Finishing the match with just nine players, Hill Top was unable to secure back to back wins in the Highlands District Cricket Association’s (HDCA) first grade competition.
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Up against defending premiers Wingello Tigers at Welby Oval on Saturday, the Tigers enjoyed a seven wicket win.
Hill Top won the toss and elected to bat.
An unbeaten 106 from Tim Goldfinch along with 51 from opener Josh Whitfield helped the Kookaburras to a total of 9-215 from 45 overs.
Matthew Pike took 4-35 off nine overs for Wingello with Tigers captain Grant Pike also taking a couple.
But due to injuries and players who had to leave early, the Kookaburras finished the match down on troops.
Wingello reached the total in the 39th over, losing just three wickets along the way.
Bob Lewis was unbeaten on 72 while Andrew Benson (54) and Cameron Pike (61) also made valuable contributions at the crease.
Jimmy Debs, who had only recently returned to the side, injured his hamstring.
Hill Top captain Alex Debs said he wasn’t sure how long he would be out of action but hoped he could be back on the field before Christmas.
He said Brett Peckham also suffered a broken finger.
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Debs said his side’s bowling and fielding performance “let us down” but he would take plenty of positives from the match.
“Out of all the teams in the competition we’ve probably got the most improving to do. But when we play to our full potential we can beat any team,” he said.
“For us it’s just about having a complete performance. We’ve batted out our 45 overs in the last three games but we lose concentration when we get ahead.”
With a few players out over the Christmas period, Debs said it would test the depth of their squad but also offered an opportunity for other players to step up and make their mark in first grade.
The Kookaburras next game will be against Robertson, who will be coming off a loss against Bowral.
“Hopefully we can bounce back. It will be a good challenge,” Debs said.
In the other first grade match on Saturday, Bowral had a six wicket victory over Robertson-Burrawang.
Batting first, Robertson was dismissed for 189 off 44 overs.
Captain Nathan Wright top scored with 71 and along with Matt Cupitt (44) scored the bulk of his side’s runs.
Matthew Ott, Chris Weller and Zac de Hosson all picked up two wickets each for Bowral.
An unbeaten 113 from Matthew Norrie went a long way towards Bowral’s victory and captain Dave Spies also contributed with the bat scoring 40.
Bowral finished at 4-190 after 40.2 overs.
Nathan Ring (two) and Sean Young (two) took the wickets for Robertson.
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