Cliffhanger in Mitchell Shield cricket
CRICKET: Warwick paceman Mitch Darton took the final wicket of the innings to secure his team a four-run victory against Stanthorpe in the Mitchell Shield game at Slade Park on Sunday.
Batting first, Warwick made 133 with Lachlan Gross top scoring with 45 before being run out.
Jordan Lanza was the best bowler for Stanthorpe with 3-24.
Stanthorpe was 2-102 before losing 8-27 to go down by four runs. Darton took the final wicket when he bowled Mitchell Drayton for seven.
Earlier Jason Lawer, 45, and Jordan Lanza, 26, had Stanthorpe in a winning position at 1-78 before Lanza was brilliantly caught at short cover by Coen Slatter.
Andrew McConnell took four wickets in his second spell to finish with 4-21 and Mitch Darton took 3-23 off nine overs.
The Mitchell Shield win was the first by Warwick against Stanthorpe in the past five seasons.
Comments of the captains:
Warwick - Jason Steketee:
How do this rate: It is my best win as captain of the Mitchell Shield team.
What were the crucial performances in your team: Lachlan Gross scored 45 which gave us we could bowl to.
What was the turning point: A good catch at short cover by Coen Slatter after we didn't start well with the ball. Pace bowlers Andrew McConnell and Mitch Darton bowled well while Scott McLennan and Justin Wheeler bowled some good slow stuff.
What about your fielding: We fielded the best we have in recent years in Mitchell Shield.
Stanthorpe - Ben Staley:
What was the difference: We bowled 28 wides which is a big thing when you look back on a tight game.
What happened when you were in a good position: We cruised a bit and relied on the new fellow. The dismissal of Jordan Lanza to a good catch was crucial. He is probably our best bat and didn't look like getting out.
What about your Mitchell Shield finals chances: We will need to beat Lockyer in Stanthorpe and get a couple of bonus points.
Caleb King took 4-11 off six overs to secure the Warwick Davis Shield side a victory against a Stanthorpe combination at Mayhew Oval.
Stanthorpe was dismissed for 77 and Warwick scored the winning runs without loss, James Kurtz making 39 not out and Will Gordon was 19 not out.
Both games were also Bourke Hendry Trophy matches so Warwick will hold both trophies for the next year.