SOME Fred Pittorino batting fireworks and a committed bowling performance lifted Atherton to a four-wicket Cricket Far North A grade limited overs victory over Norths on Saturday.
Chasing Norths’ total of 8-216, Atherton reached its goal with three balls to spare with Peter Sceresini (21no) and Kev Petersen (12no) showing cool heads at the end to secure a valuable win for the team at Griffiths Park No.1.
Pittorino’s knock of 72 was instrumental in the victory, the opener signalling his intentions early when he blasted 13 runs, including three boundaries, off Ryan Charrington’s opening over, the second of the innings.
Pittorino smashed 11 boundaries before falling to medium-pacer Darren Lees in the latter’s final game for Norths before leaving yesterday to reside in England.
Handy contributions from Darryl Bridgeman (29), Brendan Nasser (21), Daniel Parnell (21) and skipper Michael Raso (20) ensured the runs kept ticking over for Atherton before Sceresini and Petersen saw it through to victory.
Earlier, Atherton’s bowling attack had done well to restrict Norths to 8-216 after the home team had looked set for a much larger score at 1-144 with Angus Warnock (63) and Robbie Colville (58) adding 100 runs for the second wicket.
Their dismissals triggered a Norths collapse as Atherton’s bowlers reaped their rewards for accurate bowling. Atherton skipper Michael Raso said the win was a much-needed boost for his side.
"That will give us a lot of confidence. A loss would have put us under a lot of pressure (to make the finals)."
Raso said his team’s ground fielding needed improving but he was pleased with the batting and bowling efforts.
"Everyone bowled well in pairs and we had good partnerships with the bat," he said.
"Fred Pittorino fed it up from the start and to get him back in the side is real pleasing. He adds a different dimension to the side."
Raso said opening the bowling with leg-spinner Daniel Parnell was a ploy that had worked well last season and it again paid off on Saturday with the youngster claiming 3-34 off 10 overs.
At Crathern Park, skipper Brenton Edwards’ double of 47 and 3-24 helped Innisfail (244) to a 20-run win over Barron River (9-224).
Adrian Samaha also scored 47 for Innisfail while Dan Weston (68) and Mark Moran (45no) batted well for Barron River.
Moran had earlier snared 4-46 with the ball while Barron wicketkeeper Matt Schoormans snared five catches.
At Fretwell Park, Barry Weare (70) and Wade Frazer (51no) provided the backbone for Mulgrave’s innings of 5-210 which proved too much for United to chase, the latter finishing at 8-198 with Steve Porta scoring an unbeaten 43.
The remaining match between Rovers and Colts was a one-sided affair after Rovers scored 8-196, with Damien Moeser (43) and Jason Hayes (36no) scoring freely, and then rolled Colts for just 62.
Gavin Rodman continued his good form to snare 3-41 for Colts.
