IT proved to be a one sided affair in both of the Busselton Margaret River Cricket Association A grade matches played last Saturday.
With only two rounds to play before finals beckon, solid wins by ladder leaders Yobs and third placed St Mary’s will see them finish in those positions.
St Mary’s posted a strong 73 run win over Cowaramup at Churchill Turf, while Yobs scored an emphatic win over fifth placed Margaret River at Bovell Turf.
On winning the toss, Yobs’ captain Nayton Colombera elected to bat on a hard and flat wicket.
Margaret River bowled well and at drinks had the home side in difficulty at 5/70 before an 82 run partnership between Jock Embry and Ben Payne steadied the innings, Embry eventually top scoring with 59 and Payne finishing 49 not out.
Yobs eventually posted 9/224 off its allotted 50 overs.
In reply Margaret River was never in the hunt with only John Coombes reaching double figures (13).
Yobs’ youngster Zac Davies was the standout bowler returning the figures of 7/18 off 10 overs and winning the man of the match.
Davies bowling figures were the best by a BMRCA bowler this season.
Yobs’ president Jock Embry was happy with his team’s win which ensures the Busselton based club will win the Yates Shield for the top side during the regular season.
This is the first time Yobs have won the Yates Shield since the 1998/99 season when captained by Aaron Tucker.
Embry was delighted the B and C grade sides also won.
“It was a great day for the club,” he said.
“To win all grades on our sponsors day was very special.”.
In B grade a strong batting performance by Vasse saw them easily account for Margaret River in a game played at Cowaramup.
Vasse scored 10/294 with captain John Albrey leading the way scoring 127.
In reply Margaret River was restricted to 8/178 off their 45 overs.
Yobs have kept its season alive with a strong win over ladder leaders Dunsborough. Yobs defended 119, eventually bowling out Dunsborough for 94 with youngster Jack O’Malley returning figures of 5/17 and winning man of the match for his effort.
Yobs will need to win its remaining two games and rely on other favourable results to qualify for the March final series.
In C grade it proved to be a round of upsets.
Despite being unable to make finals, Yobs scored a strong win over Margaret River and leaves them in danger of missing finals, while in Dunsborough the home side scored an upset win over premiership favourites Augusta
This will give Dunsborough a good chance of securing a finals berth when it plays St Mary’s this Saturday.
St Mary’s Cricket Club retained the Penfold-Crain Cup with wins over Cowaramup in all grades last Saturday.
The annual trophy has become an important date in both clubs calendar and honours the long standing contributions of the Crain family of St Mary’s and the Penfold family of Cowramaup.
Photos by Sophia Clements.
