The bottom four teams beat the top four in an amazing round of upsets to start 2019 in Maitland first grade cricket.
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Eastern Suburbs collected their first win of the season led by a courageous 96 by co-skipper Trent Park and a bowling effort minus strike bowlers Lucas Sargent and Josh Hicks.
Port Stephens smashed Raymond Terrace to win the local derby by 147 runs, with Jarrod Moxey making 95 off just 84 balls and Jason Eveleigh routing the Lions batting line-up taking 5-8 from his six overs.
Western Suburbs handed City United their first defeat of the season posting 8/240 and then dismissing City for 168 in the 41st over.
The win lifts the Plovers into the top four, equal on 29 points with Northern Suburbs and just one point behind second placed Kurri Weston.
However, the most comprehensive win of the round went to Thornton who dismissed Northern Suburbs for 81 runs and chased down the target with the loss of just three wickets with 27 overs to spare.
Dan Willis continued his impressive season with the ball taking 3-18 off seven overs to take his season tally to 19 wickets equal top with City’s Nick Bower and Norths’ Jordan Callinan.
But paceman Brendan Dawes did the most damage claiming 4-13 off 10 overs, including four maidens.
Thornton skipper Jake Moore scored 30 not out, Jono Gabriel 25 and Peter Gabriel finished on 14 not out as the Thunder secured the six points and kept their time out in the middle as the temperature hit the high 30s.
Thornton remain in sixth place on 25 points despite the victory, but they are now just one-point behind Raymond Terrace in fifth and four points outside the top four.
Western Suburbs pulled off the biggest upset in beating the previously undefeated City United, who were missing four regulars including star recruit Josh Trappel and leading paceman Tim Baker..
Wests made 8/240 with City missing Baker’s impact with the ball to make regular breakthroughs. His opening ball partner Tim Burton was City’s best with the ball claiming 3/29 off 10 overs.
City’s leading wicket-taker Nick Bower was economical conceding just 26 from his 10 overs but went wicketless for the first time this season.
A number of players made starts for City in their 168, but Matt Latham was the only one to go one with his innings making 54. Luke Kealy picked up four wickets for Wests.
Port Stephens claimed their second win and most coveted scalp of the season when they overwhelmed Raymond Terrace by 147 runs after posting 6/246.
Jarrod Moxey top scored with 95, Matthew Monaghan made 37, Josh Moxey 37 and Grant Garland 25.