TROYDEN Thorp was the difference between the sides when YOBS achieved a hard-fought win over St Marys in A-Grade cricket at Barnard Park on Saturday.
Sixteen-year-old Thorp struck 83 from 117 balls as YOBS finished their 50 overs on 8-209 after being put into bat on a wicket offering encouraging assistance for the pace bowlers. Thorp made the most of several let-offs in the field and was well supported by Ben Clarke (41) with minor support roles coming from Colin Harris (19) and Tom Payne (15). Saints’ import Ed Moulton was unlucky not to have better figures than 1-21 from his 10 overs, while brothers Ash Gower and Justin Gower chipped in for four wickets between them.
Seamer Kevin Rice, making a welcome appearance for Saints, bowled most impressively to finish with 2-25.
YOBS fast bowler Haig Colombera made early inroads into the Saints reply when he penetrated the defence of Marc Ford (0), while Neil Langenhoven (1-16 off 10 overs) again proved miserly as he continued his progression towards 500 wickets for YOBS by dismissing fellow opener Jono Lloyd (10).
After slumping to 5-33, Saints made YOBS earn the points with a late-order fightback involving Moulton (28) and comeback player Ryan Lohr (34), before Rice completed a great personal performance with an unbeaten 33. YOBS president Matty Braid (3-15) was the most impressive performer with the ball for his side as Saints finished with a creditable 9-150 from their 50 overs.
At Dunsborough, the home side scored a very comfortable win when Margaret River Hawks were dismissed for 114 and Dunsborough knocked off the winning runs inside 24 overs to win by seven wickets. West Indian speedster Ricky Small-Boyce got Dunsborough off to a top start when Hawks opener Rhys Willmott snicked on to his pads and the bowler ran through to claim a great caught-and-bowled.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Shane Joyce (36) was easily the most impressive performer with the bat for Hawks, while skipper Paul Tognolini (19) provided the best support.
Veteran Dunsborough cricketer Nathan Whitney (3-14 off 10 overs) led a tight attack, while skipper Chris Reagan had the honour of dismissing Joyce caught behind with his first ball of the day. Danny Hatton opened the reply for Dunsborough and swung from the bootlaces as he tried (but failed) to meet an early commitment to a party at his house. Hatton eventually finished on 58 not out, while first-gamer Ryan Clark (26 not out) provided strong support at the end. Allrounder Rumesh Silva with 2-23 from 10 overs was the best bowler on the day for Hawks.
In B-Grade Dunsborough, YOBS and Cowaramup all recorded comfortable victories. Cam Morris (57) led Dunsborough’s total of 8-207 while Dion Horncastle claimed four wickets for Vasse. Vasse was held to 103 all out. Connor Luff (48) and Harvey Golding (40) were the mainstays for YOBS in their total of 8-189 against Saints. Tyler Campbell (44) was Saints best performer in their response of 148. Cowaramup got home by five wickets over Margaret River in the remaining game, with Fraser Oates (56 not out) and Jude Shinnick (58) scoring half-centuries for their respective sides. B-Grade Results: Dunsborough 8-207 (45 overs) (C. Morris 57, B. Danaher 24, T. Begley 23, D. Horncastle 4-54, B. Kearney 2-34) b Vasse 103 (28.3 overs) (A. Beckett 21, P. Morris 3-4, R. Norrish 3-22, M. Vogelsanger 3-26). YOBS 8-189 (45 overs) (C. Luff 48, H. Golding 40, J. Kemp 29, E. Piggott 29, M. Snaddon 2-30, A. Balkin 2-32) b St Marys 148 (36.5 overs) (T. Campbell 44, D. La Motte 23, T. Hartnett 20, J. Grylls 5-18, J. Trewren 2-8, K. Spowart 2-22). Cowaramup 5-142 (28.1 overs) (F. Oates 56no, A. Holben 52, M. Earl 2-10) b Marg River Hawks 141 (J. Shinnick 58, L. Westcott 22, A. Holben 4-30, S. Berridge 3-19, O. Herbst 2-20).
