SUTHERLAND first grade cricket team is climbing the premiership ladder and is now fourth after their six-wicket win against Northern District on Saturday at Glen McGrath Oval, Caringbah, on Saturday.
The home team reached 4-175 defeating Northern District's 174.
Chris Williams top scored with 71 not out, Adam Whatley made 52 and Mitch Brown scored 21. Skipper and opening bowler Nathan Fitzgerald took 4-39 and teen debutant and leg-spinner Devlin Malone took 3-12.
Sutherland club historian Tom Iceton said Devlin Malone became the first player in Sydney first grade history to take three wickets in his first over in first grade.
"Devlin was 16 years and 237 days old on Saturday, making him the fifth-youngest first grade player for Sutherland, behind Justin Kenny, 16 years and 86 days, Steve Smith, 16 years and 17 days, Graeme Marston, 16 years and 178 days, and Rodney Davison, 16 years and 187 days old," Iceton said.
In second grade Sutherland made 195 defeating Northern District (158), with Ryan Almond making 45, Scott Pickering 39, Jonathan Rose 30, and Tom Doyle 24. Ryan Almond took 4-34, James Bills 3-38, Scott Pickering 2-32, and Jonathan Rose had five catches.
Sutherland's third grade team reached 206 with Joel Burnett making 79, Stephen Cush 27 and Scott Dawes 23 — and they defeated Northern District 164, with Scott Dawes taking 3-18, Josh Horner 3-37, Alex Watkiss 2-33).
In fourth grade, Northern District made 2-105 and Sutherland lost on first innings making 104. Will Fraine topscored with 32.
In fifth grade, Northern District made 5-302 with Angus Fallins taking 2-68. Sutherland was dismissed for 203, with Angus Fallins making 59 not out, Mitchell Johnson 33, Steven Milliken 26 and Steve Kourouche 25.
Sutherland milestones reached by players last weekend's round included, Daniel Rixon — 250 matches in all grades; Brendan Drury — 50 matches in all grades; Tom Pinson — 50 matches in all grades.
In the Poidevin-Gray under-21s competition, Sutherland finished first and play eighth-placed Manly in the quarter-final on Sunday at 10am at Glenn McGrath Oval.
Sutherland are fourth on 30 points play Easts in the one dayer starting at 10am on Saturday at Waverly Oval.
St George
ST GEORGE bounced back to form after several consecutive losses with a strong win against Wests on Saturday at Hurstville Oval.
They won by four wickets chasing down 135 with opening batsman Stewart McCabe, showing his versatility as a leg-spinner, took 3-31.
Right-hander Ashton May hammered 76 not out in the run chase with Saints finishing at 4-136. They are now 10th on 19 points.
"Stewart McCabe is a very underrated leg-spinner," St George club president Kevin Greene said.
Saints play Blacktown in the one dayer at 10am on Saturday at Joe McAleer Oval, Glendenning.
