IONA’S first XI is still a chance for a finals’ spot after scraping home in a onewicket thriller against Western Park on Saturday.
The Parkers won the toss and batted first starting badly and was soon 3/41.
Opener D. Hilton (59) and R. Breeden then combined for a handy partnership of 68.
From there Western Park collapsed, Breedan fell for 37 and Lineham along with Taylor romped through the Parkers’ line up.
It was only thanks to some late hitting from Craig White with 30 that saw the Parkers reach 156.
George Lineham was the best of the bowlers with 4/30 and Shaun Taylor also bowled well taking 3/9.
In response Iona started poorly and was unable to put on any partnerships of significance at the top of the order slipping to 5/50.
Cocaptain Craig Byrnes with the inform Richard Mitchell was able to put on a partnership of 64 to get their side back in the contest.
Byrnes was out for 51, but Mitchell remained at the crease as couple of cheap wickets fell around him.
Then on 47, with just two runs needed, Breeden bowled Mitchell and the pressure was on.
Lineham with Scott McKay had to get Iona over the line and remaining cool in a crisis, the pair saw Iona home.
SECOND ELEVEN
Iona has all but secured a finals’ spot with a good win over Western Park.
Winning the toss Iona bowled, but struggled to get the early breakthrough.
Then skipper Gary Donoghue came into the attack and picked up Sam Laffy, caught behind on 22.
Western Park opener K. Thompson and captain Matt Jeffery then set about putting on a big partnership.
After the tea break, the pair batted with intent, but Jeffery fell to a brilliant onehanded catch by Phil Medley for 77 and Thompson was run out due to a Jason Kelly direct hit to have Western Park 4/175.
Jason Sheedy took a blinder to remove the dangerous Paul Jeffery and after hitting a couple of great sixes Darren Brain edged one behind of Gary Donoghue. John Laffy then topedged one to be out for 32.
The tail wagged and M. Hibbert and Cory Keeble helped Western Park to a competitive 273.
For Iona Gary Donoghue was the best of the bowlers with 3/70 and brother Ross also took 3/65.
Iona’s run chase was edgy to begin with, but opener Jason Sheedy blasted the Western Park bowlers, reaching his 50 in the 11th over and was bowled for 59.
Jason Kelly made 12 and Iona was 2/86.
Opener Matt Duffy and Nathan Vistarini (19) restored Iona’s innings with a partnership of 64.
Sean McCormack struggled early, but with Duffy, who reached his 50, soon scored his halfcentury, before going out on 52.
The next over Duffy was out for 72 with Iona 5/245.
However Bob Rogers (28 not out) and Oscar Braaksma (21 not out) saw Iona past Western Park’s total to finish the day 5/298.
THIRD ELEVEN
Iona suffered outright defeat to Trafalgar.
Batting first Trafalgar posted 9/312 declared with P. Wilson top scoring with 80 and G. Stoneham along with S. Savage scoring 41.
For Iona I. Archer was the best of the bowlers with 2/49.
In reply Iona started well with Brian Campbell (10) and Raymond Campbell (23).
However when the first wicket fell on 36 it all went down hill as D. Mann took four wickets and the rest of the attack chipped in as no other Iona batsman reached double figures, losing 10/18 to be all out for 54.
Iona was then forced to follow on and was bowled out for 111.
