson, Joe Price and Greg Hunt.
University will provide batsman Matthew Gawthrop and opening bowler Grant Stewart to the Newcastle representative team.
‘‘Uni are a very strong bowling attack, and were minor-premiers last season on the back of that,’’ Toronto cricket manager Aaron Gray said.
Their attack on Saturday will be led by Luke Bird, a representative-standard player who is unavailable for rep cricket this season, Gray said.
Uni’s Mike Radnidge and all-rounder Tim Prescott wouldalso be a threat with the ball.
Last Saturday, the Uni attack routed Stockton for 61 and then 51 in the second innings, to score an outright win.
‘‘We’ve got to show the same sort of steel that we showed with the bat against Charlestown,’’ Gray said.
Play starts at 10am.
