TORONTO Workers have slipped out of the top four on the Newcastle district cricket ladder for the first time this season.
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The Kookaburras were beaten by competition heavyweights Merewether on Saturday, but bounced back to topple Stockton-Raymond Terrace in the Twenty20 match on Sunday.
The mixed results leave Toronto on 49 competition points and in equal fifth place on the ladder with Lake Macquarie rivals Belmont.
Toronto was bowled out for 159 against Merewether in 48 overs at Townson Oval.
The home team reached the target with three wickets in hand in 39 overs.
A rare failure with the bat by NSW Country all-rounder Joe Price (2) placed added responsibility on the Toronto middle order.
Captain Paul Toole (26), Logan Johnson (22) and Andrew Nicolai (44) answered the call.
But Merewether had too much class, posting a 50-run opening wicket stand to set up the win.
Ashley Weekes (3-18) and Brinn Osland (2-44) were the pick of the Toronto attack.
On Sunday, Toronto enjoyed a comfortable 41-run win over Stockton-Raymond Terrace.
Toronto made 5-156 from their 20 overs, with Adrian Chad (34) and Johnson (32) the top scorers.
Guest player Mitchell Coombs again impressed, remaining unbeaten on 26.
Stockton-Raymond Terrace was bowled out for 115 in 19 overs.
Osland set the tone with the new ball, claiming 1-16 from his four overs.
Chad completed a handy match by capturing the final two wickets to claim 2-5 from his sole over.
Toole said the playing condition which allowed each team to bring in two players from outside the district was working.
“I think it’s a really good idea. It adds a bit more colour and interest to the comp,” Toole said.
“Mitchell Coombs has been fanstastic for us, and it’s good to see that the other teams have brought in some new players, too.”
Toronto must get back to their gritty best to climb back into the top four, Toole said.
“Before Christmas we were fighting hard and competing well,” he said.
“We’re a team that can’t allow ourselves to get too far ahead of ourselves.”
The team’s focus, then, would be squarely on this weekend’s fixture against eight-placed Wallsend at George Farley Oval.