The two Mittagong third grade sides the Roar and the Lions, faced off in the third round of the Highlands District Cricket Assoication (HDCA) competition.

The Roar were in good touch after a convincing win over the Bowral Blues Bucks in round one, while the Lions were hoping to hit back after a tough loss to Bowral.

The Roar won the toss and sent the Lions into bat.

Opening bowlers Tim Schnalle and Mitch Conquest bowled tight keeping the Lions’ run rate low.

The Lions opening batsmen were resilient in defence and were slowly ticking over the scoreboard.

Patience brought fortune for the Roar and Mitch Moran came into the bowling attack. 

He looked in good rhythm bowling good pace and accuracy.

A good, quick back of the length delivery from Moran caught the edge of opening batsmen Kieran Molloy and Cameron Facer took a screamer in the slips.

The opening partnership was finally broken with Molloy departing for 16.

Facer was also brought into the bowling attack after taking that spectacular catch.

His bowling was tight as the Lions batsmen struggled to score runs off him.

He then trapped Lions batsman Shane Burridge in front LBW, taking his first wicket of the season.

Burridge was out for five runs.

It wouldn’t be long till Facer struck again when he clean bowled Elliot Stuart for just two runs.

Facer was on a roll. The next batsman that came in for the Lions was Chris Hillsdon.

He was good in defence and played some very nice strokes on the front foot.

A partnership was building for the Lions when Grant Noar come into the attack for the Roar.

He cracked the partnership as Hillsdon (12) was caught out at backward square with Mitchell Moran taking a comfortable catch.

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With wickets tumbling, Lions captain Mark Chance upped the ante, scoring quick runs to help increase the run rate.

Schnalle was brought back in and got the wicket of Chance (39) catching the outside edge and another screamer in the slips by Gary Peters.

This brought Ben Falvey to the crease, who came in to try and score some quick runs. He hit a couple of good boundaries.

He eventually hit out to Kyle Jesshope when he was caught behind by a good catch from keeper Zane Richardson.

Jesshope also took the final wicket of innings clean bowling David Hart for one.

Claire Mellish remained unbeaten on three with the Lions all out for 110.

With storms fast approaching, the Roar had to chase the 111 run target quickly.

Opening batsman Rob Collins and Mitch Conquest got off to a flyer, scoring runs and hitting boundaries over all parts of the ground scoring well above the required run rate.

Collins was then caught by a good catch in the deep by Mellish, he departed for a quickfire 37.

Blake Stutchbury was the new batsman in for the Roar and he tried to continue the fast run scoring but was was caught at backward point.

Conquest continued the onslaught hitting boundaries left, right and centre.

He reached his half century with ease but was out shortly after he was bowled by Shane Burridge for 57.

Gary Peters and Zane Richardson got the Roar home after scoring the remaining runs.

Peters finished on 10 not out and Richardson three not out.

In the end the Roar won by seven wickets.

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