Mitchell Wormington joined his younger brother Josh as a centurion for Waves this season, smashing an unbeaten 130 against Brothers in Division 3 cricket on Saturday.
The Brethren posted what looked like a competitive 5-200 from their 40 overs, but Mitchell, whose knock came at a strike rate of 183 and included 12 sixes and 11 fours, and fellow opener Dan Unwin took just 22.3 overs to carry them to a 10-wicket victory.
Mitchell has come a long way since his debut senior season in 2009-10, when he managed a mere 107 runs at an average of 15.29.
It was his first century since scoring 114 in Division 2 in September 2016, but after going close with scores of 88 not out, 81 and 92 earlier this season, he was pleased to crack the three-figures.
However, his fireworks did not quite match those of Josh, who took just 48 balls to blast 117 at a strike-rate of 243, with 10 fours and nine sixes, in the T20 round 1 back on September 19.
This weekend’s action kicks off tonight with the last round of the Aussie Bundy Big Bash at Salter Oval when winless defending champions Takalvans Taipans play for pride only against Searle’s RV Centre Vikings.
Vikings are coming off their only loss of the season, at the hands of Headlands Pies two weeks ago, and will also be hungry for victory as they must win to finish on top of the table.
It will also be a battle royale in the Rum City Foods Intra Cup tomorrow when Brothers, coming off a disappointing loss to Waves, take on East Bundy Magpies who must turn the tables on Brothers to stay on track to challenge them for second place.
Meanwhile, it should be a cakewalk for the unbeaten Waves when they travel to play whipping boys Hervey Bay.
Junior fixtures also resume after the holiday recess.
Speedway
A huge 100 nominations have been received for the bumper program at Autobarn Carina International Speedway tomorrow.
Seventeen competitors will line up in the Wingless Sprints, headed by Q3 Ian Milnes, with 11 in the Finish It Floor Sanding Formula 500s, and 17 in the Fixit Auto Wreckers Street Stocks.
There are also 12 starters in the National 4s, including Q1 Justin Weir, 11 in the JA Toft & Co Junior Sedans Top Stars, and a super competitive 23 in New Stars.
Competitor entry will be from 1pm, with spectator entry from 3pm and the grand parade at 3.50pm before racing roars from 4pm.
Admission is adults $25, students/pensioners $20, children 6-12 years $10, children aged under five free, and a family pass (two adults & two students) $80.
Softball
The race for the Hervey Bay A grade ladies’ minor premiership will become clearer after tomorrow’s matches at Brothers Sports Club.
With four rounds to go, United Firesticks, Waves Tsunamis and Terrors share top spot on 25 points, with remaining team Bargara Bullets, who have a bye this week, on 19.
United have a tough task with a double-header, taking on Terrors at 2pm, then Waves at 3.45pm.
Meanwhile, United Heat head the A grade men’s ladder, two in front of Terrors, but just four points separate first to fourth, with Heat having played one more game than the other five sides.
All three men’s A matches this round will also be played at Brothers, with Bargara taking on Maryborough in a bottom of the table shoot out, Terrors gunning for No. 1 position when they suit up against United at 2pm, when Maryborough also back up against Waves Tsunamis, with Misfits having the bye.
Football
After a successful season in Wide Bay League (WBL) 2 in 2020, SC Corinthians will return to top grade for the first time in six years this season.
Corinthians have entered men’s teams in Wide Bay League 1 and 2 and the Bundaberg men’s league, as well as fielding two teams in the Ladies league.
Playing in their first season under the SC Corinthians banner after transitioning from Alloway, the Blues finished a close fourth of 11 teams on the WBL2 ladder, before losing to ultimate champions United Park Eagles in extra-time in the semi-finals.
Club president Hamish Jansen said it was time to step up to the plate under highly respected and successful coach Tim Lunnon, who retains the position.
“We have got some very good senior players such as Chris Bull, and a really strong base of younger players to try to build the club around,” Hamish said.
“We have played in a few grand finals in the last few years, and last year, we qualified for the News-Mail Cup final, but it was abandoned due to COVID,” Hamish said.
“We started training at our new training venue at the hockey grounds at Hinkler Park over North in mid-November, and our numbers are really good.
“We have quite a few who have returned from previous years, some who didn’t play due to COVID last year, and a few new signings, but more new players are very welcome.”
With the first round of FFA Cup games on March 6, Hamish said Corinthians’ “main aim is to be competitive with all our sides”.
For more information, go to the club’s Facebook page or phone Hamish on 0428 263632.
Horse racing
It could be a grey day at tomorrow’s Waves Sub-Clubs Beach Party Races with three horses of that colour having good winning chances.
In with a chance are track debutant Blue Boy McCombe (Maiden), last-start Ballina winner Tiny Tee (Class B), and local idol Ten Taubada’s which resumes from a five-month spell in the three-horse field in the Open Handicap.
Top Bundaberg trainer Darryl Gardiner often has multiple successes at local meetings, and apart from Ten Taubada’s, he has three chances in the Benchmark 55, with Joe Albert, Brighton Toff, and Homecall.
However, fellow local Gambit also has claims despite being lumbered with 60.5kg, even allowing for the 2kg claim for apprentice rider Louise Dillon.
The other race, the Band 0-65, is an even affair, but consistent Gympie galloper Lucky Machu appeals.
Gates open at 11am, and general admission tickets can be purchased on entry.
Meanwhile, Bundaberg champion King Klaus will face his toughest test to date when he lines up in a quality field of 11 in a $75,000 Open Handicap at Caloundra on the premier Queensland meeting of the day tomorrow.
Seven of his rivals having collectively tallied over $2.2 million in prizemoney, at an average of $320,000, compared to the King’s earnings of $68,900 so far.
Greyhounds
Savuro re-established a 50 per cent strike-rate for his Howard owner/trainer Allen Kelly, winning his 15th race in 30 starts in the rich Australia Day Cup Final at this week’s Bundaberg meeting.
Starting favourite, paying $2.25, the big black dog outgunned outsider Highway Gem ($11) to pick up the $2,450 prizemoney.
Six other district trainers were also successful, Bundaberg Greyhound Racing Club president Ricky Hassall, Alan and David Raines, Jodie Sarnadsky, Tracy Trigg, and John White.
They got the money respectively with second starter Prince Brockie (maiden), outsider Peace of Hope (novice non penalty), Really Royal (5th grade pathway non penalty), Farmor Watch Her, which snapped a 31-race losing streak stretching back almost one year, in a 5th grade race, Loose Wire in the 550m 5th grade, and Burn Out, which made it back-to-back wins in the 5th grade final.
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