PORT Stephens cricketers Ed Williams, Lucas Vincent and Tyler McInnes played key roles as Stockton-Northern Districts Club opened its Newcastle District Cricket first-grade title defence in style last weekend.
In a rain-marred 2026-27 opening round one-day fixture, the Seagulls registered a decisive victory over Cardiff-Boolaroo at their home base at Lynn Oval.
With play reduced to 28 overs following morning showers, the visitors elected to bat first after winning the toss and chalked up a tally of 6-112.
Stockton-Northern Districts eclipsed the target in the 19th over when they posted 2-114, with talented all-rounder Aaron Bills top-scoring with an unbeaten 45.
Seagulls’ openers Chad Mackey (26) and Jake Hainsworth (22) produced an opening stand of 37 before Mackey was bowled by CB’s quick Callum Creighton.
Bills was joined at the crease by Newcastle under-19s rep Vincent (12 not out) following the dismissal of Hainsworth with the pair adding an unbroken third wicket stand of 39 to seal victory.
The experienced Bills faced 51 deliveries and hammered six boundaries and a six during his classy knock after earlier snaring 2-7 in a fine six-over spell.
Seagulls’ pace ace Williams (1-22 off six overs) and under-19s representative leg spinner McInnes (0-24 off five overs) bowled tidy spells to help mount loads of pressure on the CB’s batsmen.
Premiership-winning quick Josh Mctaggart was the pick of the Stockton bowlers, snaring the figures of 3-42 off six overs.
Cardiff-Boolaroo skipper Jay Sneddon top-scored for the visitors with 23 runs before he was caught by Lincoln Melmeth off the bowling of Mctaggart.
Tom Maher (22 not out), opener Joe Merlino (18) and Daniel Williams (16 not out) were the only other CB batsmen to reach double figures.
Stockton-Northern Districts will host Charlestown this Saturday in a second-round one-day fixture at Lynn Oval.
The Magpies opened their Rippit first-grade premiership campaign with a rousing victory over University last weekend at Kahibah Oval. Opening bat Mitchell Lole smashed a stylish 102, while skipper Daniel Chillingworth grabbed 5-16 in a magic seven-over spell, supported by quick Daniel Bailey (3-22 off eight overs).
By Chris KARAS
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