Local senior cricket resumed its competition last Saturday with games being played under fine sunny skies.

Ex-Services have retained their position at the top of the ladder with a forfeit win over Warrell Creek. Holidays, cricket tours and a wedding, all contributed to Warrell Creek being unable to field a team for their first game back after Christmas.

Bowraville travelled to Coronation Park where they batted first against Nambucca Heads. Bowraville openers Ron Gleeson (29) and Ryan Cooper (19) began well with a 44 run partnership. Elliot Keen was Bowravilles top scorer with 31 in a team total of 9/155.

Matt Hardy took 3/35 while Aaron Clarke and Josh Byrne took two wickets each for Nambucca Heads. Bowraville were in with a bit of a chance with the dismissal of both Nambucca Heads openers at 2/27. However, it was then that Justin Saker put his mark on the game.

He top-scored with 75 hitting eight fours and two sixes from just 49 balls. He, along with Greg Watts (62) put on 116 for the third wicket in 13 overs. Greg scored his runs from 44 deliveries hitting seven fours and four sixes. Nambucca went on to win the game in the 19th over with a winning margin of seven wickets.

Taylors Arm travelled to Biffin Field where they played Talarm. The home team batted first and were dismissed for 102 in 30 overs.

Chris Budden (29) and James Livock (26) were Talarms top scorers while Rod Chaseling remained 16 not out. Daniel Ledger again taking wickets, this time 3/16 from 8 overs while Nigel Sumner, Andrew Maggs and Andrew Welsh each took two wickets apiece.

Taylors Arm then batted and fought tooth and nail with the Talarm attack right down to the 37th over. Taylors Arm top scorers were Ian Powell and Andrew Maggs with 13 each while four other batters reached double figures.

Andrew Welsh (10*) and Thomas Rowe (12*) steered their team to a tight win with a nail biting partnership to win the game by two wickets.

Talarm’s Andrew Fredericks and Bryan Cowan finished with identical figures of 3/19 from 8 overs.