22 THE MAITLAND MERCURY � Monday, January 9, 2012 www.maitlandmercury.com.au

Maitland crushMuswellbrookCRICKETJosh Callinan

Maitland demolished Muswell-brook by 125 runs at Robins Ovalyesterday after dismissing the visitors for 15.

Maitland opening bowlers BenNeaves (5-4) and Steve Abel (5-8)ripped through the visitors in thefourth round fixture of the HunterValley Cricket Council colts (under21) competition.

“It was an early day for us,”Maitland wicketkeeper GrantStewart said.

“Ben [Neaves] took five [wick-ets], Steve [Abel] took five and they[Muswellbrook] were all out for 15.”

This capped off an impressiveouting for Neaves, who top scoredwith 30 in Maitland’s innings of 130.

Yesterday’s result keepsMaitland’s undefeated record intactfor season 2011-2012 after record-ing victories against Newcastle Cityand Suburban, Singleton andCessnock last year.

Maitland’s final regular roundmatch is scheduled for February 5

against Dungog at Dungog.The senior Maitland side resumes

its John Bull Shield campaign onJanuary 29 with a semi-final fixture.

In other representative news,Maitland junior cricketers will becontesting representative carnivalsacross the state this week with vari-ous Central North and Hunter Valleysquads.

Giles Manley, Kynan Shalalo,

Mitchell Fisher and Rigby Vane-Wood will represent Central Northunder 16s at the Bradman Cup inShellharbour.

Their NSW Country Cricket cam-paign gets under way today with aclash against North Coastal, whilethe final is scheduled for Thursday.

Also this week, Lincoln Smithand Lachlan Wishart will representHunter Valley under 16s at the StanAustin Carnival in Taree while CodieLittle, Ryan Merrick and SaagarPancholi will travel to Armidale forthe Walter Taylor Shield with theHunter Valley under 15s.

This comes one week after 13cricketers from the Maitland andDistrict Junior Cricket Associationrepresented various Hunter Valleysquads at carnivals across the state.

Nicholas Nield, Jacob Page,Clayton Small and Sam Wright wereat Lismore (under-12s), Trent Page,Trent Park and Aaron Sherritt wereat Ballina (under-13s), while JamieKrake, Pat Magaan, Jordan Mitchell,Jayden Muddle, Callan Sargent andBrandon Smith were in Newcastle atthe Graeme Malcolm Shield.

Tori guides home awinner for her mum

The mini trotters were out in full forceon Inter City Pace night at MaitlandShowground on Saturday but there wasone special race on the card.

It was the Ann-Marie HancockMemorial.

Anne-Marie was the secretary of theNSW Mini Trots Association but died lastyear after a battle with cancer.

Driving in the inaugural race wasAnne-Marie’s daughter Tori on board hertrusty pony Little Romeo.

Tori and Little Romeo were pipped onthe post in the memorial race to finish sec-ond, with father Wayne on hand to present the trophies.

But Tori and Little Romeo rallied laterin the night to claim the final event on thecard and SE is sure Anne-Marie wouldhave been proud of the Hancock team.

❑❑❑❑The Princess of the Paceway revival

was a success at Saturday night’s InterCity Pace final and it was Nikki-LeeOsborn who claimed the prize after her

barrier draw selection Lettucerocku wonthe feature event.

❑❑❑❑And for astute readers of this weekly

Monday sports column it has not under-gone a facelift for 2012 and will resume itsusual life as Sideline Eye today, not InsideEye as alluded to last week.

❑❑❑❑Numbers Game: 3000 – the estimated

crowd at Maitland Showground onSaturday night for the 49th running of theInter City Pace final.

❑❑❑❑Moment That Mattered: Louth Park

driver Guy Chapple may not have got theone he wanted, the Inter City Pace, but hepicked up a win in the last event atMaitland Showground on Saturdaynight.

He drove Venus Ace to victory for EastMaitland trainer Shane Tritton, much tothe delight of Chapple’s cheering homecrowd.

❑❑❑❑Quote: “It is like a religious thing,

people in Maitland go to church onChristmas Eve and to the Inter City Paceon the first Saturday in January,” MaitlandHarness Racing Club president RichardEarnshaw said.

SIDELINE EYEJosh Callinan

TRIBUTE: Tori Hancock was pipped at the post in the race named in honour ofher late mum Ann-Marie but managed to win the last mini trot race of the night.

SWING AND OUT: Maitland Colt’s Steve Abel had more influence with theball than the bat, taking 5-8. Picture by CATH BOWEN

SPORTS NEWS

DEMOLITION: Ben Neaves.