LEAGUES Club has returned to the winner’s circle after defeating Hanwood in the Griffith District Cricket Association one-day competition on Saturday.
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The Panthers narrowly went down to Coro last week but were good enough to overcome Hanwood in a low-scoring affair at Hanwood Oval.
Leagues Club won the toss and elected to bat on what turned out to be a tough batting deck.
Ben Leach led the way for Leagues with a well-compiled 45. Jimmy Binks (11) and Leagues Club captain Paul Plummer (16) contributed some handy runs as the away team was bowled out for 103.
Luke Docherty returned the best figures for Hanwood with 3-14, while Tom West (3-22) continued his rich vein of form.
In reply, openers Docherty (13) and Michael McWhirter (15) started the innings off well, but once they were removed, Hanwood offered little resistance.
Hanwood’s batting line-up collapsed as batsmen four through eight only managed four runs between them. Tailenders Chris Milojvic (5 not out) and Dean Wynne (10) attempted a fightback toward the end, but the damage had been done, with Hanwood all out for 60.
Satvir Chahal caused most of the carnage for Panthers and returned figures of 4-15 from nine overs.
Plummer commended the patience his players showed, especially after 103 looked a below-par score.
"It was a bit wet. There was a bit of rain around early on,” he said. “It (the pitch) still looked all right. There was a bit of grass on top, and I thought if we posted a good total we could put the pressure on.
"I thought 120 or 130 would’ve been a good score to defend. I was a bit worried with 103 on the board, but it turned out to be enough.”
Plummer said Leach batted fantastic.
"He (Leach) had a lot of patience,” Plummer said. “The deck was popping a bit. It was tough early and he just stuck it out.
“Satvir was getting a bit of movement. He was patient, he hit the right areas and didn't give any runs away.
"Luke Docherty bowled well for Hanwood. Tom West bowled well at the top, too.
"Docherty troubled a few of our batsmen. He was getting some inconsistent bounce and was moving it a bit.”