BACK IN BUSINESS: Griffith’s Tom West makes his return to cricket in Sunday’s Creet Cup loss to Lake Cargelligo.
THE Griffith Under 18s are still searching for a maiden Creet Cup win this season after losing by 124 runs to Lake Cargielligo on Sunday.
The visiting side was switched on from the outset and took the game by the scruff of the neck with a powerful batting display.
Openers Brad Hard (32) and Linden Hopson (17) set the tone with a commanding opening stand after Lakes were sent into bat.
But it was the big-swinging Mitchell Johnson who really turned the screws, blasting seven boundaries and one six on his way to an unbeaten 66 at nearly a-run-a-ball.
Gerard Haase (48 not out) was also in the mood, notching his score off just 31 deliveries and only falling short of his half-century because he ran out of time, with Lakes finishing on 4-236 off their 45 overs in the middle. The only positive from the innings for Griffith was Tom West’s return to cricket. The young gun opened the bowling and knocked over Hopson to post figures of 1-39 from his nine overs.
Michael McWhirter (2-12) also impressed with a tidy four-over cameo.
In response, Griffith never got going with the bat, losing openers McWhirter and Daniel Peruzzi inside the first five overs.
The home side was eventually bowled out for 112 with only four players reaching double figure scores.
Wicketkeeper Jake Breed was the pick of the bunch and was unbeaten on 27.
The Under 18s remain bottom of the Creet Cup ladder and now face a trip to face top side West Wyalong on March 17 to round out the regular campaign.
