Toronto Rejoice As Hancock's Hat-trick Hammers Hamwicks

Sun Herald

Sunday February 24, 2008

By James Gardiner

ALL-ROUNDER Matthew Hancock bounced back to his brilliant best, highlighted by a hat-trick, to lead Toronto to an emphatic win over Hamilton-Wickham at Ron Hill Oval yesterday and all but seal the Kookaburras a place in the semi-finals for a second straight season.

Playing his second game back from a broken hand, Hancock claimed 6-26 to help bundle out Hamwicks for a dismal 95, well short of the 260 target. Hancock's hat-trick nearly went unnoticed.

He had Sam Webber caught at first slip by Toronto captain Paul Toole on the fifth ball of his 16th over.

The left-arm paceman then bowled Sam's twin brother, Matt, next ball.

Joe Price delivered the next over before Hancock got Darren Herbert to edge a catch to Toole with the first ball of his 17th over.

"We did not even realise it was a hat-trick until we were celebrating," Toole said.

"When he broke his hand we thought that was it for the season, but he is back, charging in, letting rip. I bowled him and Joe Price unchanged and they did a great job for us. We took 11 wickets in the opening session."

Price was the unsung hero and claimed 4-61 from 18 overs. Hamwicks batted a second time and, after losing 1-0, were 2-147 when stumps were drawn at tea, with captain Darren Herbert unbeaten on 80.

The win moved Toronto alongside Merewether in equal third place on 30 points with one round remaining.

Charlestown kept their finals hopes alive with an unlikely outright win over Wallsend at Kahibah after trailing on the first innings.

Five runs in arrears after the first innings, Charleston were rolled in their second dig for 146.

Paceman Tim Harding snared 5-23 on a scorecard that included seven LBWs.

Wallsend needed 142 runs from 34 overs but were all out for 67.

Charlestown are in fifth place on 27 points, a point a head of Hamwicks and Wests.

Stockton failed in their push for an outright win over Merewether at Townson Oval after a fine 101 by Troy Goodwin.

Trailing by 20 on first innings, Merewether reached 4-161 before stumps were pulled at tea.

Matthew Frith took 5-80 from a marathon 34 overs as Belmont (316) beat Newcastle City (272) at No.1 Sportsground.

Steve Morgan (5-58) led Wests (203) to a hard-fought win over University (164) at Harker Oval.

Waratah-Mayfield (80 and 196) staved off an outright defeat against Cardiff (2-102 and 7-112) at Waratah Oval.

© 2008 Sun Herald

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