Cricket is definitely a favourite Australia Day pastime

For the love of the game: There’s nothing more Australian than playing a game of cricket on a hot summer’s day and that’s what local Twenty/20 cricket teams Howie’s Hombres and Golf Club did on Australia Day at Ward Oval on Saturday. Photo contributed

The Australia Day Weekend featured two Twenty20 games of cricket that started on Friday night with the Bushies taking on Tilpa.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, Tilpa went on the post a competitive total of 5/162 from their 20 overs.

The McClure bothers, Fred (42) and James (59 not out) starred with the bat for Tilpa.

Travis Buckman returned the best bowling figures for Bushies taking 3/10 from four overs.

In reply, Bushies passed the required total in the 16th over with the loss of only one wicket.

They continued on to bowl out the full 20 overs and finished with 1/207.

Jade Buckman finished with 99no and Stephen Nicholson was also still at the crease with 78no.

Buckman had a chance to bring up his hundred on the last ball of the innings but missed it.

On Saturday afternoon in the sweltering heat, Howie’s Hombres took on Golf Club in a tight affair that came down to the last over.

Hombres batted first and made 4/144.

The opening pair of Pat Dillon (65) and Jay Egan (31) top scored for Hombres.

Scott Leedham was of the best the Golfie bowlers taking 2/9 from three overs.

In reply, Golf Club were always on the required run rate keeping the pressure on Hombres bowlers.

Unfortunately Craig Youd, Golf Club’s opening batsman, then had to retire when on 50 runs (he had to go the work) and then when Jacob Good was dismissed for 41 and Robert Childs for 10, Golfie then started to fall behind.

Needing 23 runs off the final two overs, Golfie however fell seven runs short.

Ethan Black was back to his damaging best for Hombres, taking 3/8 from two overs.—contributed