THE muscle of 20 players was no match for Mother Nature as a violent storm put an early end to University’s home clash with Balgownie in round three of Illawarra cricket.
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Players from both teams desperately tried to lay protective covers onto Uni Oval during a massive short thunderstorm mid-way through Saturday’s second day’s play.
Gale force horizontal rain lasting just a few minutes lashed venues across the region, with the Man v Nature battle was no contest according to Uni skipper Mitch Calder.
‘‘It was mayhem,’’ Uni skipper Mitch Calder said.
‘‘The storm came so fast. We did our best, everyone gripped the covers but we couldn’t hold them. Dean Merola was almost hit by a flying peg. You have to put player safety first.
‘‘It was an amazing few minutes.’’
Almost as soon as it had arrived, it was gone, but the damage was done, leaving Balgownie frustrated by a draw after dominating with bat and ball.
The Magpies piled on 9-337 on day one and had the Students 5-155 when play was called off.
‘‘It was a probably a good result for us; we didn’t want the rain but it came and that’s cricket,’’ Calder said.
In other games, a second storm meant play was suspended for more than three hours at King George Oval, but upon resumption at 4-131 chasing 176, Helensburgh claimed first innings points.
Burgh skipper Ben Marciante (33 not out) anchored the innings, supported by Christian Lewis (33) and Steve Blissenden (31) in a four wicket victory.
After just three rounds Helensburgh are the only side with three wins.
Corrimal (6-225) made it two wins from three games in four wicket triumph over Dapto (224) at Reed Park.
The oppressive heat forced Cougars skipper Rob Fisher to retire, but his unbeaten 89, plus 38 from Brad Jardine, batting at No 8, got the visitors home.
Corrimal needed just 50 overs to reach a challenging total.
Northern Districts rallied from 3-8 chasing 190 to claim their first win of the season by beating win-less premiers Keira at Hollymount Park.
From 3-8, Butchers skipper Matt Salakas (65) and wicketkeeper Jacob Hand (72 not out) put on 88 in the key partnership as the home side won with two wickets with an over to spare.
‘‘It’s a win that gives us confidence and shows we’re as good as the other sides,’’ Salakas said.
Finally, the thunderstorm forced an early end to the Wests vs Wollongong game at Figtree Oval, with Wests (214) taking first innings points from the visitors (137 and 1-4).
Wollongong teenage leg-spinner Sam Noakes took 2-14 on debut, while the storm sent a tree crashing over a fence at the first grade ground.
