Coromandel overcame a strong challenge from Plympton Footballers, and a celebrity appearance from Jason Akermanis, to post their second win from as many matches - the A Grade's best start to a season since 2004.
Batting first, Rahsaan Oakey led the way with a scorching run-a-ball 78 including four sixes. Captain Jai Koirala scored 37 runs (giving him an impressive season average of 97) and Sam Cheek's blistering 29 from 17 balls enabled his team to score 26 runs from the last two overs and close the innings at 6 for 199 after their alloted 40 overs.
Gareth Bruce also scored his 1000th run during the innings.
The reply from Plympton contained plenty of drama.
Commencing the innings on 97 career wickets for Coromandel, Josh Lourens collected an early scalp in the third over. However a succession of partnerships, including a third wicket stand of 95, saw the home side reach 3 for 179 after 36 overs. Some fast bowling from Gareth Bruce, and a comeback performance from Max Cheek, were not enough to break the back of the batting lineup that now required just 21 runs from the last four overs with seven wickets in hand.
Lourens was then brought back into the attack with immediate success, capturing his 100th wicket in only his 27th match - a new club record fastest to 100 wickets!
Cracks were beginning to appear in the batting and the scramble for runs let to a calamity of wickets with debutant Brett Jorgensen (formerly Westminster) competing three catches in the deep and Koirala's medium pacers producing a spell of four wickets for seven runs in ten balls. Needing 15 to win with one over remaining, Plympton fell six runs short.
Grant Wannan - 200th match
Coromandel 238 (Maclean 93, D.Magarey 82*)First Innings Win
Coromandel 238First Innings Loss
Belair 8/336David Billett - 200th match
Mitchell Park 187 (P.Zacpal 3/32, Kearsley 2/14, Billett 2/34)First Innings Loss
Mitchell Park 187