TORONTO Workers have broken through for their first win of the Newcastle district cricket season, toppling Newcastle City in a low-scoring match at No 1 Sports Ground.
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The Kookaburras defended their modest first innings total of 155, toppling Newcastle City for just 120.
It was a remarkable win considering Newcastle City started the second day’s play at 0-24.
Toronto all-rounder Adrian Chad said the team started the second day’s play mindful of recent history at the ground.
“The last few games I’ve played at No 1, there hasn’t been a lot of big scores,” Chad said.
“There seems to always be a little bit in [the wicket] at No 1, and we defended 140 there in a semi-final a couple of years ago.
“I always had belief that if we could get a couple [of wickets] early, and build a bit of pressure, anything could happen.”
And that’s how it turned out.
Newcastle captain and opening batsman Jack Downing was the first of two crucial wickets Toronto bagged early.
Downing (22) fell in the fourth over of the day when he edged a delivery from Chad through to wicket-keeper Jeremy Ford.
“We drew him forward, the ball was pretty new so there was a bit of shape, it decked away, and just did enough to catch the edge,” Chad said.
Downing had been scoring quickly all season for Newcastle City, and in Round 1 scored 36 to take the one-day fixture away from Toronto at Ron Hill Oval.
Opening bowler Andrew Somerville made the second big breakthrough for Toronto on Saturday when he removed representative batsman Dylan Hunter before he could score.
Somerville caught Hunter’s glove before the ball cannoned off the pad and ballooned to Corey Brown at point.
Once Toronto got a sniff, they tightened the screws, building pressure on the home team who found it increasingly difficult to score on the big ground and slightly heavy outfield.
Chad said the Toronto bowlers executed as a unit for possibly the first time this season.
The win was met by feelings of relief and some excitement by the Kookaburras, Chad said.
“Hopefully we can get some momentum, and a win against Cardiff would give us two wins before Christmas,” he said.
Toronto will take on Cardiff-Boolaroo in the Round 9 match at Cardiff Oval starting on Saturday.